This morning's commute and other commuting stories

Okay so now it’s darker, and cars seem to playing even less attention to me I’ve decided that maybe just really good lights and multiple of them isn’t good enough and I should invest in a reflective jacket of some sort?

I do have reflective mudguards but only used when wet etc. And on the Brompton there isn’t any reflective bits really.

Found an altura night vision Evo three jacket for 40 quid on tredz down from 100, anything better?

IME it makes no difference, but if it makes you feel safer ... go for it.

I kind of need a new jacket anyway, just whether it’s worth being easier to be seen etc. My lights are damn good and I ride appropriately 99% of the time!

Tis the season for the bike Ninja's

Crossing the road at a zebra crossing this morning, car stops I go to cross bike ninja no lights, head to toe in black bombs through the middle.

Well, that was as cold as at 6.30 here in frosty Oxfordshire.
#steamingatthetrafficlights

High-5'd the eco protestors at E&C, not sure the fuming drivers behind approved though. Suck it up guys.

Yep, it was rather cold this morning.

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right of way

Right of way just means that they are allowed where they are. Just as the bicycles are, and the cars are.

Maybe you're thinking of priority?

This was just left all day yesterday on Old Kent Road opposite McDonalds

Quite probably, yes. I'm no lawyer.

Me neither!
In terms of priority, though, I don't think there's any absolute if peds having priority (other than on pedestrian crossings, where they are "accorded precedence" and when they are crossing at a junction that a driver is turning into)

When there are accidents / collisions, it would appear that consideration is given to all factors (and sometimes ignored) in determining liability.

Owner had a huge, absolutely massive, Mac attack.

IME it makes no difference

This is about right. A decent set of lights makes anyone more than visible enough for night riding under city lights. The biggest reason for drivers not seeing is not looking.

No city lights here! It’s tractor lights at best!

Side-on those ProViz jackets stand out a hell of a lot more than normal cycling stuff (i.e. normal cycling jackets with reflective piping). Haven't tried one to see if they're boil-in-the-bag or not though.

The worry will be that soon loads of people have them, and then that's all drivers will be looking for. It's a different take on the lumen escalation war.

The biggest reason for drivers not seeing is not looking.

Personally I'd say the biggest reason for drivers not seeing is not looking properly. A big reflective jacket like that is going to increase the chance that you'll be seen by someone who's not looking properly (i.e. just giving a quick glance). But, yes, for the people that pull out (or across you, or into you) without looking *at all* there's no magic jacket that's going to help.

(For side-on visibility I currently have spoke reflectors on both wheels and I've had loads of comments from people about just how bright they are in headlights.)

there's no magic jacket that's going to help.

BUT THERE'S A MAGIC FIST

(in before hippy)

All hail the FIST.

Speaking of which, fist first commute on new commuting bike today. Much smooth, so glide, etc. Not having to worry about gears jumping under load, mudguards that don't rub, semi-powerful braking! It'll never catch on.

Was caught waving a Brompton seatpost at a taxi a few weeks back... shortly to be applauded 😂

If you already have a decent cycling jacket then you could just get one of these to wear on top...

https://www.rutlandcycling.com/clothing/upper-body/altura-night-vision-safety-vest-yellow_280026?

I just wear a £3 “builders” hi-vis.

I ride appropriately 99% of the time!

I would say that this is your issue, and advise you to ride as unsafely as possible, forcing motorists to give you loads of time & space.
However, if it's country A/roads you're talking about, there's nothing you can do. It's their unmovable opinion that those roads are their dominion and they can use them as they wish.

I learnt this the hard way on the A37.

Dont worry, I take the lane, have to with all the Tory wankers in 4x4s thinking they are posh farmers.

Stopped to help a guy who’d stacked on the junction just up from work. Slid / skidded on super greasy corner and wrecked his jacket, but seemed ok otherwise, plus the lovely steel Colnago looked unscathed. Spent the rest of the commute humming the ‘don’t lean’ song into all the corners (to the tune of Ms Parton’s ‘Jolene’.)

Got to remember that tune! Felt my rear wheel break out just the tiniest bit on a corner on a steep downhill - I thought I was already going much slower than normal, but apparently not enough... at least I didn't actually go for a full slide.

The A37 is pretty nuts - hope it wasn't too bad. It's more frightening cycling on the A roads than in London for that reason you described. I get close passes from fuckers refusing to budge over the white line only to then see them move to the centre of the road to avoid a speed bump. It's baffling.

I used to ride Bristol - Shepton Mallet frequently, mostly weekends though. However, I had many dicey encounters with careless and aggressive motorists. Some of the worst road users I've ever encountered on that route. There is a very pleasant country lane route out via Chew Valley Lake though. Speed bump fuckery really irks me, baffling is exactly the word.