Had a conversation with a coworker tonight...
After a very close call with a city bus tonight. I was turning left at an intersection on a left turn arrow onto a single lane. Bus was on my right on exit ramp turning right onto same single lane. I had right way, he had yield sign. I was turning from a stopped position but wasn't wasting any time. I saw the bus coming but had no reason to suspect he wasn't going to yield. As events transpired, it became apparent he wasn't slowing enough and I had no chance of stopping or an out except to accelerate hard while healed over. It was a split second decision (I was in bottom end of second gear). As I accelerated, it was so close that bus came within 3feet of the back of my bike....had I had ANY less acceleration, the bus would have tapped me. I have to assume that he did not see me...
So in discussing this , my friend, a relatively (smug) new Cruiser rider proceeds to say....That is why I only ride in group rides, as you are a lot more visible, AND always use a headlight strobe if riding alone.
Having discussed issues with him before, I did not have time or inclination to get into this as I was still a little wired from the close call.
In my mind, and from all the things I have seen in years of riding, the most dangerous scenario's I have seen originated in group rides, especially with strangers. On group ride, which I rarely do(meaning several bikes in parade so to speak), if I am not in the first couple of bikes or the last couple, I would just as soon be riding alone.
Not talking about riding with buddies , who you know what to expect and, ride in a fashion where each rider has ALL of his lane if needed and not to worry about getting rearended by tailgating.
So after this long winded story..What say you?
Safer in group rides or not??
After a very close call with a city bus tonight. I was turning left at an intersection on a left turn arrow onto a single lane. Bus was on my right on exit ramp turning right onto same single lane. I had right way, he had yield sign. I was turning from a stopped position but wasn't wasting any time. I saw the bus coming but had no reason to suspect he wasn't going to yield. As events transpired, it became apparent he wasn't slowing enough and I had no chance of stopping or an out except to accelerate hard while healed over. It was a split second decision (I was in bottom end of second gear). As I accelerated, it was so close that bus came within 3feet of the back of my bike....had I had ANY less acceleration, the bus would have tapped me. I have to assume that he did not see me...
So in discussing this , my friend, a relatively (smug) new Cruiser rider proceeds to say....That is why I only ride in group rides, as you are a lot more visible, AND always use a headlight strobe if riding alone.
Having discussed issues with him before, I did not have time or inclination to get into this as I was still a little wired from the close call.
In my mind, and from all the things I have seen in years of riding, the most dangerous scenario's I have seen originated in group rides, especially with strangers. On group ride, which I rarely do(meaning several bikes in parade so to speak), if I am not in the first couple of bikes or the last couple, I would just as soon be riding alone.
Not talking about riding with buddies , who you know what to expect and, ride in a fashion where each rider has ALL of his lane if needed and not to worry about getting rearended by tailgating.
So after this long winded story..What say you?
Safer in group rides or not??