Advocacy & Safety - Hitfrombehindphobia

Whenever I ride, I force myself over as far to the edge of the road as possible, since I don't really belong on the road. I always keep a spare tube, since there's more glass on that part of the road. As my Boy Scout leader always said, "Be prepared."

I stare in my rear-view mirror constantly. I'm more worried about being run over from behind than I am about what's directly in front of me. (I sure wish I could look in front and behind at the same time!)

Whenever possible, I hit the sidewalk. It's bumpy, and I have plenty of near-misses with cars and pedestrians, but I feel more comfortable there. At least I don't make motorists mad!

I prefer bike paths over streets, since the traffic on paths is slower and less aggressive. Why, the other day, a sweet lady walking her dog actually apologized to me (she was quite attractive, mind you) after the dog suddenly darted across my path and caused me to crash. I told her I was ok, that my HMO would cover the broken wrist. I hope she didn't blame herself, or worse, her dog!

:eek:

Yes, when I'm forced to ride on the street, I try my best to keep up with traffic, no matter how fast it's going. I want to be a good bicycle ambassador and never hold people up. Don't want to inconvenience anyone!

:)

Pete you're too funny. :D


Originally posted by Pete Clark
I stare in my rear-view mirror constantly. I'm more worried about being run over from behind than I am about what's directly in front of me. (I sure wish I could look in front and behind at the same time!)
Here's how it's done.
Look at the rear view mirror with your left eye.
Look at the road with your right eye.
:lol: :lol:

Pete, i try to ride a bit defensive.
Because i have the right to share the road with other users, i take my place, not on the side line, but on the road!

Its easy for me to say :) living in a country with laws to protect me and cycle-paths all over.
On my tour in UK i noticed that some drivers react a bit slow and some aren`t even used to cyclist but even there i didn`t cycle different as i did in Holland.

Maybe there is a cultural difference in cycle environment between US and Europe, i don`t know, but i did read a lot of story's which made me think that US can be a tough cycling place?



cheers :beer:

Pete,

I only hope that you were being facetious.

If not, please don't take offense, but get out in the road and drive your bicycle like the real vehicle that it is and don't ride it on the sidewalk like it's some kind of silly child's toy.

Davy

Originally posted by hayneda
Pete,

I only hope that you were being facetious.

He was. :D

Read his post carefully and you'll see what I mean.

Pete, I have two things to say to you and I'm not going to repeat myself so listen closely the first time. Here goes: "Two Things", now don't you feel better, I know I do :D

must be hard to singnal with a broken wrist :p

Originally posted by toolfreak
Pete, i try to ride a bit defensive.
Because i have the right to share the road with other users, i take my place, not on the side line, but on the road!

Its easy for me to say :) living in a country with laws to protect me and cycle-paths all over.
On my tour in UK i noticed that some drivers react a bit slow and some aren`t even used to cyclist but even there i didn`t cycle different as i did in Holland.

Maybe there is a cultural difference in cycle environment between US and Europe, i don`t know, but i did read a lot of story's which made me think that US can be a tough cycling place?

cheers :beer:

I am always wondering - how come that in Holland there are so many cyclists and bike trails?

Who started it and who is behind it? Who finances that national bicycle trail network?

I am always wondering - how come that in Holland there are so many cyclists and bike trails?

1: because its flat!

2: it was the easiest way of transportation after WW2.

3: Dutchies like to be economical, so everyone has a cycle :D


Who started it and who is behind it? Who finances that national bicycle trail network?

Its mainly done by a private organization, called ANWB, something similar to the AA, but here they do both.
Actually the ANWB started as cycleclub, in the mid 50`s i think.

cheers :beer:

I really hope that you are kidding. Because if you really ride like that, you should never ever get out in the road.

I shall assume that what you said is true. I suggest that you go out and get yourself a copy of John Forester's "Effective Bicycling".

John Forester did an analysis of bicycle accidents. Now, most rookie cyclists believe that they are in imminent peril from being rear ended by cars. But this actually, rear ending is very very rare. You really don't need to worry about it.

Your riding so far to the right is actually dangerous. Let us say that you are riding right along the right side of the road. You come up on a pot hole. OK now, you have a choice, hit the pothole and possibly fall or swerve out into traffic.

Another thing about riding really far to the right that is dangerous is that you take yourself out of the line of vision. Most car bike accidents occur at intersections or people pulling out of driveways. If you are that far to the right, drivers will often not see you and pull out in front of you or turn in front of you. You are also setting yourself up for the famous drive up to the cyclist and turn right - so you get the driver turning into you on a right turn. When I approach an intersection, I often drift out nearly to the center of the lane (expecially if I am going fast) to prevent this.

You should ride about where the right tire of most cars runs on the pavement or just a bit to the right of this. On really narrow roads, you should "take a lane" at times. Shoot I have even taken a lane to save drivers. In Michigan, a guy tried to pass me on a blind hill and I could see an oncoming car and he could not. I stuck my left arm out and moved out and blocked him. He did not pass and then he saw that if he had tried, he might have had a head on collision. The guy was even smart enough to know that I had done him a favor and I got a rather sheepish wave from him.

Originally posted by Pat
I really hope that you are kidding. Because if you really ride like that, you should never ever get out in the road.
Yes, I am kidding, and you are right.

I am always wondering - how come that in Holland there are so many cyclists and bike trails?

It's also a very small country, it's convenient to ride your bike from one city to another.

Will lead I don't suffer from hit from behind phobia. I said I'm glad I don't suffer from hit from behind phobia. That's better. :-)