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Riding Visibly and SafelyRod SmithApril 27, 2012or How to be Conspicuous on Your BikeAgendaQuick Exercise Count off in 2sThe MythsThe StatsCountermeasures & ConspicuityExercise #2Recap and RaffleThanks!

ObjectiveThe next 20 -25 minutes off your bike might be the most important minutes you can spend before riding your bike the next timeFind 1 thing that you are not doing, make a commitment to implement, and do something new

MythsIt cant happen to meI know what I am doingI am taking all of the necessary precautionsBiking is dangerous only in the darkI am an experienced and/or safe riderMythsApril 1, 2012, Levi Leipheimer near Bilboa, SpainWhile on a training ride, clipped by a car from behindThe bottom line is it was super scary and I am lucky to be alive.Diagnosed with a fractured left fibulaIt could happen to anybody.

MythsSunday, 10:30am, March 9, 2008Stevens Canyon Road, CupertinoGroup of riders hit by Santa Clara County Sheriffs patrol car2 Cyclists killed, 1 seriously injured

MythsSunday, April 29, 2009Highway 9, Saratoga Ashleigh Jackson and her fianc in a hit-and-run incident causing serious and permanent injuryRobert Schiro finally found guilty on February 15, 2012

It hits close to home!February 27, 2008 11 Days after KOMIntersection of Blossom Hill and Los Gatos Blvd.Andrew Hale, an avid cyclist and KLA-Tencor executive was killed when he was struck by a minivan

The DataNHTSA Data - Biking

2% of All Vehicular Fatalities involve CyclistsAt least 43,000 trips to the ER every year involved cyclistsPassenger cars' average weight is 3,596 lbs. Compact cars are lighter, and SUVs are heavier. Calendar YearFatalitiesInjuries*20096302008718200770143,000The Cyclists EnvironmentCars, Buses, TrucksCell Phones and Texting GPSSigns and SceneryPedestrians and animalsWeather & lighting conditionsThreat level highest in urban environments so APPLY Survival Conspicuity principles to YOUR RIDEDo you feel like this?

Countermeasures What you can do to be a safer cyclistFollow the laws/rules of the road, andBe conspicuousKnow your environmentLighting, weather, etc.ConspicuityThe property of being clearly discernible.The state or quality of being clear or bright; brightness; conspicuousness. http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/conspicuity

How to be more ConspicuousClothingAccessoriesMaterialsHow to be more ConspicuousClothingJackets, VestsJerseysGear/GadgetsMaterials

Identify the conspicuity items in this photoConspicuity and ClothingContrasting colors are bestHi-Viz YellowSafety OrangeThe two winners (In a 1994 study, ...fluorescent yellow was found to be best detected and fluorescent orange was found to be best recognized against any of the three backgrounds investigated. (Zwahlen & Vel, abstract) )But these are of little help at night/low-lightDont get lulled into thinking youre safer just by wearing these colors at nightBiological Motion (Biomotion)Drivers see and recognize motionRetroreflective materialWorn on moving joints

Survival Conspicuity - Biomotion is ImportantAnkle, ankle, ankle - Thats about the only place on a cyclist that brings out the biomotion.Rivendell makes big, fat, slick ankle bands.They cover the leg and stick out a few inches.DO NOT SKIMP ON ANKLE BANDS!You want the best and the brightest.How to be more ConspicuousClothingGear/GadgetsMaterials

Survival Conspicuity Tail LightsWhich is more important?Your fellow riders not liking your bright lights, orGetting killed/hurt by a car because you did not have the brightest lights?Always move up with the technologyLink available for recent consumer test of different lightsShould be used in daylight too Many new lights are also USB-rechargeable

Survival Conspicuity Multiple Tail LightsVolagi mount (brake bridge) http://volagi.wordpress.com/2011/12/08/how-to-making-a-mount-for-a-planet-bike-superflash/Seat-stay mountHelmet mountAre many better than one?Is this obnoxious?Does it make you more conspicuous?Yes, and that is more important than anything.

Survival Conspicuity Front LightsHave good onesHave a back-upDaytime running lights an idea whose time has comeAlways move up with the technology!Survival Conspicuity To flash or not to flash?Cyclists must have A steady light in low-light and at night per DMV Some cyclists run a steady light and one or several flashingThe point is to have good LIGHTS (plural)Survival Conspicuity Always Ride with lights onCars turn their lights on during the daySo can you! Increases conspicuity by day!Many lights designed to be seen by dayPlanet Bike Turbo FlashPortland Design Works RadbotDinotte

How to be more ConspicuousClothingGear/GadgetsMaterials

Viz Quiz the best way to boost awareness of a cyclist in broad daylight is:1. Rear facing horn___2. Share the Road decal on top tube___3. Clothing that uses black and colors found in nature like brown, green, eggplant, blue___4. Clothing that uses retroreflective material___5. Clothing that uses loud colors like Hi-Viz Yellow, Safety Orange___Daytime RidingHelmet+ Ankle Bands + Conspicuity Vest, Jersey, etc. + Daytime Strength Tail Lights + Daytime Strength Front Light = SAFETY or greater safetyVis Quiz The best way to boost awareness of a cyclist in the dark/low light is:1.Blinking tail light ____2.Solid tail light ____3.Reflective vest ____4.Reflective Sam Browne Belt ____5.Rear facing horn ____6.Reflective ankle bands ____7.Reflective material on cranks and wheels ____Nighttime RidingHelmet + Ankle Bands + Conspicuity (Retroreflective) Vest + Nighttime Strength Tail Lights + Nighttime Strength Front Light(s) = SAFETY or greater safety

Exercise #22 minutesMake a commitment to your partner on something that you are going to do to be a more conspicuous cyclistNew lightsNew clothingReflector tapeJoin an advocacy groupPlease follow up with each other in a week or two

A-N-C-L ChecklistA = Ankle bands for biomotionN = Noggin for helmet to protect sameC = Clothing for conspicuityL = Lights front and back, always on day or night

Do an ANCL check before each rideThanksJack Holmgren, Member, San Francisco RandonneursAron MasonRick AnkielKTCC Raffle Sponsor

Slides are available upon requestCountermeasures What you can do to be a safer cyclistFollow the laws/rules of the road, andBe conspicuousKnow your environmentLighting, weather, etc.

RaffleRedeem for Cygolite Hotshot 2-Watt USB Rechargeable Taillight with USB Cable

BACKUP SLIDESLinksAnkle bands @ http://www.rivbike.com/3 Feet Campaign and Jerseys @ http://www.3feetplease.com/Plus these guys are on FacebookJerseys @ http://www.elevengear.us/trafficmaster.htmlBest tail lights study @ http://bicycles.blogoverflow.com/2012/03/tail-light-review/http://BicycleSafe.com

Survival Conspicuity Organize!Amplify your voice with a chorus by joining a coalition or several coalitions.Support programs that lead to greater driver cognition and awareness of cyclists in daylight, at night, and in low-light.Ride with others in low-light or at night.Ride with others in daylight.

Survival Conspicuity Organize!States in green have passed a 3-feet law.States in yellow have passed a 4-feet law.

Survival Conspicuity Organize!Join a/several bike coalitions:http://www.napabike.org/http://www.bikesonoma.org/http://marinbike.org/Index.shtmlhttp://www.sfbike.org/http://www.ebbc.org/http://bikesiliconvalley.org/group/santa-clara