Is it just me or do motorized vehicles overtake with more distance if cyclist use a taillight?
Today I forgot my taillight the first time. I was overtaken by +100 vehicles. 90% overtook to close (< 1,5 m), 5% with perfect distance (> 2 m), 5% way to close (< 0,5 m). Normaly if I go out for a ride with acvitvated taillight it is rather: 70% OK (> 1,5 m), 15% perfect (> 2 m) and 5% (< 0,5 m) way to close.
By German law they shall overtake with a minimum ditance of 1,5 m in urban area and in rural area 2 m.
0,5m ~ 2 feet
1,5m ~ 5 feet
2 m ~ 7 feet
I wonder if you are expieriencing the same or if my perception was slightly off today.
Ive never put a number on it but your numbers @Tutank agree with what I feel. 5% of drivers are extra incompetent/ malicious and will overtake well below the standard acceptable regardless of a light but a large proportion of that 90% notice a light.
@Bhofstra I have a Varia but a 315 without light because I already got a super bright Lezyne Strip 300. I forgot it as well. Maybe my way of riding changes if I am using the radar.
I’ve got the feeling it’s also a matter of how close to the edge of the road I‘m riding. If I’m giving the drivers enough space so that they’re able to overtake me (almost) staying in their lane, they overtake with less distance. If am riding more towards the center of the lane and “forcing” then to use the opposing lane to overtake, they usually give me more space.
Note: I’m not recklessly driving in the middle of the lane, it’s more a matter of a few centimeters.
Aside from just a basic increase in visibility, I have a theory that flashing lights trigger something psychological - seeing the flashing light triggers the driver to think “that person doesn’t want to get hit” rather than just seeing the bike as an object in their way they just have to get past.
I rather think it’s the fact that it’s harder to judge distance to a flashing light. So they give you more room because they are uncertain how close you are. Also, the human brain is wired to pay attention to motion. So a flashing light is essentially extra motion.
For these reasons, I use a flashing light that has a complex flashing pattern, both front and rear. Plus, I mount them on my helmet so they move with me looking around. That way I can look at cars approaching from the side and the light shines directly at the driver and they notice me.
I’ve noticed this over the years. There seems to be a psychological block about crossing the center line. If they can squeeze between you and the line then they will tend to do that versus crossing the line and giving you more room.
Some cars may give you more space but some don’t. It only takes one idiot to ruin your day/life.
These days I ride pretty close to the gutter, if not in the gutter itself. The level of driving competence has steadily gone down since the rise of smartphones. The number of drivers who can’t stay in their lanes at any given moment is appalling.
Well I was in an all black get up yesterday at midday with my Varia running and nearly got wiped out by a car turning into me… so I’ll be cautious about ever wearing that kit again.
New shoes are all black, and while it’s practical for cleaning, I’d rather have bright white moving around on my pedals.
Bought a Le Col kit with a proper yellow jersey (not hi viz) that will be one of my long ride go tos. I’m sure I’ll catch hell from people for wearing yellow but IDGAF. I want to be seen.
I feel like I get good space with my flashing red white blue taillight. I think the country folk love it! Lol
Agree with others and OP, I feel like riders respect me more when I’m using high viz apparel and lights.
Thank you for this detailed explanation! Maybe I ride differently if my radar is on. Your rules apply (Besides driving to the left ) also in Germany.
I used to be a bike messenger for a pharmacy as I was younger. Within urban traffic I exactly know how to move to avoid getting in an accident. And I can confirm that all of the mentioned points are valid.
But on rural roads I am still a newbie. Next time I am going out for a ride I will experiment with all of your inputs Thank you for that!
I also ride in Germany and since I ride with my Varia turned on (German edition, no blinking) I have had close to no stress with cars passing me too close. I usually turn my head to signalize I am aware they are approaching and maybe that has something to do with it.
I chose not to get the blinking Varia (international edition) so I don’t provoke the drivers who know we are not allowed to ride with blinking lights. I’m pretty sure there are many drivers out there who will pass us close, spray us and so on, just to prove a point.
I haven’t ridden without rear lights in a long time, so I don’t have a control to compare to. I would say 90% of passes are fine. 10% are terrible and made up of at least 3 archetypes - entitled (cars rule and my time is important), punishers (let that be a lesson to you for riding your bike), and the unaware (these may be the most dangerous).
My latest example of an entitled driver - on a scenic road with a 25 MPH limit and lots of pedestrian/bike traffic decide he HAD to pass at the precise moment that 2 runners, 2 dog walkers, and 2 bikes were convening. He literally could have waited 5 seconds and that would have been down to just the 2 runners.
I think flashing lights only help with the 3rd, most dangerous type. The others are willful in their actions. I use a Varia and an additional bright complex pattern on my helmet.
For all three, I take the lane when I deem it unsafe to pass. I tend to go early in the morning to avoid most traffic, and avoid certain roads all together. I am not sure what else I can do other than gravel riding.
I’m just here to say that the thread title had me thinking about how I sometimes have to overtake cars to finish my interval
I agree with others that under normal riding conditions, I feel safer/more visible riding in the lane than over on the shoulder with a ton of high vis stuff. It gets pretty dark here in the winter though and I use the best lights I can to see and be seen riding in the off season. Highly reflective shoe covers are also great.
In addition to the points made here about lane position, it. can be really tough for a driver turning out of a parking lot or side street to see a cyclist moving up the shoulder at speed. Major roads tend to have good sight lines but it can be tough to see around parked cars/bushes/bus stops for smaller roads or parking lots. If I’m moving at any kind of speed and there isn’t a clearly defined bike lane, I will want to be further into the lane to be more visible to cross traffic. Not really directly connected to your question about overtaking but I think it is a good think to think about when you position yourself on the road.
My hope are the 95%.
) also in Germany.
Thank you for that!
