What may annoy you when commuting?
#51
Banned
#53
Portland Fred
Look at the Heat Map below your post. This is just for one area and it is acknowledged that it is very under reported. Multiply this around the country and you get the idea. Nobody is going to do anything about it and nothing is going to get done. That is why every individual cicylist has to take individual responsibility for themselves and decide what is their best personal way to deal with it. I can't tell you how to deal with it and you probably can't tell me how to deal with it. But you have to deal with it. Acknowledge it and face it and do not take it for granted.
However, the reality is that cycling has never been easier or safer. I'm not sure bike lanes existed much of anywhere in the US before the 90's and now they appear in many cities. Roads in general are wider and have better shoulders (i.e. at least paved rather than gravel) even when no explicit bike lane is provided. Culture is WAY more accepting of cyclists than it's ever been. The equipment is far better too.
Not that there's not plenty of room for improvement but it's so much better and easier than it was it's not even funny. Curiously, cyclists seem way more scared than they used to be. Not sure what's going on there.
#54
Portland Fred
I'm guessing he wouldn't find this very funny...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg5sRDJtqNc&feature=youtu.be&t=360
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg5sRDJtqNc&feature=youtu.be&t=360
Last edited by banerjek; 03-21-19 at 11:04 AM.
#55
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#56
Portland Fred
Waiting for the road reports -- looks like there's a decent chance this revolutionary product doesn't vent as well, traps bees next to your skull, and performs only slightly better than other offerings.
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What may annoy you when commuting?
The OP posted such an open-ended question, that my best answer was nothing that would make me want to give up cycling, or too trite to enumerate, even after being hit by a car from behind.
However, I have posted to several threads, though not as heatedly as @mjac :
Anytime you ride in the street and do not get killed, it is a plus. I do not recommend it. If you can't commute using dedicated Bike Paths don't do it. It is not worth it.
It only takes one Jackass and you are going to lose the battle with a 21/2 Ton Automobile. Stick to Bike Paths and Parks and ride safely and happily. The number of Ghost Funerals in this City alone is unbelievable. Their ain't nothing Romantic about it. You are Hurt or you are Dead and a Statistic that everyone will forget about..
The OP posted such an open-ended question, that my best answer was nothing that would make me want to give up cycling, or too trite to enumerate, even after being hit by a car from behind.
However, I have posted to several threads, though not as heatedly as @mjac :
Anytime you ride in the street and do not get killed, it is a plus. I do not recommend it. If you can't commute using dedicated Bike Paths don't do it. It is not worth it.
It only takes one Jackass and you are going to lose the battle with a 21/2 Ton Automobile. Stick to Bike Paths and Parks and ride safely and happily. The number of Ghost Funerals in this City alone is unbelievable. Their ain't nothing Romantic about it. You are Hurt or you are Dead and a Statistic that everyone will forget about..
Frankly, I have posted that I would not be inclined to encourage, unless by example (nor discourage) someone to cycle-commute, but if they so chose, I would freely and gladly give any advice...
Public exhortations to cycle-commute, or utility cycle are well and good with no individual responsibility for bad outcomes, but I would not want the recriminations of a personal endorsement if something bad happened...
FWW, I’m not advocatin’ against, just sayin’
Public exhortations to cycle-commute, or utility cycle are well and good with no individual responsibility for bad outcomes, but I would not want the recriminations of a personal endorsement if something bad happened...
FWW, I’m not advocatin’ against, just sayin’
land your point is...
I did not mean to sound heated. I merely wanted to introduce some reality into the situation. These Ghost Bike Funerals are happening all the time around here. Each one of these represents a dead cicylist.
Recently two cicylist were killed at the same time by a drunk driver. That is reality. Nobody seems to want to acknowledge that. You either find a solution to this,whatever your personal solution is or tempt the same fate. I do not want to see this happen to anyone and it is happening too often.
suffer the consequences.
I did not mean to sound heated. I merely wanted to introduce some reality into the situation. These Ghost Bike Funerals are happening all the time around here. Each one of these represents a dead cicylist.
Recently two cicylist were killed at the same time by a drunk driver. That is reality. Nobody seems to want to acknowledge that. You either find a solution to this,whatever your personal solution is or tempt the same fate. I do not want to see this happen to anyone and it is happening too often.
suffer the consequences.
