Commuting is very different to recreational cycling where people select the best route, drive there and perceive the cycling infrastructure as good (avid cyclists, vehicular cyclists who rarely can emphasize with the needs and perspectives of commuters). It needs people like you and Shifter who overcome the resistance and raise their voices for the remaining 90% of people who are currently being excluded (or excluding themselves) 🙏
Yes definitely! I love his channel and it is definitely a big inspiration. So true. There is a great paved cycle way near us and I see so many people driving to the trail with their bikes on their truck in order to use it. I love the sport of cycling too but some people just want to ride for reasons other than fitness
I've been commuting to work and running errands on my ebike for the last 4 months. I do about 20 miles a day, 8 miles to work and 9 home, plus stores, appointments, etc. I am fortunate to live in the urban core of Kansas City, and do have several miles of lanes, some good, some just ridiculous, which helps a lot but not always. Here's what I've found, debris, the lanes are always filthy, from tree branches to grass clippings, and remains of wrecks, road work, and trash. Since they used the plastic baguettes and concrete parking blocks to separate us from the cars, the lanes never get cleaned, making riding sometimes more hazardous there than in the streets. I am dreading my winter commute this year. I've had a few close calls with folx turning, hence why I added a rather loud horn, and a few cars have chased me down to tell me I need to be on the sidewalk or I'm not following laws etc. Had a large pick-up (the enhancement type trucks IYKYK) stay next to me for 2 blocks with the passenger just screaming at me. Honestly not sure what I did to him, but I did have to remind him that harassing a cyclist or pedestrian from a moving vehicle is illegal both at the state level, and local levels. An odd observation, I have more issues in the more affluent areas I ride through than the more economically depressed areas, and the affluent ones have the separated lanes.
Thanks for sharing. I am sorry that you have been harassed while biking. I often get yelled at as well from drivers ( often also in big trucks interestingly). Just the other night my girlfriend and I were biking back from our downtown when a truck rolled by and threw a firecracker out the window at us
That’s unfortunate. Without any other route options, people will brave that road, and people will get hit. My city has tons of kinds of roads, and when I traverse roads like these, I often see roadside memorials. It’s heartbreaking.
I rode my bike several days of the week for years when the weather was decent. Just before retiring at 66, I would do the park n ride and get full commuter credits. Last 3 miles through a wonderful regional park with a bike trail that wound around lakes, meadows and woods. I miss those days.
St. Pete is pretty good for bikes. I ride 4 miles to work on my urbanized 29er MTB and rarely exceed 12 mph and 5 or 6 on the sidewalks, which I prefer, frankly.
You need to” take the lane” on that main rd where that bridge is. Don’t try to ride in that minuscule little patch of roadway right of that line -just ride as close to the white line as you can , just to the left of it. Give yourself room- just to the left of it. Traffic has to give you a 3 foot zone to pass. Plus, you are on a two lane so there’s plenty of room for cars to shift over. Some bikers will also ride side-by-side in a lane like that which forces cars to slow down and go into the other lane. You have every right to be on that patch of road as any car and they need to follow the law as well.. if you’re not comfortable with taking the Lane I would highly suggest you not take that route or use your car. Riding to the right of that white line in that tiny space sets you up for disaster- because if you accidentally move over any further right, youll run off the road, and youll likely jerk the wheel to the left, making a sudden move that could swerve you right into a car. Take the lane. Stay as far right without going over white line. It’s really the only option you have in that area… if there’s a bike lane - use it of course. or if the shoulder is plenty wide enough use it .. but when there’s really no shoulder, use the lane and stay to the right as far as you can without going over white line.
Let's be honest, you can count on folks to do at least 10mph over the posted speed limit. I have a Garmin Varia and the data to back up that claim as it keeps records of my speed, the approaching car's speed and the difference between our speeds.
Wow, that is crazy and a great case example of how messed up American infrastructure is. I bike a 15 km commute in northern Germany and just managed to find an alternate section that takes me off the last seriously annoying bit of road (no cycling lane, road in bad condition and partially constrained with road parking), and even that was still better than like 80% of your route. At least there is a sidewalk that one can dodge onto, and cars have to go slow because of a 30 km/h speed limit and many sections being constricted to a single lane where drivers have to stop and wait if there is opposing traffic. Now that I can go around this, it's almost entirely off road, parks, a car free dirt path along a canal, and some sections of low activity rural road. I kinda have to use a mountain bike to get comfortably through all of it, but it's the kind of path I sometimes ride just for fun rather than just to get to work.
