Safety gear for your commute
08-01-19, 02:25 PM
#26
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Safety gear for your commute
Thanks for your personal reply, Phil. To each is own, and I’m glad you didn’t discourage the use of a mirror, though you did seemingly come down on listening devices.
Not to be contrarian, I have posted about both practices.
I also listen
Surprisingly, after 17 posts, no one has mentioned a rearview mirror.
Jim, I considered a mirror for my list, but thought about my own experience with mirrors. I have them on half of my bikes (commuter and utility/touring bikes), and even on one fast road bike.
In practice, I rarely refer to it. And in those cases, I could easily swivel my head to take a look, which is what I usually do. This is where hearing must be unimpeded, no podcasts, no music, no distractions.
You need to combine alert hearing with taking a look to make sure that your left side is safe for taking the lane, making a left turn across traffic, or passing wide of an obstacle.
But the mirror is probably a good call. Phil
In practice, I rarely refer to it. And in those cases, I could easily swivel my head to take a look, which is what I usually do. This is where hearing must be unimpeded, no podcasts, no music, no distractions.
You need to combine alert hearing with taking a look to make sure that your left side is safe for taking the lane, making a left turn across traffic, or passing wide of an obstacle.
But the mirror is probably a good call. Phil
Not to be contrarian, I have posted about both practices.
Thanks for your reply, @Jerrys88. When I was hit from behind, it was on a wide, low-volume, well-lit residential road at about 9 PM in June, by a “distracted driver.”
The route was so calm that I was not closely monitoring my rearward view. In fact, though perhaps I could have ditched the bike, I’m glad I didn’t see it coming if I was going to get hit anyways [PTSD].
I once read a comment that one should practice doing "bunny hops" so at least you could jump a curb if present on your right.
Obviously that’s the ultimate use of a mirror, and now I monitor rearwards more frequently. So hopefully being aware of the situation behind, even when not in immediate danger, allows the rider to avoid a dangerous situation, even by pulling off the road. And other than my accident, I’ve never had the need to bail out.
IMO, besides routine monitoring rearwards with the mirror, a most important use is to make quick decisions when encountering an obstacle in front of you, such as a car door, pothole, car entering your path, etc. Can you immediately veer left?
Mirror threads are often popcorn threads, and I’m always dismayed when subscribers blithely write, often directed towards newbies, that you don’t need a mirror and it doesn’t help anyways. Why discourage such a simple piece of equipment?
I’ve tried to think of the dangersof a mirror, and the best I’ve come up with is poking your eye with an eyeglass or helmet mounted mirror; or being too distracted by it, for example if you can’t really get used to it.
Personally, I use an eyeglass mounted Take-a-Look mirror that allows me to maintain a forward-looking head position with just a sideward glance to see the rear.
I really don’t want to turn my head for an over shoulder glance away from the line of travel when speeding downhill on a pothole-strewn road with heavy traffic to my left and parked cars to my right. Furthermore, wind noise can sometimes obscure the sound of a passing car.
I find mirrors so easy to use, and so helpful that I wear both right and left (link).
The route was so calm that I was not closely monitoring my rearward view. In fact, though perhaps I could have ditched the bike, I’m glad I didn’t see it coming if I was going to get hit anyways [PTSD].
I once read a comment that one should practice doing "bunny hops" so at least you could jump a curb if present on your right.
Obviously that’s the ultimate use of a mirror, and now I monitor rearwards more frequently. So hopefully being aware of the situation behind, even when not in immediate danger, allows the rider to avoid a dangerous situation, even by pulling off the road. And other than my accident, I’ve never had the need to bail out.
IMO, besides routine monitoring rearwards with the mirror, a most important use is to make quick decisions when encountering an obstacle in front of you, such as a car door, pothole, car entering your path, etc. Can you immediately veer left?
Mirror threads are often popcorn threads, and I’m always dismayed when subscribers blithely write, often directed towards newbies, that you don’t need a mirror and it doesn’t help anyways. Why discourage such a simple piece of equipment?
I’ve tried to think of the dangersof a mirror, and the best I’ve come up with is poking your eye with an eyeglass or helmet mounted mirror; or being too distracted by it, for example if you can’t really get used to it.
Personally, I use an eyeglass mounted Take-a-Look mirror that allows me to maintain a forward-looking head position with just a sideward glance to see the rear.
I really don’t want to turn my head for an over shoulder glance away from the line of travel when speeding downhill on a pothole-strewn road with heavy traffic to my left and parked cars to my right. Furthermore, wind noise can sometimes obscure the sound of a passing car.
