View Poll Results: I feel most vulnerable and at risk on my bike when:
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 124. You may not vote on this poll
Need Safety Input from "Real" Cyclists
01-05-13, 08:52 PM
#101
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I don't get how real cyclists get chickened out by being overtaken. Getting rear ended has such a low probability.
Anyway for me it would be exit ramps on highways and really bad roads with heavy traffic.
Anyway for me it would be exit ramps on highways and really bad roads with heavy traffic.
01-05-13, 09:23 PM
#102
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It's true the stats show the probability is low. I've only been clipped by a side mirror once and it was almost 20 years ago. I selected that option in the survey because of current riding conditions. In the winter I like having a bit more space just in case I hit some ice under some snow/slush and I start wobbling around while trying to stay upright.
01-05-13, 10:25 PM
#103
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Probably my biggest concern situations are when crossing freeway onramps/offramps and I'm riding straight down the road. Motorists seem to get really impatient around onramps/offramps, and they are especially distracted by lookong for gaps in traffic to merge into and are not or rarely are considering a cyclist or pedestrian who might be in the motorist's direction of travel.
Next is the passing traffic as I approach on intersection that a motorist might be wanting to turn at (this includes driveways and parking lot access points).
Hope this helps some.
Next is the passing traffic as I approach on intersection that a motorist might be wanting to turn at (this includes driveways and parking lot access points).
Hope this helps some.
Thanks.
01-05-13, 10:50 PM
#104
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I answered other, and I will explain. My mindset during any kind of cycling is that it is my job to stay safe, and I can never trust others to do as I think they may. When I ride this way, the only time I have close calls is when someone I do not see appears suddenly and does something unexpected. You can not really prepare ahead of time for this. But more typically, when I have a close call it is because I am not on top of my game, and my mind has wandered away from being as observant as I can be.
I generally select routes that are low traffic and have minimal intersections. It appears the area I live (Santa Barbara) is a lot mellower in terms of potential road/motorist hazards compared to many places. I certainly enjoy living hear and take full advantage of the relative bicycle friendliness.
I generally select routes that are low traffic and have minimal intersections. It appears the area I live (Santa Barbara) is a lot mellower in terms of potential road/motorist hazards compared to many places. I certainly enjoy living hear and take full advantage of the relative bicycle friendliness.
01-05-13, 11:57 PM
#105
Senior Member
Don't get your Spandex(R) in a wad.
I too sometimes costume up and ride my Cinelli Supercorsa dripping with Campy for fun. It ain't the same thing as utility cycling in the "real" world. When I ride for a workout or pleasure, I pick the time, I pick the place, I pick the day of the week, I pick the smoothest roads, I pick the path, I pick the weather conditions, or I pick the stationary trainer indoors, or I choose not to ride that day at all. Time is rarely a factor during my pleasure ride. I am in total control of my time and my environment. These are situations I am not interested in for THIS particular Poll. Yes, now and then other road users affect me negatively in the park, but much less than during my forced march commutes.
"Real" cyclists are committed to the bicycle no matter what. We must get to work, drop the kids at school, get groceries, visit doctors, the post office etc., on the bike regardless of how we feel that day, often on roads not of our choosing, and in weather that sucks. We have a time commitment. "Real" cyclists don't want to leave home a freaking hour early to avoid the rush hour, take safer roads, or appeal to the tender sensibilities of every motorist along the way. We just want to arrive alive. Often our bikes are tools, not toys. We don't necessarily commute for enjoyment. Honestly, I don't even consider myself a cyclist at all. I just ride my bike to work and everywhere else because I don't want to own, maintain, insure, protect, park, and gas up an automobile for the privilege of doubling my commute time by sitting in line behind a bunch of cars watching the same traffic signals go red/green three times before I can get past the confounded things.
So my interpretation of "Real" cyclists still stands. Sorry the word "Real" has other meanings for you. None of the real cyclists here seem to be complaining about my nomenclature. I simply want input from a certain group of cyclists MOST of whom visit the Commuting Forum regularly. I think the comments here have been quite educational and on topic so far within that demographic. "Real" cyclists, as defined by me for THIS poll, seem to know who they are.
