View Full Version : Safety Advice.
I'd like to offer any safety advice to anyone that asks for it. I am the RIDE RIGHT Coordinator for the Siouxland Cyclists, the bike safety coordinator for the Siouxland Trails Foundation, the bicycle safety person for the City of South Sioux City & a merit badge counselor for the Cycling Merit Badge with the local Boy Scouts in my community. So I feel I'm well qualified to answer any questions anyone might have regarding bicycle safety. If you wish you can post a thread here asking or send me a PM.
Thank you.
John
Bekologist
03-31-05, 01:54 PM
How can I carry a cup of coffee and a danish with me on my morning ride?
Can I ride to the far left of a three lane wide one-way street?
Can I ride to the far left of a three lane wide one-way street?
As long as it is legal to do so on the street you're riding on, yes you can.
noisebeam
03-31-05, 02:00 PM
Can you draft while cycling?
Al
Can you draft while cycling?
Al
I usually advise against it as a general rule. Unless you really know the person or people you're riding with I suggest against it. If you know & trust them well & are very familiar with their riding style & abilities then it is probably ok to draft. But do so carefully.
powers2b
03-31-05, 02:21 PM
How can I convince local boyscout troops to come to the bicycle co-op to earn their cycling and community service merit badges?
We have the bikes, parts, and LCI instructors.
The scouts can even take a bike home with them if they want.
I attempted to contact local troops through their websites but I suspect they do not get updated or checked very often.
How do people who use messenger bags keep them from falling off to the side and dangling in front of them? (serious question)
I'd like to offer any safety advice to anyone that asks for it. I am the RIDE RIGHT Coordinator for the Siouxland Cyclists, the bike safety coordinator for the Siouxland Trails Foundation, the bicycle safety person for the City of South Sioux City & a merit badge counselor for the Cycling Merit Badge with the local Boy Scouts in my community. So I feel I'm well qualified to answer any questions anyone might have regarding bicycle safety. If you wish you can post a thread here asking or send me a PM.
Thank you.
John
powers2b
03-31-05, 02:33 PM
I'll take this one John,
Real messenger bags have chest straps that keep the straps tight and prevent the twisting you describe.
Enjoy
noisebeam
03-31-05, 02:48 PM
I use both a chest strap and a waist strap with my bag which keeps it tight to my body even for bunny hops, etc. With this setup I have ridden on rough single track and had no problems. Just a waist or chest strap alone are fine for roads, but even then I like both to jump potholes, etc.
Al
Helmet Head
03-31-05, 03:26 PM
I'll bite. (not that I don't have my own answers, I'm curious as to what yours are).
How do you avoid being hit by an opening door of a parked car while riding at 20 mph on a 6 lane road with high speed/high volume traffic?
How do you get in the left turn lane on this road?
Where do you ride on a busy steep up hill 4-lane road with a construction project that has squeezed the right lane down to a width of 9 feet?
I'm approaching an intersection with a red light. My destination is to go straight. The rightmost lane is fairly wide, and is designated for straight or right. The bike lane extends all the way to the intersection; the stripe goes from solid to dashed the last 20 feet or so. Where do I stop?
Along the right edge of the right lane, in the (dashed) bike lane.
To the left of the bike lane, on the "right tire track" of thru traffic.
In the center of the right lane.
On the left tire track of the right lane.
On the left edge of the right lane.
I'm approaching an intersection where I need to turn right, and there is a right turn only lane. There is no bike lane. Where do I position myself in the right turn only lane?
Along the right edge.
On the "right tire track".
In the center of the lane.
On the left tire track.
Along the left edge.
I'm riding along a 6 lane roadway in the bike lane on a quiet Saturday morning. Up ahead there is a utility truck stopped in the right lane (not at an intersection). An orange caution cone is in the lane 10 feet behind him. Do I continue in the bike lane and pass him on the right, or do I merge left and pass him on the left?