I find mirrors so easy to use, and so helpful that I wear both right and left (link).
I listen to music or talk radio 100% of the time when I'm riding solo, whether it's a commute, or just a ride, and never listen if there's anyone else with me.
Single ear bud, in the curb-side ear, so I can hear traffic with the other ear.
Single ear bud, in the curb-side ear, so I can hear traffic with the other ear.
My usual practice too; music usually on the weekends when no good talk shows, other than repeats are on (not financial or gardening 
).I don't listen when riding with others.
I wear loosely fitted over the ear phones since I can't keep ear buds in the ear, and I hear just fine, besides close monitoring with my both right and left rear view mirrors. (link)..
).I don't listen when riding with others.I wear loosely fitted over the ear phones since I can't keep ear buds in the ear, and I hear just fine, besides close monitoring with my both right and left rear view mirrors. (link)..
I also listen to spoken word podcasts at a low volume in my curbside ear. I can hear traffic fine. On the rides I don't listen, or if I don't like the podcast and pull the earbud out I don't feel I gain any extra situational awareness.
My guess would be that picking one horn out of the Manhattan cacophony of horns, and echoes off the buildings, would be daunting in and of its self.
Whats more, I feel that when listening to spoken word podcasts in my curbside ear at a low volume, I can hear traffic better than when I'm in my car with the windows up with no music or podcasts.
However, it's been my experience that when a music clip is played, even in one ear, I start to loose my situational awareness. I think it has something to do with the way the human brain works....
My guess would be that picking one horn out of the Manhattan cacophony of horns, and echoes off the buildings, would be daunting in and of its self.
Whats more, I feel that when listening to spoken word podcasts in my curbside ear at a low volume, I can hear traffic better than when I'm in my car with the windows up with no music or podcasts.
However, it's been my experience that when a music clip is played, even in one ear, I start to loose my situational awareness. I think it has something to do with the way the human brain works....
...I feel safer wearing headphones than not, because my brain sometimes it can rely on my hearing to hear cars behind me, when the only thing that's actually affective is to actually look.
Wearing headphones makes my brain realize that I'd better look - which is far far safer than hoping a car passing me is making enough noise to hear it.
You can't rely on your ears for knowing what's behind you, you have to look.
Wearing headphones makes my brain realize that I'd better look - which is far far safer than hoping a car passing me is making enough noise to hear it.
You can't rely on your ears for knowing what's behind you, you have to look.
Well said, @PaulRivers. I agree that a controllable external auditory source can help to focus on the task at hand, rather than distract.
For myself, I work at preparing reports depending on careful detailed analyses, and I always have a talk show on. It definitely focuses me, even though I don't pay much attention; it's more a background awareness.
It seems to fill in my mind in addition to the current purposeful activity so my concentration has no other place to wander.
In fact, if there is no ambient “distraction,” the silence is deafening (and I don't have to worry about a car plowing into my desk).
For myself, I work at preparing reports depending on careful detailed analyses, and I always have a talk show on. It definitely focuses me, even though I don't pay much attention; it's more a background awareness.
It seems to fill in my mind in addition to the current purposeful activity so my concentration has no other place to wander.
In fact, if there is no ambient “distraction,” the silence is deafening (and I don't have to worry about a car plowing into my desk).
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 08-01-19 at 02:44 PM.
08-02-19, 07:07 AM
#27
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@Jim from Boston Thanks for the quote!
I want to add "horn" to the list. I've been riding with an Airzound Airhorn for 25 years and being able to call attention to one's self in traffic really helps. I have one on each bike. On my main commuter it is just under my pinkie. On my winter MTB it is just under my thumb. On my old road bike it is under mythumb when riding on the uppers, which is where my hands are in traffic usually. on that bike.
You pump it up with your bike pump.
https://deltacycle.com/airzound-horn
I want to add "horn" to the list. I've been riding with an Airzound Airhorn for 25 years and being able to call attention to one's self in traffic really helps. I have one on each bike. On my main commuter it is just under my pinkie. On my winter MTB it is just under my thumb. On my old road bike it is under mythumb when riding on the uppers, which is where my hands are in traffic usually. on that bike.
