[SDCBC] Bicyclist Dies After Being Hit By Mercedes

[markw]

Tom Lettington wrote:
> At 04:10 PM 9/20/2007, Serge Issakov wrote:
>> On 9/20/07, Frank  Paiano <wondernerd at juno.com> wrote:
>>
>>> A man riding a bicycle without a light ...
> 
> A headlight and/or taillight would have probably done very little to 
> enhance the cyclist's visibility in this case.  What we need to learn 
> from this incident (assuming the reported circumstances are accurate) 
> is that side visibility is very important. I'm willing to bet the 
> cyclist had no reflectors on his wheels or, even better,  reflective 
> sidewalls on his tires and was not wearing any kind of reflect

Unfortunately those pesky reflectors are usually the first to go on most
peoples bikes including my own.   Also I haven't seen a reflective
sidewall on a 23-25x700c yet.  What does work well, doesn't look geeky
and will get you through tech on ultra events is DOT C2 retro reflective
tape.  It blends in with the sides of aero rims and 4 or 8 half inch
squares present a nice reflective circle when the wheel is turning.   I
also put it on the seat stays and fork blades.   Along with the derailer
tube at the front of the bike.  If you run a box section rim two pieces
cut in an oval taped back to back over a couple spokes works well too.

Mark