Originally Posted by MaxBender
As a weekender cyclist, how can I try to commute by bike with psychos like that here in Atlanta?
Dare I venture amongst the flippant would-be bicycle killers? I bought a visibility flag, striped it with reflective tape, and got dog tags so the pramedics know my name, etc.
It's not even a long ride, just 11 miles, but I don't want to die over this.
I wouldn't want to judge your situation, MaxBender, since it's always a personal judgement call. In my case, I ride from Stone Mountain to downtown Atlanta, and for the most part, people treat me with respect and courtesy. Maybe part of that is that I ride the same route every morning at the same time, just like many of the motorists I encounter, so they probably know me by now. A dump truck driver and a garbage truck driver in particular know me, and the police do, for sure.
From Avondale Estates to Inman Park, since it's two lanes in my direction and light traffic between 6:15 and 6:45 (and I'm very visible,) I take a whole lane much of the time. It works well, the motorists change lanes to pass and never squeeze me.