It's just that there is a net gain, even including accidents, even fatalities. If I could take credit for commuting cyclists' increased lifespan and improved health, I would gladly accept the blame for their increased danger. But we're not really responsible for either one, no matter what we say.

Actually in practice I tend to follow your script: I'll say to someone if you're tolerant of the risk it's worthwhile. It's not very persuasive in getting more people on bikes, but seeing me out there every day in all weather is a more effective advocacy. I think. And you are making that "statement" as much as I, or more. Either way the goal of more cyclists is laudable, nothing to feel hesitant about.

Since you mention a big city and Halfords, are you in London? Or even if you're not, does your city have a bike share like the Boris bikes? If there is, it would be an easy thing to try part-time or part-way. I got to try the ones in Paris a few years ago, and it was a hoot.

That bike is probably fine, and it costs about the same as a single car payment. As a few of us said before, the best way to figure this stuff out is to try it and see for yourself what you're lacking or what feels like too much to carry. Beyond lights, a pump, and a patch kit, the rest is really up to you.

I left it off because it seemed superfluous, and entirely beside the point. It's not always easy, nor even possible, to tell if an intersection is "clear" on approach, and especially for a newbie. A lot can change in just a few seconds. It just seems to me that to say it's "safest" to "always" do that maneuver, while it may just be a case of confusing phrasing on your part, is very misleading. At any rate, I do apologize for responding to it with such an irritated and irksome tone as I did; however, I honestly see no merit, safety-wise, in selectively re-interpreting traffic signals just because you're on two wheels instead of four. Heck, if nothing else, it increases the odds of being ticketed (the state of Idaho aside).

I suppose we're just going to have to disagree on that count. What I personally consider safer and more polite towards my fellow road users is to accept the notion that we're all bound by the same set of rules, and following those rules makes it easier to interact with one another on the road. Do people often break those rules? Yes, and it's important to stay alert to that, but I see no reason why I should be the one setting the bad example. The number one complaint that I hear about cyclists from non-cyclists is about how "arrogant" and "dangerous" we are for so frequently running red lights and stop signs. Meanwhile, I'm hoping to counter that stereotype until the laws, infrastructure, and/or society's acceptance of bicycling change to the point where it's no longer an issue.

My “rant about how cyclists are fragile little critters who must dart and dodge to avoid being trampled by blindly rampaging dinosaurs (a very poor analogy, by the way)” was in reply to this discussion on the A&S thread, ”Remind Me Why I Should Care What Motorists Think...” started by JoeyBike

Where do you encounter all these infuriated people complaining about arrogant and dangerous cyclists? Do they bring these observations gratuitously to you; are they presented in some sort of rationale tone; or is it more like the ranting seen in the comments section of any online publication on any and every subject?

Following all the rules of the road and following every letter of the law doesn't guarantee that a cyclist will not run into a conflict with some jackass driver who is having a bad day or a driver who thinks it's a sport and fun to use their 4000 pound steel box to harass cyclists.
There are some people out there who just don't like to see bicycles on the road and it makes absolutely no difference to them if a cyclist is following rules or not.

Well, IME FWIW,

FWIW, IMO, most radio talk call-ins/shock DJ commentary is as representative of intelligent thought as the dingy commentary posted by ranters in response to articles about bicyclists on blogs and newspapers. Does anyone think sensible bicyclists should pay attention and/or modify their cycling behavior in order to try and placate irrational goofballs?

Well, are we interested in the opinions of those of intelligent thought who agree with us, or the opinions of infuriated, irrational goofballs who consider cyclists as arrogant and dangerous?

Personally, I am interested in the opinions of those of intelligent thought whether they agree with me or not, and do not necessarily view that anybody who doesn't share my opinion or views as infuriated, irrational or a goofball. I believe intelligent people can tell the difference between rational thought (even when it supports an opposing opinion) and nuthouse ranting (even when it supports a shared opinion).

Well said; I was trying to be ironic.

Thank you. To be honest I have a hard time following what you are trying to say when you keep referring to snippets of your and others' previous posts from other threads in a very confusing manner. If you wish to repeat phrases or comments from previous posts, I would recommend just cut and paste the words and leave out the references to the other posts and context from other threads.

If I may veer off-topic:

Thanks for that reply. Just yesterday, a local E-acquaintance on BF wrote,

As a (solo) adherent to a cycling lifestyle for decades, I was astounded to serendipitously find BikeForums in 2008, and meet all these subscribers with concerns and stories I had kept to myself. I wrote in my Introduction,

I have become such an enthusiastic subscriber, that posting has become a veritable hobby/pastime. My profession involves writing too, so in general I enjoy crafting documents and posts as a self-proclaimed "wordsmith."

