A dumb idea that just might work against cagers

[MikeFairbanks]

Killing two birds with one stone:

You've all seen those trail-a-bikes that people attach to their bikes so that a kid can ride along, essentially turning the bike into a tandem. So here's my idea to get respect in traffic:

1. Attach the trail-a-bike. (Cheap from CL or garage sale).
2. Take off unnecessary gear to lighten.
3. Use it to store battery or extra battery, and maybe some bags for luggage. Whatever.
4. Here's the good part: find or make a life sized little girl with bright clothing and pigtails. Just get some kid clothing at Goodwill, stuff it, sew it, etc., then securely mount it to the trail-a-bike.

Now, when pedaling through traffic the drivers approach and, of course, think "there's another annoying bicyclist and....oh, how cute. He has his little girl on the back."

And then the car moves left and gives you plenty of room. You can even put a scary face on the front to freak them out AFTER they pass you.

So, any thoughts? Might be fun.

 

[SamTexas]

You're right, it's a dumb idea. Because it could put a real little girl in danger if enough cagers get mad at your little trick. Think "cry wolf".

 

[Sunder]

I think there's only one idea that will work: Get enough people riding - push or electric bikes, doesn't matter - so that everyone knows someone they love that rides.

Right now, cyclists are that selfish fringe group that feel like they can run reds, ride on footpaths and hold everyone up. Until enough people know we're just regular folk trying to get somewhere without dying, people are going to get annoyed at us, and not give us due space or consideration.

 

[dogman dan]

Cager that sees you and thinks won't hit you. You'll still get right crossed because they don't think.

Cager that never sees you, like they are texting and driving would hit a kid.

Only time I ever saw cagers be careful, was when I was driving a dump truck, or a pickup that looked like something from mad max. Then it was always "after you sir".

 

[rscamp]

Or, ride a trike. Most drivers seem to think I'm physically handicapped when in fact the handicap is only mental.

 

[dogman dan]

The trike didn't help me one bit. Still got right crossed regular. Guess I needed to ride with my head bobbing like left foot?

 

[bowlofsalad]

Cager that sees you and thinks won't hit you. You'll still get right crossed because they don't think.

Cager that never sees you, like they are texting and driving would hit a kid.

Only time I ever saw cagers be careful, was when I was driving a dump truck, or a pickup that looked like something from mad max. Then it was always "after you sir".

I feel like this is really a critical concept here. if you are really concerned with your safety, I suggest speaking to those around you about not using a cellphone in any way (distracted driving) while driving. Put up signs. I often do a silly little hand gesture for 'hang up the phone', put my pinky to my lips and my thumb to my ear, and with very loud body language, 'hang up the phone' when I see a driver using their phone. Half think I am waving to them, some don't see me or ignore me, and some get offended.

I think what may work as well or even substantially better than a doll in a trailer is a very visible helmet mounted camera while wearing bright colors with reflective materials.

My last piece of advice and potentially best is to simply assume every driver is either distracted, drunk or really terrible at driving. Don't take any risks when on the road. The only exception I make to this is when I am driving straight on a road and a car is slowly coming up to me at my rear, I don't make any special or erratic changes in riding during that, they will work with consistency. The only downer concerning the consistency is sometimes there are some pretty intense holes and junk that simply have to be avoided ruining consistency.

 

[The fingers]

A doll in a carrier sounds like a good scarecrow, even a dummy helmet camera is better than nothing. :wink:
Maybe a Chuckie doll would be the best one for the job.

 

[Hyena]

I thought about doing this a while back, not so much to stop cagers but just as a stealth way to mount batteries and the controller. Then I figured it'd attract some negative attention from the authorities when they see me flying past at car speeds with what looks like a kid hanging off the back.

