Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: Notesfiles $Revision: 1.7.0.8 $; site convexs Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxn!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!convex!convexs!hosking From: hosking@convexs.UUCP Newsgroups: net.bicycle Subject: Re: Bicycle death & Macho Passing Vehic Message-ID: <5900004@convexs> Date: Sat, 24-Aug-85 06:25:00 EDT Article-I.D.: convexs.5900004 Posted: Sat Aug 24 06:25:00 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 26-Aug-85 01:17:18 EDT References: <298@SCIRTP.UUCP> Lines: 34 Nf-ID: #R:SCIRTP.UUCP:-29800:convexs:5900004:000:1817 Nf-From: convexs.UUCP!hosking Aug 24 05:25:00 1985 > This means that if you can't see behind a wide or high vehicle > sufficiently to ascertain whether there is someone behind them, move > to the right and be prepared to stop or take diversionary action. I'm not sure which is worse. If you move too far to the right, you encourage people behind you to try to crowd you out of your own lane. The closest calls I've had on a bike have been when someone tried to pass me with too little room. In addition, you're less likely to be CONSCIOUSLY seen by other drivers if you're too close to the edge. When you hug the shoulder, you severely limit your choices if some idiot tries to pass you too closely. You can find yourself in the uncomfortable position of being "trapped" with no room to maneuver, particularly if you're at the edge of a high curb. In some ways, I think it is safer to ride moderately far away from the curb until you are reasonably sure that the other driver(s) have seen you, then move far enough to the right to let them safely pass you IF it is safe to be passed. If it's not safe to be passed, HOLD YOUR GROUND SO THEY'RE NOT TEMPTED TO TRY IT ANYWAY. To do this effectively means that you have to make a conscious effort to keep track of what's behind you, but that's a good idea anyway. If you're alert enough, you can move out of the way before you're interfering with traffic flow, yet still increase your chances of being seen. This is probably not strictly legal in many places, but I'd rather risk getting a ticket than risk getting killed. This technique seems to be pretty effective in reducing the number of cases where cars (coming from either direction) try to crowd me off the road. Doug Hosking Convex Computer Corp. Richardson, TX {allegra, ihnp4, uiucdcs}!convex!hosking