I have no doubt that my hi viz orange jacket saved me from serious injury today (while I was on my scooter).
Coming inbound on Route 65 at about 8 a.m. this morning, a minivan tried to make a last minute lane change to be able to turn onto the McKees Rocks Bridge. Unfortunately, I was in the lane he was hoping to occupy at the time.
He came fully halfway into the lane before abruptly pulling back left into his lane.
I have no doubt that somewhere in the merge to the right, it was my hi viz orange jacket that he caught sight of - either in a (much too late) look over the shoulder, or in the side mirror.
The light has changed these days. Sunset is now about 7:30 p.m. Break out the Hi Viz shirts, jackets, sashes or other accoutrement. Check your lights, batteries, etc, and plan to start using them, even on rides as early as 6 or 7 p.m. (and a.m.)
The life you save may be your own!
And to think I THOUGHT about wearing the blue leather jacket this morning!
swalfoort
2013-09-20 11:34:06
Good to know you're ok. I just purchased a headlight and a taillight a couple of weeks ago. I bike to work around 7 am, and the light is changing. It's amazing how many more drivers stop to yield instead of pulling out in front of you, or slow down and follow you instead of trying to pass, when you have a strobbing light on both ends. It definitely was a good investment.
rainbow-dog
2013-09-20 13:43:37
Glad you're okay. Rt. 65 on a scooter sounds scary, it's one of those pseudo highways that encourages high speeds but doesn't have adequate shoulders for escape.
rice-rocket
2013-09-23 10:46:12
rice rocket wrote:Glad you’re okay. Rt. 65 on a scooter sounds scary, it’s one of those pseudo highways that encourages high speeds but doesn’t have adequate shoulders for escape.
And the ramp that takes you down to 65 from California is a nightmare. With all the tear down and construction that's been going on there it would be nice if the city planned for a bike overpass.
rainbow-dog
2013-09-23 10:50:35
I am a high-viz fetishist. To the point that when I saw today's headline on a local blog was
Bisexuality Visibility Day, I wondered
geez why would their bicycle gear be any different.
True. d'oh.
vannever
2013-09-23 20:01:03
