Tom Stormcrowe
Situational Awareness and The Cyclist
or how not to be a street pizza!
Situational awareness is always necessary if you are going to ride a bike in traffic. The best method I know is to pretend you are invisible. Assume the driver in the 2-3 ton steel box just cannot, for whatever reason, see you. In a perfect world, all drivers would be aware of everything going on around them at all times. Unfortunately, and sadly, this isn't the case. Here are some basic guidelines I try to go by: Wear bright colors, be visible.
* If riding in bad weather, use a blinkie set. (Flashing LED Taillight and Headlight.) A flashing light can be seen 5X as far as a steady light. This is especially true if riding in fog or rain.
*
*
Wear a helmet, preferably one that can be seen at 200 yards in headlights or the sunlight!
*
Always, ALWAYS be aware of the traffic around you, the damage you do to their vehicle is very minor in comparison to the damage they do to you!
*
Use a mirror (either handlebar or helmet mount) to be aware of traffic approaching from behind.
Follow these simple guidelines and your cycling experience will have a greater likelihood of a successful ride, vs. being a street pizza. This ALWAYS ruins your day!
Here is the link to my blog (http://spaces.msn.com/theamazingshrinkingman/)
Feel free to distribute this to any outlet, just properly credit it and link my blog as well.
or how not to be a street pizza!
Situational awareness is always necessary if you are going to ride a bike in traffic. The best method I know is to pretend you are invisible. Assume the driver in the 2-3 ton steel box just cannot, for whatever reason, see you. In a perfect world, all drivers would be aware of everything going on around them at all times. Unfortunately, and sadly, this isn't the case. Here are some basic guidelines I try to go by: Wear bright colors, be visible.
* If riding in bad weather, use a blinkie set. (Flashing LED Taillight and Headlight.) A flashing light can be seen 5X as far as a steady light. This is especially true if riding in fog or rain.
*
*
Wear a helmet, preferably one that can be seen at 200 yards in headlights or the sunlight!
*
Always, ALWAYS be aware of the traffic around you, the damage you do to their vehicle is very minor in comparison to the damage they do to you!
*
Use a mirror (either handlebar or helmet mount) to be aware of traffic approaching from behind.
Follow these simple guidelines and your cycling experience will have a greater likelihood of a successful ride, vs. being a street pizza. This ALWAYS ruins your day!
Here is the link to my blog (http://spaces.msn.com/theamazingshrinkingman/)
Feel free to distribute this to any outlet, just properly credit it and link my blog as well.