I too sometimes costume up and ride my Cinelli Supercorsa dripping with Campy for fun. It ain't the same thing as utility cycling in the "real" world. When I ride for a workout or pleasure, I pick the time, I pick the place, I pick the day of the week, I pick the smoothest roads, I pick the path, I pick the weather conditions, or I pick the stationary trainer indoors, or I choose not to ride that day at all. Time is rarely a factor during my pleasure ride. I am in total control of my time and my environment. These are situations I am not interested in for THIS particular Poll. Yes, now and then other road users affect me negatively in the park, but much less than during my forced march commutes.
"Real" cyclists are committed to the bicycle no matter what. We must get to work, drop the kids at school, get groceries, visit doctors, the post office etc., on the bike regardless of how we feel that day, often on roads not of our choosing, and in weather that sucks. We have a time commitment. "Real" cyclists don't want to leave home a freaking hour early to avoid the rush hour, take safer roads, or appeal to the tender sensibilities of every motorist along the way. We just want to arrive alive. Often our bikes are tools, not toys. We don't necessarily commute for enjoyment. Honestly, I don't even consider myself a cyclist at all. I just ride my bike to work and everywhere else because I don't want to own, maintain, insure, protect, park, and gas up an automobile for the privilege of doubling my commute time by sitting in line behind a bunch of cars watching the same traffic signals go red/green three times before I can get past the confounded things.
So my interpretation of "Real" cyclists still stands. Sorry the word "Real" has other meanings for you. None of the real cyclists here seem to be complaining about my nomenclature. I simply want input from a certain group of cyclists MOST of whom visit the Commuting Forum regularly. I think the comments here have been quite educational and on topic so far within that demographic. "Real" cyclists, as defined by me for THIS poll, seem to know who they are.
Edit: let me explain. There's a longstanding history of all kinds of different cyclists trying to draw a line between what "we" do and what "they" do. Roadies. Commuters. Mountain bikers. Fixie kids. You know what I mean. It's poison to any effort to have some cultural and political unity. For those groups of riders who use the roads, it's especially problematic because it gets in the way of understanding that we face the same dangers, have many of the same needs, and most importantly, that we have shared experience and shared power to make the roads a safer place to ride a bike. I am sick to death of people convincing themselves that somehow a group of people who use the road must not have relevant experiences because their bikes look different or they wear funny clothes. It is asinine. It's time to move the F on from this crap. Rant over.
Last edited by grolby; 01-06-13 at 12:06 AM.
01-06-13, 02:55 AM
#106
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Most times I leave for work in a hurry. It's always a different place, since I work on-site for clients.
My reasoning for 'safety' (not that there's really such a thing, as has already been mentioned) is simple: I stay on top of the sidewalk/bike path as much as possible, go onto the car lanes at least as possible. An accident between me and a pedestrian is most likely going to be much less life-threatening (for me, anyway) than between me and a motor vehicle.
I'd have to select all the situations OP mentioned in the poll as dangerous, along with MANY others.
I still occasionally get envious of the guy on the road bike over at the car lanes going MUCH faster than I'm going on the sidewalk, but I know I'm being more cautious (or at least I'm trying to be) with my integrity and life (in a very crowded city).
My reasoning for 'safety' (not that there's really such a thing, as has already been mentioned) is simple: I stay on top of the sidewalk/bike path as much as possible, go onto the car lanes at least as possible. An accident between me and a pedestrian is most likely going to be much less life-threatening (for me, anyway) than between me and a motor vehicle.
I'd have to select all the situations OP mentioned in the poll as dangerous, along with MANY others.
I still occasionally get envious of the guy on the road bike over at the car lanes going MUCH faster than I'm going on the sidewalk, but I know I'm being more cautious (or at least I'm trying to be) with my integrity and life (in a very crowded city).
01-06-13, 03:31 AM
#107
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The potential risks are the same for all kinds of cyclists of course, but if you're always on a big hurry for jobs on site (different ones each day) on your commuting, then it's possible you'll have less room for a more paused and careful riding. I'm guessing that's what OP kind of means by ''real'' cyclists? (although the term could be misconstrued as somewhat demeaning, I guess)
Last edited by Stix Zadinia; 01-06-13 at 03:36 AM.
01-06-13, 01:15 PM
#108
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In the last couple of years there has been quite a few cycling deaths around GTA area which involved large trucks and tractor trailers, most of them happened at the intersections in a form of a right hook or getting clipped by a turning trailer and killed....Never, never,never,never ride along the side of a big truck when approaching an intersection. When I see a cyclist riding like that it freaks me out, very bad location to be in.
