Learning and Changing your Mind
09-05-06, 03:50 PM
#26
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I also changed my mind about riding on sidewalks. I don't do it any more, at all, ever. Before, I never looked at it from the car's perspective (they're not scanning for traffic on the sidewalk). I thought I was doing them a courtesy by staying out of their way on the road. (I know. Gah.)
09-05-06, 05:45 PM
#27
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Originally Posted by bbonnn
I also changed my mind about riding on sidewalks. I don't do it any more, at all, ever. Before, I never looked at it from the car's perspective (they're not scanning for traffic on the sidewalk). I thought I was doing them a courtesy by staying out of their way on the road. (I know. Gah.)
09-05-06, 05:48 PM
#28
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Originally Posted by galen_52657
Having ridden, trained and raced bicycles for 19 years, I thought I knew everything there was to know about cycling on the open road. Up until recently, I rode mostly in a static lane position on the right side of the right tire track. I looked back a lot to check on traffic but was still peeved at getting close-passed without warning.
After hanging out in the Forum a while, I figured I would try the rear-view mirror and a more active approach to traffic management. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I can generally tell the approaching boneheads from the normal drivers long before they get close just by how they behave behind me. I consciously take more lane when there are oncoming vehicles and hand-signal vehicles approaching from the rear to slow in these situations and most vehicles will oblige and the operators are grateful, especially on blind turn situations where I can see around the turn further than they can. And, by being farther in the lane I have afforded myself more space to the right to maneuver and make the 'close pass' not so close if I have to. Now I even use the mirror on fast group training rides to keep my mates aware of traffic conditions.
So I think I have learned to be a more pro-active and also safer cyclist.
Bike lanes are by and large just dumb. .....
After hanging out in the Forum a while, I figured I would try the rear-view mirror and a more active approach to traffic management. I must say I was pleasantly surprised. I can generally tell the approaching boneheads from the normal drivers long before they get close just by how they behave behind me. I consciously take more lane when there are oncoming vehicles and hand-signal vehicles approaching from the rear to slow in these situations and most vehicles will oblige and the operators are grateful, especially on blind turn situations where I can see around the turn further than they can. And, by being farther in the lane I have afforded myself more space to the right to maneuver and make the 'close pass' not so close if I have to. Now I even use the mirror on fast group training rides to keep my mates aware of traffic conditions.
So I think I have learned to be a more pro-active and also safer cyclist.
Bike lanes are by and large just dumb. .....
09-06-06, 10:24 AM
#29
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#1 would have to be lane positioning. While I would often use turn lanes when appropriate, I stayed too close to the curb/edge at other times. Since joining BF I now know better and feel safer.
Although I already suspected it was the case, I also learned that there is a two out of three consensus that the right arm right turn signal is preferred over the more traditional left arm one that I always used, if only because many motorists sadly don't have a clue what the latter means. I have already started to incorporate it into my riding.
Although I already suspected it was the case, I also learned that there is a two out of three consensus that the right arm right turn signal is preferred over the more traditional left arm one that I always used, if only because many motorists sadly don't have a clue what the latter means. I have already started to incorporate it into my riding.
09-06-06, 12:17 PM
#30
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Nothing in A&S has changed my riding style...proving common sense works, no matter what brand some want to slap on it. I have found lots of good gear and gadgets from the other forums though. I never tried clipless pedals before I joined BF and Lord knows my lighting is much better!
I also learned than many of the so-called experts...ain't.
I also learned than many of the so-called experts...ain't.
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"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
"Let us hope our weapons are never needed --but do not forget what the common people knew when they demanded the Bill of Rights: An armed citizenry is the first defense, the best defense, and the final defense against tyranny. If guns are outlawed, only the government will have guns. Only the police, the secret police, the military, the hired servants of our rulers. Only the government -- and a few outlaws. I intend to be among the outlaws" - Edward Abbey
09-10-06, 11:45 AM
#31
Sophomoric Member
Originally Posted by chipcom
....I also learned than many of the so-called experts...ain't.
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