Commuting 101: Sun Glare in April and September
by Warren TThe Missouri Bicycle Federation has a press release on their site that reminds us that:
“…near the first day of spring and the first day of autumn. At those times of year, the sun rises and sets directly to the east and west. Many of our streets are aligned east/west. With the sun low in the sky and directly aligned with the street, the sun’s glare can temporarily blind the motorist.”
If you are riding when the sun is low in the sky, keep it in mind that drivers are not going to be able to see you when you are between them and the sun. You might want to find another route on an east/west street that isn’t as busy and has more shade.
I had a close call earlier this week. I was at an intersection at about 7:30am. The sun was rising due east. A car heading east totally missed the red light and blew through the intersection at 30mph.
As they used to say on Hill Street Blues, “Let’s be careful out there, people.”