Last Updated: January 2026
Quick Answer: I don’t trust drivers to see me or do the right thing. I ride safer by assuming I’m invisible, then stacking visibility, motion, lighting, positioning, and awareness so drivers can’t ignore me — without giving up riding.
I’ve never trusted drivers.
Not when I was younger. Not now. Not on quiet back roads or busy city streets. And I’ve never bought into the idea that being “in the right” is the same thing as being safe.
I don’t assume drivers see me.
I don’t assume they’ll stop.
And I definitely don’t assume a bike lane magically protects me.
But I also refuse to stop riding because of them.
Over the years, I’ve learned something important: safety isn’t about trust — it’s about stacking the odds in your favor. And the way you do that isn’t complicated, trendy, or theoretical. It’s practical, sometimes ugly, and occasionally a little obnoxious.
That’s fine by me. I want to be noticed, not stylish.
Trusting Drivers Is the Wrong Strategy
A lot of cycling advice starts with the same assumption: drivers will behave the way they’re supposed to. Stop signs. Right-of-way. Eye contact.
That assumption gets people hurt.
Drivers are distracted. Windows are tinted. Speeds are higher than ever. And when a two-ton vehicle meets a human body on a bicycle, it doesn’t matter who had the right-of-way.
I ride as if I’m invisible — and then I do everything I can to make that invisibility impossible.
Rule #1: Be Impossible to Ignore
Visibility isn’t one thing. It’s layers.
I don’t rely on a single bright item or one blinking light. I stack color, motion, light, and awareness until ignoring me becomes harder than noticing me.
Bright Color Beats Subtle Style Every Time
I wear a bright helmet — yellow, orange, or lime — something that stands out even in a driver’s peripheral vision.
The same goes for jerseys. Bright red or fluorescent yellow. Drivers register color before shape. A bright blob on the road triggers recognition faster than a dark outline.
This isn’t about fashion. It’s about reaction time.
Motion Is More Powerful Than Light
This is one of the most overlooked safety tricks in cycling.
Reflective ankle bands or high-visibility socks move as you pedal. That motion catches attention in a way static lights don’t.
Drivers may miss a rear light. They notice movement.
Daytime Lights Are Not Optional
I run a blinking front light in daylight — every ride. Not a weak one. A noticeable one.
At the rear, I use a bright blinking taillight that cuts through full sun. Daytime riding is when drivers least expect cyclists, which makes blending in dangerous.
The One Thing That Changed How Relaxed I Ride
I resisted it at first. Then I tried it.
A rear radar system doesn’t make drivers safer. It makes me calmer.
Knowing when a car is approaching — how fast, and whether there’s more than one — gives me time to adjust my line or take the lane instead of being startled.
It’s not about fear. It’s about information.
Positioning Matters More Than Hope
No piece of gear replaces good positioning.
- I avoid the door zone.
- I take the lane when it’s safer than hugging the edge.
- I watch front tires at intersections — not drivers’ faces.
If a tire starts to roll, that’s your warning.
Riding defensively isn’t weakness. It’s experience.
Why I Still Ride
I know the risks. I don’t pretend they don’t exist.
But riding gives me freedom, clarity, and control in a world that often feels rushed and careless. I refuse to let distracted drivers decide whether I get to keep that.
So I don’t trust them.
I prepare.
I make myself visible.
I stack the odds.
And then I ride.
Thinking About Cycling As a Senior? Start Here
If you’re a new or returning rider in your 50s, 60s or 70s, these posts will help: