Commuting - My Commuting... Have Questions, Advice Appreciated

Hello,

Long-time bicycler but new commuter. I admit that I am fishing for advice. :D My bike is a Mongoose SX 4.3 MTB that I bought in the late 90s. My full commute is about 7 miles each way. I work rotating shifts, unfortunately, and as of now I am only doing the full commute on bicycle on the day shifts (about 1/3 of the time). Although I think I can do it, my fiancee is worried about me riding at night (maybe I can convince her later...). However I just started doing a "partial" commute where I'll park my vehicle in the outer parking lot of my work-site (a large steelmaking plant) and bike in (and back later) the last 1.8 or so miles. Fortunately my shift starts and ends 1 hour later than almost everyone else, so there is very little traffic then. I know that's not much, but as far as I'm concerned the more driving I replace with biking, the better. The work-site roads are mostly well-lit; I only need a light to see for a short segment of it. Anyway, down to curiosities.

1. First of all, if I'm riding on the shoulder of a road, or a sidewalk, and I come to an intersection without a stop sign, am I supposed to let vehicles turn in front of me if they are coming from behind and about to turn right, or are those vehicles supposed to wait for me to cross the intersection before they turn? I know this may seem like a stupid/newb question, but I have tried to find an answer to no avail. Best as I can tell (in Indiana), it seems like I'm supposed to behave like I was driving a car, which would mean I could keep riding straight, but I'm not at all certain. Even if I am supposed to act like a motorist, would that rule still hold true if I'm in the shoulder or the sidewalk? Obviously I'm afraid of getting sideswiped.

2. I need a headlamp. The one I like best so far is the Topeak WhiteLight HP 3W: http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/lights/wlhp3w.php
I like that it is detachable and I like that it uses 123A batteries, for which I can (hopefully) use my rechargeables. However I would prefer to buy a light (and other equipment) from a company that didn't sell out to China (not certain if Topeak did so). Comments on this light or recommendations on a similar? Prefer LED. Under $100 would be nice.

3. On my bike, I have a Topeak Turbo Morph G and a water bottle. Unless I'm only riding in the hood, I equip a handlebar bag with the following: spare tube, map, 1 pr. latex gloves, 2 large bandages, Topeak Toolbar (with all the bits that came with it), titanium spork, and patch kit. My every-day-carry includes: 2 band-aids with antibiotic lotion, small flashlight, small Swiss Army Knife, bandanna, cell phone, and a Leatherman Kick. What do you make of my equipment?

4. Planning to get some reflective tape to put on the bike and probably for my backpack as well (which I wear often on the commute). I'd rather not deal with another light, in the rear. I'm all about using passive stuff that doesn't require a battery. What do you think of that?

That's all that's on my mind right now. Once I get all this sorted out, hopefully I can expand my abilities to biking in the rain, but Rome wasn't built in a day. Many thanks for any suggestions!

1. Do not let them turn in front of you, that's just asking for an accident.

2. http://nordicgroup.us/s78/

3. Seems like a bit much, I normally only ride with a wallet, keys, cell phone, and some wrenches. But hey, you seem prepared for the worst.

4. Do you ride in the dark a lot? I would think brighter colors would be better for daytime riding and reflective material better for night.

1. If you're on the road, behave as a car. If you're on the sidewalk, behave as a pedestrian. This means on the road, cars should wait behind you to proceed through the side street before making their turn. But many will pass you & then turn right in front of you. Hopefully they've put their turn signal on & you're already breaking, otherwise you'll need to duck for cover. If you're on the sidewalk, you need to stop & look to make sure there isn't a car turning, like you would if you were walking. Cars won't see you on a sidewalk/will assume you're going to wait for them.

2. That's most likely (I don't have one) what I call a "be seen" light. Not really enough to ride high speed in the dark, but good for making sure you're seen in the dark by cars & also handy if you need to fix a flat or similar. It might also work if you're riding under street lights & only need the occasional lighting between widely spaced lights.

3. Sounds like you're well prepared. I'd maybe add some zip ties and spare batteries if you do much after dark riding, the zip ties weigh nothing & can come in handy.

4. If you're riding in low light conditions, get a light. Actually get a couple & put one in blink mode & the other steady. Most cyclists who are killed are killed after dark due to the driver not seeing them. I've got reflective tape all over my bike & still run two rear lights. Someplace on the web (sheldonbrown?) there's a good article on why you can't rely on reflectors with a lot of scientific mumbo jumbo. Bottom line for me is that my life is worth two $10 lights.

Riding in the rain is my favorite. The harder it's coming down, the better. Of course, here in FL, it helps keep me cool.

1. Big Ditto(act like a car) -- for example when approaching a 4 way stop in traffic I typically 'take the lane' (move to the middle of the lane) as I get close to the intersection this allows all the cars at the stop to see me and no one can pull up next to me and block my view of the intersection.

2. have had good luck with cygolite products -- take a look at what they have to offer. I'm not sure who owns them.

3. Its a bit more than I carry, but doesn't sound unreasonable.

4. With the kind of riding you are doing I would really recommend a flasher I can't stress this enough and I would put it above the headlight on your priority list. People paying attention will see you with reflective tape. A flasher gets people's attention. Big difference

1. It is usually safer to ride in the street and act like a car. If you are riding on the shoulder or sidewalk act like a pedestrian. Sidewalks in particular are fraught with danger if you are moving over a walking speed. Vehicles crossing the sidewalk will not be looking for something moving as fast as you. Only if the sidewalk has very few intersections and good site lines should you use it as part of a commute.
2. Good luck on the non-china built light. I think only the high end lights are built any where else.
A 2-4W LED is enough to light the road for night riding but just. An HID is the way to go if you are doing alot of night riding, especially on dark roads.
3. Your kit is alot more extensive than mine. I carry a spare tube and pump, a lock, multi-tool and a cell phone.
4. For night riding I prefer 2 rear lights and 2 front lights. I use one on steady and one blinking. The Cateye TLD1000 can act as 2 and is quite bright. The Planet Bike Super Flash is a very bright light and may be sufficient on it own. I still like having 2 lights incase one fails or the batteries are dead.

Craig

4] Get a blinkie. I put 2aa batteries a year in my cateye and that mutha is bright. LED's consume minimal power.

The TL-LD 1000 is the way to go:
http://www.cateye.com/sites/cateye/upload/products/280-og.jpg

Thanks, everyone. I forgot to mention that I have a locking cable attached to the bike as well. I will get a rear light, that Cateye looks like it would be a good choice. I like that it uses AAs. I think I will still use the tape though.

I've got reflective tape on my commuter but I wouldn't rely on it. I've got a Planet Bike Superflash (best blinky ever!) ziptied to the back of my helmet and another generic blinkie on my saddle bag.

Do you have any hex wrenches in your toolkit? 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm hex wrench takes care of pretty much everything on my bike.

I've got reflective tape on my commuter but I wouldn't rely on it. I've got a Planet Bike Superflash (best blinky ever!) ziptied to the back of my helmet and another generic blinkie on my saddle bag.

Do you have any hex wrenches in your toolkit? 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm hex wrench takes care of pretty much everything on my bike.
You're talking about Allen wrenches, correct? The toolbar includes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm sizes. I like it. It's light, and it's got just what I need and nothing else.

http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/tools/toolbar.php

As far as "regular" wrenches, I don't carry any, but I've never needed to use one during a trip. In fact the only time I can remember using one at all is for the kickstand mount. If I had to use a wrench, I do have the pliers on the Leatherman tool. I try to carry just enough without weighing myself and the bike down.

Topeak has a brighter LED light, the Whitelight 5W: http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/lights/wlhp5w.php. What do you think of this one? Main reasons for wanting an LED: 1. not aving to worry about replacing a bulb, 2. energy efficiency.

While I'm at it, I have to ask... it's been awhile since I last changed a tire, but what is the point in carrying more than 1 tire lever?

1) do what you would do if you were driving a car

2)

3) sounds like you've got more than enough. I'm sure you'll reduce this with time.

4) I wouldn't ride at night without a light, and wouldn't send anyone I cared about out without one either. You might be surprised at just how bright a GOOD light will be. I can understand avoiding the cost/expense/waste of batteries, but they last a long time. It's well worth the $30 you'd spend on something like a PlanetBike Superflash.

You're talking about Allen wrenches, correct? The toolbar includes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm sizes. As far as "regular" wrenches, I don't carry any, but I've never needed to use one during a trip. In fact the only time I can remember using one at all is for the kickstand mount. If I had to use a wrench, I do have the pliers on the Leatherman tool. I try to carry just enough without weighing myself and the bike down.

Topeak has a brighter LED light, the Whitelight 5W: http://www.topeak.com/2007/products/lights/wlhp5w.php. What do you think of this one? Main reasons for wanting an LED: 1. not aving to worry about replacing a bulb, 2. energy efficiency.

Yes, Allen wrenches or "keys" as some folks call them. I think you're covered.

A 5W LED is probably bright enough to be seen. Does your ride have streetlights? If not, 5W may not be enough to illuminate the road. There's a couple of stickied threads on the Commute page, one having to do with off-the-shelf lighting and the other with DIY light systems. I'd recommend checking out those threads.

While I'm at it, I have to ask... it's been awhile since I last changed a tire, but what is the point in carrying more than 1 tire lever?

Two levers get a section of tire over the rim and 3 works even better as you can "step" your way around the tire/rim by taking out the center lever and moving to the next position. I guess you could do it by sliding one lever around but I think the tire would just go right back on the rim behind your work. (I've never tried it.)

Two levers get a section of tire over the rim and 3 works even better as you can "step" your way around the tire/rim by taking out the center lever and moving to the next position. I guess you could do it by sliding one lever around but I think the tire would just go right back on the rim behind your work. (I've never tried it.)

