Is the Detroit Metro area the most cyclist unfriendly in the USA?

[AStomper]

I just started commuting to work and I have people honking at me and everything else. I almost got ran over by a DHL driver. I can't even find a local club to try and get the city to at least educate some motorist about how to drive around cyclist. My mother and I were having a conversation about someone hitting a cyclist and she said "when ever you hit a pedestrian it's your fault." I told that cyclist are vehicles and she didn't believe me. Any one from the detroit metro area email me at arron.brennan#gmail$com
switch #,& with @, .

[ElJamoquio]

The answer: Yes.
The Solution: More cyclists.
Welcome! Commuting is a pain, but Hines Drive is a pretty nice place to bike.

[urban rider]

The way the drivers appear to attack us they act as if we are the reason the auto factories are closing up. We are not the problem. Continue to ride your bike anyway.


Gas, the price of a can of beans.

[Blue Jays]

Most people regard the geographies in which they reside as the most unfriendly to cyclists, wherever that geography might be located.

[ElJamoquio]

I've lived in several different 'geographies':

Philly Burbs
SE NC
Pittsburgh Burbs
Central PA
Detroit Burbs
SE VA
Northern Jersey/NYC Burbs

Granted, not nationwide exposure.

[asmallsol]

Yesterday I was riding in Northville and this guy is going the opposite way that I was, and was making a left into his driveway. There is no one in front of behind me and he waits. When I am about 10 yards from passing him, he pulls out right in front of me and forced me to brake hard. On the ride home, I was honked at multiple times. Then I am on a cool down road, and a guy pulls into a driveway on the other side of the road. I don't think much of it, but then the guy throws it in reverse and doesn't even turn his head. Nearly hit me. Both incidents were with old farts who shouldn't be trusted with anything bigger then a power wheel.

[DTownDave22]

That last post made me laugh (because it's true). It IS known as the motor city, so the investments by a given city are not going to be made widely for bicyle or pedestrian friendly commutes and most of those commuting do so by car. The Metro Parks I've been to are nice if you are looking for more leisurely rides. http://www.metroparks.com/parks/pk_huron_meadows.php

The investments are largely made for repairing roads I would imagine, in pertinence to commuting. So, there are not going to be at least sidewalks everywhere where there are people, which is kind of annoying and probably a point you were making as you were riding in the street. Maybe I'm mistaken in this instance though and there were sidewalks when you were riding on the street. From my perspective, seeing people riding their bikes on a busy street or even a not so busy street when there are sidewalks looks kind of..to just put it plainly...dumb but also a bit brave. It's out of the norm to ride one's bike on a busy street around here and probably not the greatest idea. If one could educate me on the reasons, I'd be glad to know. The reason why I'm curious is because streets are sometimes more smooth than the sidewalks, but not always.

It probably would not be a bad idea to call around and ask some city officials at different city halls in cities around you to find out if they have any kind of bike paths. Eljamoqio seems to have the answer though. I hope to add to this, but I don't know about riding my bike in the street.

[asmallsol]

Sidewalks are typically uneven and do a number on wheels. On my typical ride, I ride about 10 miles round trip on normal busy city streets before hitting less congested country or leisure roads (hines drive or roads west of northville) Most of the time, I have no problems and even get a few thumbs ups. Both the above stories of mine were on much less congested streets. If I get a "get on the sidewalk/get off the road/random honking" I will typically give a wave or a finger.

As for places like hines drive where there are big sholders along with nice sidewalks (for the most part) it is dangerous and inconsiderate to ride on the crowded running path because moving along at speeds of 20-35mph past people who aren't looking for someone moving that fast, people can get spooked, not pay attention ect, and can cause a collision. That can cause injuries to both you and the pedestrian. There has been people riding on running paths like that and accidentally hit strowlers, and killed little kids.

