What almost was .....

[Lyn-Del]

This afternoon, I was in my pickup, preparing to make a left turn across three lanes of traffic.  If I hadn't been a biker, I'd have goosed it right after that black van -- and there were two bikes hidden by that van.

I'm so glad it was me and not someone who doesn't automatically check for bikes first.  Could have ruined the day for sure, for all of us.

[godfire]

Good thing for everyone that you looked twice.

Couple of years ago, I had a similar close call. I was in my truck turning left across three lanes of traffic, the last car passed and there was a bike slowing to turn into the same lot. I never saw him.

It really made me think. Sometimes I get so mad when cars don't see me.... and in my car I didn't see him..... look twice..... always! 

[RainMaker]

Good job   

Your note will hopefully remind us all to think twice before making that turn.

RainMaker

[Lyn-Del]

That's what I had in mind -- remind everyone to look twice, and to remind all of us that not everyone who doesn't see US is an idiot trying to kill us. 

Next time you're out in your car/truck, take a good hard look at all the "blind areas" where bikes could be hiding.  Then next time you're out on your bike, try to avoid putting yourself in as many of those areas as you can.  It's good mental exercise, and it may keep you alive a bit longer.

Be careful out there!

[Houdini]

Somrthing I've done is was to move my mirrors out so they are showing me more of what's next to me and less of what's directly behind me.  I have to lean a little to see directly behind me but I can see what is next to me a lot easier.  I feel this setup allows me to see what's next to me if I need to emergency swerve in traffic which is where I do most of my riding, I'd probably twist them back in when rallying in Fredericksburg or anyplace outside of the big ciry.

[john]

                       sounds like a close call phylis                         
  i'm real glad to read it worked out