Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Dum Commuter

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Dum Commuter

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 12-10-22 | 05:40 AM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 878
Likes: 139
Dum Commuter

I was going in early yesterday to catch up on some extra work that had came in. At the edge of the Business park (Where the office is at.) I saw another commuter coming at me in the dark! No lights on, no reflecting gear...nothing. The only way I saw him was by the light of his cig. Has anyone else seen (Or done.) Dum stuff on the road?
Colorado Kid is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 07:26 AM
  #2  
locolobo13's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 4,092
From: Phx, AZ

Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike

Lots. Pedestrians too.
locolobo13 is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 07:40 AM
  #3  
Early-onset OldFartitis
10 Anniversary
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Active Streak: 90 Days
 
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 748
From: USA

Bikes: 1996 Trek 970 ZX Single Track 2x11

Originally Posted by Colorado Kid
I was going in early yesterday to catch up on some extra work that had came in. At the edge of the Business park (Where the office is at.) I saw another commuter coming at me in the dark! No lights on, no reflecting gear...nothing. The only way I saw him was by the light of his cig. Has anyone else seen (Or done.) Dum stuff on the road?
Was driving the car back from the grocery, the other morning, along a narrow two-lane road. A few cars parked along the edge of the road. Sun wasn't yet up, and it was foggy. And there was this guy cycling along in dark clothing, on a dark-colored bike, with no reflectors and without a clue, salmoning wrong-way right up the lane. (I was lucky to have seen him, just barely.) Road has some curves and elevation changes. He was playing with "fire," there. Altogether likely to get run down, before someone could see him properly.

Closer to town, a good ~dozen times a month I see people in the wee hours cycling as though there wasn't anything to worry about, going the wrong direction, failing to take any measures to be seen, crossing multiple lanes blindly without first looking, etc.

Plenty of people get run over, run into, cause crashes of others, and the cyclist-involved traffic stats show it. Pitiful, the portion that is entirely avoidable and caused by such mindless behavior.

Last edited by Clyde1820; 12-10-22 at 08:45 AM. Reason: clarity
Clyde1820 is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 07:42 AM
  #4  
jadmt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 2,220
From: Missoula MT

Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8

every single day I see people do stupid stuff. heck people out at night, no lights, dressed in dark clothing and smoking probably up to no good.....
jadmt is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 08:37 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 604
Likes: 590
From: SE Wyoming

Bikes: 1995 Specialized Rockhopper,1989 Specialized Rock Combo, 2013 Specialized Tarmac Elite

Almost every morning on my way to town in the dark, I see a female jogger dressed in black clothing on the rural 55 mph road. I don't understand.
Inusuit is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 09:45 AM
  #6  
BobbyG's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,643
Likes: 2,368
From: Colorado Springs, CO

Bikes: 2015 Charge Plug, 2007 Dahon Boardwalk, 1997 Specialized Rockhopper, 1984 Nishiki International, 2006 Felt F65, 1989 Dahon Getaway V

BobbyG is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 10:32 AM
  #7  
I-Like-To-Bike's Avatar
Been Around Awhile
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,658
Likes: 1,977
From: Burlington Iowa

Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi

Originally Posted by jadmt
every single day I see people do stupid stuff. heck people out at night, no lights, dressed in dark clothing and smoking probably up to no good.....
Judgemental much?

Smoking? OMG!!
I-Like-To-Bike is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 10:45 AM
  #8  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,603
Likes: 3,532
From: South shore, L.I., NY

Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Stealth commuters.

We have a very large immigrant population in my neck of the woods, hard working people, many have to be at work very early, so they are often riding when it's dark out, many bike commute as cars are expensive to purchase and insure. Typically cycling with no lights, usually dark clothing, only occasionally a safety vest, they ride everywhere - sidewalks, wrong way in traffic, back and forth. No real skills or thought as to riding safely. They also get hit and killed on a steady basis. Sad, an effort could and should be made by local governments to get these guys things like safety lights, visible clothing, and some basic education on riding safely.

Last edited by Steve B.; 12-10-22 at 11:52 AM.
Steve B. is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 11:31 AM
  #9  
Darth Lefty's Avatar
Disco Infiltrator
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Four or five years ago during a cross country trailer trip, we stopped at the Las Vegas KOA for an overnight. It was November. We saw a ton of people on bikes of all kinds, with lights, doing neighborhood things. It surprised me. The Vegas suburbs were not a place I expected to see people on bikes after dark at all, much less being good with it
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Darth Lefty is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 12:18 PM
  #10  
downtube42's Avatar
Broken neck Ken
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,221
Likes: 3,516
From: Portland, OR

Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Trek Mt Track XCNimbus MUni

Originally Posted by Steve B.
Stealth commuters.

