As an avid road cyclist, this video makes a point that really hits home. See if you can pass this test:
Take the test...
Take the test...
This video makes a good point
- Thread starter RyWen
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AlexThePalex
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Yeah, very good point. I feel sorry for cyclists who are in countries that are not The Netherlands. I am an avid road cyclist too, but at least here cycling is so widespread we're regarded a normal part of traffic and not the odd one out nobody's used to. On many roads we have our own bicycle lanes and car drivers take you into account when you have to drive on the main road. I have heard how that's unfortunately not the case in most other countries. I hope that situation improves quickly.
But visibility is still a large concern here too. We just changed to winter time and it's dark early now. I've been looking around for a nice winter jacket the last 2 weeks, and to my surprise I found black jackets everywhere. Black, black, black. I'm really looking for something light coloured like white or yellow, but they're absurdly hard to find. I was so suprised by this, you'd think visibility is of some importance to a cyclist. At least to me it is.
But visibility is still a large concern here too. We just changed to winter time and it's dark early now. I've been looking around for a nice winter jacket the last 2 weeks, and to my surprise I found black jackets everywhere. Black, black, black. I'm really looking for something light coloured like white or yellow, but they're absurdly hard to find. I was so suprised by this, you'd think visibility is of some importance to a cyclist. At least to me it is.
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A new blog about NYC riding
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/10/25/online-shaming-new-cops-in-bike-lanes-tumbler/
http://www.bikerumor.com/2013/10/25/online-shaming-new-cops-in-bike-lanes-tumbler/
WOW!! I too am an avid cyclist and often ride my bike to and from work. With my work schedule I ride at night or early in the morning on some very dark roads. I have not had any real close calls yet but I am sure it is just a matter of time. I have bright lights and consider myself to be pretty easy to spot but I may have to rethink riding in the dark. Thanks for the post!
Fitting timing of this thread. Just got done visiting a cycling teammate of mine in the trauma center at Harborview here in Seattle. Multiple broken ribs, punctured/collapsed lung, crushed shoulder, and the expected stitches, etc.
Got hit commuting home from work on Friday. Good news is his legs, hips, and spine are undamaged and very little head trauma.
Be careful out there!
Got hit commuting home from work on Friday. Good news is his legs, hips, and spine are undamaged and very little head trauma.
Be careful out there!
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The test is certainly effective in a way. It is a bit of a set up though. When I am driving I have not been told to concentrate on something different, and I am looking for people, cyclists and anything else on the road. Probably not looking for a moon walking bear though. Pretty interesting how that can be missed. [eek]
That cushion law ..... yeah hard to enforce, but maybe it will make at least a few people give some space when possible. I use to race and was always training on lesser used highways and roads. What really ticked me off was vehicles practically taking my elbow off when there was not a single other vehicle approaching for 1/4 - 1/2 mile or even more, even in a passing zone.
Seth
That cushion law ..... yeah hard to enforce, but maybe it will make at least a few people give some space when possible. I use to race and was always training on lesser used highways and roads. What really ticked me off was vehicles practically taking my elbow off when there was not a single other vehicle approaching for 1/4 - 1/2 mile or even more, even in a passing zone.
Seth
Actually, I'm not sure what the point is. When you're told to look for something that is what you concentrate on. When I'm driving I look for all things on the road. The two situations aren't comparable; the road and a room where you are told exactly what you are supposed to look for. I see all kinds of things which I must watch out for, including bicyclists, motorcyclists, animals (not bears I guess). It appears that I don't have enough to do with my time given that I'm even commenting on it.
chrisrosenb
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Something I have noticed in my area is that cyclists, motor & pedal, are the biggest offenders of disregarding traffic laws.
I am not surprised that they are involved in many accidents.
I am not surprised that they are involved in many accidents.
Sparktrician
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JD2720 said:
Around here, the biggest offenders seem to be members of the law enforcement community. They seem to feel that they are immune to the same laws that affect everyone else.
Yeah, I've been in areas of the country that have an abundant number of cyclists but a high percentage of riders who have little regard for traffic laws (Boulder, CO comes to mind). There are conscientious riders and careless riders, just the same as drivers.JD2720 said:
Here in Seattle there have been many injuries and several fatalities in the past few years along established bicycle commuter routes where drivers have either blown through intersections or drifted into the bike lane. My greatest fear when out on the bike is the knowledge of how prevalent texting while driving has become.
epicxt said:
I have not ridden bicycle since my kids were playing soccer in their preteens about 30 years ago. They wanted to ride to and from practice. since i was teir coach, I decided to ride with them. It was just about homecoming rush hour the first time i rode with them. I made them ride single file all the way and we still had some very scary moments along the way. Enough that we no longer rode to practice. If they wanted to ride after practice, i would load their bikes onto the back of my truck and they could ride around the parking lot, the field or on trails in the woods. i even rode along with them, but no more riding on the roads.
Later, the world started painting bike lanes along the edges of roads. I now come around corners and am faced with the backs of riders riding three abreast, even on corners. Late in the afternoons, when sun is very low and blinding to drivers, I will come upon riders who are in the shadows wearing clothing that matches the scenery. That is even more dangerous than taking the whole road. Those riders are totally invisible until the driver gets into the shade also.
I am not against bike riding; as a matter of fact, i was a biker (the motorized kind that made lots of noise and had lots of lights front and back) for a few years until I got married and had to chose between biking and domestic tranquility. I no longer ride, so y'all know the choice i took. I did have some rather harrowing experiences where drivers looked right at me and pulled right into my path from out of a stop street. I always had my lights on, even tho it was not stylish to do so back nearly 50 years ago. It does work both ways, but I do think many bikers could be more thoughtful about their clothing and brightness thereof. They also need to be more mindful of bike lanes. Such mindfulness is not so much a matter of legal consideration, but for their own safety.
Tinker
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