[Denny Koll]

Sidewalks are typically uneven and do a number on wheels. On my typical ride, I ride about 10 miles round trip on normal busy city streets before hitting less congested country or leisure roads (hines drive or roads west of northville) Most of the time, I have no problems and even get a few thumbs ups. Both the above stories of mine were on much less congested streets. If I get a "get on the sidewalk/get off the road/random honking" I will typically give a wave or a finger.

As for places like hines drive where there are big sholders along with nice sidewalks (for the most part) it is dangerous and inconsiderate to ride on the crowded running path because moving along at speeds of 20-35mph past people who aren't looking for someone moving that fast, people can get spooked, not pay attention ect, and can cause a collision. That can cause injuries to both you and the pedestrian. There has been people riding on running paths like that and accidentally hit strowlers, and killed little kids.

I live in another Michigan auto City(Saginaw) and it is pretty bad here too. A lot of blue collar auto workers who have disdain for cyclists.

[Gromit]

I haven't had terribly bad luck living in Grosse Pointe. Very few people try to hit me intentionally - mostly due to inattentiveness (read: talking on cell phone). On Sunday, I rode from Grosse Pointe up Outer Drive to City Airport then to 7 mile and Woodward, continued up Outer Drive to Hines Drive to Northville, turned around, then to Outer Drive again and this time went to Dearborn. Hit Jefferson and took that back past Fort Wayne and into Downtown Detroit back to Grosse Pointe.

I've ridden this route a few times (gets me a little plus or minus 100 miles). I NEVER have problems with drivers in Detroit. In fact, all my friendly shout outs from pedestrians and drivers occur in Detroit. Where I ALWAYS get trouble is downriver (Monroe, Grosse Ile, Taylor, Wyandotte) or out in Macomb County (Mt. Clemens, Roseville, Harrison Twp.) Way too many idiots with small penises and SUVs or pick-ups.

[Wheelie Pete]

The closer you are to downtown Detroit, the better the cycling. Usually we meet in Hamtramck Saturday morning, then pedal all over downtown and so on. Downtown in the morning is the best, because no one is up before 11, plus everything is half abandoned. On top of that, the roads are brand new because of the recent superbowl and allstar game. Plus, most the drivers are always looking around to make sure they don't get car jacked, which makes them alot more attentive than suburbian drivers. All this adds up to perfect bicycling atmosphere!! Not only that, but I've yet to find a bar that wouldn't let me bring my bike inside! Pedaling in detroit is good times! I pedal in the suburbs sometimes, but it's always during the day, on trails, or empty streets. Motorists in the suburbs don't look for you!! The best part about pedaling in around downtown is that you'll see things that you'll never see anywhere else!!!!

[Ih8lucky13]

I haven't had terribly bad luck living in Grosse Pointe. Very few people try to hit me intentionally - mostly due to inattentiveness (read: talking on cell phone). On Sunday, I rode from Grosse Pointe up Outer Drive to City Airport then to 7 mile and Woodward, continued up Outer Drive to Hines Drive to Northville, turned around, then to Outer Drive again and this time went to Dearborn. Hit Jefferson and took that back past Fort Wayne and into Downtown Detroit back to Grosse Pointe.

I've ridden this route a few times (gets me a little plus or minus 100 miles). I NEVER have problems with drivers in Detroit. In fact, all my friendly shout outs from pedestrians and drivers occur in Detroit. Where I ALWAYS get trouble is downriver (Monroe, Grosse Ile, Taylor, Wyandotte) or out in Macomb County (Mt. Clemens, Roseville, Harrison Twp.) Way too many idiots with small penises and SUVs or pick-ups.
Wow you rode in a pretty high crime area by City airport.

I have noticed as well that The City folk are a lot more friendly to cyclist than the downriver communities are.

[pj7]

I haven't had terribly bad luck living in Grosse Pointe. Very few people try to hit me intentionally - mostly due to inattentiveness (read: talking on cell phone). On Sunday, I rode from Grosse Pointe up Outer Drive to City Airport then to 7 mile and Woodward, continued up Outer Drive to Hines Drive to Northville, turned around, then to Outer Drive again and this time went to Dearborn. Hit Jefferson and took that back past Fort Wayne and into Downtown Detroit back to Grosse Pointe.

I've ridden this route a few times (gets me a little plus or minus 100 miles). I NEVER have problems with drivers in Detroit. In fact, all my friendly shout outs from pedestrians and drivers occur in Detroit. Where I ALWAYS get trouble is downriver (Monroe, Grosse Ile, Taylor, Wyandotte) or out in Macomb County (Mt. Clemens, Roseville, Harrison Twp.) Way too many idiots with small penises and SUVs or pick-ups.

Harrison Twp, Clinton Twp, and Sterling Heights are the cities I ride in every day on my commute, sometimes tossing in Roseville if I want to hit the pub before work. And yes, these are some bad places to be cycle commuting. Luckily a little less than half my commute is done on the MUP that runs from Metro Beach to Freedom Hill.

[DTownDave22]

It would be quite ideal to just ride right outside of your house and feel perfectly safe riding your bike, but that's not quite the case, at least for most.

Many probably know bike trails and paths to take in addition to or instead of just riding around the neighborhood, but I found some books about bike trails in Michigan in case you were wondering or are perhaps looking for a new location to bike at. Go ahead and register on here if you have a library card at your local library or log in as a guest. http://ibistro.tln.lib.mi.us/

Then proceed to put in "Michigan Trails" or the like in your search, and there are some books that come up, including:


"Michigan's bicycle trails" by Ray Hoven
"Bicycle travel information for SE MI" for all the major counties as well as just Detroit
Plenty of others too

[AStomper]

Since I started *****ing in this post, I've noticed that the more I ride the same path, the more the people get used to me (or the more confident I get). I still get the occasional "get out of the road", or long honk. I spit in some ones face for saying get out of the road, but realized that that was immature and now resort to a smile and wave, ignore it, or an ugly look if I'm in a really bad mood.

About downtown, I recently bought a bike from someone in the Ponchtrain hotel. He had a couple of friends that seemed to commute by bike and Wayne State is right there, so I'm thinking that everyone is used to cyclist around there.

[DTownDave22]

Since I started *****ing in this post, I've noticed that the more I ride the same path, the more the people get used to me (or the more confident I get). I still get the occasional "get out of the road", or long honk. I spit in some ones face for saying get out of the road, but realized that that was immature and now resort to a smile and wave, ignore it, or an ugly look if I'm in a really bad mood.

About downtown, I recently bought a bike from someone in the Ponchtrain hotel. He had a couple of friends that seemed to commute by bike and Wayne State is right there, so I'm thinking that everyone is used to cyclist around there.

About WSU, I have spotted on more than one occassion, albeit a group of cyclists of about four (and they appeared to be serious) riding in the street on Anthony Wayne Drive going south (www.campusmap.wayne.edu). It also was not too busy though, as it was in the evening, after 7 PM. Hm...and spitting in someone's face...that's not very nice...but perhaps you felt a bit threatened.

[ElJamoquio]

Spitting is considered assault in some states, don't know about Michigan.

[MiRider]

Most people regard the geographies in which they reside as the most unfriendly to cyclists, wherever that geography might be located.
But all people can agree Detroit is unfriendly in just about every way.

[Wheelie Pete]

I did a hammerfest down Anthony Wayne the other day with three other dudes. I don't think we were the four you were talking about, because none of us look serious! The best part about Anthony Wayne is the hill over 94, and the parking structure right on campus. We always sprint up the hill, up the structure , then we usually sprint down to Jumbos bar after. There's never any cars, either.

[road racer]

But all people can agree Detroit is unfriendly in just about every way.
do you know this from experience... or just stories that you've heard from your suburbanite friends?

