Northeast - Close calls.

I bike to Queens College along 73rd ave starting near springfield blvd to the QC campus and i'm tired of people passing me extremely ****ing close. I ride a cheap road bike with a helmet and a large ass hotshot northface bag with reflectors and mostly ride in broad daylight and since the snow is melting i'd have the common sense to give cyclists room to avoid puddles and salt piles, but NOOO.

Screw inconsiderate drivers.

End rant.

Anyone ride in this area ^_^?

Dunno what to tell ya, Try using your rear blinkys during the day.
I used my DIY amber ones and I've notice the traffic gave me some more room.
the scariest are the garbage trucks that buzz by you close. to me, at least.

It's not about being visible. It's the fact that they see me and still make extremely close passes.

Have you tried getting on Jewel Ave when it begins? At Utopia Parkway make a right and an immediate left. I think that it is a calmer road. As crazy as it sounds, you might also want to check out the LIE service road.

PS the reason for using a blinky in the day is not because you are invisible now but just to wake people out of their driving stupor.

>>>>>PS the reason for using a blinky in the day is not because you are invisible now but just to wake people out of their driving stupor.<<<<<

Good point, lukasz.

I don't think it's ALWAYS the case that people intentionally try to clip cyclists. I think most auto drivers (especially those who do not ride bikes) do not have a concept of how close is too close. Out here on Long Island, in most cases, drivers swerve way too FAR to the left to avoid cyclists, thereby endangering oncoming auto traffic.

And more to your point, lukasz, it is becoming more and more of a problem that when drivers aren't actually talking on their phones or texting, they are THINKING about their next call or their next Tweet and not giving the road its proper respect.

I agree, that having light(s) on at all times, helps.

I have a dynamo hub on my commuter bike, and home-made LED lights. It's a pretty primitive setup (I'm no electronics wizard); there's no capacitor and, more importantly, no switch. If the wheel is turning, the light is on. If I'm going slow, it flashes like crazy. If I'm going fast, it's bright as heck. Cars don't cut me off, and generally keep their distance pretty well. Knock on wood.

Have you tried getting on Jewel Ave when it begins? At Utopia Parkway make a right and an immediate left. I think that it is a calmer road. As crazy as it sounds, you might also want to check out the LIE service road.

PS the reason for using a blinky in the day is not because you are invisible now but just to wake people out of their driving stupor.

I take 73rd down from springfield to 164th. The only parts on 73rd with close traffic is before the bikelane marked area.


As for all the light suggestions, the only passes people are making are from the rear so I don't see how lights are going to help a bit unless you're talking about rear blinkies. If that's the case I'll need to get generated lights cause as of now I only have battery run bell lights.

it's nyc theres nothing wrong with passing you close. the same thing happens to people on motorcycles. if you ride in the gutter, you get passed close, your other option is to take the lane. not the greatest options but you learn to live with it. I don't care if someone passes me close, i care about someone hitting me!