I was laid up for over 20 weeks after a car pulled out directly in front of our group ride. We were all doing everything correct as far as being visible and aware. I went over the hood and broke my tibia in two places right behind the acl. I changed a number of things after that. 1. Even if a driver looks at you, doesn’t mean they are aware of you. 2. I avoid busy roads at all cost. In a city it’s very hard but learning the bike route’s through neighborhoods is way more relaxing than dealing with traffic. 3. If I can ride greenways as opposed to roads, I do. 4. If I must be on a busy road, I try to never be there alone. More riders the better. 5. Increase visibility is huge but no guarantee a driver will see you. 6. I avoid riding during busy rush hours or times when people are more likely to drink and drive. Friday night etc. For me personally, the most difficult thing to figure out is how to navigate the multiple bike routs. It usually involves spending tons of time on the computer map and trying to figure out what routes to use for wherever you wanna go. Heat maps help but many people don’t have the apps or computer savvy to figure them out. I certainly appreciate a wide bike lane when I see one. Stay safe!
“Can’t we all just get along?!” We need to walk a mile in each other’s clip less cleats…and keep our heads on a swivel in traffic! Thanks for addressing an inconvenient truth.
Thanks for the knee info. It’s like I hit my 30’s and I’m falling apart. Developed osgood schlaughters in my left knee after one intense season. It’s easy to feel hopeless. Regular stretching, strengthening, and foam rolling is everything. Will be buying this book!
This topic extends to our fellow cyclists. Situational awareness applies to cyclists riding with other cyclists. I belong to a club, but stay well off the back due to the bad & sloppy riding of some of our members. The average age is well over 50, yet they ride & act much younger. Crashes ensue. Part of it is that they don't so much ride their bike as just guide it down the road. In the midst of all the chatter & stories, they only make the occasional input to keep the bike going straight. As to educating them, they are at an age where they take offense at being told what to do or not do.
Because as cyclists we are so vulnerable in traffic we seem to point the finger at automobile drivers and say they need to be educated, I have found is that a lot of cyclists do not ride defensively, are not predictable enough, do not communicate intentions, and end up scaring motor vehicle drivers. Cyclists and drivers need to follow traffic regulations, ride responsibly, drive defensively and be aware of what's going on on the roads. When driving, it is easy to miscalculate where a cyclist might end up or what decisions they might make at the last minute, sometimes it can be scary. I agree with Shane's comment - 1. Even if a driver looks at you, doesn’t mean they are aware of you. As for exercising by walking backward... interesting, you need to talk more about that.
The holier-than-thou syndrome. I think both car drivers and bicyclist fall into this category. We know what goes down with car drivers. For your approach to what can a cyclist do to be involved in situational awareness. Start in the schools at a young age. Not only bike handling skills and local ordinances but, being seen in traffic both nite and day. Learning to be patient and drive in a defensive manner. Possibly have this program twice a year fall/spring up to 6th grade, etc... For customers, you mentioned a relative, how about a pamphlet that gives the local ordinances that bicyclist are responsible to know and follow. Plus, bike trails and suggested routes that run outside of the main thoroughfares. Possible classes and rebates on products that help bicyclists be more visible on the road. Not necessarily, full neon kit but, lighting f/r, safety pizzas, reflective tape, stickers, vests, etc... Education is key. Man, I could go on and on about this topic... By the way, congrats on nearly reaching 1k👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🎉🎊✨💯 keep up the great work. All the Best!
Careful, Buddy. "Old" people fall down stairs? That makes me old, I suppose. And, since we are about the same age... A couple of Thursday mornings ago, I was getting ready for my pre-work 20-miler. I learned the hard way that socks on hardwood is a very bad idea. I fell about 10 stairs. As you might expect, a dislocated shoulder hurts. Especially when you're old. You can break bones in your shoulder, too, I learned. That can be hard to fix, as the surgeon has told me. I am old and clumsy, it seems.
Sounds like some of your golf cart drivers are simply brain dead. I would guess they were same while driving a car. What's scary is people driving like they have dain bramage and cell phoning at the same time. I was a prison transportation officer for 9 years and if you have an unmarked car people do some amazingly ignorant things driving. But as a cyclist we have to be more careful than when driving. I know you are against flashing lights but I had more near fatal incidents while riding in the dark with only a light and no flashing. I arrived at the idea of wearing a road workers' reflective safety vest. That combined with the strobing light ( Cycliq Fly 12 front and Fly 6 rear) I had way less safety problems/incidents. The worst driver is the one with a disease called Must Get In Front. MGIF can be deadly! Be safe and Be well.
I was laid up for over 20 weeks after a car pulled out directly in front of our group ride. We were all doing everything correct as far as being visible and aware. I went over the hood and broke my tibia in two places right behind the acl.
I changed a number of things after that.