[pj7]

Spitting is considered assault in some states, don't know about Michigan.
I don't know for sure that spitting is assault here, but throwing a grape at someone is! :lol:
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070405/UPDATE/704050453/1003/rss36

[brotherdan]

I've had no problems riding in Detroit proper. The streets are wide and the traffic isn't usually all that bad, though the pavement could use some work, as it could throughout southeast Michigan. The suburbs are a nightmare, though. I've had particular issues in the south suburbs. There are a lot of jerks here in the Ann Arbor area as well, despite the fact that we have a fairly large cycling community.

[Kmac]

From my perspective, seeing people riding their bikes on a busy street or even a not so busy street when there are sidewalks looks kind of..to just put it plainly...dumb but also a bit brave. It's out of the norm to ride one's bike on a busy street around here and probably not the greatest idea. If one could educate me on the reasons, I'd be glad to know.

I think riding on a sidewalk is only safe if you are traveling at pedestrian speeds (10mph max). If you are moving along at any faster speed, then a sidewalk is the last place you should be IMHO. You become a danger to other pedestrians, dogs, runners, stollers or any other slower moving sidewalk user. You also are at more risk of being hit. Drivers are not looking for a fast moving target on a sidewalk. They will pull into driveways and out from parking lots with their attention focused on the traffic and any object within a six foot range of the driveway. This is why bikes are given the same rights as cars to travel on the road.

That said, riding in the road in the Detroit area sucks. I visited Boulder, CO and was drooling at all of the double wide bike lanes. Think Hines Drive....everywhere.

[DTownDave22]

I've probably driven (but not cycled) on Hines Drive, but I'm just starting to get into cycling. I was not aware that bikes are allowed to ride in traffic lanes, and later found it in my driver's training book after that post. Hey..I can't remember everything now. I also think given the fact that plenty of other people are unaware of this fact, they are ALSO not looking for bicycles in the street, either. Factor in that some people choose to drive under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol, and that is also a problem.

I tried Jefferson Avenue (also known as West Jefferson) and rode out to BFE, at the Lake Erie Metro Park. People were nice and moved over where there was only one lane and also when there were two. Some idiot started honking his horn at me like hardcore on the way back in the area where there was only one lane each way and thus I was a bit in the road.

[brotherdan]

Lack of awareness is certainly one of the biggest problems facing cyclists today. It's especially bad in Michigan, where the auto lobby seems to rule, and any kind of policy that supports alternative transportation is frowned upon. I consider myself, and my fellow cyclists that follow the law and ride in the street to be pioneers. We are blazing a trail through the motorized jungle. At present, we are putting our lives at increased risk. But every mile that we travel on the road will bring greater awareness and visibility of the cycling community. The act of getting on a bicycle, and choosing not to get in a motorized vehicle is a radical and subversive step which hopefully will lead to a world in which the next generation can travel sustainably AND safely.

[jevidl]

I've not had a huge problem in either Ann Arbor or Ypsi, though today I was out by Rawsonville to go look at a couch and once I hit Rawsonville road.... honks and gestures. I am fairly comfortable in traffic, but I took to the gravel and stayed there a while. First time I have had any amount of real hostility for me being on the road. If that's how it is that far from Detroit.... ;)

[brotherdan]

Yeah, drivers in this county are just plain mean. I think it has something to do with all of the young people that live around here (not that I'm all that old myself). I don't have too many confrontations with people that appear to be over the age of thirty. Most people learn to be a bit more respectful as they age.

[AStomper]

I've noticed that highschoolers are by far the worst to ride around, they are either uncomfortable or over confident driving. Then, hating to group people by by socioeconomic class, people that have beat up pos trucks.

[j.west]

I think riding on a sidewalk is only safe if you are traveling at pedestrian speeds (10mph max).

I follow the same rule myself, unless there are certain conditions, like a long straightaway with no homes, no driveways or intersections.

It is especially dangerous if you are riding along storefronts that are very close to the sidewalk. Someone can exit a building and walk right into you. Someone can be pulling out of a parking lot, and because you are too close to the buildings, your peripheral view is not as wide as from the roadway. Therefore, you should not travel as fast.

