Commuting Safely Impacting Recreational Fun?
 

Over the years I've figured some things out to make myself feel safer on the road - some from what I've seen and experienced on the day-to-day commute others from reading forums like this or talking to other bikers. So, for instance, for my bike, things like pairs of front and rear lights, ample side reflectors; or bike wear like high-viz clothing; or my specific route to and from work or out running errands (avoiding certain intersections or streets, or even riding on the sidewalk over specific stretches). Not to say this is what everyone needs, just what I need to feel like I'm giving myself the best chance to make it out and back safely.

What I'm experiencing for the past few years or so though is that this has had a negative impact on my love of recreational cycling (road specifically). In other words, now that I have an idea of what is "safe" I can't help but feel that when I'm out on the road recreationally, usually on a different bike and therefore different purpose/setup, I just don't feel safe and don't enjoy myself like I used to.

Anyone else experience this too? Does it ever resolve itself? I like mountain biking but where I live I can't hop on my bike right out the door and find a trail.

It's a pressure point, over thinking this safety thing. My wife and I have actually gotten yelled at by other bikers because we'll often ride without helmets -- they apparently are offended, maybe moreso if we pass them.

But more than that, I often run on trails that I share (safely) with road bike riders, (thought they take 90% of the road - and you know who you are....). They are a grim faced bunched, doesn't look like many are having any fun at all. Runners nod and smile at each other, cyclists look like they are suffering someone's punishment.

Frankly, it seems to have gotten worse year to year.

Most of my riding is commuting, so I don't really differentiate "fun rides" from "commutes"

However, I don't see the dichotomy.

I've seen quite a few people on recreational rides with rear blinkers.

Bright clothing and good visibility is good... and keeps one safe no matter the activity.

Personally I'd rather be safe and alive than "cool" and dead.

And, after a day on my cargo bike pulling a few hundred pound trailer... it can be nice to jump on the road bike with nothing behind it :)

No. Using a blinkie and riding in a safe manner does not lessen my enjoyment.

Not for me. I never joyride on the same kind of roads I commute on.

My commute is in a suburban area with lots of traffic. It's a healthy way to get to work, but I wouldn't call it relaxing. When I want a relaxing ride I just go to rail trails and such, and then if I want to ride on pavement a 4 mile ride on the rail trail gets me out of the populated area and to empty roads where I can safely ride all day long and see a minimum number of cars on a Sunday morning.

I understand where OP is coming from. Most of my purchases for the past year have been safety-related--lights, more lights, hi-vis clothing, camera.

My riding was mostly commuting. I was constantly thinking about how to improve the route I was taking--fewer big streets, more MUP/bike lane. But it was balance between 'more safe' and more distance or 'less safe' and more direct, or at least what I perceived to be more/less safe.

I still enjoy riding, despite all the forethought and preparation that goes into it. I just wished it wasn't necessary.

I love early Sunday morning rides as well, but I don't ride on a trail, so I've got to think about those lone cars with inattentive or hungover drivers.

People drink in Canada? When did this start? :D

If putting on my helmet, lights and reflectors make cycling less enjoyable, I might as well get back into my car where my seatbelt, airbag, signals and lights don't make driving any more miserable.

After 26-years of serious bike commuting I feel safer on road trips. I mostly commute, but I take weekend rides. I have a semi-touring commuter, an old road bike, and a mountain bike based commuter. All have blinkies, reflectors, mirrors and Air-Zound airhorns. And I've been using a glasses-mount Take-A-Look mirror for years.

There is nothing more reassuring than being able to glance up to the left and see approaching vehicles in the mirror. If I am out on the road and I see a vehicle approaching from the rear and there is not enough shoulder to ride on, I pull off into the grass and wait five seconds for the vehicle to pass.

I think back to how I rode care-free and ignorant of traffic growing up in Chicago...and truthfully, I shouldn't be alive.

Although I constantly consider traffic and my part in it, I still find plenty of joy and freedom when riding, even while commuting.

Perhaps some pre-planning can lead you to less traveled roads.

