How NOT to get hit by cagers

GoldenMotor.com

Venice Motor Bikes

Custom Builder / Dealer/Los Angeles
Mar 20, 2008
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Los Angeles, CA.
It's my personal opinion that, common sense, awareness of what's going on around you & in front of you, & a good set of brakes, are the most important things to safe riding!
All the reading in the world isn't the same as getting out there and learning how to spot stupid drivers... (& not be a stupid rider)
 

Mike Hunt

New Member
Jun 9, 2009
184
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Toronto, Ontario
on my pedal bike when im riding down a residential street and i see a car at a cross street about to make a turn from the right side, if there's any doubt that the guy sees me i would pull a right turn into the same street and do a u turn so i end behind him, right turn again and im on my way again.


i had a little incident at a stop sign the other day. im riding my mb in the blocking position (on left tire track), i stop at a stop sign and this guy in a car pulls up between me and the curb, even though its one lane going in each direction. i wasnt in any danger but was a little annoyed by this. is there any tactics i can use to discourage this behaviour?
 
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Salty Gator

New Member
Aug 3, 2009
672
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Florida
on my pedal bike when im riding down a residential street and i see a car at a cross street about to make a turn from the right side, if there's any doubt that the guy sees me i would pull a right turn into the same street and do a u turn so i end behind him, right turn again and im on my way again.


i had a little incident at a stop sign the other day. im riding my mb in the blocking position (on left tire track), i stop at a stop sign and this guy in a car pulls up between me and the curb, even though its one lane going in each direction. i wasnt in any danger but was a little annoyed by this. is there any tactics i can use to discourage this behaviour?

A Glock model 20 should suffice....:D


Laters,
Salty.shft.
 

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fm2200

New Member
Nov 16, 2008
258
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new york city
Thanks Zevo for that informative piece about the safe bicycling. I bookmarked it for later reading and reference. I have had a few very close calls and near misses, and now feel fortunate. I learned that the speed has to be conservative when dealing with the average driver. The mentality is your on a little bike get out of the way. Some are considerate and are not so bad, but others have no tolerance for others on the road, other cars or motorbikes.
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
175
63
Littleton, Colorado
This is a good way to say what I've written here numerous times. It's the way I ride eveytime I leave my driveway: Taken from Zevo's link
Ride as if you were invisible.
It's often helpful to ride in such a way that motorists won't hit you even if they don't see you. You're not trying to be invisible, you're trying to make it irrelevant whether cars see you or not. If you ride in such a way that a car has to see you to take action to avoid hitting you (e.g., by their slowing down or changing lanes), then that means they will definitely hit you if they don't see you. But if you stay out of their way, then you won't get hit even if they didn't notice you were there.

Good post Zevo. Thanks
Tom
 
Sep 4, 2009
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Texas
Just a fyi as a transit bus driver if I took off when the light turned green without looking and someone ran the red light hitting me I would have been charged with a preventable accident....not at fault 2 different animals. Always try to leave yourself an out!
 

a_dam

New Member
Feb 21, 2009
351
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0
Momence, IL
hand guns and Canada...

I know Canada has urban areas. But since it is generally a lot more "woodsy", with wildcats, bears, and horny moose (mooses?), I would think the citizenry should be allowed and encouraged to carry firearms.

Here too!
 

Technocyclist

Motorized Bicycle Senior Technologist
Jul 7, 2008
462
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0
Asia
good reading material... but it did not tell about a speeding truck that can suck you in when it creates a turbulence, or a strong wind that can sweep you into a speeding vehicle... unavoidable??? maybe better to just jump off the bike? it might take some practice...
 
Sep 4, 2009
980
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Texas
Well you supposed to only ride these things on roads marked 35mph and as far as the wind don't ride in high winds either. These bikes are fun but ya gotta think safety these are not toys. Would you swim in the ocean if you saw shark fins?
 

bairdco

a guy who makes cool bikes
Aug 18, 2009
6,537
264
63
living the dream in southern california
good reading material... but it did not tell about a speeding truck that can suck you in when it creates a turbulence, or a strong wind that can sweep you into a speeding vehicle... unavoidable??? maybe better to just jump off the bike? it might take some practice...
haven't done it on a motorbike (yet) but i used to use the draft offa trucks and busses to gain speed and when i was tired.

if you're paying attention, and there's no cars behind a speeding truck, you can swerve in right behind it and get sucked into it's draft.

i never tried to peddle and maintain it, just use it for a quick pick-me-up.

and if the wind's strong enough to blow you into a car or something else, it's not a good day for riding (unless it's pushing you forward.)

i've hit plenty of cars on my bike (only one on an MB, and always the driver's fault) and i find that a bike makes a good shield. this usually only works in the common, drive-way cut-off scenario, but i've skidded or powerslid into the side, and banked off cars before, essentially using the car as a berm. if you stay in control, don't panic, and handle it, you might escape with a coupla bruisers, and maybe a side mirror for your troubles.

i've been "doored" before,( where the guy flings it open in front of you,) also.

i was pedaling an old worksman at a pretty good clip, and saw it happening at the last minute. i leaned way back over the rear fender while locking up the coaster brake, and skidded into his door with enough force to bend it back into his front fender, almost ripping it off the hinges. it was a ford escort or taurus, i think.

damage to me and my bike? none whatsoever. gotta love those worksman wheels.
 

Prof Fate

New Member
Aug 19, 2008
109
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St.Louis (Brentwood), MO
Just a fyi as a transit bus driver if I took off when the light turned green without looking and someone ran the red light hitting me I would have been charged with a preventable accident....not at fault 2 different animals. Always try to leave yourself an out!
George, when I saw you’re "Always try to leave yourself an out!" comment I knew that you must have also been trained in the Smith System (safe driving techniques). I wish everybody had to take that course, it works.
Doug
 
Sep 4, 2009
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Texas
Yep had Smith at least 4 times and defensive driving more than 6 times...they showed us a video of a train crashing into a bus...most people would run away from the train which might get ya killed you run toward the oncomming train at a 45 degree angle away from the tracks if you stall. If you run away the train creates missiles that will come your direction like hittin a baseball with a bat. Pretty graphic when they show it to ya in slow motion! So if your bike stalls on the track... LOL