Treespeed
03-31-05, 03:28 PM
I'll take this one John,
Real messenger bags have chest straps that keep the straps tight and prevent the twisting you describe.
Enjoy
Real messengers bodies are contorted and after a few years you don't need the chest strap to hold the bag up on your back.
Noisebeam what kind of bag do you use that has a chest strap and a waist strap? Sounds more like a backpack. Or are you referring to the shoulder strap as a chest strap?
noisebeam
03-31-05, 03:32 PM
I use the Timbuk2 laptop bag. It comes with a waist strap, but I emailed them and they sent me a chest strap. I used the chest strap for a while and it worked just like the old messenger bag I used, but later for kicks started to use the waist one too and it kept things even more stable when I jumped.
What do you mean by contorted?
Al
Treespeed
03-31-05, 03:35 PM
I'm half kidding, but my right shoulder is a little lower than my left and I think its from over a decade of carrying a fully loaded messenger bag. I use the biggest size bailey bag and never have any problem with it slipping around. I always found the chest strap too annoying, also I've forgotten to clip it and had it catch in my back wheel.
Dchiefransom
03-31-05, 05:54 PM
How can I carry a cup of coffee and a danish with me on my morning ride?
Get a recumbent. You can put accessories on them that keep these items handy. Use a boat cup holder for the coffee. They swivel to stay level.
DieselDan
03-31-05, 08:03 PM
How do I avoid getting hit by a truck after making a U-turn in front of it without looking?
operator
03-31-05, 08:21 PM
I can go 40mph on flats, how can I increase that to 50mph?
How can I convince local boyscout troops to come to the bicycle co-op to earn their cycling and community service merit badges?
We have the bikes, parts, and LCI instructors.
The scouts can even take a bike home with them if they want.
I attempted to contact local troops through their websites but I suspect they do not get updated or checked very often.
First of all are you already registered as a merit badge counselor? If not, that is the first step.
The way it was explained to me is the scouts will contact me when they are ready to pursue their Cycling Merit Badge. It is not something I am to convince them to do when I want. At least this is how it works in my area. Part of the reason for this is it teaches the scouts the responsibility they need to become an Eagle. The Cycling Merit Badge is a requirment for Eagle.
You might want to check the regulations that govern the scouting council in your area to see if you're allowed to encourage the scouts to pursue & complete the requirments for the Cycling Merit Badge. Otherwise you'll have to wait until they contact you.
I'll take this one John,
Real messenger bags have chest straps that keep the straps tight and prevent the twisting you describe.
Enjoy
Thank you. Because I don't have an answer for that one. The closest I ever came to using a bag strapped to my body while riding was the back pack I used when I commuted to & from college. And it never moved as it was securley strapped to my back.
How do I avoid getting hit by a truck after making a U-turn in front of it without looking?
If you're refereing to my accident that happened almost 3 years ago now let me clarify some things before I answer you question.
First it was not a truck but a car. Second I DID look, in the mirror I had at the time. The mirror that WAS attached to the left side of my handle bars works like the right mirror of a car. "Objects are closer then they appear." I did not know this at the time, I honestly did not know that is how the mirror works, that was a big mistake on my part. I found the hard & painful way.
Now to answer your question make sure the you know how the mirror you're using works. Especially if riding a recumbent. On a wedgie looking over your shoulder or under your arm is much easier then on a recumbent so use that method of looking as well. After my accident when I was healed enough to ride & my bike was fixed from the damage I moved the handle bar mirror to the right side & bought a helmet mirror that shows real distance.
Is it safe to make death threats on a company computer via a company server while on company time?
I've reported this to the Admin. & Mod. because you're attempting to bait me into a conflict with you & try to get me to engage in & start a "flame war". Just thought I'd warn you.
I'll bite. (not that I don't have my own answers, I'm curious as to what yours are).
[list=1]
How do you avoid being hit by an opening door of a parked car while riding at 20 mph on a 6 lane road with high speed/high volume traffic?
