Almost got crashed this AM - 12/05/2017

[CocoLoco]

Got bumped this AM southbound on 880 between Dixon Landing and 237. Thankfully kept everything upright with no damage to either vehicle. Poor guy was freaked out worse than I was. I think I'm going to ask for a GoPro for Christmas. I need to start recording these things and figure out if I can do anything short of stop riding to minimize this stuff. I've been in two accidents over the past three years one of which was definitely my own fault, and I had been crashless on the street for over two decades prior. Lots of close calls but touching is too close. Maybe it's me. If it is I'd like to document it and see if I can adjust.

 

[davidji]

Glad no damage was done! We're you splitting in the 1.5 lane?

That area is where I've seen the most bike vs car incidents.

I think it's worse now with the barrier right at the left shoulder, making the splitting area narrower.

 

[CocoLoco]

Yeah, filtering between the 1 and 2.
Just past the temporary barrier though. Like the guy got on at Dixon Landing and was migrating over to the Fastrak lane.

 

[Marcoose]

Glad you're OK.

Forget the GoPro, buy new freaking bright lights with modulator.

 

[DataDan]

You might find this thread helpful: Bay Area Riders Forum official Lane Splitting Guidelines.

The guidelines (PDF) offer good advice about preventing the dreaded lane-change crash, by far the most common kind while splitting.

 

[Krooklyn]

Glad you're OK.

Forget the GoPro, buy new freaking bright lights with modulator.

Well played....well played. :rofl

 

[jt2]

Glad you kept it upright.

Definitely go for the cam. Edit: I'll probably catch hell for it, but I personally can't stand the Gopro for use on the bike. I use a Contour - once it is mounted up, a single large slide switch (that works with gloves on) turns it on and starts recording.

 

[rob linders]

Got bumped this AM southbound on 880 between Dixon Landing and 237. Thankfully kept everything upright with no damage to either vehicle. Poor guy was freaked out worse than I was. I think I'm going to ask for a GoPro for Christmas. I need to start recording these things and figure out if I can do anything short of stop riding to minimize this stuff. I've been in two accidents over the past three years one of which was definitely my own fault, and I had been crashless on the street for over two decades prior. Lots of close calls but touching is too close. Maybe it's me. If it is I'd like to document it and see if I can adjust.

I know it could be you, but I'm betting it has to do with all the distracted driving between texting, GPS and talking on the phone. Unfortunately, I rarely ride on the street anymore.

 

[budman]

Glad your are good Coco.

Keeping the body intact for the holidays is good!

A GoPro is not a bad idea... it won't protect you per say, but it can make a difference in a crash investigation should it happen.

 

[nkya]

Ironically enough the only time I use my GoPro is when I know I'll be on 880

 

[CocoLoco]

You might find this thread helpful: Bay Area Riders Forum official Lane Splitting Guidelines.

The guidelines (PDF) offer good advice about preventing the dreaded lane-change crash, by far the most common kind while splitting.

I try to follow those as much as I can and was well within them this morning. I had just broken away from the pack and there was a large gap (~6 car lengths). I was well into the gap when a gray sedan started to move over into my lane. I was already next to the door when it happened. Gave a nudge on the left bar to move away and my boot/shin touched the car. Front end did a little wiggle as the car moved back toward the #2 and everything settled. Slowed to ask if dude was alright and he said it was cool. Motored on into work. He just didn’t see me and my delta wasn’t more than 5-7 over the flow.

Glad you kept it upright.

Definitely go for the cam. Edit: I'll probably catch hell for it, but I personally can't stand the Gopro for use on the bike. I use a Contour - once it is mounted up, a single large slide switch (that works with gloves on) turns it on and starts recording.

Thanks. Will suggest this as well. Choices :thumbup

 

[jwb]

Meh that area is such a shitshow. Part of the problem being that waze sends people down Fremont as a shortcut and then they have to get back on and merge at Dixon Landing. Under normal conditions that entrance is almost unused.

 

[danger2manifold]

There's a gopro on my helmet 100% of the time when I'm riding -- yet its only actually on maybe 10% of the time.

In my experience, there's a noticeable difference in the way people in cars (and people in general) behave around me on the bike when a camera is visible as opposed to not -- to the extent that I've watched peoples eyes find the camera before widening the split at red lights.

 

[tfkrocks]

That area is definitely the worst part of my morning commute and I'm always extra cautious there. I feel like I always see a bike downed in that area too... Glad it wasn't you today.

 

[moto-rama]

Glad you kept it upright.

Definitely go for the cam. Edit: I'll probably catch hell for it, but I personally can't stand the Gopro for use on the bike. I use a Contour - once it is mounted up, a single large slide switch (that works with gloves on) turns it on and starts recording.

I second the recommendation for Contour Roam cameras. Waterproof, batteries last a long time, and easy mounting.

I put a mounting plate on my fishing net, and it's easy to flip on when I catch a trout. I know, sounds silly, but...

Glad to hear your close call was only a close call.

 

[bmwbob51]

Morning traffic reports sound like motorcycle carnage with all the "bike down" reports! I'm glad I'm not commuting anymore! Ride like you're invisible.

 

[barfer]

..there was a large gap (~6 car lengths). ...
.. He just didn’t see me and my delta wasn’t more than 5-7 over the flow.

Just curious, if you were the car driver in this situation. Would you have still changed lane if you had heard a horn (of approaching bike) couple moments prior to the incident.

Were you covering horn when you entered that gap.

 

[Marcoose]

Were you covering horn when you entered that gap.

That'd be a new thing to learn.

 

[DataDan]

I try to follow those as much as I can and was well within them this morning. I had just broken away from the pack and there was a large gap (~6 car lengths). I was well into the gap when a gray sedan started to move over into my lane. I was already next to the door when it happened. Gave a nudge on the left bar to move away and my boot/shin touched the car. Front end did a little wiggle as the car moved back toward the #2 and everything settled. Slowed to ask if dude was alright and he said it was cool. Motored on into work. He just didn’t see me and my delta wasn’t more than 5-7 over the flow.

Good execution, plus a little bit of luck. :thumbup

A problem I have with the usual advice to lane-splitters is too much emphasis on limiting speed and not enough on situational awareness. I think we hit it just right in the BARF guidelines, highlighting SA factors at the top.

While keeping speed differential down is necessary--it improves your chances of being seen and reduces time and space to avoid an incursion--it isn't sufficient, as you learned. DO expect lane changes. DON'T expect to be seen.

 

[CocoLoco]

Just curious, if you were the car driver in this situation. Would you have still changed lane if you had heard a horn (of approaching bike) couple moments prior to the incident.

Were you covering horn when you entered that gap.

Nope. Not covering horn. Honestly I had allowed my mind to drift a bit to the day's work ahead of me. I was already well into the gap and solidly in the right hand part of the #1 rather than close to the lines when the guy began the lane change. I wasn't cooking it thru the traffic and then slowed once I was in the gap. Just a steady, even delta.

Good execution, plus a little bit of luck. :thumbup

A problem I have with the usual advice to lane-splitters is too much emphasis on limiting speed and not enough on situational awareness. I think we hit it just right in the BARF guidelines, highlighting SA factors at the top.

While keeping speed differential down is necessary--it improves your chances of being seen and reduces time and space to avoid an incursion--it isn't sufficient, as you learned. DO expect lane changes. DON'T expect to be seen.

I was having trouble focusing on riding throughout the commute until that point. Then it became laser. I think the biggest surprise to me was that I was already next to the guy's door when he began his change.

I had nearly the same experience a few years ago and I was the cager. I didn't bump the rider but it was a close call.