Originally Posted by
Dahon.Steve
You have to be careful Dave.
I would ride behind a a car rather than ride through the door zone at full speed. I'll be honest and say that I ride in the door zone at times but at slower speeds. I would prefer to let the traffic go past and take the lane than ride in the door zone.
I believe most people ride in the door zone because they don't how close the traffic is behind them. I would invest in a rear view mirror (The Third Eye) and learn to take the whole lane.
I started watching your video again and noticed you were riding in the door zone even though there were no cars behind you. It's at these moments you really need to be taking the full lane. A rear view mirror will help alot!
I could not watch the entire video having been a door victim years ago. I feel it's only a matter of time. I hope I'm wrong.
You do make good suggestions and recommendations. Some I employ and some I do not. I do not use a mirror for the simple fact my head is on a swivel. I am fully aware of my surroundings and I find that more effective than a 2" diameter mirror.
Being that the camera does film at 142 degrees it is still not showing everything as the rider sees it. I have been biking to work for 20+ years and 11+ years the same 28 km route without incident because I am aware of my surroundings. Yes there is always a chance of a "freak accident" that in retrospect can possibly be prevented with better planning and preventative measures.
I like to ride fast. Getting to work is how fast can I get from A to B. I have been called the anti-commuter commuter by my friends for my lack of "commuting set up" (ie: mirrors, panniers, racks, etc). I wear a back pack, tattered shorts and futbol jerseys and have been referred to as a courier more times than I can count.
There are plenty of occasions over my 28km daily ride where I am in the middle of the lane (not just to draft the bus leaving its berth). To some it may seem as reckless and unsettling but to me it is a controlled, fast and fun experience where I have, over 1000's of occasions, weighed out the risk and exercised caution.
I do appreciate your concern that you are trying to convey and knocking on my wood desk as we speak since you brought it up
Cheers,
Dave