Slow down & look ahead. Look through the window or in the side mirror to see if you can spot drivers wanting to get out of their vehicle. And ride a little more to the left of the parking lane if you can.
How do you get in the left turn lane on this road?
Not sure I know which road you're refereing to but starting moving to the left before the turn lane. Point with your left hand & arm what your intentions are. If you have to change multiple lanes to get the left turn lane, change lanes one at a time, not all at once.
Where do you ride on a busy steep up hill 4-lane road with a construction project that has squeezed the right lane down to a width of 9 feet?
Find another route for the time being. Especially if it is as bad as it sounds.
I'm approaching an intersection with a red light. My destination is to go straight. The rightmost lane is fairly wide, and is designated for straight or right. The bike lane extends all the way to the intersection; the stripe goes from solid to dashed the last 20 feet or so. Where do I stop?
[list=a]
Along the right edge of the right lane, in the (dashed) bike lane.
To the left of the bike lane, on the "right tire track" of thru traffic.
In the center of the right lane.
On the left tire track of the right lane.
On the left edge of the right lane.
Change to the motor vehicle lane. Ride as close to the middle of it as you can when you cross the intersection. It is called defensive riding. This way you avoud being "right hooked" by the motorists who want to turn right behind you. If there are no vehicles that want to turn right then stay in the bike lane.
I'm approaching an intersection where I need to turn right, and there is a right turn only lane. There is no bike lane. Where do I position myself in the right turn only lane?
[list=a]
Along the right edge.
On the "right tire track".
In the center of the lane.
On the left tire track.
Along the left edge.
If you have to stop to wait for a light or your turn at a 4-way stop place yourself toward the middle of the lane, in the middle of the right tire track. Signal your intentions. When the light changes or it is your turn make your right turn but as you do so move to the right side of the roadway more. If you do not have to stop, signal your intention of turning right. Move to the left side of the right tire track & make your turn. As you're doing so move back to the right.
I'm riding along a 6 lane roadway in the bike lane on a quiet Saturday morning. Up ahead there is a utility truck stopped in the right lane (not at an intersection). An orange caution cone is in the lane 10 feet behind him. Do I continue in the bike lane and pass him on the right, or do I merge left and pass him on the left?
Pass him on the left.
Is this an April Fool Troll?.....
DieselDan
04-01-05, 08:29 AM
I've reported this to the Admin. & Mod. because you're attempting to bait me into a conflict with you & try to get me to engage in & start a "flame war". Just thought I'd warn you.
The truth is out there.
Helmet Head
04-01-05, 12:41 PM
How do you avoid being hit by an opening door of a parked car while riding at 20 mph on a 6 lane road with high speed/high volume traffic?
Slow down & look ahead. Look through the window or in the side mirror to see if you can spot drivers wanting to get out of their vehicle. And ride a little more to the left of the parking lane if you can.
Bzzt. Correct answer: Stay OUT of the door zone so you are completely unaffected by opening doors. If that means you have to take the lane, take it.
How do you get in the left turn lane on this road?
Not sure I know which road you're refereing to [same road as in previous question] but starting moving to the left before the turn lane. Point with your left hand & arm what your intentions are. If you have to change multiple lanes to get the left turn lane, change lanes one at a time, not all at once.
Partial credit. You forgot to mention LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER and WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY before you merge left. Just signalling your intent does not give you the right-of-way. The gap has to be there, or someone has to create one for you by slowing down to your speed.
Where do you ride on a busy steep up hill 4-lane road with a construction project that has squeezed the right lane down to a width of 9 feet?
Find another route for the time being. Especially if it is as bad as it sounds.
Bzzt! The correct answer is... take the (right) lane. Be assertive. Works like a charm.
] I'm approaching an intersection with a red light. My destination is to go straight. The rightmost lane is fairly wide, and is designated for straight or right. The bike lane extends all the way to the intersection; the stripe goes from solid to dashed the last 20 feet or so. Where do I stop?
Along the right edge of the right lane, in the (dashed) bike lane.