We have a very large immigrant population in my neck of the woods, hard working people, many have to be at work very early, so they are often riding when it's dark out, many bike commute as cars are expensive to purchase and insure. Typically cycling with no lights, usually dark clothing, only occasionally a safety vest, they ride everywhere - sidewalks, wrong way in traffic, back and forth. No real skills or thought as to riding safely. They also get hit and killed on a steady basis. Sad, an effort could and should be made by local governments to get these guys things like safety lights, visible clothing, and some basic education on riding safely.
I used to volunteer at a bike Co op, and we had a lights and helmets program funded by the local hospital. After a while i concluded giving bike lights to someone who couldn't afford them was not effective. They generally had much bigger problems; dealing with batteries, charging, and theft was not something they needed to add to their already stressed lives. They faced much bigger threats than being hit by a car.
downtube42 is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 01:08 PM
  #11  
jadmt's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2022
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 2,220
From: Missoula MT

Bikes: Handsome xoxo, Serotta atx, Canyon Endurace CF8

Originally Posted by I-Like-To-Bike
Judgemental much?

Smoking? OMG!!
damn rights I am judgmental, I just judged you on your spelling of judgmental.....but then again one can never judge another's sarcasm as it comes off a keyboard...are you judging me for being judgmental that is the real question at hand...oh I spell lots of words wrong too..
jadmt is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 03:50 PM
  #12  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 878
Likes: 139
I remember many years ago, some commuter decided to take the four lane Interstate into Denver rather then ride the Bike path near it. Did I mention it was Dark? Yep, you guessed it, he got ran over and killed. (No lights or anything.) Yes the bikeway was a little longer but it beats getting squished! Now that Dum!!!!
Colorado Kid is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 10:13 PM
  #13  
I-Like-To-Bike's Avatar
Been Around Awhile
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,658
Likes: 1,977
From: Burlington Iowa

Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi

Originally Posted by jadmt
damn rights I am judgmental, I just judged you on your spelling of judgmental.....but then again one can never judge another's sarcasm as it comes off a keyboard...are you judging me for being judgmental that is the real question at hand...oh I spell lots of words wrong too..
Proud of being judgmental too, eh?

Not only do you not know that there is more than one way to correctly spell the word that both you and I agree describes your attitude towards strangers, you misspell the idiom emphasizing your pride in your attitude - damn rights.

BTW what is your excuse for failure to follow proper capitalization rules when giving gratuitous grammar lessons?
I-Like-To-Bike is offline  
Reply
Old 12-10-22 | 10:26 PM
  #14  
I-Like-To-Bike's Avatar
Been Around Awhile
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 30,658
Likes: 1,977
From: Burlington Iowa

Bikes: Vaterland and Ragazzi

Originally Posted by Colorado Kid
I was going in early yesterday to catch up on some extra work that had came in. At the edge of the Business park (Where the office is at.) I saw another commuter coming at me in the dark! No lights on, no reflecting gear...nothing. The only way I saw him was by the light of his cig. Has anyone else seen (Or done.) Dum stuff on the road?
This thread is evidence that there are various forms of dumb and judgmental attitudes towards cyclists and other people who don't fit the profile of allegedly smart commuters who are perfect in every way.
I-Like-To-Bike is offline  
Reply
Old 12-11-22 | 04:19 PM
  #15  
dedhed's Avatar
SE Wis
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 11,549
Likes: 4,329
From: Milwaukee, WI

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Originally Posted by Steve B.
Sad, an effort could and should be made by local governments to get these guys things like safety lights, visible clothing, and some basic education on riding safely.
How about the people employing them get them things like this or pay them a wage that can?
dedhed is offline  
Reply
Old 12-11-22 | 04:38 PM
  #16  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,603
Likes: 3,532
From: South shore, L.I., NY

Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Originally Posted by dedhed
How about the people employing them get them things like this or pay them a wage that can?
In a perfect world that would happen. Lots of these guys work low wage jobs whose managers/owners complain when the minimum wage goes up and are unlikely to be buying bike lights and safety vests for the employees
Steve B. is offline  
Reply
Old 12-11-22 | 05:03 PM
  #17  
Full Member
 