01-06-13, 03:57 PM
#109
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I live in Austin Texas and my round-trip commute is around 30+ miles. I leave at dark-thirty in the morning and come home in the late afternoons. I travel from the outskirts of town directly into downtown Austin. Obviously, I feel most vulnerable in the dark, but not for reasons that you'd probably assume. I think I do a reasonable job with lighting and clothing to be seen, and to see. What is scary for me are things that are unpredictable. Those things are nocturnal animals (possums, deer, racoons, my friend recently ran into a coyote at 20+MPH), dogs, and downtown pedestrians. I have found that drivers in my city, for the most part, are respectful and familiar with cyclists. I do have an issue with those drivers that text while driving, and it seems as though their numbers are increasing.
I try to take mostly neighborhood streets when I can, so I minimize putting myself in harm's way. I also try to be very, very observant of my surroundings, but like anyone, sometimes I become a little complacent because of familiarity with my route. Hope this helps.
I try to take mostly neighborhood streets when I can, so I minimize putting myself in harm's way. I also try to be very, very observant of my surroundings, but like anyone, sometimes I become a little complacent because of familiarity with my route. Hope this helps.
Last edited by Brian@PedalBIG; 01-06-13 at 08:20 PM.
01-06-13, 05:39 PM
#110
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For me there are dangerous things you can minimize and those you can't.
The ones former are pot holes, riding in the rain where nobody can see well ( I head for the sidewalk),
turning semis ( don't filter).
For the latter they are turn and merge lanes. Two examples that happened last year.
Coming back to the city, in rush hour, on a highway I was on a wide shoulder that became a right turn lane.
Usually I head for the dotted line, but no such luck here. So I was getting near the forced turn median and was looking
over my shoulder at a bunch of vehicles obviously in a hurry and totally ignoring my plight. A suv stomped on the gas to make sure he wasn't going behind me. Then without looking I just cut across left, right behind him and the unseen PRICK
honked their horn. I refused to justify their existance with a response. This was an ordinary lighted intersection.
Situation 2 I was also coming back on the busiest highway and going across various merge lanes while riding the shoulder. So I'm supposed to have the right of way and I get to this 100 yard merge. There are about 7 vehicles coming evenly spaced. I was going about 22 mph and 5 cars went by on my right, fine with me. So then theres 100 feet left before I get
sandwiched between 2 straight lanes. The next guy was a senior in a van that obviously wasn't thinking of going behind me or slowing. So I had to just shove across in front of him also. I suppose I need a air horn in these case. WTF
The ones former are pot holes, riding in the rain where nobody can see well ( I head for the sidewalk),
turning semis ( don't filter).
For the latter they are turn and merge lanes. Two examples that happened last year.
Coming back to the city, in rush hour, on a highway I was on a wide shoulder that became a right turn lane.
Usually I head for the dotted line, but no such luck here. So I was getting near the forced turn median and was looking
over my shoulder at a bunch of vehicles obviously in a hurry and totally ignoring my plight. A suv stomped on the gas to make sure he wasn't going behind me. Then without looking I just cut across left, right behind him and the unseen PRICK
honked their horn. I refused to justify their existance with a response. This was an ordinary lighted intersection.
Situation 2 I was also coming back on the busiest highway and going across various merge lanes while riding the shoulder. So I'm supposed to have the right of way and I get to this 100 yard merge. There are about 7 vehicles coming evenly spaced. I was going about 22 mph and 5 cars went by on my right, fine with me. So then theres 100 feet left before I get
sandwiched between 2 straight lanes. The next guy was a senior in a van that obviously wasn't thinking of going behind me or slowing. So I had to just shove across in front of him also. I suppose I need a air horn in these case. WTF
01-06-13, 08:31 PM
#111
aka: Mike J.
But anyway still a fun and informative poll.
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01-06-13, 11:04 PM
#112
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I have been noticing over at the Advocacy and Safety forum that there is a huge divide regarding when cyclists feel safe or unsafe on roads with cars. I am here asking you "Real" cyclists how you feel when cycling under certain conditions. By Real I mean people who use their bikes daily (or very often) for utilitarian purposes like getting to work, running errands, getting groceries, etc. I am NOT interested in input from people who use a bicycle strictly as a toy or a workout tool. Those "Other" cyclists can drive to a starting point to pick and choose when and where they ride.
I want input only from cyclists who have someplace to go and a time frame in which to get there - preferably going to and from work regularly.
You can select more than one situation but please don't select more than three. Stick to the most nerve-racking situation(s)! The less you select, the better the poll data will be.