To the left of the bike lane, on the "right tire track" of thru traffic.
In the center of the right lane.
On the left tire track of the right lane.
On the left edge of the right lane.
Change to the motor vehicle lane. Ride as close to the middle of it as you can when you cross the intersection. It is called defensive riding. This way you avoud being "right hooked" by the motorists who want to turn right behind you. If there are no vehicles that want to turn right then stay in the bike lane.
Bzzt. You did not answer the question. The question wasn't about where you ride as you cross the intersection, it was about where do you position yourself while you're stopped waiting for the red light. Changing to the "motor vehicle lane" is worth partial credit, but you get 2 demerits for refering to it as a "motor vehicle lane". It's a "regular traffic" lane, and cyclists have the same right to is as do drivers of motor vehicles, so calling it a MV lane reflects bad, bad, bad anti-cycling thinking. Shame on you! ;) But the question was about where in the main traffic lane do you stop.
Correct answer: d) On the left tire track of the right lane.. This gives right turning cars room to pass you on your right and leaves you in a position where you are visible and your intent to go straight is clear and obvious.
I'm approaching an intersection where I need to turn right, and there is a right turn only lane. There is no bike lane. Where do I position myself in the right turn only lane?
Along the right edge. On the "right tire track". In the center of the lane. On the left tire track. Along the left edge.
If you have to stop to wait for a light or your turn at a 4-way stop place yourself toward the middle of the lane, in the middle of the right tire track. Signal your intentions. When the light changes or it is your turn make your right turn but as you do so move to the right side of the roadway more. If you do not have to stop, signal your intention of turning right. Move to the left side of the right tire track & make your turn. As you're doing so move back to the right.
Very good, though I wouldn't move "back to the right" unless I had a good reason to do so (i.e, faster traffic behind me).
I'm riding along a 6 lane roadway in the bike lane on a quiet Saturday morning. Up ahead there is a utility truck stopped in the right lane (not at an intersection). An orange caution cone is in the lane 10 feet behind him. Do I continue in the bike lane and pass him on the right, or do I merge left and pass him on the left?
Pass him on the left.
VERY GOOD!
Serge
How can I carry a cup of coffee and a danish with me on my morning ride?
put down the cigarette first.
4-1-05
Helmet Head
04-01-05, 04:06 PM
put down the cigarette first.
4-1-05
:D :D :D :D :D
sbhikes
04-01-05, 04:32 PM
I saw a guy smoking a cigarette while riding an electric assisted bicycle the other day.
How should I begin a smoking regimen so I can be as cool as him? Should I start with the patch and work my way up?
nick burns
04-01-05, 04:40 PM
I saw a guy smoking a cigarette while riding an electric assisted bicycle the other day.
How should I begin a smoking regimen so I can be as cool as him? Should I start with the patch and work my way up?
Reverse engineering a smoking addiction. Hmm, interesting approach. :D
Can I ride to the far left of a three lane wide one-way street?
In Australia you can, matey.
Bzzt. Correct answer: Stay OUT of the door zone so you are completely unaffected by opening doors. If that means you have to take the lane, take it.
Partial credit. You forgot to mention LOOK BACK OVER YOUR LEFT SHOULDER and WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY before you merge left. Just signalling your intent does not give you the right-of-way. The gap has to be there, or someone has to create one for you by slowing down to your speed.
Bzzt! The correct answer is... take the (right) lane. Be assertive. Works like a charm.
Bzzt. You did not answer the question. The question wasn't about where you ride as you cross the intersection, it was about where do you position yourself while you're stopped waiting for the red light. Changing to the "motor vehicle lane" is worth partial credit, but you get 2 demerits for refering to it as a "motor vehicle lane". It's a "regular traffic" lane, and cyclists have the same right to is as do drivers of motor vehicles, so calling it a MV lane reflects bad, bad, bad anti-cycling thinking. Shame on you! ;) But the question was about where in the main traffic lane do you stop.
