Anyone ride a bike on the road?

I ride bikes every day. I haven't had much issues. Do break some traffic rules but always aware of the traffic behind me.

  On 10/9/2013 at 11:01 PM, AdieuErsatzEnnui said:

It was a site to behold watching all the bicycles in Amsterdam. Literally thousands lining every sidewalk and flowing up and down the streets. Austin, Texas is similar in that it accommodates, but it is not near the scale of Amsterdam. It is scary riding a bike around here because there aren't many accommodations and there are lots of large vehicles that could flatten you.

More cities should have centers where bikes are the primary means of transportation. A lot of our city centers are really compact. It's healthy, great to solve congestion, solves parking issues and biking can be a fun social activity. We have city bike docks you can use unlimited for only €36 a year but our roads in Antwerp are horrible.

I've been hit by cars.. thrice on various occasions. The worst was when someone didn't give way to me at a round-about and plowed me over, it cost me $250 to get a new set of shitty wheels for the bike. I guess I'm a pretty aggressive cyclist, I just hate cars.

The real problem is people in general... They suck, regardless of if they are in a car, on a bike, or walking. Everyone always thinks they have the right of way, just because.

A couple of months ago I watched a guy scream out of his car window for a bicyclist to get off the road. He was so concerned about screaming at this guy (who had every legal right to be riding on the road) that he swirved and slammed into a parked car (so hard the back of his car almost lifted off the ground). He jumped out of his car screaming obscenities and punched his window extremely hard... Then screamed some more because that obviously hurt like hell. Once I was sure the guy wasnt hurt from the crash, I casually walked up to the car and took a picture of his license plate, in case he decided to speed off. I think he saw me, and so he realized he had no choice but to stay and report the accident.

That's what you get for being an impatient asshole.

We've had some other high prifole accidents here in SF lately. A poor woman was killed when a semi turned without looking and crushed her. She was in the bike lane.

Then there was the guy that ran a stop sign on his bike and slammed into a elderly woman, killing her.

Everyone needs to calm down and pay more attention. Stop being in a hurry, and stop thinking your actions have no consequences.

I'm not a very responsible biker, i bike everyday to work and im sure every driver hates me. The problem is that when i go downhill i can't stop so i have to maneuver. I can't predict when the light will change so i almost get hit at least twice a week, im sure its as scary for the driver as it is for me.

But im trying to change my ways, i found a path where there isn't a lot of traffic and i try to stop in interjections, etc, etc.

A co-worker got hit two days ago and he got a ticket cause it was his fault, he was on the local news and stuff, sheriff promises to be tougher on bikers so i'll probably get a ticket soon if im not more careful.

Also, cyclists here are really aggressive with each other. There's no solidarity... Constantly cutting each other off, getting mad if you pass them. I've passed cyclists only to have them go out of their way to catch up with me and cut me off. Such a fucking ego trip.

I hit a pothole once and crashed... A cyclist paused to laugh at me before speeding off.

What's wrong with people?

I love riding my bike, but its really not fun in the city. The only time I can really enjoy it is in the park, where there is a lot less traffic.

Can't stop on a hill? That's bullshit. I live in one of the hilliest cities there are, and I can stop. Just don't fly down the hill without using your breaks. Car or bike.. You shouldn't just be going full steam ahead. Slowly pump your breaks to keep your speed down.

You are not going to like my explanation, i enjoy the speed its really fun, but like i said i slow down now, im not as reckless as i used to be but still i have a lot of work to do.

I knew that was your reason. Fuck yeah it's fun to go fast. Not so fun to get hurt or hurt other people. Just be prepared to face the consequences of your actions.

I'd say I'm conscious, alert and some what responsible on a bike. Although I ride very fast and never wear a helmet I do observe my surroundings constantly and make the effort to not put myself or anyone else on the roads or footpath in danger.

Oh and also ever since I've taken riding seriously I have had the feeling I will die on a bicycle.

i think you have to accept that it could well kill you, but i'd rather die on a bike than live without one... if that makes sense.

I really cannot understand why people ride without helmets. Not cool looking? Too much trouble to carry? Both are bs reasons.

Have you ever actually crashed before? My guess is no. Freak accident last year left my arm in a full arm cast. Had I not been wearing my helmet it probably would have been a lot worse, as my head definitely hit the pavement.

I'm a very cautious rider, but you never know what is going to happen. At least realize that human bodies are fragile little things... And accelerating them to speeds beyond a jog immediately puts them in the "potential to break" zone.

No one needs a helmet... Until they do. And at that point it's too late.

Of course I know I could die on my bike... But I'd like to minimize that chance significantly, so I wear a helmet.

Seriously... What is your excuse?