You pump it up with your bike pump.
https://deltacycle.com/airzound-horn
08-02-19, 09:24 AM
#28
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helmet
gloves
rearview mirror
headlight always on
flashing taillight always on
spoke light on at night
lit-up ankle band at night
reflectors on spokes
reflective tape on pedals
gloves
rearview mirror
headlight always on
flashing taillight always on
spoke light on at night
lit-up ankle band at night
reflectors on spokes
reflective tape on pedals
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08-02-19, 04:39 PM
#29
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As others have said, first and foremost is my attention. And my mirror, helmet, gloves, good lights, and high viz t-shirts.
08-02-19, 10:26 PM
#31
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Safety gear for your commute
Hi @BobbyG, thanks for the nod. I have in the past cosidered using an Airzound horn, and I replied to this thread, "how do you alert your presence to other pedestrians/cyclists/motorists":
When it comes to unexpected opening car doors:
video
@Jim from Boston Thanks for the quote!
I want to add "horn" to the list. I've been riding with an Airzound Airhorn for 25 years and being able to call attention to one's self in traffic really helps. I have one on each bike.
On my main commuter it is just under my pinkie. On my winter MTB it is just under my thumb. On my old road bike it is under mythumb when riding on the uppers, which is where my hands are in traffic usually. on that bike.
You pump it up with your bike pump.
I want to add "horn" to the list. I've been riding with an Airzound Airhorn for 25 years and being able to call attention to one's self in traffic really helps. I have one on each bike.
On my main commuter it is just under my pinkie. On my winter MTB it is just under my thumb. On my old road bike it is under mythumb when riding on the uppers, which is where my hands are in traffic usually. on that bike.
You pump it up with your bike pump.
Bell for pedestrians and bikes, Airzound Airhorn if they don't respond. Airzound for mototists.
I've honestly never had to alert a pedestrian or cyclist of anything. I can go months without even seeing another cyclist, even in the summer.
Cars, well, airzound, but I only ever have use of it maybe 4 times a year, and about half the time I'm just basically yelling at them for having run me into the median (oncoming cars passing in my lane, for instance) so it doesn't actually do any good.
Sometimes someone's about to pull out of a parking spot though and the airzound has always stopped them.
Cars, well, airzound, but I only ever have use of it maybe 4 times a year, and about half the time I'm just basically yelling at them for having run me into the median (oncoming cars passing in my lane, for instance) so it doesn't actually do any good.
Sometimes someone's about to pull out of a parking spot though and the airzound has always stopped them.
For those who use airhorns, in a sudden situation such as car door opening, are you able to react quickly enough to reach and pull the trigger?
An air horn would seem to be more appropriate as an acoustic "middle finger" to motorists who honk or in other ways offend...
An air horn would seem to be more appropriate as an acoustic "middle finger" to motorists who honk or in other ways offend...
“Catching people at stoplight after they aggravate you”
I think that airzounds could be a really great response to a cager since it would be so unexpected, compared to insults and obscenities.
It would be really cool if it came in obnoxious sounds, like flatulence, or "rasberries." I have seen such noise makers in joke shops, but I wonder if they would be loud enough. Pthftttt.
I think that airzounds could be a really great response to a cager since it would be so unexpected, compared to insults and obscenities.
It would be really cool if it came in obnoxious sounds, like flatulence, or "rasberries." I have seen such noise makers in joke shops, but I wonder if they would be loud enough. Pthftttt.
I frequently post this basic rule for me, ”Consider every stopped car like a weapon, loaded, with an occupant ready to exit, on either side." For example I think about that when filtering between cars stopped at a traffic light.
When I have had doors opened directly before me, I have found a scream causes the person to immediately retract back into the car like a turtle into its shell.
For a real vicarious thrill of dooring, see the link below, outside of this quote box.
When I have had doors opened directly before me, I have found a scream causes the person to immediately retract back into the car like a turtle into its shell.
For a real vicarious thrill of dooring, see the link below, outside of this quote box.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 08-03-19 at 05:36 AM.
08-04-19, 10:59 AM
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I ride with a bright yellow fluorescent colored helmet as well as rear blinking lights. I think a fluorescent colored shirt would be visible a long way.
08-04-19, 07:08 PM
#33
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I add an extra blinking light to my helmet. When I turn my head around to stare down cars I feel like the herky motion of the helmet light grabs attention.
08-04-19, 07:23 PM
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Dynamo hub and lights, glasses mounted rear view mirror and plenty of caution.
08-05-19, 09:15 AM
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08-05-19, 09:38 AM
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I've heard they're bad in Georgia.
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08-05-19, 11:16 AM
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Way OT. The worst dogs I've seen were out in the country in Kentucky. Of course, one of the best parts was outrunning six hound dogs from at least three houses. Helped I had 60 pounds in panniers and was going downhill... By the time they came off their respective porches and got into a pack on the road, I was 20 yards ahead of 'em and widening the gap.