Correct answer: d) On the left tire track of the right lane.. This gives right turning cars room to pass you on your right and leaves you in a position where you are visible and your intent to go straight is clear and obvious.
Very good, though I wouldn't move "back to the right" unless I had a good reason to do so (i.e, faster traffic behind me).
VERY GOOD!
Serge
Serge, the answers I gave is in accordance with what I would do or have done based on personal experience & the laws & ordinances in my community & state. They are not wrong. All the answers were was advice & an opinion. Not an absolute truth. If you read my initial thread carefully you'd notice I used the words advice. I guess for your benefit I should have been a little more clear & stated it is based on my personal experiences as well as the laws & ordinances in my community & state. Sorry that was my mistake. But don't ever tell me I'm wrong, even in a subtle way, especially when I state I'm just offering advice. It is up to whom ever I give the advice to use it or not. In fact better yet just don't talk to me or respond to any of my threads here in the forums. Fair enough?
I thought this internet thing was supposed to be interactive. You should expect others to respond when they disagree with your advice. I happen to agree that the advice about the door zone was absolutely lame.
You set yourself up as an "expert" on the basis of some little class you took. Well, there are people on this forum who teach those classes, and a lot of people who probably have more cycling experience than you do. I think a lot of posters were trying to make this point with humor, but I'll come out and say it. If you need to be an "expert" dispensing advice to a bunch of newbies--get your own web site. No one likes to be talked down to.
I-Like-To-Bike
04-03-05, 04:50 AM
I thought this internet thing was supposed to be interactive. You should expect others to respond when they disagree with your advice...
You set yourself up as an "expert" on the basis of some little class you took. Well, there are people on this forum who teach those classes, and a lot of people who probably have more cycling experience than you do.
Roody, I think you have given good advice, but to the wrong poster/Know-It-All Expert.
Why do I feel a meltdown coming on?
Oooo... you guys can be cruel sometimes.
This has gotta be a put-on.......Doesn't it?.... :rolleyes:
Dchiefransom
04-03-05, 08:27 AM
Can you draft while cycling?
Al
If you follow too closely behind another vehicle on the road, and you hit them from behind for any reason, you should expect a ticket for hitting them from behind. Same rights, same road, SAME RULES.
DieselDan
04-03-05, 06:38 PM
Why do I feel a meltdown coming on?
Oooo... you guys can be cruel sometimes.
LOL :roflmao:
DieselDan
04-03-05, 06:42 PM
If you follow too closely behind another vehicle on the road, and you hit them from behind for any reason, you should expect a ticket for hitting them from behind. Same rights, same road, SAME RULES.
Never seen it done Chief. I've even drafted, and been drafted on, by bike cops. Many cops around here, save for Beaufort City PD, understand we ride that way for a reason and with consent from one another. If a cop wanted to be a uber-prick, he could stop and write the drafting bike or bikes a ticket. (Hear me Sgt. Vortich and Lt. Cushman?)
Dannihilator
04-03-05, 07:11 PM
If a treefalls in the woods and your riding under it, is it necessary to wear head protection?
BostonFixed
04-03-05, 09:10 PM
How do I ride safely without a helmet?
How do I ride safely without a helmet?
Simply put you don't & you can't. As far as I'm concerned if anyone rides with out a helmet is not riding safely. Yes, they may be controlling their bike in a safe manner, obeying traffic laws, etc, etc, etc. But they are still not riding safely because they are with out a helmet. They are a danger to themselves.
Even the safest rider in the world can have an accident & hit his or her head resulting in severe brain injury if they do not have a helmet on. Granted a helmet doesn't protect from every impact, & there are those that will cause injury even with a helmet. But at least you have a better chance of surviving an accident where you impact your head with a helmet on then with out.
