Midlifecyclist

I fabricated nothing. Your claims are just as unsupportable

I actually find people that get so spun up precisely as you have slightly entertaining. Especially considering the fact that you’re one of those guys that is argumentative with everyone. That’s not making assumptions, it’s plain for anyone to read in your language and the “battles” you seem to love to have in these forums. My brother is a lot like that, so don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Take care Btw, my name is Erik. What’s yours ?

TC1

You fabricated a fatality count of 74 for Los Angeles County. You fabricated 555k bicycle commuters in Copenhagen.

No, they are not -- and we can see this precisely because I have supported them with the relevant statistics.

I only argue with people who are wrong.

Yes, you precisely are making assumptions because you do not know me, nor are your reading comprehension skills particularly strong. I do not love to waste my time correcting people such as yourself, who post wildly-incorrect claims without the slightest clue of which they are speaking -- but I like even less allowing such nonsense to remain uncorrected. Especially when that nonsense contributes to cyclists being injured, as yours does.

Midlifecyclist

Nice to meet you, Tickle.

Tickle, I’m glad you finally see my point and I’m glad that we could have this constructive debate.

Im excited for the next time that we can get together on a topic and agree further.

TC1

You have not made a point. In fact, just about everything you've written has been just flat wrong. So, no, we do not agree. And if all you've got left is trying to entertain yourself by making up names to call people, consider Twain's sage advice about silence and fools.

Midlifecyclist

You’re starting to come around and I’m glad to find some common ground with you!

I just read this, did you know that nearly 98% of men name Tickle are bullies? It’s weird because their name would imply that they’re cute and cuddly. Quite to the contrary, they feel inferior internally and it causes them to seek out interactions in which they attempt to validate themselves through confrontation. It’s often hard for them to avoid confrontation as they feel as though if they can’t bully themselves into a position they feel they can defend, they feel inadequate.

It’s actually one of the most common antisocial behavior patterns. It’s so prevalent that the frequency it occurs makes the individual feel the need to present their overbearing language and behavior even more to, albeit falsely, prove that their position is the only correct position. This serves to further isolate the individual, causing the behavior to continue and the cycle repeats itself.

You may find that you know someone that displays this type of behavior. But pointing it out to them is virtually pointless as they don’t have the depth of personal development to consider that they may be wrong or that the confrontation is essentially meaningless and has no bearing on either party other than to serve the antisocial’s internal need to continue their antisocial behavior.

Thanks Tickle, I hope you have a nice weekend

Trakhak

Childish taunting? Really? That was embarrassing to read.

Please either provide statistics from reliable sources that support your claims or concede (if possible, gracefully) that TC1's arguments are at least valid. Or just stop.

Midlifecyclist

Tickle’s arguments are 100% valid! I never said that they weren’t. Anyone’s arguments can be valid quoting resources that they find support those arguments. I’m guilty of the very same

I’ll wish you the same, safety on the road and happy holiday weekend!

I-Like-To-Bike

So what is your reference to an LA cyclist riding 24 miles/day equaling the person-miles of 20 Danish cyclists all about? Is it just meaningless rhetoric or what?

Daniel4

If only Toronto or more cities in North America had the bicycle infrastructure that Copenhagen has. I'd prefer their 'failed' bicycle system than our car-centric one. Riding 1.4km to get to work or school is much better than driving the same distance. And I knew someone who did that.

jack pot 

my consensus: bicyclists are safest among the Amish

JoeyBike

Exactly! Whatever it takes to arrive alive.

Leisesturm

The problem is that there isn't consensus on how best to achieve that. Some cyclists believe they have to flout traffic statutes and cruise in the vehicle lane because supplied bike lanes are death traps. Some believe they aren't safe unless rocking four or more rear flashers, white, or blue colored rear flashers. Some think they have to have 3' long flotation noodles strapped to their rear racks to enforce the 3' passing distance. A&S provides a platform for the unhinged to share their pet 'Stayin' Alive' survival secrets and sometimes their reveals are not pretty.

JoeyBike

We all die alone. So safety decisions are ours alone, so long as we aren't putting other people in jeopardy. FYI, I use just ONE very bright rear flasher!

Iride01 

Why do you say that cyclist are flouting the laws when they cruise in the vehicle lane? In my state and most other states I'm aware of, a cyclist is entitled to use the full lane.

Otherwise I generally agree with the sentiment that there is no consensus among us on what makes us safe.

bruce19

Without a doubt being a motorcyclist and MSF Instructor has made me a better driver and cyclist.

bruce19

I switched to a Garmin light/radar about 2 yrs ago. I'd rather ride without a helmet than without my Garmin radar.

Iride01 

While I like my Garmin Varia and use if for every ride, I still don't really know why I need to know that something is coming up behind me. The things behind me have to avoid me until they safely complete a pass. I won't know in time if they intend to harm me to get out of the way. I also tend to know cars are coming up behind me just prior to the Varia notification because I can hear their tires on the pavement or what ever that noise is coming from that they make.

JoeyBike

Hearing is key! Cycling the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains there were lots of chicken trucks and log trucks. I could hear them for 30-60 seconds before I ever saw them with my eyes. Not sure how radar would pick them up sooner than my hearing. 30 seconds is a long time to find a spot to pull over onto a grassy berm so we had no conflict (me dying in other words).

On a busy highway my ears cannot detect a car coming up behind me as cars in the opposing lane mask the sounds behind me with their road noise. I wonder if the radar knows the difference between cars moving away or cars approaching me from behind. One thing for sure, My $25 helmet mirror knows the difference. Like you said, I'd ride without my helmet before i ride without that mirror.

Iride01 

I don't use a mirror either. Even with a mirror I don't know how at the last minute I'm going to know that the car intends me harm in time to avoid it. And as I said previously, all traffic behind me is obligated to yield to me until they can pass safely. If that car coming up behind me doesn't see me, then again, how will I know until it's too late? Personally, I'd rather wake up in the ER without having had the scare.

If I didn't have a helmet on when I crashed awhile back, I'd be dead. And that didn't involve any cars or traffic passing me. I was just happily riding about 23mph according to my GPS when it happened.

MikeDeason

Interesting read.

I have convinced myself that the less you look the part of a hardcore cyclist, the more comfortable you feel jumping onto a deserted or near-deserted sidewalk when the bike lane suddenly vanishes or becomes too narrow.

The newly installed and much-protested segregated bike lanes here make me feel much more secure on my commute and when going for a family ride to High Park from my house.

https://www.change.org/p/re-evaluati...t-in-etobicoke

Troul 

if hearing isn't that great due to health/handicap/environment reasons, a radar can be helpful by its alert to determine how to react with the upcoming sewer grate, pothole, oncoming runner, & curbside road debris. repetitive rubber necking may bring about other issues & squinting at a mirror may not be for everyone.
IMO The biggest drawback to a radar with light is the battery runtime life. If configured at the highest settings it could operate for no less than eight hours, then it'd be hard to not have one... IDK of any rechargeable 350 lumens rear tail light that can meet that runtime criteria.

Iride01 

If, if, if.... there is always a if! <grin>

FBinNY 

As someone for whom 3mm or so once was the difference between annoyance and grievous or fatal injury, I'm a big believer in the importance of luck.

If we live to talk about it, that's a good thing.

Troul 

if a law exists, it'll change perspective. If no law backs the language, it's just blabbery.

Iride01 

So this is blabbery! <grin>

Or does a law exist specifically dealing with whatever this is talking about?

I like your term blabbery. I admit I do a lot of it!