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 289
Likes: 89
Originally Posted by locolobo13
Lots. Pedestrians too.
Joggers in the dark.
Pugs2xLove is offline  
Reply
Old 12-11-22 | 07:05 PM
  #18  
Full Member
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 475
Likes: 140
dumb
gringomojado is offline  
Reply
Old 12-12-22 | 12:29 AM
  #19  
Senior Member
Sheldon Brown Memorial - Titanium
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,919
Likes: 1,260
Originally Posted by gringomojado
dumb
Shh ... I badly want to believe it is an honest typo.
Leisesturm is offline  
Reply
Old 12-12-22 | 07:31 AM
  #20  
locolobo13's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 4,092
From: Phx, AZ

Bikes: Trek Mtn Bike

Originally Posted by Pugs2xLove
Joggers in the dark.
One of my unfavorites is people fishing sitting in the middle of the pathway, fishing line strung across to the canal in the dark on the MUP. You just gotta ride careful in the dark.
locolobo13 is offline  
Reply
Old 12-12-22 | 07:24 PM
  #21  
mcours2006's Avatar
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 6,228
Likes: 440
From: Toronto, CANADA

Bikes: ...a few.

I see a few folks early in the morning riding on the road without any lights and dressed in darker clothing. I shake my head, cuz I have trouble seeing them. But then again, I see motorists driving around at around the same time without their full lights on. This morning at a stop light I shone my light at one such motorist to get his attention to tell him that his tail lights were not on. He didn't bother to roll down window to hear what I was saying. My guess is he probably knew his tail light was out.

So, yeah, lots of dum dums out there. Some on two wheels, some on four, and some on no wheels.
mcours2006 is offline  
Reply
Old 12-12-22 | 10:36 PM
  #22  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 4,869
Likes: 1,108
From: Tallahassee, FL
Originally Posted by Leisesturm
Shh ... I badly want to believe it is an honest typo.
I thought it was about riding in really steamy weather.
jon c. is offline  
Reply
Old 12-12-22 | 11:16 PM
  #23  
Clark W. Griswold
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 18,254
Likes: 6,626
From: ,location, location

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

I have had several people going the wrong way down the bike lane with clear demarcations pointing in the direction of travel. One guy kept charging towards me going the correct way and then had the gall to be angry at me for riding in the correct direction with proper lighting.
veganbikes is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-22 | 07:16 PM
  #24  
Darth Lefty's Avatar
Disco Infiltrator
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
Community Builder
Active Streak: 30 Days
 
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,328
Likes: 3,518
From: Folsom CA

Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem

Originally Posted by veganbikes
I have had several people going the wrong way down the bike lane with clear demarcations pointing in the direction of travel. One guy kept charging towards me going the correct way and then had the gall to be angry at me for riding in the correct direction with proper lighting.
He's challenging your honor. You approach him with all your finery but where is your lance? Coward!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jousting
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_(game)
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Darth Lefty is offline  
Reply
Old 12-13-22 | 07:49 PM
  #25  
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 8,603
Likes: 3,532
From: South shore, L.I., NY

Bikes: Trek Emonda SL7, Cannondale Topstone, Miyata City Liner, Specialized Chisel, Specialized Epic Evo

Originally Posted by mcours2006
I see a few folks early in the morning riding on the road without any lights and dressed in darker clothing. I shake my head, cuz I have trouble seeing them. But then again, I see motorists driving around at around the same time without their full lights on. This morning at a stop light I shone my light at one such motorist to get his attention to tell him that his tail lights were not on. He didn't bother to roll down window to hear what I was saying. My guess is he probably knew his tail light was out.

So, yeah, lots of dum dums out there. Some on two wheels, some on four, and some on no wheels.
Off topic, but cars without lights on is an increasing problem. I believe part of the issue is on many modern cars, the dashboard and center cluster all light up when you start the car. Many vehicles as well can be switched to an auto mode where the headlights and running lights will light up via a day/night sensor. Unfortunately many do not activate auto mode and the lights never come on. Compounded by daytime running lights that are perceived as the real headlights, but are not. Thus they drive around with no lights. My '20 Frontier is really old school and does not have its dash or center cluster light up unless you turn on the headlights, and there is no auto headlight system, so you know when no lights are on as the dash is completely dark.

Last edited by Steve B.; 12-13-22 at 08:00 PM.
Steve B. is offline  
Reply


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.