Those that do not wear helmets are very, very selfish. By that I mean when, not if, but when they have an accident & impact their head on something during the accident, & if they somehow live through it they will probably be a burden on their loved ones. How? Well because of the brain injury that person's every need will probably have to be attended to. Everything from tying their shoes to eating. If there is a slim chance that the brain injured person will ever regain any kind of control to do things themselves they will still be a burden on their loved ones because they will still have limited abilities. This is assuming of course that they somehow manage to live through the accident in the first place.
So if those of who do not wear helmets want to continue to run the risk of being a burden on your loved ones when you have an accident & impact your head, then go right ahead and continue not wearing one. After your accident I'll only have one thing to say to you: I told you so!
In almost every bike shop I've ever been in I have seen on display a damaged helmet with a story behind what happened to the person who wore it. Guess what? Every person lived with any kind of serious head injury. At worst they had a headache. And almost in almost every story ther person suffered pretty severe injuries like broken bones, etc. Those heal & the person recovers form them rather quickly. That is never the case when you suffer from a serious head injury.
So I have a question for BostonFixed & every other selfish person here who does not wear a helmet. Will you now wear one or continue to be selfish?
I guess I could look at the bright side of this. When you have your accident & suffer a brain injury as a result it could be looked at as "thinning the herd". Leaving the rest of us who wear helmets to continue to have offspring who will do the same.
One thing that worries me in all this is the definition of "safe".
The training courses I am involved in are promoted on the basis of competent and skilled and knowledgeable and confident all mix together.
"Safe" and "safety" are hardly ever mentioned.
Because those four key words -- competent, skilled, knowledgeable and confident -- obviate the need for the use of "safe" and "safety".
Chris L
04-04-05, 02:42 AM
If you follow too closely behind another vehicle on the road, and you hit them from behind for any reason, you should expect a ticket for hitting them from behind. Same rights, same road, SAME RULES.
"Drafting" happens on every road, every day of the year. They just call it "tailgating".
Chris L
04-04-05, 02:43 AM
Why do I feel a meltdown coming on?
I bought some popcorn yesterday for just that reason -- would you like some?
noisebeam
04-04-05, 10:34 AM
"Drafting" happens on every road, every day of the year. They just call it "tailgating".
Not architectural drafting ;)
Al
Then why are their no statistics that show that helmets save lives? Instead, most of the statistics show that there is an INCREASE in injuries when helmets are worn.
Provide links showing these statistics that state there is an increase in injuries when a helmet is worn. Though there may be no statistics that show that helmets save lives I personally do have such knowledge that they do save your life.
I, myself am walking proof. I have had more then one accident where I impacted my head on something. 2 of the accidents would have killed me had I NOT been wearing a helmet. If that isn't statisical proof that helmets save lives then I don't know what in the hell is. The other accidents would not have been fatal, but I would be re-learing how to do everything all over again. And some things I'd probably never be able to do anymore.
How many more people here have similar stories where your helmet saved your life or saved you from seriosu brain injury where if you were not wearing the helmet you'd be re-learing how to walk, tie your shoes & feed yourself again?
While you ponder this BostonFixed & search for proof that you can post here that helmets cause more injury, I'm going for a nice ride today. And yes I'm wearing my helmet.
Then why are their no statistics that show that helmets save lives? Instead, most of the statistics show that there is an INCREASE in injuries when helmets are worn.
You're joking right?
BostonFixed
04-04-05, 12:06 PM
Sorry guys, just inciting a little troll here, as it seems like others have taken the bait as well. I really can't find any statistics proving my point, so I deleted my message.
I have heard that my post was the case, but I cannot find any statistics to back it up.
Treespeed
04-04-05, 12:47 PM
How can I carry a cup of coffee and a danish with me on my morning ride?
You selfishly put the danish in your helmet which is hanging from your handlebar. Then you have a hand free for your coffee, mmmmm. Though I prefer a good pipe over a cig. as the ash doesn't spill in my coffee.
Isn't that what this forum was missing, another Safety-Totalitarian?
I bought some popcorn yesterday for just that reason -- would you like some?
Can I become an honorary Australian?.....
vBulletin® v3.7.3, Copyright ©2000-2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.