Funny, Forester did not find it "negligible." He acknowledged that at a higher speed differential it could be difficult to "negotiate" with motorists. At least he understood that reality.
Yes, and every time you bring this point up, I again remind you that I disagree with Forester on this point. I know some LCIs who do as well. So what?
While in theory it certainly makes sense, and is why I do not promote the use of bicycles and other slow moving vehicles on freeways (except in shoulders or bike lanes), in practice on regular roads I don't find the difference between traveling at 12 or 20 mph, for example, to be all that significant when negotiating with 25-50 mph traffic, which is the typical speed range for motorists I encounter on the roads where I cycle.
In other words, whether I'm on one of my road bikes, or on my mountain bike hauling my daughter in the trailer, does not affect which roads I ride on, or how I negotiate with traffic. It does however affect how far I go, and how long it takes to get there!
The BikeForums Team
-adv-
This is an archived thread, you can find the full version of this thread, with images, links and more content here.
Currenlly when I look at speed while cruising on flats between intersections I see 21-24mph. About a yr. ago when in better shape 23-26mph.
I find that it is not the speed that impacts ability to work in traffic, but the speed at which I am used to. For example I do sometimes ride at 10-15mph in traffic, but find that it takes an adjustment period to re-learn timing for negotations. I experienced the exact same when I went from a speeding agressive motor vehicle driver to one who obeys all speed laws. It took several months to become mentally adjusted to the new speeds.
Al
Brian Ratliff
Currenlly when I look at speed while cruising on flats between intersections I see 21-24mph. About a yr. ago when in better shape 23-26mph.
I find that it is not the speed that impacts ability to work in traffic, but the speed at which I am used to. For example I do sometimes ride at 10-15mph in traffic, but find that it takes an adjustment period to re-learn timing for negotations. I experienced the exact same when I went from a speeding agressive motor vehicle driver to one who obeys all speed laws. It took several months to become mentally adjusted to the new speeds.
Al
Yes. My fixed gear, which I just recently bought, is geared substantially lower than the normal crusing gear of my other bicycles (for obvious reasons, at least for those of us who have hills :D ). I had a bit of a time re-learning how to make a left turn from the left turn lane on a bike where 1) I was not crusing at as high a speed, 2) I could not coast, and 3) I could not shift up and stomp to accelerate. Different abilities in speed and acceleration require a different sense of timing, which can take a little getting used to.
sbhikes
Well, duh. In case you haven't noticed, despite all my efforts to make it obvious, I HAVE AN AGENDA.
This deserves to be repeated so that nobody forgets.
genec
Well, duh. In case you haven't noticed, despite all my efforts to make it obvious, I HAVE AN AGENDA.
Yeah, but not every freaking thread in A&S has to support your AGENDA...
Sigh.
Helmet Head
I can only speak for my posts. And, yes, almost every one of my posts speaks for my agenda of advocating safe and fun traffic cycling.
noisebeam
Just to complete Diane's questions as all I provided above was my typical cruising speed...
I am always slower than moving traffic which typically is 2x my speed. Of course I pass vehicles slowing for a non-intersection stop, turning vehicles, etc. My speed doesn't inform my advocacy - when I started cycling after a very long time away from the bike I was 35lbs heavier and very out of shape and cycled 10mph slower than now, but this is when I learned to cycle on the road as a vehicle - most important first learning was destiation positioning at intersections.
I do prefer faster roads with fewer intersections (i.e. arterials). There are some routes I take with stops every 1/8th-1/4mi and they are very tiresome, especially in the summer 115F heat when waiting at a light one starts to get even hotter without the cooling breeze. A 45min stop and go ride vs. a 30min fast ride in 115F can make the difference in if my body can take it.
I always follow traffic laws, every stop, even speed limits thru school zones.
I never feel like my speed creates a safety disadvantage, roads here are designed for high speed and motor vehicle drivers are tuned to high speed interactions. I also am most focused on my surroundings and not on my effort. I save the hammering for weekend group rides.
Al
JohnBrooking
On a good day I can usually sustain 18-20 on a flat road with no wind. But then, it's infrequent to have both of those be true! :)
Are you faster than the rest of traffic?
Not generally. My commute is suburb to suburb, more like adjacent small towns here in Maine, connected by semi-rural two lane roads with posted speeds between 25 and 45, and at least 1/2 to 1 mile between lights. So the cars have plenty of time to get up to speed on the stretches.
Since other people have mentioned their top speed, I once clocked myself at 37 MPH on an extended downhill. (Three days in a row, actually, going to a workshop a few towns over.) Fortunately, it was a section of straight country road with no driveways and good visibility, so I felt pretty safe doing it. Of course, I huffed along at about 8 going up it on the way home! :rolleyes:
Does how fast you can go change what streets you will use?
There aren't any alternatives that are very different, without going further out of my way than I want to.
Does your ability for speed (or lack thereof) inform your advocacy?
I feel I can only speak for the way I ride, not necessarily for someone who rides a lot slower or a lot faster than I do.
Do you let things slow you down or do you do everything you can not to slow down including run stops and/or otherwise do things outside the technical law?