[AStomper]

There are some one mile stretches by me that are what you say is safe i.e. no drives crossing them, but its such a pain to get back on the road again that I just don't ride them whatsoever. There is an mup by me that runs parrallel to the road that I don't ride also. But, back on subject...

[DTownDave22]

Geesh..I'm starting to have second thoughts about buying a bike. I enjoy having nice surfaces to cycle on and/or scenery to look at when cycling. I feel like I have neither of those where I live at, being Downriver. The sidewalks and the roads are horrible to ok at best, and I know someone touched on the sidewalks being uneven. That's what irritates me. Yeah, the sidewalks are there, but they are not really meant for bikes, which is why bike paths are made FLAT and smooth. It is annoying, because you know those mother truckers are thinking "What are they riding in the street for?" I especially notice that the area where I ride my bike in the road..on the right side of the right lane..is especially in bad shape as it is bumpy on some roads.

It was partly my fault, but a very cyclist unfriendly area by West Jefferson by my house on Sibley road...at a RR crossing..the sidewalk is raised and steep at one area with rocks around it. I went from the north side, where there was no sidewalk and little room to pedal outside of the lane, as there is a RR crossing there..(and it makes little sense to build a shoulder lane, for cars at least, where there is a RR crossing), to the south side where ther is a sidewalk and as I tried to turn right onto the sidewalk, I fell down.

I'm sort of bummed out. I don't think I should let one bad day of cycling discourage me. There is one path, a bike path actually, I enjoy riding on nearby, but it's only about 3-4 miles (one way). That takes little time on a bike, and it gets old after a while. Anyone else feel this way? I think I just need to find some good places to cycle.

[Gromit]

You know, West Jefferson isn't really too bad. I know that there is construction by Outer Drive but once you get to Coolidge the traffic is quite light past Zug Island all the way to Clark Street (I've only ridden this area on a Sunday). Very industrial but not bad. Take Clark Street to Fort Street. Fort Street to Rosa Parks which curves back to West Jefferson. Turn Right on Civic Center Drive and take that past J.L.A. and Cobo. It turns into Atwater and you've got a nice ride by the new Detroit River Walk all the way to Chene Park. Get back on Jefferson and take it all the way to Grosse Pointe.

Not a bad Sunday ride. Don't know if I'd do that during rush hour, though.

[AStomper]

And about the bumpy shoulder and falling on the RR crossing, if the shoulder is too bad, just ride in the right tire lane. I don't know if I would do this on a 50 mph road with little traffic, but if its congested, one motorist will have to slow for you and all the others will slow behind that car. Just make sure and pull over and let them by every 4-5 minutes, as curtesy demands. I did a lot of roofing in that area and there are a ton of dirt roads, if you have a not road bike. For the RR crossing, take the lane about when the warning signs appear, and then navigate it at your desired speed, making sure to hit the tracks perpendicularly. I would be careful on the 55 with light traffic around there, because before I was smart I used to go about 90 down all the roads around there, thank god I didn't kill anyone.

[j.west]

We are blazing a trail through the motorized jungle. At present, we are putting our lives at increased risk. But every mile that we travel on the road will bring greater awareness and visibility of the cycling community. The act of getting on a bicycle, and choosing not to get in a motorized vehicle is a radical and subversive step which hopefully will lead to a world in which the next generation can travel sustainably AND safely.

Yep, let's show 'em that bikes aren't just for kids! And even kids need to get out there. It seems I see less of them than when I was a youth myself. Now they are too busy studying or playing video games or whatever.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'm willing to take the risk every time I go out, and I know that I am. But as I said, being Downriver Detroit, many people see me in shock, like they have never seen a cyclist on the road in their life. Well, now they have. I know I'm making a difference, and I don't have to deal with paperwork and stuff I don't enjoy, all I have to do is get out and ride, yeah it's a little rough, but it sure beats being a couch potato or a screen slave.