That’s really cool. The route in the video is only 3 miles/5k long but it is very treacherous. I would gladly bike 15k if it was on rural roads/in bike lanes. Another problem we have is our sidewalks are pretty bad. I do see a lot of people biking on them because they are a little safer but I have found them to be a pain to bike on because they are uneven and bumpy, constantly dip down for driveways, and hard to pass pedestrians.
To make any significant change, we have got to wrestle control back from the all-powerful car industry, and change the mindset of all the die-hard petrol-heads out there. Makes the labours of Hercules seem fairly tame in comparison....
Yea, driving on roads with no bike lanes and cars zooming past is nightmare fuel. I suppose those other folks crossing that bridge have built up a fear tolerance from (presumably) years of biking next to cars. Don't give up tho! Keep thinking of better routes for you and your partner to take to work.
I consider myself a pretty risk tolerant biker and that bridge still scares the crap out of me. I have been biking to work. It’s about 3x as long as my girlfriends bike commute but way more comfortable because there is a bike lane. Not a good bike lane but still a bike lane.
@@mattkenney3359 yea… the posted speed of 55 mph sent shivers up my spine for y’all. Cause you know people are going way faster than that (if they’re anything like the drivers in my town lol).
Y’all need helmets. Also attach a good flashing red light on the back and a flashing white light on front. Bontrager make a really good one for front and back.
We do usually wear helmets. When we bike to our downtown (only a mile away) we usually choose not to wear them because we go slow and the traffic is not bad. When we made the commute to her work we were both wearing helmets, using lights, and wearing reflective gear. Thanks!
Only THREE miles and having to use a car? I really feel sorry for you and surely hope the local government is sensitive to adding at least bike lanes to grass shoulders on roads. You wait how quicky people start commuting on foot, with electric scooters, etc, once they realise you can buy one of these each month for the amount of money spent on owning a car. All the best from Rotterdam!
Yes I know it’s crazy! The thing though is, here in the US car culture and dependency is so ingrained that most people think my girlfriend and I are the weird ones for wanting to bike a few miles to get around. For most there simply is no viable alternative to driving that people are just resigned to driving and can’t conceive of doing without a car. Now that I know how expensive, dangerous, bad for my health and the environment cars are, I have been biking to work regularly. I can’t say the same for my girlfriend though because it really is that dangerous and uncomfortable. Thanks for commenting. We visited the Netherlands back in march and thought your country was beautiful!
Please wear a helmet. Follow the rules of the road. Use bright flashing lights front and rear. Wear bright clothing. Wave at everyone who makes an effort to be courteous to you. For god sakes don't run red lights even if the way is clear. Always know where you are at and pay attention to your mirror and if you feel unsafe. Like when you see an 18 wheeler coming up from behind you and you are on a narrow 2 lane, immediately look for an out where you can safely get off the road untill the truck passes. Do you carry a tire repair kit and do you know how to change a flat? Hopefully your not listening to music or whatever with your earbuds. Are your tires properly inflated before every ride? As road bikers we must do everything we can to ensure WE are riding safe!
Lily needs a helmet. Calculating the cost to her and society of even a light head injury is prohibitive. My ex just ‘banged’ her head out rollerblading and she experienced cognitive change for many months that impacted her, her workplace, our children, the works. Don’t take it lightly.
I wonder, if somebody has ever tried to sue a city or county for encouraging people to use "bike lanes" that aren't even close to the state of the art? Defining the last not by some crappy American "we don't have cyclists here" manual, but by Dutch, German or Danish regulations; countries where cycling to work or school is a normal behavior. A painted bike lane might be acceptable (but still not preferred) up to 35 mph. Above that, the bike path must be fully separate with a gap of about 6 feet or a physical barrier.
