truck safety for urban riders
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fishnchips
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« on: August 06, 2008, 09:22:59 PM »
pretty cool simple technology in trucks for protecting cyclists during turns.  I wonder if this is as big an issue here as it is in the UK? I know riding in London is a scary experience, especially with the small streets and so much traffic. And you never want to be near a truck if it's turning; you're in no-mans land.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W35cDUusxw&feature=related
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Kelly
bonkers
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« Reply #1 on: August 07, 2008, 08:05:19 PM »
I road ride at least once a week now & I started wearing a mirror on my glasses to see if vehicles are behind me to keep from getting caught off gaurd. Although it's a nice idea, it's a tad weird at first untill you get used to it. This past Monday was prime example. I was adjusting the mirror slightly while riding & right as I got it into it's correct position a pickup truck was already about 10-15ft behind me doing about 40mph at me! I don't know how those devoted roadies do it!
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jpearce
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« Reply #2 on: August 08, 2008, 09:55:16 AM »
Roadies do it by riding in big packs.  It increases visibility and also lowers the odds that you're the one who will get hit. 

I do a lot of road riding and it's interesting to talk to roadies who don't want to mtb because it's "too dangerous".  Yeah, I know a lot of mtbers with relatively minor injuries (well, except for the heart attack and you-know-who), but nobody who's been really seriously injured or killed.  OTOH, roadie fatalities aren't that uncommon.  One of my friends got flown off of the SRT 2 years ago in a medivac chopper after a collision, and I saw a guy hit a deer while going about 30 mph down a hill (the bike was going that fast, not the deer).  That stuff doesn't happen in the woods.
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2008, 03:51:27 PM »
Yea it cracks me up when the road guys say we're crazy. Last time I checked chipmunks do not get road rage, and trees do not buzz you on purpose because they are pissed that your on a bike and in their way.

The best is every once in a while I find myself in a conversation with a non cyclist while at work where they are bashing us for being in the road. I stay calm and make them feel really stupid about it, without revealing that I'm a cyclist myself. Good times.
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Dmitri
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« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2008, 04:25:59 PM »
Here's what a friend of mine, who rides road a lot said:

"One of the "fun" parts of road riding is getting to deal with cars. The most common interaction is when a car passes a slower moving cyclist. My approach to handling this has always been to stay to the side, and ride as smoothly as possible, so the motorist feels comfortable enough to pass safely. A couple months back, though, I read someone saying that a better technique is to swerve a little when you hear the car coming. At first I dismissed it, but the argument was that if you look a little unpredictable, the driver will give you more room.

I was intrigued, so I've been trying it. Now, the key isn't to swerve all over the road and be erratic, but just not keep a perfectly straight line. Having tried it, I've got to say it actually works. If I hear a car coming, I'll let the bike move around a little, usually just exaggerating my pedal stroke, and when the car goes by, they give me a huge amount of room. The driver is going to pass me whether they feel comfortable or not, folks are just too impatient to not pass... but if they aren't sure if I can ride in a straight line, they give me more room. That leaves ME feeling more comfortable... and safer.

It doesn't take much, just a little wobble that is visible to the driver seems to be enough. Heck, they might not even realize they're doing it."
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bonkers
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« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2008, 05:40:02 PM »
Going with what Dmitri's saying, there was a study done where it showed the general driving public believes that bikers wearing helmets knows what they're doing on the road. Hence, they don't think twice about getting up close to a bike. But doing what Dmitri's saying will make a driver think twice in that situation. As far as being one of the "fun parts of road biking" helllllllls no.. when is you vs. cars ever fun!?
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fishnchips
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« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2008, 10:00:45 PM »
that's right guys; I saw that study. The scientist put sensors on all different bikers to see how close vehicles came in town. Fast helmeted riders were given way less room. But the significant difference was the slow female rider on a chick bike, with flowing curly hair; they have her tons of room! Roadies may have to switch out the helmets for wigs  Shocked

something said for a little wobble then. It' all psychology and perception.

Not quite related but if ever I'm braking on the expressway after traveling at speed I pump the brakes a few times to make the lights flash, because sometimes folks behind don't realize how much you are slowing down.   
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Kelly
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