Even now, I can’t think of another synonym, though perhaps “morbid” comes to mind. Nonetheless, I was acknowledging the gavity of your concerns.
The point of my reply was that I recognize the dangers of cycling, and anyone interested should be aware, and choose it of their own volition. If that’s the case, I certainly would advise as much as warranted from my extensive experience.
Everyone knows that cycling is dangerous. Except that everyone who knows this is wrong. Traveling by bike is one of the safest ways to commute, safer than driving a car.
Cycle, walk, drive or train? Weighing up the healthiest (and safest) ways to get around the city
Cycle, walk, drive or train? Weighing up the healthiest (and safest) ways to get around the city
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 03-21-19 at 11:26 AM.
#59
Banned
Well, your terse and vacant responses indicate one or more of 3 things:
1. You're just wasting my time.
2. You're not clever and can't rationally comment.
3. English isn't your first language.
This is your last opportunity to contribute constructively as I am attempt to be reasonable with BF members and am trying to determine, which of the above you should be classified under.
1. You're just wasting my time.
2. You're not clever and can't rationally comment.
3. English isn't your first language.
This is your last opportunity to contribute constructively as I am attempt to be reasonable with BF members and am trying to determine, which of the above you should be classified under.
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I am a little annoyed in the parking lot. It's a long one, about half a mile, speed bumps and a good bit of traffic in the morning. I'm usually 3-5 mph faster than the parking lot speed limit and there is no reason whatsoever for a car to try to catch up and pass me. And then they are more cautious at the exit than I am, getting across the 4-lane cross street, so when they do get around me I have to wait there behind them and then again for another gap.
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We can only hope the change isn't permanent.
#62
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#63
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Thanks for your reply. When I was composing my reply to your post, I tried to judge the “tenor” of your post,and choose the appropriate description. My first choice was “vehement,” but that seemed too strident.
Even now, I can’t think of another synonym, though perhaps “morbid” comes to mind. Nonetheless, I was acknowledging the gavity of your concerns.
The point of my reply was that I recognize the dangers of cycling, and anyone interested should be aware, and choose it of their own volition. If that’s the case, I certainly would advise as much as warranted from my extensive experience.It seemed to me, that your post actively discouraged road cycling. FYA, IMO this was a pretty good thread (of many) on the subject “Commute by bike? But that's dangerous!.”
Even now, I can’t think of another synonym, though perhaps “morbid” comes to mind. Nonetheless, I was acknowledging the gavity of your concerns.
The point of my reply was that I recognize the dangers of cycling, and anyone interested should be aware, and choose it of their own volition. If that’s the case, I certainly would advise as much as warranted from my extensive experience.It seemed to me, that your post actively discouraged road cycling. FYA, IMO this was a pretty good thread (of many) on the subject “Commute by bike? But that's dangerous!.”
#64
Portland Fred
Helmet promotion through scare mongering probably has negatively affected acceptance of cycling as a desirable and healthy activity in the U.S. (especially for youth) and several other English speaking countries for the last 20+ years.
We can only hope the change isn't permanent.
We can only hope the change isn't permanent.
Increasingly, safety is thought of in terms of systems and procedures with the individual viewed as a hapless victim. If something happens to someone doing what they're "supposed" to, someone else must own it. There is severe resistance to examining what the individual could do to improve outcomes in situations where things aren't as they should be.
Portland is hilarious. We're supposed to be some kind of cycling Mecca, but those who present themselves as the face of cycling and get their voices heard on the news and in lawmaking chambers paint a picture of cycling as a super dangerous and scary activity. They also present riding in rain, cold, heat, darkness, wind, or up any incline as badass. Yeah, that will attract people to cycling in droves.
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Never met an adult who ever expressed even a remote reference to having bought into this imaginary hype/tripe.
#66
Senior Member
The City is New Orleans. It amazes me that you can so easily dismiss the injuries and deaths of cyclists riding on urban streets. It happens. I see evidence of it on a regular basis. Yet you tend to ignore it like it does not exist and make fun. The point merely is to acknowledge the danger and find your own personal way of dealing with it. I deal with it by not riding in the street. I have no control over what a driver does with his car. How you and others deal with it is up to you. I can not tell anyone what to do. But acknowledge the danger exists and deal with it. Do not pretend that it does not exist. There is nothing trite about getting killed and you can not say it does not happen. Talk to me when you have been broad sided by a car going the wrong direction and being left for dead in the street by a hit and run driver. Rolltheeyes.