I just use one lever, you just slide it along the rim and the tire comes over the lip of the rim no problem. But I'm on a hybrid running 700x28's maybe on a more road type tire it would work differently, because I know my original tires, 700x38's, where even easier to get off this way than my 28's are.

Ride like a car... More precisely I'd say ride your bicycle as a vehicle rather then as a pedestrian on wheels. Now this John S Allen dude, he knows what's up & put it all together as a practical guide:

http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm

as of now I am only doing the full commute on bicycle on the day shifts (about 1/3 of the time). Although I think I can do it, my fiancee is worried about me riding at night What is she worried about - crime or traffic? I don't know about crime situation in your area, but carjackings do happen and parking lots are the most common places for people to get mugged. As for traffic, I actually prefer riding at night: I can really light myself up to be more visible and the traffic is much lighter than during the day.


However I just started doing a "partial" commute where I'll park my vehicle in the outer parking lot of my work-site (a large steelmaking plant) and bike in (and back later) the last 1.8 or so miles. Fortunately my shift starts and ends 1 hour later than almost everyone else, so there is very little traffic then. I know that's not much, but as far as I'm concerned the more driving I replace with biking, the better. Congrats. Every little bit counts. :) Though I personally see it as almost too much trouble to deal with a bike only to ride under two miles. But if you've got the routine going, good for you.


The work-site roads are mostly well-lit; I only need a light to see for a short segment of it. Even so you'll still need lights so that others can see YOU better. You know that, right?


1. First of all, if I'm riding on the shoulder of a road, or a sidewalk, and I come to an intersection without a stop sign, am I supposed to let vehicles turn in front of me if they are coming from behind and about to turn right, or are those vehicles supposed to wait for me to cross the intersection before they turn? First of all, don't ride on the sidewalk. It's just too dangerous precisely because of the reason you mention - people will turn right into your path or pull out of a driveway... This even happens on dedicated bike paths that run along roads and have big signs and red paint on the pavement to warn motorists that they're intersection a bicycle route... Whenever I'm on one of those paths, I'm supercareful and always yield the right-of-way (i.e. let them turn) because I can't make sure they see me in time. The motorists aren't watching for fast-moving vehicles on the sidewalks, which is quite understandable. I try to avoid paths like that altogether.

If you're on a shoulder, in general you should not let them turn, but you should always be prepared for the possibility that they'll try to turn in front of you anyway. My habit on ALL roads is to look behind me before entering any intersection and see if anybody is there and looks like he/she is about to turn (slowing down, moving closer to the right etc.). I usually go right ahead, but I'm always prepared to turn with the car if it tries to cut me off. And if I come upon a car that's sitting at the intersection waiting to turn, I pass it on the left. Many cyclists also like to move out into the lane and ride in its centre to go through the intersection. I'd recommend it especially if there is an intersection where lots of cars tend to turn right. Just make sure you move out safely (shoulder-check and signal and do a second shoulder-check just to be sure nothing's about to run into you from behind...)


3. On my bike, I have a Topeak Turbo Morph G and a water bottle. Unless I'm only riding in the hood, I equip a handlebar bag with the following: spare tube, map, 1 pr. latex gloves, 2 large bandages, Topeak Toolbar (with all the bits that came with it), titanium spork, and patch kit. My every-day-carry includes: 2 band-aids with antibiotic lotion, small flashlight, small Swiss Army Knife, bandanna, cell phone, and a Leatherman Kick. What do you make of my equipment? I don't know what a titanium spork or a Leatherman Kick is, but your list looks pretty good. On most of my rides I carry much less and have gotten away with it so far. :)


4. Planning to get some reflective tape to put on the bike and probably for my backpack as well (which I wear often on the commute). I'd rather not deal with another light, in the rear. I'm all about using passive stuff that doesn't require a battery. What do you think of that? The passive lighting solution works better for the rear than for the front, but only because it does not work for the front at all. Reflectors can be great (I especially like reflective vests), and in some places that's legal to have only reflectors at the back, but I personally would never rely on reflectors alone. Rear blinkies are cheap, last forever and attract a lot of attention. I recommend PlanetBike Superflash which is extremely bright and lasts a very long time, but there are even cheaper ones that will do the job.

Thanks, everyone. I forgot to mention that I have a locking cable attached to the bike as well. Is that what you use to secure your bike while you're at work? Cable works are really easy to cut - if bike theft is a problem in your area, I'd definitely recommend a good U-lock, like Kryptonite Evolution or New York lock. Then you can use the cable as a secondary lock to secure wheels.


I will get a rear light, that Cateye looks like it would be a good choice. I like that it uses AAs. I think I will still use the tape though. Cateye is a good light. And reflective tape is a great addition.

If you can afford it, a powerful rechargable light is fun to use and adds a lot of safety. My niterider 15w halogen outshines automobiles' headlights and illuminates overhead signs much the same.

Like said before, get a blinkie. They are absolutely essential! Battery life is measured in days with LED units.

With reflective tape, orientation is pretty important as is the type of the material. Most tape is most effective if perpendicular to the light source but it varies with the media.