White Van Man - too close for comfort

[karl101]

A close encounter with White Van Man tonight, dropping down a long hill doing about 20-25mph following a car, gets to a junction, which I now find is notorious, and almost get twated.

The video: typical van driver - YouTube

In which you can hear me apply the brakes, and express my views on his driving (traditional)

Brakes. Very Important. And I wouldn't want to be sounding bitter about the lack of response from Wipser regarding this question: http://www.pedelecs.co.uk/forum/wisper-bikes-clinic/10754-new-brake-pads-905sel.html <lack of smiley>

Karl

 

[oigoi]

Looking at the video it seems the driver did not notice that you were there at all. IMO only way to combat other people's poor observational skills is to be lit up like a christmas tree with flashing lights and wear fluorescent clothing. I end up looking like a glow in the dark yellow and orange creature. Not fashionable but there'd be no excuse for not seeing me

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Frightened me watching it.
You need one of these. It stops them dead like a scared rabbit. Much brighter than a car headlight. Put it on flash and it gives them an epilectic fit:
SKYRAY 4000 Lumens 3x CREE XM-L XML T6 LED Flashlight Torch Light +18650+Charger | eBay

 

[eddieo]

yes you need a rear light that will stop them in their tracks and force them to take notice...

 

[flecc]

As AlanB posted, probably best to contact Wisper support direct, they are usually very good.

 

[karl101]

Hello oigol,
I was wearing a high visibility jacket, although I'll admit these can be difficult to see from the front, I also had one permanently on white LED light, and one white flashing LED light. I've always taken the view that you can be lit like a Christmas tree, plus lasers, and a big pointy arrow above your head with flashing neon sign, as well as some klaxons and one of those fog horns from a lighthouse and the White Van Man will sill say "Sorry didn't see you, Squire" as your scraped off the bonnet.

Not that I'm cynical or anything.

Karl.

 

[Deleted member 4366]

Hello oigol,
I was wearing a high visibility jacket, although I'll admit these can be difficult to see from the front, I also had one permanently on white LED light, and one white flashing LED light. I've always taken the view that you can be lit like a Christmas tree, plus lasers, and a big pointy arrow above your head with flashing neon sign, as well as some klaxons and one of those fog horns from a lighthouse and the White Van Man will sill say "Sorry didn't see you, Squire" as your scraped off the bonnet.

Not that I'm cynical or anything.

Karl.

Get one of those Skyrays. Trust me: They work.

 

[karl101]

yes you need a rear light that will stop them in their tracks and force them to take notice...

Its a shame Blue LED's can't be used. They really stand out and annoy the eyes, but the police would be inviting you to the station for some "questioning" about that.

 

[karl101]

Get one of those Skyrays. Trust me: They work.

But White Van Man would "go into the light". Of this I am certain.

 

[johnc461165]

I would love to carry a basket off eggs to express my dismay at drivers, or a flame thrower, similar to the one I fit to my trolley when I go to ASDA

 

[themutiny]

Hmm
I cycle and (mostly) motorcycle 40k miles a year. IMHO he did see you, but figured the worst case scenario for him was low risk. To my eyes, that looked like an awkward junction for a van, with his leftside sightline severely hampered by not having windows in the back. In other words q cynical I'm alright Jack attitude.

I see it every day on the motorbike, and almost come to expect it

Nick

 

[kitchenman]

love the slowmo. Karl, can you confirm what equipment your using and mounting etc. .. I have had numerous similar incidents happen to me. Its like the driver sees but doesn't see! .... hence my interest in riding with a canopy. When I sort out my design I'll get steveindenmark to make me a bright orange one reading "CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?" ...

 

[Eaglerider]

I would love to carry a basket off eggs to express my dismay at drivers, or a flame thrower, similar to the one I fit to my trolley when I go to ASDA

Many years ago, a work colleague who cycled through central London made a small device that would squirt Nitromors Paint stripper from a small plastic syringe thingy. He never did confirm whether it helped at all, but he said it made him feel better. Nasty, but an effective weapon against bungling 4X4 drivers!!

It is remarkable that so many people have such deep seated resentment against cyclists??

 

[karl101]

love the slowmo. Karl, can you confirm what equipment your using and mounting etc. .. I have had numerous similar incidents happen to me. Its like the driver sees but doesn't see! .... hence my interest in riding with a canopy. When I sort out my design I'll get steveindenmark to make me a bright orange one reading "CAN YOU SEE ME NOW?" ...

The camera? Its a Contour GPS slung under the handlebars using their mounting kit.
Karl