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Mostly other cyclists annoy me. Those that run stop signs and/or red lights. Also those that cut to the front of the line at a red light, then ride really slowly.
Also, as someone else said, people who use those extenda-leash things with their dogs. They're actually illegal in my city (Toronto) but that doesn't stop anyone.
Also, as someone else said, people who use those extenda-leash things with their dogs. They're actually illegal in my city (Toronto) but that doesn't stop anyone.
#68
Virgo
You misunderstand the intent of my discussion. It is not to scare or discourage be morbid or be vehement. It is to bring attention to the fact that commuting on city streets in urban areas especially during peak traffic hours can be and is dangerous. Just recognize that and take whatever personal precautions you see fit. Too many people have bought into the hype you can just glog along and be oblivious to what is going on around you and you will somehow be protected because you are on a bike. My personal choice is to avoid street riding. I don't trust the people driving cars. Getting hit by a car is not fun. Trust me.
I think your message is valid, maybe consider your venue and audience. I'm guessing most folks here in commuting forum already have a good sense of the danger inherent to commuting by bike. But I don't know any cyclists who have the attitude you describe "...bought into the hype ... somehow be protected because you are on a bike". Sounds a little sensational, TBH.
Edit: But I do remember the days and weeks following my crash with a car. I had to commit to doing some soul searching because the incident had me wrecked mentally and emotionally. I ride past the exact spot I got hit by a car every morning I ride to work. I think it takes time to heal the mind just as with the body. You seem like good people. This is a tough crowd.
Last edited by Phamilton; 03-21-19 at 12:57 PM.
#69
Senior Member
#70
Banned
I recently cycled around NOLA and found it very relaxed compared to here!
#71
Senior Member
I know you weren't quoting me. I've been hit, too. Lots of people have.
I think your message is valid, maybe consider your venue and audience. I'm guessing most folks here in commuting forum already have a good sense of the danger inherent to commuting by bike. But I don't know any cyclists who have the attitude you describe "...bought into the hype ... somehow be protected because you are on a bike". Sounds a little sensational, TBH.
I think your message is valid, maybe consider your venue and audience. I'm guessing most folks here in commuting forum already have a good sense of the danger inherent to commuting by bike. But I don't know any cyclists who have the attitude you describe "...bought into the hype ... somehow be protected because you are on a bike". Sounds a little sensational, TBH.
#72
Senior Member
I'm guessing he wouldn't find this very funny...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg5sRDJtqNc&feature=youtu.be&t=360
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg5sRDJtqNc&feature=youtu.be&t=360
#74
Senior Member
well, your terse and vacant responses indicate one or more of 3 things:
1. You're just wasting my time.
2. You're not clever and can't rationally comment.
3. English isn't your first language.
This is your last opportunity to contribute constructively as i am attempt to be reasonable with bf members and am trying to determine, which of the above you should be classified under.
1. You're just wasting my time.
2. You're not clever and can't rationally comment.
3. English isn't your first language.
This is your last opportunity to contribute constructively as i am attempt to be reasonable with bf members and am trying to determine, which of the above you should be classified under.
#75
Senior Member
I know you weren't quoting me. I've been hit, too. Lots of people have.
I think your message is valid, maybe consider your venue and audience. I'm guessing most folks here in commuting forum already have a good sense of the danger inherent to commuting by bike. But I don't know any cyclists who have the attitude you describe "...bought into the hype ... somehow be protected because you are on a bike". Sounds a little sensational, TBH.
Edit: But I do remember the days and weeks following my crash with a car. I had to commit to doing some soul searching because the incident had me wrecked mentally and emotionally. I ride past the exact spot I got hit by a car every morning I ride to work. I think it takes time to heal the mind just as with the body. You seem like good people. This is a tough crowd.
I think your message is valid, maybe consider your venue and audience. I'm guessing most folks here in commuting forum already have a good sense of the danger inherent to commuting by bike. But I don't know any cyclists who have the attitude you describe "...bought into the hype ... somehow be protected because you are on a bike". Sounds a little sensational, TBH.
Edit: But I do remember the days and weeks following my crash with a car. I had to commit to doing some soul searching because the incident had me wrecked mentally and emotionally. I ride past the exact spot I got hit by a car every morning I ride to work. I think it takes time to heal the mind just as with the body. You seem like good people. This is a tough crowd.