I pretty much follow the law, except I do follow the relaxed stop sign etiquette that has been discussed here on occasion. Basically, I slow down enough that I could stop if I have to, and I do stop if someone else's right of way dictates, or I'm not sure if someone is going to respect mine. OTOH, if there's not a soul in sight, I have no problem rolling on through.
Do you prefer the slow lane, to amble along, and not get too sweaty?
I enjoy being able to move right along, and am generally a goal-oriented person. However, although I don't care to poke, I am also somewhat lazy, physically. I had a congenital heart condition as a child, which is fine now, but it's convenient at least to trace my aversion to strenous physical activity back to the fact that I couldn't push myself too much as a child. So I prefer not to push myself too much now, either! :) I just don't like feeling out of breath. Sometimes I intentionally relax and amble, particularly for short periods after a strenuous uphill or something. But generally I guess I take sort of a moderate pace.
The one time I do push myself is starting up from a stop in a busy intersection. I'm a take-the-full-lane-at-intersections type, and I definitely feel it is better to match speed with the cars as much as possible in that situation. And usually, you really can if you try, at least until you reach the other side. I think I can do 0-20 in about 5 seconds! :D
CommuterRun
It depends.
If I'm on the Townie towing a canoe loaded for fishing down a sand road, I'm going and pacing myself for the day ahead, or on the way home and tired. Either way, I'm normally doing about 10 mph.
If I'm on the road bike or hybrid towing the utility trailer to work on a paved road, I'm going and pacing myself for the day ahead, or on the way home and tired. Either way, I'm normally doing about 17 mph.
If I'm on the road bike, no trailer and not much else to do that day, this is a very rare ride, I rarely ride without a destination and purpose, I'll be pushing myself and puffing along at around 20 or a little better.
Daily Commute
I picked 14-17, which is right in good conditions. In the winter, my average drops to the 12-15.
catatonic
18+
I can usually hold 16-17mph in moderate headwinds.
I pay more attention to the time than anything else though. It's to the point I want a computer with a seconds counter, so I can more accurately gague how long my commutes are taking...I want to lose about 3mins from it.
chephy
Ooops, I misunderstood the question, and selected my average, rather than cruising, speed. On flat decently paved ground with no wind and no obstructions such as traffic or stop signs etc to slow me down I usually go around 19 mph. Too bad such conditions are hardly ever found in the city. :)
Are you faster than the rest of traffic?
I wish I were. But no. :)
Does how fast you can go change what streets you will use?
Not really. Safety and comfort considerations usually override speed preferences. I'd rather go on a back road with stop signs at every intersection than a six-lane artery.
Do you let things slow you down or do you do everything you can not to slow down including run stops and/or otherwise do things outside the technical law?
I don't mind slowing down nearly as much as I mind stopping. So I roll through the stop signs unless there are vehicles waiting or peds crossing - but I really do slow down and make sure the way is clear. If a street is REALLY backed up and a sidewalk is really deserted, I'll hop the curb, although that doesn't happen very often. I don't ride through red lights no matter how clear the way is, unless the light has a detector that doesn't notice my bike and there are no vehicles that would trip it up for me - also is very rare in urban riding.
Mild Al
It is nice that many of you have the "choice" to speed up to match the speed of traffic. What about those of us who cannot go any faster? I don't know how on earth you guys go 25. It would be a miracle if I could do that without a gravity assist, and that doesn't matter what kind of bike I'm riding.
If it makes you feel any better, I don't know how they go 25 either. But here's how I console myself: someone once pointed out that a good race car doesn't have to go 200 miles an hour--it just has to go faster than the second-place car. I figure if I get where I'm going on time, I'm going fast enough.
For the record, my average time has improved a bit lately, from 13-15 mph to 14-15 mph. Over spring break, I did my longest ride ever, 30 miles, in exactly 2 hours. I can hear all you roadies laughing, but I don't care--I'm better than I used to be, and at least I'm out riding every day instead of sitting in front of the TV.
Dogbait
About as fast as that black German Shepherd that chased me this afternoon. I kept yelling GO HOME!!! and all he had to say was WOOF, WOOF .... guess he wasn't hungry; after a half mile or so he just gave up. I ride by there often and have never seen him before. I hope he was just visiting.
Let's see now..... where did I put that howdah. I know it's around here somewhere.
Dogbait
vrkelley
"more uphill than a month in Iowa" is what most every bicyclist goes thru in a day in Seattle (although i've seen some wicked hills in Dubuque and it wasn't just the Red Star talking)
Exactly. You're go'n a pretty brisk pace considering that steep stuff you're 'negotiating' :)
I've never ridden Finn, Queen, or Cougar...sounds like some pretty steep stuff.
Bekologist
VR, Try Tolt Hill road on the Way to Carnation from Marymoor Park, 1 mile of 10% grade, I was doing 45 down it today without even trying!
sngltrackdufus
I usually comfortably hover in the 20 to 23 mph on flats on my MTB equipped with 1.5" street tires.
Not unusual for me on the commute to stay in the 23 to 26 mph range though.