For the millionth time, a PSA.

[AngryOldDem]

I feel like I’m beating the proverbial dead horse (didn’t there used to be an emoji for that?) but…

PUL-EEEEZE, if you or anyone you know likes to get out for a pre-sunrise walk, stroll, run, or jog, wear visible reflective gear. I passed six people on my way in to work today who were NOT visible at all. One was walking on a very narrow shoulder of a two-lane road, who nearly scared the shit out of me. You need to be SEEN this time of year. Small reflector clips on your shoes or sleeves ain’t enough. Reflective vests of all kinds and headlamps of various lumens are readily available and relatively cheap. Anything that signals to a driver ahead of time that someone is coming helps everybody. I love it when I see somebody’s light from blocks away. (I will give them points, though, for at least running/walking against traffic.)

Lamps, I might add, have the added benefit of lighting up any upcoming obstacles that can lead to nasty trips and falls. Bonus.

The last thing anyone needs is an accident, but it takes awareness and responsibility on everybody’s part to prevent it. I don’t assume these people are paying attention, and they shouldn’t assume drivers are, either.

Just had to bring this up again.

[Phoenix61]

1. I couldn't agree more.

Sunset is at 4:30 here. I almost nailed a guy the other evening around 5:30. It was pitch black and he was in dark clothing.

[gab13by13]

2. I thought the thread was about

the blood test to check for cancer.

[Delmette2.0]

3. And cars with their headlights off.

Too many people think that all that matters is if they can see. At dusk or dawn it is hard to see a dark car on a semi-dark street or road.

It's nice to be seen.

[AngryOldDem]

14. Been seeing that a lot here, too.

That, and people running red lights.

[Delmette2.0]

17. Yep, everyone is in a hurry.

Res lights, stop signs and speed limits.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. On back, winding roads, drivers could toot before blind curves

because I do know what you mean. Right leaning curves in particular. It's safer to drive down the middle of the road - except for oncoming cars, which, hopefully, have headlights on these hours of the morning.

[Wounded Bear]

5. K & R...for visibility...nt

[Irish_Dem]

6. I never understand people jogging in the street when there are walk paths and sidewalks.

Some are running right in front of cars and the cars have to slam on their breaks and swerve.

[DeeNice]

8. I see this all the time too.

Maybe they are avoiding the cracks in the sidewalks...trip hazard?

[AngryOldDem]

16. Part of it.

Tree roots under sidewalks and uneven sidewalks are hazards. I’ve also heard that it’s also easier on the joints.

[Irish_Dem]

18. Personally, I would rather trip on the sidewalk than get hit by a car.

[AngryOldDem]

19. I did this once.

My toe hit a raised piece of cement and I went flying and landed on my face. (When that happens, it’s truly an “oh, shit” moment — you just try to regain your balance and brace for impact.) I wasn’t too far from home, fortunately, but it took me awhile since I was feeling woozy. Went to the ER, no concussion, but my face was messed up for weeks. I don’t know how I managed not to lose teeth.

My other story — this happened a few years later — I was running through a park downtown and got hit by a cyclist. We crossed paths — I didn’t see him and he was going too fast to stop. He was thrown off his bike, and he didn’t move for a minute or two. I was knocked backward and fell on my ass. My elbows broke the rest of the fall. I was OK, for the most part. Paramedics were called and I told them to look after the guy first. He apologized to me later.

[Irish_Dem]

20. I see your point. Maybe running in the street is safer for you!

I have had a number of bad falls. Stairs are my problem.

I have weak bones, so when I fall, I usually end up breaking something.

It is very fortunate that you didn't end up in the hospital.

[AngryOldDem]

21. I do, when it's very early, always in a subdivision with no traffic at that hour.

I have a reflective vest and a headlamp that throws pretty good light. But I get on the sidewalk in the rare event I encounter a car.

[plimsoll]

11. As a cyclist, I probably shouldn't be on the sidewalk.

As for being further out in the road, at this time of year leaves are actually a major problem. For an automobile they're not an issue, but the small contact point for a bicycle makes them "extra special slick." So it's probably a safety issue. Another problem is glass, motorists don't usually see the glass on the edges of the road, but bicyclists often have to ride through them.

All road users should be visible and if practicable be well lit. Motorists should be paying attention to the road, not their cell phone.

As for why you might choose to use the road? In my community the sidewalks are patchy, swerving in and out of the road to stay on a sidewalk is probably more dangerous for everyone. The nearest trail to my house is three miles away, so to get to it I either ride on those non-sidewalk roads or drive. Lot's of people myself included don't want to spend the time to drive to a trail to run or ride.

[Old Crank]

13. Running in the road

Instead of sidewalks. Runners that I have talked to say that asphalt is softer to run on than concrete. There could be issues with sidewalks being uneven, tree roots and poor lighting. I would advise those runners to run facing traffic as if they were walking with a road with no sidewalk.
In most places, cycling on sidewalks, is not allowed. See your local laws. Cyclists do not have to hug the extreme edge of the pavement. The gutter, where glass and other debris can collect, is not technically part of the travel lane.
Everyone using the road needs to follow the safety rules, proper, lights, reflectors and vigilance.I

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

7. The other day, I saw a bicyclist just after dusk

No light on the bike, dark clothing. I could have easily run into him with my car.

[plimsoll]

9. I believe that most bicyclists would refer to him as a guy on a bike.

Bicyclists who commute usually have pretty good lighting systems. Bicyclists who know they're going to be out after dark plan for lighting. The point here is that they're bicyclists only in the sense that they are on a bike. Think of it as referring to all motorists as drunk drivers.

[Stuart G]

10. Yes, I see that often, but many do try to be visible at night with lights and more.

[Bluejeans]

12. Near naked female jogger knows what she's doing

Over the last summer, there were numerous occasions when a white woman in her 30s came jogging down the paved bike path, always alone, sometimes in the late evening, about 50 feet in front of my house. She was wearing a skin tight "flesh-colored" halter and shorts, giving her an almost naked appearance if you were more than 10 feet away from her. There's no doubt in my mind that appearance was exactly what she wanted to do as every other woman jogger on that bike path is wearing outfits in every other color on earth.

Remind me I need to go out and help search for this woman when she's missing after going on a run. Ooops, my noo jurzee sarcasm just slipped out!

[Backseat Driver]

15. Thanks for the PSA - I often think of this when I go out

to walk the doggies after dark on the private drives of our community or the semi-residential dedicated city street that provides access to parking areas and other apartment complexes' access drives. The street(s) near our particular drive have some wicked curves and not nearly enough night time lighting because it has stylized old-fashioned poles. I admit I don't put on the reflective vest nearly often enough when I take the pups for a quick leashed pit-stop after dark!