[DTownDave22]

Yep, let's show 'em that bikes aren't just for kids! And even kids need to get out there. It seems I see less of them than when I was a youth myself. Now they are too busy studying or playing video games or whatever.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I'm willing to take the risk every time I go out, and I know that I am. But as I said, being Downriver Detroit, many people see me in shock, like they have never seen a cyclist on the road in their life. Well, now they have. I know I'm making a difference, and I don't have to deal with paperwork and stuff I don't enjoy, all I have to do is get out and ride, yeah it's a little rough, but it sure beats being a couch potato or a screen slave.

While we are on the topic of safety, can anyone suggest a thread or make any recommendations on a good helmet to buy or is it really not a big deal which kind I buy as long as it fits? Is it a bad idea to buy a helmet without trying it out first (online)?

I'm getting closer to buying a bike--I just need to try out some more bikes though.

[simcain]

born and raised in detroit, yeah everybody is right suburbs suck man. ride in detroit and besides getting bottles thrown at me on belle isle, detroit is better than the subs. right now i am working in tacoma wa. bike lanes, carpool lanes, trains, buses, still the traffic is worse than any thing back home. chalk that up to detroit being dead and dying despite the casinos (he he) fact of the matter gotta have balls and shown the coffins that you belong on the road (ie beat em stop light to stoplight, run red lights etc.) cheers

[Mr_H]

I live in another Michigan auto City(Saginaw) and it is pretty bad here too. A lot of blue collar auto workers who have disdain for cyclists.

Wait...there's another cyclist in Saginaw? I thought I was the only one. :)

(I visited Detriot once, maybe it was just the area I was in, but I was in a car and the other drivers scared the heck outta me).

[Michigander]

Yep, Saginaw is a ****hole. I used to visit there weekly. One thing is for sure though, 97.3 beats the living hell out of any rock station in the Detroit area.

[Ih8lucky13]

Yep, Saginaw is a ****hole. I used to visit there weekly. One thing is for sure though, 97.3 beats the living hell out of any rock station in the Detroit area.
You have to have a mullet.

[Michigander]

You have to have a mullet.


I used to.

[Master Cylinder]

AStomper,

Please describe for me what happened after you spit in someone's face.

Thank you,

Since I started *****ing in this post, I've noticed that the more I ride the same path, the more the people get used to me (or the more confident I get). I still get the occasional "get out of the road", or long honk. I spit in some ones face for saying get out of the road, but realized that that was immature and now resort to a smile and wave, ignore it, or an ugly look if I'm in a really bad mood.

About downtown, I recently bought a bike from someone in the Ponchtrain hotel. He had a couple of friends that seemed to commute by bike and Wayne State is right there, so I'm thinking that everyone is used to cyclist around there.

[Gromit]

besides getting bottles thrown at me on belle isle, detroit is better than the subs.

Wow - Belle Isle Rocks for cycling - if you go early. I've never received anything but smiles and "go lance" on Belle Isle. There's a bike lane (usually filled with early morning walkers) so I take the inside car lane. I'm generally travelling faster than the very light morning traffic anyway.

Later in the day, it just gets too crowded.

[simcain]

however try riding belle isle at about just before sunset on a summer evening. i agree belle isle is cool as hell, love that place.

[simcain]

i should have said friday or saturday evening

[AStomper]

Master Cylinder, I was on Oakley Park rd about quarter mile from Haggerty. I was in the left turn lane about a quarter mile from intersection, guy passes me on the right honking horn, then gets stuck in right hand turn traffic 100 feet later. I see him rolling down the window and know whats coming so I get ready and as soon as I hear "Get" I sent it right in his face. I rode up and turned left as he was still stuck in traffic, right hand turn there gets backed up a ways. Thats that. Not really proud of it, but I was in a bad mood and my temper arises on occasion.

[octaneTom]

born and raised in detroit, yeah everybody is right suburbs suck man.