I don't think I've ever felt as close to death as I have going 40mph down a hill. If i'd have crashed I'm sure I would have died, and I was wearing a helmet.

I also like to cycle cause then I get to wear this;

^ WANT

Bike was my primary mode of transit for the 2 years I lived in Dublin - overall I thought it was amenable enough to cyclists, though i did have my fair share of close calls. And comparatively here in the Northeast US feel like a war zone, what with our triple combo of bad driving, sprawl, and (to a somewhat lesser extent) bad cycling. Providence is wannabe hipster city so there have been some improvements in recent years, but by and large it's still shit. Wear yr helmets kids.

Damn, yall making me feel guilty for not wearing a helmet.

I know it's stupid, especially since I ride daily in Seoul, one of the most densely populated, most bicycle-unfriendly places in the world.

Korea is developed country now so everybody has a brand new Hyundai Sonata, but it still has that developing-country attitude towards driving that you might find in China, Russia, Eastern Europe. Speeding, blowing red lights, riding motorcycles down sidewalks don't even raise eyebrows here.

The worst by far is taxis, suddenly stopping in front of you, passengers opening doors into you, etc.

San Francisco (and other hipster-y US cities) sound awful. Alley-cat racer wanna-bes riding brakeless fixies everywhere I'm sure.

I bike everywhere. Food is cheaper than car insurance. I wear a helmet 95% of the time. I ride aggressively because motor traffic is like that wolf pack from the Grey; you gotta look mean or get eaten. Lights are also vital if you dress IDM-black/grey.

Never forget that the roads are the jungle, amen andrews-style

  On 10/10/2013 at 2:49 AM, Kcinsu said:

I really cannot understand why people ride without helmets. Not cool looking? Too much trouble to carry? Both are bs reasons.

 

Have you ever actually crashed before? My guess is no. Freak accident last year left my arm in a full arm cast. Had I not been wearing my helmet it probably would have been a lot worse, as my head definitely hit the pavement.

 

I'm a very cautious rider, but you never know what is going to happen. At least realize that human bodies are fragile little things... And accelerating them to speeds beyond a jog immediately puts them in the "potential to break" zone.

 

No one needs a helmet... Until they do. And at that point it's too late.

 

Of course I know I could die on my bike... But I'd like to minimize that chance significantly, so I wear a helmet.

 

Seriously... What is your excuse?

- I don't own one

- I feel better with out one

That's it.

That's some very solid reasons.

I'd prefer not to make a deal out of it one way or another.

Just saying that your reasons are amazingly solid and reasonable.

I've been cycling in London for about 14 years. I tend to avoid rush hour or busy roads if I can, but still cycle a fair bit.

Never had any accidents so far.

I think one's own attitude can influence things (e.g. when I've been angry or aggressive I've come closer to mishaps) although obviously anything could happen at any time.

Over the last decade the number of cyclists in London has increased loads, which is is a good thing. However that means most of the annoying behaviour I see these days is from other cyclists. e.g. I stop at red light, other cyclist flashes right past me with inches to spare. Happens a lot. With cars, you get the odd asshole but generally I get on OK with the cars. At least you know they've had to pass basic competency tests.

Tip for London - where you can, plot a backstreets route that avoids the major roads. Even if its a lot more wiggly it will be a much more pleasant experience.

  On 10/10/2013 at 2:50 AM, b born droid said:

I don't think I've ever felt as close to death as I have going 40mph down a hill. If i'd have crashed I'm sure I would have died, and I was wearing a helmet.

 

I also like to cycle cause then I get to wear this;

 

this is very snazzy!

i crashed into the back of a car, i really hurt myself as i bashed my bits. i was in shock for a little while after and well a bit damaged.

i have several friends who cycle regularly and had two friends who didn't wear helmets so i bought them helmets. they'd better damn wear them.

this is a lot because i've know so many people who had accidents and landed on their heads and could have been really hurt were it not for the helmet.

  On 10/10/2013 at 7:15 AM, Al Hounos said:

 

San Francisco (and other hipster-y US cities) sound awful. Alley-cat racer wanna-bes riding brakeless fixies everywhere I'm sure.

Those douchecunts get all the attention, but even in New York they are more of a minority every day.

This is my second flu in 3 weeks, maybe i should not ride in winter.

Any bikers have experience riding in winter? whats the best clothes etc etc

  On 10/11/2013 at 3:30 AM, Deer said:

This is my second flu in 3 weeks, maybe i should not ride in winter.

 

 

Any bikers have experience riding in winter? whats the best clothes etc etc

I usually just layer a couple of sweaters and try to cover as much of face as possible. I've been more comfortable doing this than wearing a heavy coat or the like. Stock up on turtlenecks, homie.

Mission Workshop sells some cool stuff for wet weather, but those prices.