If I can catch up to the offending JAM or cager, I have this message that I attempt to get across: "In Texas, bicycles and cars have the same laws, the same rights and the same roads."

HH,

I took my 6 year old daughter for a ride on Sunday on our new tag-along bike. Since it was Sunday, and I thought the traffic would be less dense, I took her out on some busier roads so we could ride to the library and local grocery store. These are still local streets (posted speed limits of 30MPH and 35MPH) but a lot of people blaze through these streets at 45 MPH or more.

Most of the cars and trucks we encountered were very courteous. They would slow down and then give us a lot of room as they passed. I have an orange safety flag on the tag-along so we're pretty visible to the cars and other traffic.

We did have one negative encounter - a woman driving in a little red car honked right when she was behind us and it scared the bejesus out of us! We wobbled a little but were otherwise OK.

I don't know why people feel the need to do this. It's incredibly rude and dangerous. It's one thing if I'm riding by myself (adult male) but whe you have a little kid with you that's even worse.

Anyway, glad you and your kid were safe and I'm glad there was an officer there who helped remind the knucklehead driver that cars are supposed to share the road with bicycles.

^^^ Did you have a mirror? I used to get spooked from time to time by honking cars, but now that I ride with a Take a Look glasses-mounted mirror, I'm never surprised by the presence of a car.

But you ride her in traffic in a trailer ??
You really, really need to re-evaluate this thought process.
Insanity.


I have taken my kids out on 30 mile training rides in the trailer. If I am risking depriving them of a father in traffic isn't that as bad? But fortunately, rear end collisions are the least danger, and a trailer actually makes you more visible. Don't knock it until you've done it. you would be surprised how safe it is.

Uh oh, I think I just agreed with Helmet Head on something. Hmm, maybe if I just wait it will pass........ nope.

I guess we have something in common too with 7 year old kids (although I have an adams trailabike, but wish I had a piccolo). Yikes, now there is a morsel of common grounds between us!