![[안방1열 직캠4K] 베이비몬스터 치키타 'FOREVER' (BABYMONSTER CHIQUITA FanCam) @SBS Inkigayo 2404707](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Tn3bGHiBWkg/mqdefault.jpg)
Commuting is very different to recreational cycling where people select the best route, drive there and perceive the cycling infrastructure as good (avid cyclists, vehicular cyclists who rarely can emphasize with the needs and perspectives of commuters). It needs people like you and Shifter who overcome the resistance and raise their voices for the remaining 90% of people who are currently being excluded (or excluding themselves) 🙏
Yes definitely! I love his channel and it is definitely a big inspiration. So true. There is a great paved cycle way near us and I see so many people driving to the trail with their bikes on their truck in order to use it. I love the sport of cycling too but some people just want to ride for reasons other than fitness
I've been commuting to work and running errands on my ebike for the last 4 months. I do about 20 miles a day, 8 miles to work and 9 home, plus stores, appointments, etc. I am fortunate to live in the urban core of Kansas City, and do have several miles of lanes, some good, some just ridiculous, which helps a lot but not always. Here's what I've found, debris, the lanes are always filthy, from tree branches to grass clippings, and remains of wrecks, road work, and trash. Since they used the plastic baguettes and concrete parking blocks to separate us from the cars, the lanes never get cleaned, making riding sometimes more hazardous there than in the streets. I am dreading my winter commute this year.
I've had a few close calls with folx turning, hence why I added a rather loud horn, and a few cars have chased me down to tell me I need to be on the sidewalk or I'm not following laws etc. Had a large pick-up (the enhancement type trucks IYKYK) stay next to me for 2 blocks with the passenger just screaming at me. Honestly not sure what I did to him, but I did have to remind him that harassing a cyclist or pedestrian from a moving vehicle is illegal both at the state level, and local levels. An odd observation, I have more issues in the more affluent areas I ride through than the more economically depressed areas, and the affluent ones have the separated lanes.
Thanks for sharing. I am sorry that you have been harassed while biking. I often get yelled at as well from drivers ( often also in big trucks interestingly). Just the other night my girlfriend and I were biking back from our downtown when a truck rolled by and threw a firecracker out the window at us
@@mattkenney3359 What the actual fuck lol. Can't say I've ever seen anything like this in Canada.
@@alexseguin5245 I’ve been heckled by drivers before but this was a first for me.
Excellent video. Keep posting more of this. It’s like that everywhere in the USA.
That’s unfortunate. Without any other route options, people will brave that road, and people will get hit. My city has tons of kinds of roads, and when I traverse roads like these, I often see roadside memorials. It’s heartbreaking.
I rode my bike several days of the week for years when the weather was decent. Just before retiring at 66, I would do the park n ride and get full commuter credits. Last 3 miles through a wonderful regional park with a bike trail that wound around lakes, meadows and woods. I miss those days.
That sounds lovely. I would much rather do that than sit in a car in traffic
Always have front and rear flashing lights day and night on roads. It's your life...stack the deck in your favor :)
I always love the drone footage!
Thanks it’s been fun using it!
Very interesting stuff. Great info. I have commuted to work for years. Good luck growing channel. I subscribed. 🇨🇦👏🏼
Thanks I appreciate it!
😎👍
Cool video
St. Pete is pretty good for bikes. I ride 4 miles to work on my urbanized 29er MTB and rarely exceed 12 mph and 5 or 6 on the sidewalks, which I prefer, frankly.
You need to” take the lane” on that main rd where that bridge is. Don’t try to ride in that minuscule little patch of roadway right of that line -just ride as close to the white line as you can , just to the left of it. Give yourself room- just to the left of it.
Traffic has to give you a 3 foot zone to pass. Plus, you are on a two lane so there’s plenty of room for cars to shift over. Some bikers will also ride side-by-side in a lane like that which forces cars to slow down and go into the other lane. You have every right to be on that patch of road as any car and they need to follow the law as well.. if you’re not comfortable with taking the Lane I would highly suggest you not take that route or use your car.
Riding to the right of that white line in that tiny space sets you up for disaster- because if you accidentally move over any further right, youll run off the road, and youll likely jerk the wheel to the left, making a sudden move that could swerve you right into a car. Take the lane. Stay as far right without going over white line. It’s really the only option you have in that area… if there’s a bike lane - use it of course. or if the shoulder is plenty wide enough use it .. but when there’s really no shoulder, use the lane and stay to the right as far as you can without going over white line.
Good point thanks for the tip!
Exactly: Stay about 3-4 feet left of the white line, so it's physically impossible to pass without using the next lane.
Let's be honest, you can count on folks to do at least 10mph over the posted speed limit. I have a Garmin Varia and the data to back up that claim as it keeps records of my speed, the approaching car's speed and the difference between our speeds.
🚲🚲🚲🚲🚲
You have a new subscriber!
😱
Wow, that is crazy and a great case example of how messed up American infrastructure is.