Thank You!
I want input only from cyclists who have someplace to go and a time frame in which to get there - preferably going to and from work regularly.
You can select more than one situation but please don't select more than three. Stick to the most nerve-racking situation(s)! The less you select, the better the poll data will be.
Thank You!
"Other" cyclists can drive to a starting point, but most of my racing and recreational cycling friends start from home. In SoCal, the urban/suburban sprawl is so great that you have to drive a long way to get out of traffic. Most recreational cycling and race training in this area requires the same skills and encounters the same dangers as utilitarian riding. In fact, the "sport" riders that I know, obey traffic laws and ride more predictably than people who ride in "street" clothes.
As some of your first replies noted, there isn't a question in your first post on this polling thread. Seems like you have trouble with A&S types and with "roadies" and you only value responses from commuters. As someone who is working in my community to help make the roads safer for everyone who rides a bike, regardless of why, you might get a more complete perspective on the dangers and issues that people encounter without segregating those in the cycling community with self-defined labels. After all, every person on a bike could be in a car at that time regardless of their reason for riding. Your "other" riders also might start riding to the store or work or the dentist with encouragement rather than labeling.
To answer the question in your poll; Other: I feel most vulnerable at uncontrolled intersections.
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01-07-13, 07:53 AM
#113
20+mph Commuter
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Certainly if you commute on a road bike in full kit, you are a commuting cyclist. I also find on my road bike that even with tons of traffic I tend to just keep up with the flow (I can draft cars up to 35mph with some effort on my road bike) which would affect the answers to question 1. i.e., if you rarely get passed, then perhaps you rarely feel unsafe getting passed. I am not too worried about sweating out my clothing on a "pleasure" ride, but going to work I tend to attempt a more moderate pace if I can. All of these factors, and others, gave me reason to try to exclude some groups of cyclists. I never dreamed so many feelings would get hurt.
Yes, I do have a problem with a certain narrow-minded mind set over at A&S. The response to this poll has been awesome and highlight some questions that are in constant debate there.
Thanks for the input.
Last edited by JoeyBike; 01-07-13 at 07:56 AM.
01-07-13, 09:58 AM
#114
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All of these factors, and others, gave me reason to try to exclude some groups of cyclists. I never dreamed so many feelings would get hurt.
Yes, I do have a problem with a certain narrow-minded mind set over at A&S. The response to this poll has been awesome and highlight some questions that are in constant debate there.
Yes, I do have a problem with a certain narrow-minded mind set over at A&S. The response to this poll has been awesome and highlight some questions that are in constant debate there.
01-07-13, 10:24 AM
#115
Banned
Don't worry JB ... ILTB is old and grumpy.
01-07-13, 12:37 PM
#116
20+mph Commuter
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Was not too worried...but thanks!
01-07-13, 12:59 PM
#117
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01-07-13, 01:20 PM
#119
screw campy & shimano
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I checked "Other . . ." The most nerve-racking, rush-hour scenarios for me are narrow (and short) left-turn only lanes and right-hand lanes that become right-turn only (when I want to go straight) following soon after an intersection.
01-07-13, 01:36 PM
#121
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What Rimmer said - entrance and exit ramps on highways. It doesn't help that there is a ghost bike locked up to the railing at the freeway entrance nearest my house 
01-07-13, 01:45 PM
#122
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Probably my biggest concern situations are when crossing freeway onramps/offramps and I'm riding straight down the road. Motorists seem to get really impatient around onramps/offramps, and they are especially distracted by lookong for gaps in traffic to merge into and are not or rarely are considering a cyclist or pedestrian who might be in the motorist's direction of travel.
Next is the passing traffic as I approach on intersection that a motorist might be wanting to turn at (this includes driveways and parking lot access points).
Hope this helps some.
Next is the passing traffic as I approach on intersection that a motorist might be wanting to turn at (this includes driveways and parking lot access points).
Hope this helps some.
01-07-13, 01:46 PM
#123
Senior Member
About 98% of my riding is on rural, 55 mph roads with no shoulders. 3 cyclists were killed in Polk County in 2012 by drivers from the rear. Getting rear ended is about the only kind of wreck I have to worry about. Well, that or hitting a deer on a dark downhill, but that wasn't in the poll.
01-07-13, 02:26 PM
#125
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I use a mirror on each of my bikes due to the risk of being hit from behind.
Last edited by daveF; 01-07-13 at 05:20 PM.