But ultimately I feel the longer one lives, the more one learns about what potential dangers exist in the world, which should lead most people to a more cautious approach to life.

It is just human nature.

enter the paved rail trail (during quiet hours)

I don't have this issue because we have an extensive bike path system. As long as I am conscious of corners and the fact people are out there just enjoying their day and not as alert as I need to be, all is well. I don't feel the need to be on the road so therefore I don't experience what you described. I MAY start getting on the road this year and maybe I'll feel what you have felt.

If anything, I enjoy my non-commute rides even more after commuting the last decade or so.


First, I lose the panniers. The bike feels much sportier without them.


Also, I've got a pretty good idea of the safest place to be on a road, given the traffic load and speed, sightlines, visibility, etc. That commuting experience lets me enjoy the other rides, knowing that I'm riding as safely as possible.


I knew going in that bad things could happen to bicyclists. That really hasn't changed. Bad things happen to people doing other things, too. All I can do is minimize the chances of something happening to me, which I'm doing.

My commutes are about all the rides I get

Everything in modern life is a trade-off, and bicycling seems no different. Everyone has their own sensitivity to risk.

If you are putting two lights side by side, horizontally, I hope that at least one of them is blinking. Otherwise you could appear to be a car in the distance...

The last half of a mile near my office is the worst part of my commute because it is downtown and there are a lot of aggressive drivers. Particularly in the evening on the way home. I don't go anywhere near there on my recreational rides.

Those fancy wheel/spoke lights should increase the fun for both yourself and onlookers--the drivers and pedestrians often shout out "nice lights!" and like you more than ever :D

I can relate but, kinda weird for me cuz sometimes I ride my old work commute (it's a convenient 26 miles round trip) & even my current work commute (44 miles round trip) on the weekends just for the workout. but I do try to do it at quieter times. at my current work, I only do split commutes 1 day a week during good weather so it's only 22 miles at a time. but for a weekend ride, the whole round trip is a good workout. I consider it "training" so that when I do it during a work week, I'm better at it. must be something wrong w me

I get it, but for me I'm in a different mode/mindset while commuting. I'm wearing my commuting stuff, I got my commuting bucket, I'm dealing with auto-commuting traffic, etc.

I very rarely ride recreationally on the road. Always in a group. So we do what we do together.

For errands around town (1mi or less) I'll enjoy the casual ride, with no helmet.

The vast majority of my recreational riding is trail, on my MTB. Always a helmet for that (always a nontrivial chance of crashing, at speed), but no traffic to worry about, except maybe a little bit before or after if riding to nearby trails directly from the house.

I carry almost nothing to work, so I ride the same bikes for commuting or recreation. But I do feel more comfortable on my commute, like I belong. Taking my space on the same routes and interacting with the same folks everyday. On solo rec rides not so much. Groups rides are worse, as I can't call my own shots. (when to take the lane, etc.)

Maybe you're alive because cycling isn't nearly as dangerous as so many believe it is?

Agreed on the reassurance a properly adjusted helmet mirror offers... and the positive "safety" effect of plenty of experience.

A factor I hadn't considered before...

I've been commuting regularly enough, at regular enough times, and for long enough, that probably 95% of the cars that pass me (who are also on their same daily commute, within +/-15min of their usual time) are used to seeing me.

That's reassuring.

No difference. Same bike, same roads, nearly same equipment (I don't use mirror for group rides, but could.)
I don't see why different is needed.

Commuting Safely Impacting Recreational Fun? Likewise for me, commuting is recreational, and I even do long rides to work on a weekend so the reverse is true. I guess I do feel safer on my commute because it is so familiar.

As far as keeping safe, alertness is key. FYA, I have previously posted about my own mindset to maintain alertness wherever I ride. So now when I pass parked cars, or a pile of leaves, or an intersection at night, those encounters trigger the aphorism, and heighten my awareness.

Thanks everyone for the thoughts - I still cherish my commute, valuing the time outdoors and the time on my bike to take in the world before work and unwind a bit after. I hope I'll come back around to road riding - but whether it comes or not I'll be on a bike one way or another!