08-27-19, 01:08 AM
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Well I follow these precautions
Wear a Bike Helmet Properly
Improve your Road Visibility
Learn how to Give Proper Biking Hand Signals
Follow The Rules of the Road
Map Out your Bike Route
The Bike to Work Hygiene Thing
Wear a Bike Helmet Properly
Improve your Road Visibility
Learn how to Give Proper Biking Hand Signals
Follow The Rules of the Road
- When you bike, you are not a pedestrian. You treat yourself as a car, and should follow the rules of the road. This means:
- you stop at stop signs, and wait your turn
- you stop at stop lights
- you stay in the road
- be patient and maintain your composure
Map Out your Bike Route
The Bike to Work Hygiene Thing
I try to use as much a bike lane as possible.
I strictly respect stop lights etc..
I wear an helmet ALL THE TIME.
08-30-19, 09:39 PM
#39
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My commute bikes all have headlights and taillights always on, and reflectors. I wear a helmet with mirror attached. I wear reflective ankle bands and usually a reflective vest or jacket.
And of course I try to be aware.
But my main strategy is to beat the rush. There's almost no one on the roads when ride to catch a train that leaves at 5:10 AM. The roads are busy when I get home, which is hard to avoid, but at least they're light most of the year.
And of course I try to be aware.
But my main strategy is to beat the rush. There's almost no one on the roads when ride to catch a train that leaves at 5:10 AM. The roads are busy when I get home, which is hard to avoid, but at least they're light most of the year.
09-03-19, 07:04 AM
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Long pants can get caught under the chain on the cogs in the front (unless you've got an old-fashioned chain guard and only one ring on the front). When you suddenly can't pedal, it can cause you to lose control and fall over.
09-04-19, 09:13 AM
#43
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Dynamo lights that are always on, fenders, bell, helmet, gloves, keep it all tuned. I stayed on bike lanes as much as I could, about 9 of a 10 mile commute, some shared some separated, and used a lot of caution. I only would ride fast when there were no intersections, such as the stretch in Prospect Park or the Manhattan Bridge. I didn't take any chances, stopped at all lights, but would one foot it through if nobody was coming. I also used a lot of "YOs" too many people looking down at their phones or looking the wrong way.
Now that I've retired I don't commute anymore, but I did a ride yesterday that took me on my regular commute but I was on my road bike instead of my commuter. I think I rode slower on the roadie than I would normally for a few reasons. One, I'm clipped in, two, no bell on the roadie (although I may buy an easy on/off one since I'll be riding a lot more on it) three, I can accelerate a lot quicker on the roadie and had to hold back. At least both of my bikes have good brakes.
Now that I've retired I don't commute anymore, but I did a ride yesterday that took me on my regular commute but I was on my road bike instead of my commuter. I think I rode slower on the roadie than I would normally for a few reasons. One, I'm clipped in, two, no bell on the roadie (although I may buy an easy on/off one since I'll be riding a lot more on it) three, I can accelerate a lot quicker on the roadie and had to hold back. At least both of my bikes have good brakes.
09-04-19, 09:51 AM
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My number one safety suggestion, by far, is "Don't make mistakes". "Pay attention" is at or near the top of not making mistakes. That's not safety gear - not what you asked - but it would be remiss to recommend gear when the top rule is orders of magnitude more important.
Tail light and reflectors, headlight if you might ride in the evening or night. That's about it really, for anything that actually does much to improve our safety. Some will include helmet and gloves as necessities, and they will help in the event of a crash, but for commuting, for me, entirely optional.
Tail light and reflectors, headlight if you might ride in the evening or night. That's about it really, for anything that actually does much to improve our safety. Some will include helmet and gloves as necessities, and they will help in the event of a crash, but for commuting, for me, entirely optional.
09-04-19, 10:57 AM
#45
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My number one safety suggestion, by far, is "Don't make mistakes". "Pay attention" is at or near the top of not making mistakes. That's not safety gear - not what you asked - but it would be remiss to recommend gear when the top rule is orders of magnitude more important.
I wear a helmet and use a blinkie. But the most important safety precaution is to anticipate.
Tail light and reflectors, headlight if you might ride in the evening or night. That's about it really, for anything that actually does much to improve our safety. Some will include helmet and gloves as necessities, and they will help in the event of a crash, but for commuting, for me, entirely optional.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-05-19 at 02:20 AM.