Last year I came upon a post that to me embodied the communication style that I like about BF. In response to a long quote, turbo1889 wrote:

So when I nest quotes, I feel I’m emulating a conversation…”He said," then “You said," then “I said, and now I’m saying…” I leave my quotes as links to identify the author, and if anyone is interested in reading further, or verifying those quotes, they can easily be followed right from the post.

Instead of just snipping, or writing "<SNIP> or "[SKIP]," I use ellipses,"..." to eliminate as much as possible, and still leave the context of the quote comprehensible; and I bold key words and phrases to emphasize the core content of the discussion.

Furthermore,

While even if nobody reads my posts, I do try to communicate clearly to the reader. At least I try to evenly space, and keep my paragraphs short for easier readability, FWIW.

I was in your shoes about 7 months ago. One of the things that really helped was to seek out our local bike coalition and take a couple of their classes on riding in urban areas. In San Francisco, they have sit-down classes as well as "on the road" classes to help folks become more comfortable and learn their rights and the rules. It helped me feel a lot more confident. Also, see if you can get a map of where the better bike lanes are and map a route that feels safe/comfortable to you.

Got a bike...can't figure out how to shift the gears down? There are levers next to the brakes. The one on the right shifted the gears up, one on the left seems to have no effect. Needless to say, my legs are rather sore.

The levers on the right should shift gears up and down. Flat bar shifters often have two levers while drop bar levers are often bidirectional. If you are unable to shift to a lower gear (larger cog on cassette) then your derailleur may need adjustment or repair.

Not to be rude, but you should really just google that sort of thing, or at least browse through the forums a bit. No point in asking strangers to explain something that can be better explained by the countless websites devoted to it, with step-by-step instructions, even youtube videos.

The Basics of Bike Shifting | Bicycling is one that turned up right at the top of a google search for "How to shift a bike." Also check out ecovelo.info. Lots of great tips for commuting.

Not to be rude, but you can kiss my ass.

I got caught up in a storm tonight. Two nights in a row I've dragged myself and my bike in the door, taken my clothes off and lay on the floor for 10-15 minutes. Cycling isn't how I remember it.

I understand the theory of shifting now, but it's difficult to get the hang of.

Appreciate all your advice.

Hopefully the bike shop would help you learn how to shift the bike...

Might want to go to non busy place this weekend and just ride around - get a good feel for the bike, run through all of the gears and see what feels the best for you.

My partner went through the same thing when he first got his bike. He hated it after the first ride because he had never been on a bike with gears before so we just hung out in a cul de sac and ran through the gears 5-6 times until he figured out what did which.

I flipped the bike and messed around with the gears. I think I get it now. It's to be wet here again tomorow, and we have some pretty decent cycle tracks here. I think I'll make my way there, mess around with the gears and do my best to avoid the junkie needles and used condoms.

The closest Krispy Kreme is 58 miles away, so my first bike goal is to cycle there.

I'd take your time working up to the Krispy Kreme trip. 58 miles both ways is a haul.

Not sure how far your commute is, but if you're collapsing on the floor for 10 minutes after it, you're going to need more conditioning before knocking out 120 miles in a day. I rode for a solid six months before I attempted my first century and felt like death after it. I bonked hard and took about an hour to recover once I got back home.

[MENTION=401014]Diaz[/MENTION] don't kill yourself! You really jumped into this head first. Don't get discouraged, you bit off a lot. You said you had transit, I'd have figured you would wait for a nice day. Do you have a rain coat, did you get a bike with fenders?

My commute is 9 miles each way. There's absolutely no way I'd be able to get to Krispy Kreme and back right now. The distance is too far and I'd end up as food for the crows on the busy roads. I'll be somewhat content just cycling around town, visiting family, for a while, building confidence. There's at least one cycling club here as well which claims to cater for beginners.

The bike doesn't have fenders, I just cleaned it when I got back. I do have a rain coat, but I don't have a helmet yet, or lights. I might pick those up tomorrow.

Helmets and lights can be very handy. Build up your miles gradually and take time to enjoy the ride. You'll get to krispy kreme eventually, in the meantime, try a closer doughnut shop!

Meh, I stand by my advice. A good article or a good YouTube video on shifting is just more efficient than listening to the cacophony from all of us on here. Hopefully my comment directed you to some helpful sources.

[MENTION=401014]Diaz[/MENTION] are you alive or did you do yourself in? :D

Alive and well, thank you. Still haven't got a helmet or a light that fits my bike, but the weather's better so I can't complain. My bum is quite sore though.