Originally Posted by tomg
i sometimes commute with my bikeE CT. i strongly recommend adding a safety flag. i also have front fairing, panniers, and a behind seat bikeE bag, makes the bike look bigger, i guess. cars around here seem , (for the most part), to welcome (or tolerate) my presence on the road and give me the space i claim. you do ride with traffic and with helmet? i usually commute w/a 1985 performance lite sport tourer.
i also could ride a shorter route, but car traffic is too intense, so i do the routes where i feel more comfortable. experiment in your ride, find what works for you, and hold your lane (spinning safe).
I'm not really concerned with visibility on this bike (it's much more visible than some of my other stretched cruisers and choppers), but I may buy a flag anyway. I bought the BikeE AT last week second-hand and it came equipped with fenders, upgraded seat, panniers and saddle-bags, so it has a substantial presence on the street. It wasn't that the motorists couldn't see me, I'm sure. While I know you'll disapprove, I don't wear a helmet. I've tried a few times and simply cannot get used to them. They're uncomfortable, cold (on my bald head) in thw inter and too hot if I put a cap under it and in the summer they're simply unbearable. My head gets incredibly hot when I ride. But I am a remarkably conscientious, predictable and alert rider. I don't run reds. I ride with the traffic, maintain my lane-position. I'm patient and polite and I don't get rattled or riled easily. It must work for me. I haven't had an accident in twenty-six years. Perhaps it was just the three month absence from bike-commuting that just made it seem like motorists were more reckless than usual, but I'm not convinced. I think they aren't used to seeing cyclists during the winter months (though they should be in this city) and don't pay attention AND they're all certifiably insane. LOL.