I bike a 15 km commute in northern Germany and just managed to find an alternate section that takes me off the last seriously annoying bit of road (no cycling lane, road in bad condition and partially constrained with road parking), and even that was still better than like 80% of your route.
At least there is a sidewalk that one can dodge onto, and cars have to go slow because of a 30 km/h speed limit and many sections being constricted to a single lane where drivers have to stop and wait if there is opposing traffic.
Now that I can go around this, it's almost entirely off road, parks, a car free dirt path along a canal, and some sections of low activity rural road. I kinda have to use a mountain bike to get comfortably through all of it, but it's the kind of path I sometimes ride just for fun rather than just to get to work.
That’s really cool. The route in the video is only 3 miles/5k long but it is very treacherous. I would gladly bike 15k if it was on rural roads/in bike lanes. Another problem we have is our sidewalks are pretty bad. I do see a lot of people biking on them because they are a little safer but I have found them to be a pain to bike on because they are uneven and bumpy, constantly dip down for driveways, and hard to pass pedestrians.
building a bike lane like this and overtaking like this would both be plain illegal in Germany…
To make any significant change, we have got to wrestle control back from the all-powerful car industry, and change the mindset of all the die-hard petrol-heads out there.
Makes the labours of Hercules seem fairly tame in comparison....
Yea, driving on roads with no bike lanes and cars zooming past is nightmare fuel. I suppose those other folks crossing that bridge have built up a fear tolerance from (presumably) years of biking next to cars. Don't give up tho! Keep thinking of better routes for you and your partner to take to work.
I consider myself a pretty risk tolerant biker and that bridge still scares the crap out of me. I have been biking to work. It’s about 3x as long as my girlfriends bike commute but way more comfortable because there is a bike lane. Not a good bike lane but still a bike lane.
@@mattkenney3359 yea… the posted speed of 55 mph sent shivers up my spine for y’all. Cause you know people are going way faster than that (if they’re anything like the drivers in my town lol).
Y’all need helmets. Also attach a good flashing red light on the back and a flashing white light on front. Bontrager make a really good one for front and back.
We do usually wear helmets. When we bike to our downtown (only a mile away) we usually choose not to wear them because we go slow and the traffic is not bad. When we made the commute to her work we were both wearing helmets, using lights, and wearing reflective gear. Thanks!
Only THREE miles and having to use a car? I really feel sorry for you and surely hope the local government is sensitive to adding at least bike lanes to grass shoulders on roads. You wait how quicky people start commuting on foot, with electric scooters, etc, once they realise you can buy one of these each month for the amount of money spent on owning a car. All the best from Rotterdam!
Yes I know it’s crazy! The thing though is, here in the US car culture and dependency is so ingrained that most people think my girlfriend and I are the weird ones for wanting to bike a few miles to get around. For most there simply is no viable alternative to driving that people are just resigned to driving and can’t conceive of doing without a car. Now that I know how expensive, dangerous, bad for my health and the environment cars are, I have been biking to work regularly. I can’t say the same for my girlfriend though because it really is that dangerous and uncomfortable. Thanks for commenting. We visited the Netherlands back in march and thought your country was beautiful!
Please wear a helmet. Follow the rules of the road. Use bright flashing lights front and rear. Wear bright clothing. Wave at everyone who makes an effort to be courteous to you. For god sakes don't run red lights even if the way is clear. Always know where you are at and pay attention to your mirror and if you feel unsafe. Like when you see an 18 wheeler coming up from behind you and you are on a narrow 2 lane, immediately look for an out where you can safely get off the road untill the truck passes. Do you carry a tire repair kit and do you know how to change a flat? Hopefully your not listening to music or whatever with your earbuds. Are your tires properly inflated before every ride? As road bikers we must do everything we can to ensure WE are riding safe!
Lily needs a helmet. Calculating the cost to her and society of even a light head injury is prohibitive. My ex just ‘banged’ her head out rollerblading and she experienced cognitive change for many months that impacted her, her workplace, our children, the works. Don’t take it lightly.
I wonder, if somebody has ever tried to sue a city or county for encouraging people to use "bike lanes" that aren't even close to the state of the art? Defining the last not by some crappy American "we don't have cyclists here" manual, but by Dutch, German or Danish regulations; countries where cycling to work or school is a normal behavior.
A painted bike lane might be acceptable (but still not preferred) up to 35 mph. Above that, the bike path must be fully separate with a gap of about 6 feet or a physical barrier.
it wont happen and its too late. the usa and all nations will find out the hard way they took the wrong path