1. Even if a driver looks at you, doesn’t mean they are aware of you.
2. I avoid busy roads at all cost. In a city it’s very hard but learning the bike route’s through neighborhoods is way more relaxing than dealing with traffic.
3. If I can ride greenways as opposed to roads, I do.
4. If I must be on a busy road, I try to never be there alone. More riders the better.
5. Increase visibility is huge but no guarantee a driver will see you.
6. I avoid riding during busy rush hours or times when people are more likely to drink and drive. Friday night etc.
For me personally, the most difficult thing to figure out is how to navigate the multiple bike routs. It usually involves spending tons of time on the computer map and trying to figure out what routes to use for wherever you wanna go. Heat maps help but many people don’t have the apps or computer savvy to figure them out.
I certainly appreciate a wide bike lane when I see one. Stay safe!
Pretty much what I do exactly.
“Can’t we all just get along?!” We need to walk a mile in each other’s clip less cleats…and keep our heads on a swivel in traffic! Thanks for addressing an inconvenient truth.
Thanks for the knee info. It’s like I hit my 30’s and I’m falling apart. Developed osgood schlaughters in my left knee after one intense season. It’s easy to feel hopeless. Regular stretching, strengthening, and foam rolling is everything. Will be buying this book!
Keep after it!
This topic extends to our fellow cyclists. Situational awareness applies to cyclists riding with other cyclists. I belong to a club, but stay well off the back due to the bad & sloppy riding of some of our members. The average age is well over 50, yet they ride & act much younger. Crashes ensue. Part of it is that they don't so much ride their bike as just guide it down the road. In the midst of all the chatter & stories, they only make the occasional input to keep the bike going straight. As to educating them, they are at an age where they take offense at being told what to do or not do.
Exactly the thrust of what I was talking about. In the 80s, all those guys would have been put in the gutter. 😬
Because as cyclists we are so vulnerable in traffic we seem to point the finger at automobile drivers and say they need to be educated, I have found is that a lot of cyclists do not ride defensively, are not predictable enough, do not communicate intentions, and end up scaring motor vehicle drivers. Cyclists and drivers need to follow traffic regulations, ride responsibly, drive defensively and be aware of what's going on on the roads. When driving, it is easy to miscalculate where a cyclist might end up or what decisions they might make at the last minute, sometimes it can be scary. I agree with Shane's comment - 1. Even if a driver looks at you, doesn’t mean they are aware of you.
As for exercising by walking backward... interesting, you need to talk more about that.
I would like to apply for citizenship please
I promise to be a benevolent dictator.
@@ThePsychicDerailleur Thank you my Lord
The holier-than-thou syndrome. I think both car drivers and bicyclist fall into this category. We know what goes down with car drivers. For your approach to what can a cyclist do to be involved in situational awareness. Start in the schools at a young age. Not only bike handling skills and local ordinances but, being seen in traffic both nite and day. Learning to be patient and drive in a defensive manner. Possibly have this program twice a year fall/spring up to 6th grade, etc... For customers, you mentioned a relative, how about a pamphlet that gives the local ordinances that bicyclist are responsible to know and follow. Plus, bike trails and suggested routes that run outside of the main thoroughfares. Possible classes and rebates on products that help bicyclists be more visible on the road. Not necessarily, full neon kit but, lighting f/r, safety pizzas, reflective tape, stickers, vests, etc... Education is key. Man, I could go on and on about this topic... By the way, congrats on nearly reaching 1k👍🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🎉🎊✨💯 keep up the great work. All the Best!
Thank you Rob!
Careful, Buddy. "Old" people fall down stairs? That makes me old, I suppose. And, since we are about the same age...
A couple of Thursday mornings ago, I was getting ready for my pre-work 20-miler. I learned the hard way that socks on hardwood is a very bad idea. I fell about 10 stairs. As you might expect, a dislocated shoulder hurts. Especially when you're old. You can break bones in your shoulder, too, I learned. That can be hard to fix, as the surgeon has told me.
I am old and clumsy, it seems.
I resemble your remarks more and more each day.
Hopefully you gave your sister in law a copy of Just Ride. A little bit of Grant Petersen can help anyone.
Sounds like some of your golf cart drivers are simply brain dead. I would guess they were same while driving a car. What's scary is people driving like they have dain bramage and cell phoning at the same time. I was a prison transportation officer for 9 years and if you have an unmarked car people do some amazingly ignorant things driving. But as a cyclist we have to be more careful than when driving. I know you are against flashing lights but I had more near fatal incidents while riding in the dark with only a light and no flashing. I arrived at the idea of wearing a road workers' reflective safety vest. That combined with the strobing light ( Cycliq Fly 12 front and Fly 6 rear) I had way less safety problems/incidents. The worst driver is the one with a disease called Must Get In Front. MGIF can be deadly! Be safe and Be well.