Wow, I think you're just riding in the wrong places. I live in Royal Oak and my "standard" route is pretty uneventful, and actually has some really nice areas of smooth pavement and beautiful streets. I head up into West Bloomfield and then over to Cranbrook's campus. There's very little traffic on Cranbrook road, Lone Pine, 14 mile, the roads surrounding Oakland Hills golf course and the surrounding subdivisions...and West Orchard or Old Orchard or whatever it's called that snakes through the campus of Cranbrook is just beautiful. There's a canopy of trees that make you feel like your cycling up north and I don't think I've once been passed by a car there in the evening or early mornings. Catalpa can have a lot of traffic, but it's straight 3 mile shot from Woodward to Pierce on newly paved asphalt that's really smooth and w/ a 25 mph speed limit it's easy to stay in the flow of traffic. And that's just the basic weekday ride. On the weekends, out to Oakland U from Royal Oak takes you down some nice pavement. Wolverine has a lot of 30+ mile group rides that give you a safety in numbers feeling if you're looking for that.

Yeah, there are idiots that will say something as they pass, teenagers that will chuck a McDonald's cup out the window at you (had this happen once in about 3,500 miles of riding) or buzz by you at 3 feet to "show you who's boss out on the roads" but I think that's a universal thing and not Detroit-specific.

Just get out and ride. The more of us that are out there, the more drivers will get used to it.

[simcain]

i gotta say your're right octane, there is plenty of good rides on less traveled roads in the burbs. for sure if you time it right. but using a bike as my only means of transport for everything for a year. subjected me to all the roads that i would never ride for the sake of riding. i needed to get there, maybe i should have just rode on the sidewalk, which believe me i did. hence my take that the suburbs suck, more traffic, tmore idiots, and less options to find a less traveled route. in the city most side street/nieborhood streets run in a stright line. no cul de saks. so you can ride a direct route. also lot of industrial areas which are less traveled, except by semis, and i'd trust my life to a truck driver well before your average suberbinite.
get out and ride for sure

[AStomper]

I definitely like most truck drivers, a hundred times better than cagers. But a Fedex semi-truck miscalculated my speed and went to pass me, when he had to merge over becuase of oncoming traffic I was at his rear wheels. I'm sure he had a quota to meet, and prolly isn't used to cyclist going 25, but it sure scared the sh!t out of me.

[brotherdan]

The new strap systems that they have on helmets allow pretty much a universal fit for all helmets. That being said, there is a size continuum, with some being listed as small medium and large. I bought my last helmet online and I've been happy with it. I have an unusually large head, so hat shopping is often an issue. The helmet that I bought was listed as being designed for people with larger heads and it works great for me, but as I said, the strap system would allow that helmet to fit someone with a much smaller head, too.

All helmets have to meet the same crashworthiness standards, so it doesn't really matter which helmet you buy, they're all going to protect you the same way in a crash. But some helmets are lighter and have more air vents. Others just look cooler, relatively speaking. The only reason that I can think of for purchasing a helmet in person is if you are willing to blow a whole lot of money on a high end helmet, or if you want to support your local bike shop with your money. If you're going to just end up buying a helmet online anyway, I don't see any reason to try one on at a bike shop.

[DougG]

Out where I live in Rochester, there's been a recent explosion in the number of bikes you see everywhere, largely because of the great MU trails that have been developed: Paint Creek (a bit too crowded now), Clinton River Trail, and the Macomb Orchard Trail. I can ride my road bike from my house all the way out to Romeo and back for a 30-mile round trip -- and there's more to come. The businesses are appreciating it too, as you see bikes parked in front of Coney Islands, coffee shops, ice cream shops, and even a bike shop that relocated right on the trail route. And Stony Creek Metropark has always been a haven for road riders with its great 6-mile ring road that is always full of solo and group riders.

Anyway, there are so many more bikes everywhere -- not just on the trails -- that I see motorists changing their habits a bit. This is really what's needed: you get enough cyclists out there riding sensibly and people will start getting used to it and will give you more space and consideration.