Bicycle-Deer Collision

[Steve McDonald]

The brother-in-law of a friend had his femur broken in 3 places last night,
when he collided with a deer when going about 30 mph on a downhill road.
It's a reminder that not only motor vehicle drivers need to be on the watch
for deer after dark. I came close to hitting one near the same place and I
was lucky to be able to stop in time, as it froze in place when it saw my
headlight. A deer will sometimes jump in front of you at the last second, if
you try to swerve around it. I wonder if there's a type of ultrasonic
warning whistler that would work on a bicycle, like is used on cars and
motorcycles? Probably a bike wouldn't reach the speed needed to make them
loud enough. One that was battery operated might be better and alert a deer
to the approach of a rider.

Steve McDonald

[mark]

"Steve McDonald" wrote ...
> The brother-in-law of a friend had his femur broken in 3 places last
> night, when he collided with a deer when going about 30 mph on a downhill
> road. It's a reminder that not only motor vehicle drivers need to be on
> the watch for deer after dark. I came close to hitting one near the same
> place and I was lucky to be able to stop in time, as it froze in place
> when it saw my headlight. A deer will sometimes jump in front of you at
> the last second, if you try to swerve around it. I wonder if there's a
> type of ultrasonic warning whistler that would work on a bicycle, like is
> used on cars and motorcycles? Probably a bike wouldn't reach the speed
> needed to make them loud enough. One that was battery operated might be
> better and alert a deer to the approach of a rider.
>
> Steve McDonald

I've heard conflicting reports about the effectiveness of the ultra-sonic
whistles. Deer seem to get used to the sound and ignore it.

Hope your friend recovers, that's a nasty injury.

mark

[David L. Johnson]

Steve McDonald wrote:
> The brother-in-law of a friend had his femur broken in 3 places last
> night, when he collided with a deer when going about 30 mph on a
> downhill road. It's a reminder that not only motor vehicle drivers need
> to be on the watch for deer after dark.

And not only after dark. I have had two "near misses" in broad daylight
on my bike, as well as getting hit by one in my car (he ran into the
side of the car), and now call out warnings whenever I see a deer near
the road.

--

David L. Johnson

It doesn't get any easier, you just go faster.
--Greg LeMond

[Art Harris]

David L. Johnson wrote:
> And not only after dark. *I have had two "near misses" in broad daylight
> on my bike, as well as getting hit by one in my car (he ran into the
> side of the car), and now call out warnings whenever I see a deer near
> the road.
>

I've encountered more deer this year than ever before, often just
standing in the road in broad daylight. Fortunately I haven't had any
close calls.

Art Harris

[SMS]

Steve McDonald wrote:
> I wonder if there's a type of ultrasonic warning whistler that would work
> on a bicycle, like is used on cars and motorcycles? Probably a bike
> wouldn't reach the speed needed to make them loud enough. One that was
> battery operated might be better and alert a deer to the approach of a
> rider.

There are electronic versions of the deer repeller that work without the
need for air passing through them. They draw very little current.

"http://www.amazon.com/Deer-Avoidance-System-Motorcycles-Hornet/dp/B000ALLL3Y"

Also get the motorcycle wiring harness. These are essential if you're
riding outside urban areas.

[Frank Krygowski[_2_]]

On Aug 28, 11:21*am, Art Harris > wrote:
> David L. Johnson wrote:
> > And not only after dark. *I have had two "near misses" in broad daylight
> > on my bike, as well as getting hit by one in my car (he ran into the
> > side of the car), and now call out warnings whenever I see a deer near
> > the road.
>
> I've encountered more deer this year than ever before, often just
> standing in the road in broad daylight. Fortunately I haven't had any
> close calls.

We need to bring back the wolves!

- Frank Krygowski

[catzz66[_2_]]

mark wrote:
>
>
> I've heard conflicting reports about the effectiveness of the ultra-sonic
> whistles. Deer seem to get used to the sound and ignore it.
>
>

You really never know with wild animals what they are going to do. My
last close call was at dusk on a four lane divided freeway. I thought
the deer was going to cross right in front of me, but she got within
maybe 30 yards of the pavement, did a u-turn and bolted off the other
way. I have deer whistles on my truck, but there's no way for me to
know what made the deer turn around. At highway speeds, I would not
have been able to stop if she had gotten in my path.

[Jeff[_6_]]

Steve McDonald wrote:
> The brother-in-law of a friend had his femur broken in 3 places last
> night, when he collided with a deer when going about 30 mph on a
> downhill road. It's a reminder that not only motor vehicle drivers need
> to be on the watch for deer after dark. I came close to hitting one
> near the same place and I was lucky to be able to stop in time, as it
> froze in place when it saw my headlight. A deer will sometimes jump in
> front of you at the last second, if you try to swerve around it. I
> wonder if there's a type of ultrasonic warning whistler that would work
> on a bicycle, like is used on cars and motorcycles? Probably a bike
> wouldn't reach the speed needed to make them loud enough. One that was
> battery operated might be better and alert a deer to the approach of a
> rider.
>
> Steve McDonald
My experiences with deer have led me to conclude that deer are the
mammalian equivalent of the chicken (at least in terms of IQ).

If you're cycling anywhere that deer are known to abound, be very
careful - you're dealing with incredibly stupid, but large, creatures.

A couple of years ago, I was cycling past a couple of deer. They were
facing away from the road, on a field on the far side of the road. As I
got just about even with them, they whirled around 180 degrees, and ran
across the road just in front of me. A great, if terrifying, view of
beautiful, stupid, animals.

[recycled[_2_]]

"mark" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Steve McDonald" wrote ...
>> The brother-in-law of a friend had his femur broken in 3 places last
>> night, when he collided with a deer when going about 30 mph on a downhill
>> road. It's a reminder that not only motor vehicle drivers need to be on
>> the watch for deer after dark. I came close to hitting one near the same
>> place and I was lucky to be able to stop in time, as it froze in place
>> when it saw my headlight. A deer will sometimes jump in front of you at
>> the last second, if you try to swerve around it. I wonder if there's a
>> type of ultrasonic warning whistler that would work on a bicycle, like is
>> used on cars and motorcycles? Probably a bike wouldn't reach the speed
>> needed to make them loud enough. One that was battery operated might be
>> better and alert a deer to the approach of a rider.
>>
>> Steve McDonald
>
> I've heard conflicting reports about the effectiveness of the ultra-sonic
> whistles. Deer seem to get used to the sound and ignore it.
>
> Hope your friend recovers, that's a nasty injury.

I've never hit a deer. I have seen them on occasion. In one case a doe with
her fawn along a trail. Another time I was going down a country road and two
adults leapt out of the brush to cross the road not 10 meters ahead of me.