Whenever I stop at a light, I watch my mirrors until a few cars are stopped behind me. I've been hit three times in different cars, but luckily not on a bike. It's different than it was 35 years ago, there weren't cell phones back then.

 

I dont have modular taillamps but I do have bright LEDs. I always cycle the brake light after I have stopped if no one has pulled directly behind me. If I see someone coming up behind, I keep cycling the lights so I am seen.

 

I stop off-set in the lane to prevent being rear-ended. Stop in first, watch my six and be prepared to jet forward between stopped traffic if a bullet approaches from behind.

 

Short answer...no.

You can't and will never be able to control the goofball behind you. And no amount of glow in the dark clothes or all the LED lights you can add won't stop them from hitting you. I know...I was rear ended 2 years ago at a stop light and I had LED lights. I even checked to see if the car had stopped and it did. Why did she hit me? She said she was putting her name badge in her purse. Whatever.

Until then be prepared.

 

This would be the correct answer. The old saying "Sh*t happens" is a universal truth.

 

This guy might have half a chance.

 

Yep, it did then and it will in the future, to whoever and whenever you least expect it.

 

Lane splitting in California helps a lot, but like was mentioned above, offset in the lane. I will offset near the line between cars even if I do not split. Watch your mirrors and be ready to move.

 

there is no 100% way to avoid getting rear ended.

there are ways to slightly lessen the chance.

main thing is always be paying attention.

 

This Sportster rider is doing everything correctly..except watching his six. Had he been doing that, he would have seen the idiot, texting, cigar smoking driver in the "Giant Mechanical" van about to hit him. Had he reacted, he could have pulled forward between vehicles and avoided the collision.
Although this is a low speed collision, had the rider stopped in the center of the lane, his bike would have received significantly more damage plus not having an escape between traffic.