How long did it take you to get used to traffic?
04-26-13, 01:32 PM
#51
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I just started riding and im only willing to ride on neighborhood roads and bike trails. Im lucky and have a neighborhood that connects with other neighborhoods that make a nice ride.
Also have a paved greenway system down the street that covers 12 miles of the town along the river.
I have no reason to ride on a main road with flying traffic. Most drivers are not a problem, but the ones texting or the hotheads that fly by you close on purpose are the ones I dont trust.
Also have a paved greenway system down the street that covers 12 miles of the town along the river.
I have no reason to ride on a main road with flying traffic. Most drivers are not a problem, but the ones texting or the hotheads that fly by you close on purpose are the ones I dont trust.
04-27-13, 08:02 AM
#52
Senior Member
After 40 years on the streets the best advice I can give is; watch the drivers because because they are not watching you. That is whether they are talking, eating, texting or not, we are not a threat so don't expect them to pay attention to us.
Marc
04-27-13, 10:41 AM
#53
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I've been riding a bike for over 40 years, lived car free for seven years and have bike commuted for some 20 years or so on and off. I have also done long distance touring.
You'd think after all that I would be fully immune to the sound of passing traffic... but that just ain't so... very fast traffic, passing very closely startles me. I don't like it. I have a mirror; I have used the mirror for years. But none the less, there are certain traffic situations in which passing traffic shakes me.
I don't believe one can get used to all MV traffic.
I do believe one can get quite used to most traffic sounds, and even exploit the sound of traffic to give indications of what is happening around you. You can become "one" with traffic and feel the cars and become quite comfortable in traffic that moves near your speed.
You'd think after all that I would be fully immune to the sound of passing traffic... but that just ain't so... very fast traffic, passing very closely startles me. I don't like it. I have a mirror; I have used the mirror for years. But none the less, there are certain traffic situations in which passing traffic shakes me.
I don't believe one can get used to all MV traffic.
I do believe one can get quite used to most traffic sounds, and even exploit the sound of traffic to give indications of what is happening around you. You can become "one" with traffic and feel the cars and become quite comfortable in traffic that moves near your speed.
My opinion is, when you DO "get used to motor traffic", your days on this earth are about to end; you have reached a point of indifference to the MORTAL DANGER that a careless and ignorant person in control of 100+HP steel tonnage can place you in, in less time than you can react. More colorfully, when you DO get used to motor traffic, you are one Olympic Triple Jump closer to your next life as a hood ornament.
04-27-13, 11:45 AM
#54
genec
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I've been riding a bike for over 40 years, lived car free for seven years and have bike commuted for some 20 years or so on and off. I have also done long distance touring.
You'd think after all that I would be fully immune to the sound of passing traffic... but that just ain't so... very fast traffic, passing very closely startles me. I don't like it. I have a mirror; I have used the mirror for years. But none the less, there are certain traffic situations in which passing traffic shakes me.
I don't believe one can get used to all MV traffic.
I do believe one can get quite used to most traffic sounds, and even exploit the sound of traffic to give indications of what is happening around you. You can become "one" with traffic and feel the cars and become quite comfortable in traffic that moves near your speed.
You'd think after all that I would be fully immune to the sound of passing traffic... but that just ain't so... very fast traffic, passing very closely startles me. I don't like it. I have a mirror; I have used the mirror for years. But none the less, there are certain traffic situations in which passing traffic shakes me.
I don't believe one can get used to all MV traffic.
I do believe one can get quite used to most traffic sounds, and even exploit the sound of traffic to give indications of what is happening around you. You can become "one" with traffic and feel the cars and become quite comfortable in traffic that moves near your speed.
The traffic that still spooks me is the stuff that flies by at 55MPH or faster... within scant inches of my handle bars. Heavy urban arterial road stuff. I don't like it, and doubt I ever will.
04-27-13, 02:49 PM
#55
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THIS.
My opinion is, when you DO "get used to motor traffic", your days on this earth are about to end; you have reached a point of indifference to the MORTAL DANGER that a careless and ignorant person in control of 100+HP steel tonnage can place you in, in less time than you can react. More colorfully, when you DO get used to motor traffic, you are one Olympic Triple Jump closer to your next life as a hood ornament.
My opinion is, when you DO "get used to motor traffic", your days on this earth are about to end; you have reached a point of indifference to the MORTAL DANGER that a careless and ignorant person in control of 100+HP steel tonnage can place you in, in less time than you can react. More colorfully, when you DO get used to motor traffic, you are one Olympic Triple Jump closer to your next life as a hood ornament.
Hey, I want to clarify my statement... slower speed traffic is nothing... I have been used to that since I was a kid... the 25-35MPH stuff.
The traffic that still spooks me is the stuff that flies by at 55MPH or faster... within scant inches of my handle bars. Heavy urban arterial road stuff. I don't like it, and doubt I ever will.
The traffic that still spooks me is the stuff that flies by at 55MPH or faster... within scant inches of my handle bars. Heavy urban arterial road stuff. I don't like it, and doubt I ever will.
Last edited by Chris516; 04-27-13 at 03:08 PM.
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