Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - I just moved to a bike friendly(ish) town...

And I am wondering if this is just Austin or is pretty normal for all towns. What is the deal with so many people riding mountain bikes on the sidewalks. I feel out of place riding my fixed gear on the street. I have to dodge mountain bikes on the sidewalk walking into work constantly. It just seems so damn dangerous to ride on the sidewalk to me. Plus it has to be annoying to dodge people and weave the whole way down the sidewalk. There are even signs posted that say no bicycles on the sidewalks. Why ride such a big heavy bike in the city all day. Sorry this just turned into a rant I think. I guess I am allowed one every year or so.

Sidewalk side walk si dewalk.I don't think I put the word sidewalk in that post enough.

Here in Anchorage most people ride on the sidewalks. It's legal except in the business district (mostly downtown) and many of the bike paths around town incorporate the sidewalk. Most of the roads in the business district are one way, so it's easy to navigate. It would be really hard to ride on the road in most of the busier places and the guys in the 40 foot tall pickups with 50 inch mud tires wouldn't be able to see you. Plus the paved trail system is so awesome here that you can get across town just about as fast as you can in a car. sidewalk, sidewalk, sidewalk

Sidewalk.

Ignorance.

No judgement, just saying it like it is.

People buy a mountain bike because they want a beefy bike (not realizing that, unlike an SUV, a bigger and burlier bike doesn't come with a bigger and burlier engine) rather than a femmy road bike. Likewise, they think they're safest on the sidewalk, not realizing it's the most dangerous place to be.

after spending a weekend in Denver, I saw bikes everywhere ... on the sidewalk, in the road, on the paths, seems it didn't matter.... though the most beautiful thing I saw was a fixie rider, on the street, come up on a red light, go up onto the sidewalk, around the cars stopped for the light and down into the intersection timing the green light perfectly and rode along like it was nothing. Didn't break cadence or anything. I drooled.

cars alone aren't enough. you now have to be aware of other cyclists, which is kinda ironic and sad, but true. Austin rocks, though, and don't let this get you down...



(yay for drunk posts, there should be more)

I want to see a fixed bunny hop on footage. Never seen it before. :\

http://michaelmartin.com/blog/photos/track_video.html
I am sure there is one in this clip somewhere.

Word. The only time I was ever hit by a car while riding was when I was crossing the street coming from the sidewalk. Driver had a stop sign, but was turning right and didn't see me at all. Kaboom.

From what I've seen, unless they ride on roads regularly, most people stick to the sidewalks around here. My girlfriend is afraid to use her bike anywhere but the bike path, because I've told her that riding on the sidewalk is the best way to get hit, and she's scared to ride on the street.

Hopefully, I'll get her to realize that if you're visible, most people will go out of their way to avoid you. At least that's been my experience.

http://michaelmartin.com/blog/photos/track_video.html
I am sure there is one in this clip somewhere.

Anyone know what song that is?

It's by a band called The Mall. They are from No California and the couple of songs I have heard so far kill.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=3300580&Mytoken=52E36FDD-E732-4469-9D19409A05D8CD0E851546343

They have some stuff to listen/download here. Great for night riding.

It's by a band called The Mall. They are from No California and the couple of songs I have heard so far kill.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=3300580&Mytoken=52E36FDD-E732-4469-9D19409A05D8CD0E851546343

They have some stuff to listen/download here. Great for night riding.

Grazie mille!

I don't know about other states, but I ride around MD and DC a lot. It seems that many motorists don't understand that it is safer for bikes to be on the road and they are legally allowed to be there. I have cars honking me all day...and I ride fairly quick. Just keep your hand on your NY U-lock and they know who is boss. I had a friend knock out some rear tail lights with his lock after the guy honked him and struck him with his mirror. U-lock Justice.