When will people stop backing into my bikes?

[Forest]

why are you trying to switch the blame from the blind cage drivers? 4wds, if they cant see properly, maybe the driver needs to check first. it could well be a child they reverse into.

If you know the cage is blind, it is partly your fault for going into their blind zone.

[Oakie]

Parked "too close" maybe?

Big 4WD has inherent rear-visibility problem, especially if they have spare tires hooked up to the back. Compounded with bikes' generally much lower height compared to the 4WD driver's view.

Perhaps it is unwise to park behind them, or within 5m behind them.

Um. No.
The first time I was parked in the middle of a bike park and probably was 5 metres from the parallel parked vehicle in the car park next door.
The second time was in a park at a restaurant when the guy, not seeing a car roof in that park, thought it was empty and reversed into it...and my bike.
I'd taken steps both times to make my parking fool-proof. My mistake. I should have made it blind-idiot-proof.

[Oakie]

If you know the cage is blind, it is partly your fault for going into their blind zone.

He would have seen me yesterday if he looked in his mirror. I was right behind him and at an angle so presenting an even bigger profile than normal. Wouldn't have seen me in the wing mirror but definately from the inside mirror (whatever that is called)

[Macktheknife]

Glad you are not hurt oakie and damage is minimal, remind me not to follow you into carparks ok? lol!
Seriously though, I would be looking at getting more familiar with your horn button in the first place, like anything else if you don't use it often it can be hard to find when stressed!
Also, always have an escape route planned when in high traffic areas, it could save you from much worse than this.
"Where can I go to that is safe (ish) if I need to move?"

All the best

[sunhuntin]

If you know the cage is blind, it is partly your fault for going into their blind zone.

up to the cager to check the way is clear before reversing.

[Marmoot]

up to the cager to check the way is clear before reversing.

Yep, and damaged bike makes great evidence when it comes to court case.

Injuries may support the claims too, so make sure you get as mangled as possible?

[Oakie]

Glad you are not hurt oakie and damage is minimal, remind me not to follow you into carparks ok? lol!
Seriously though, I would be looking at getting more familiar with your horn button in the first place, like anything else if you don't use it often it can be hard to find when stressed!
Also, always have an escape route planned when in high traffic areas, it could save you from much worse than this.
"Where can I go to that is safe (ish) if I need to move?"

All the best

Yeah, best no-one follows me into parks. LOL.
Regarding the horn: my lack of familiarity with it stems back to defensive driving course days when we were told it's pretty ineffective as a warning device and that we're better to use that second or so that it takes to sound the horn to avoid an incident rather than rely on the horn to warn another vehicle of it. It seemed to make sense at the time so I've not been a very 'horny' road user at all.
I usually do ride with an escape route as I tend to sit just outside the right hand side of the vehicle I'm following where it is safe to do so. The circumstances of this one just took be quite by surprise. However, this is how we learn so next time ...

[ManDownUnder]

Regarding the horn: my lack of familiarity with it stems back

You need a FECAL switch. The horn goes off everytime you get that "OH SHIT" sensation!

[Forest]

up to the cager to check the way is clear before reversing.

Yes you are right. But when a reversing accident occurs, then fixing things becomes a major headache for both sides.

Accidents really suck. Therefore I advocate for riders to take responsibility for avoiding accidents in all circumstances even when the accidents are not their fault.

[Forest]

You need a FECAL switch. The horn goes off everytime you get that "OH SHIT" sensation!

A pressure sensor in the rider's sphincter should take care of it.

Unless you're a Honda rider of course ...

[Coyote]

http://www.nippynormans.com/products.asp?dept=259

Stebel Magnum - 17 quid
136dB -

Is that the only place to get them or does somewhere local have them?

Eying up the Nautilus

[Badjelly]

Regarding the horn: my lack of familiarity with it stems back to defensive driving course days when we were told it's pretty ineffective as a warning device and that we're better to use that second or so that it takes to sound the horn to avoid an incident rather than rely on the horn to warn another vehicle of it.

This might be good advice for people who cannot sound the horn and steer/brake at the same time. For the rest of us, no.

Just 1 hour ago I used the horn on my bike to advertise my presence to a truck driver who was moving into my lane on the Hutt Road. I also braked hard (though briefly, because he heard the horn and backed off immediately). Without the horn, my bike & I could have ended up a wee bit squeezed. I have (re)learned several lessons from the experience, the main one being not to assume people can see you, *especially* when they are driving as if they can't.

[Pex Adams]

Is that the only place to get them or does somewhere local have them?

Eying up the Nautilus

Looks like this guy is selling them...
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Mo...-132825587.htm

[sefer]

Is 1.5m behind enough to minimise your risk? Can this be increased realistically?

LOl, do they have cars where you are? Do you know what happens if you leave more than a car length between you and the car in front on the road around here? Some prick pulls into it!

Actually it being a space big enough to fit their car in seems optional...

[SDU]

Glad you weren't hurt & the damage is easily fixed.
Hope you made the driver get his wallet out!

Carparks are dangerous places, any big park people either reverse out without looking as you're riding past or people walk in front of you while they looking the opposite way to where they are walking.