As for stopping cagers cutting you off, I've been riding with a really bright focused 1600 lumen (supposedly) helmet mounted light lately. Most of the time I have it aimed down onto the road in front but being strapped to my head all I have to do is turn my neck in their direction (vs just lookin around with your eyes) and raise my chin a little and you're blasting them in the face with an alien abduction style beam of light.
I look in the direction of cars approaching from side streets as I ride along and if it looks like they're going to pull out I raise the aim from their doors to their face. This causes most people to promptly stop, usually acompanied by them screwing up their faces and putting up their hand to block my attack on their retinas You still get the odd person who'll clearly see you through a squint and proceed to pull straight out in front of you regardless
I guess there's no amount of intervention on our part that will stop someone who's completely oblivious (drunk, on drugs, borderline retarded or just a total asshole) As usual the onus is on us to ride defensively.

 

[Samd]

Maybe a blowup doll in the cage - people might make an effort to look.

 

[Hyena]

Maybe a blow up superman hanging horizontally off the back, like this:

If nothing else it might give some explanation for why a normal looking bicycle is belting along at 60km/hr without the rider pedalling :lol:

 

[fizzit]

I've discovered that one way to get people to give you some more room is to keep a tennis racket in your backpack. The grip sticking out looks a lot like the handle of a baseball bat, as it turns out.
Plus, have a few tennis balls in your pockets to chuck at drivers who seem like they need a wake-up call.

 

[DrkAngel]

As for stopping cagers cutting you off, I've been riding with a really bright focused 1600 lumen (supposedly) helmet mounted light lately. Most of the time I have it aimed down onto the road in front but being strapped to my head all I have to do is turn my neck in their direction (vs just lookin around with your eyes) and raise my chin a little and you're blasting them in the face with an alien abduction style beam of light.
I look in the direction of cars approaching from side streets as I ride along and if it looks like they're going to pull out I raise the aim from their doors to their face. This causes most people to promptly stop, usually acompanied by them screwing up their faces and putting up their hand to block my attack on their retinas You still get the odd person who'll clearly see you through a squint and proceed to pull straight out in front of you regardless
I guess there's no amount of intervention on our part that will stop someone who's completely oblivious (drunk, on drugs, borderline retarded or just a total asshole) As usual the onus is on us to ride defensively.

I find the basic ~250 Lumen zoomable light to be adequately noticed. (CREE Q5 LEDs.)
Dirt cheap and they can use recycled 18650 Li-ion cells.
1st is bar mounted and wide beam, high mode at night and strobe during the day.
I also mounted a 2nd on my helmet (Velcroed), zoomed on high to scan for potholes ahead at night and for strobe-beaming the unaware during the day.

... $7

Overkill are the newer CREE XM-L T6 lights, variously rated in the 1600 - 2000 Lumen range. (CREE listed as 1050 Lumens)
Intense and blinding capability, be judicious in use ... cops might not appreciate your application.
$10 and up.

 

[cal3thousand]

It's MUCH easier for people to see the trailer combination since it begins to mimic the proportions of a car. I noticed that I get much more passing room from the cagers when pulling my daughter. No need for a fake kid in there, no one has the time to identify if it has a kid or not. They will give you room.



Here's another idea that is along the same lines but not as impactful to your bike: dress like a bike cop. I would NEVER do it, but it would certainly give you some space.

 

[MadRhino]

As for stopping cagers cutting you off, I've been riding with a really bright focused 1600 lumen (supposedly) helmet mounted light lately. Most of the time I have it aimed down onto the road in front but being strapped to my head all I have to do is turn my neck in their direction (vs just lookin around with your eyes) and raise my chin a little and you're blasting them in the face with an alien abduction style beam of light.

+1
A bright light that freezes them like deers, and having enough power to beat them on acceleration are the best safety features that one could have on 2 wheels.

 

[Sunder]

I have a better idea that might work against cagers

 

[DrkAngel]

I have a better idea that might work against cagers

Too much surface area!
The wake from large trucks might, literally, put you into a tail spin.

 

[Lebowski]

I've always wanted to carry a paintball gun with me to, eh, paint any offending cars, but I'm too chicken

 

[Eclu Lardbut]

If you put a life-size version of a Cabbage Patch doll in the trailer, the following drivers will immediately think, "Gee, what an ugly kid" and be so fixated by it, they'll run into the back of you.