Lightening strike question

DARISC · 07-09-2009, 05:36 PM

It's my understanding that if your car is struck by lightening you won't get electrocuted because the car, being on rubber tires, isn't grounded.

If this is true, does the same apply to bicycles and motorcycles?

Come to think of it, I've never heard of a car being struck by lightening. Does it happen?

johnco · 07-09-2009, 05:45 PM

yes it can strike a car. hit these guys chasing a tornado

McLovin · 07-09-2009, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARISC

If this is true, does the same apply to bicycles and motorcycles?

No metal structure surrounding a m/c rider to act as a "Faraday cage," so I think a m/c or bicycle rider could get a direct hit.

DARISC · 07-09-2009, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnco

yes it can strike a car. hit these guys chasing a tornado

Oh yeah! Now I recall seeing that on TV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLovin

No metal structure surrounding a m/c rider to act as a "Faraday cage," so I think a m/c or bicycle rider could get a direct hit.

That sounds right.

So, if you're going to cycle in a thunderstorm, wear a suit of armor, right?

dafischer · 07-09-2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DARISC

So, if you're going to cycle in a thunderstorm, wear a suit of armor, right?

Yep, that's it. Give it a try, and let us know how it works out, okay?

Aerkuld · Aerkuld's Garage

If lightning strikes a car it is not isolated from the ground by the tires. Think about it, the lightning has had no trouble spanning the air between its source and your car, the tire make a pretty convincing conductor between the car and the ground in comparison to air.

Like others have said, the reason you are safe is because the current flows around the outside of the structure to ground leaving you sitting inside the car with nothing more than messy pants.

Aerkuld · Aerkuld's Garage

Here's Richard Hammond on Top Gear doing a nice demonstration...

DARISC · 07-09-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dafischer

Yep, that's it. Give it a try, and let us know how it works out, okay?

I'm pedaling my sorry ass out to an archery store to look at a bow tomorrow morning - possible thunderstorms are predicted (and there are no armor stores enroute). Hope there won't be any shocking consequences.

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

If you must stop to rest, do not stop at the top of a crest next to a big tree to stay out of it, like PG and Ed, my friend Steve's screamingly hot girlfriend's brother did.

Turn off your cell phone, couldn't hurt. Perhaps go a day later, when you are less likely to get your metal jewelry melted off of you. Ed still has part of a gold chain melted into his clavicle, looks pretty cool on radiographs.

DARISC · 07-09-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

Ed still has part of a gold chain melted into his clavicle, looks pretty cool on radiographs.

Tobra, that's high larious!

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Or you could uhh. Drive your car. No sense in risking it. Besides cycling in the rain sucks

DARISC · 07-09-2009, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Or you could uhh. Drive your car. No sense in risking it. Besides cycling in the rain sucks

Oh, I know. But I'm in SOCAL and the chances of a T storm within 50 miles of the mountains is highly unlikely at this time of the year. We've had MANY weatherman who've had to leave the area...because the weather didn't agree with them.