Riding safely, safety equipment, and safe places to ride.
8
votes
5answers
240 views
Is having your hands “on the hoods” of drop handlebars safe for braking?
I've never had a bike with drop handlebars, but may get one for commuting in busy London (likely a single-speed with mechanical disc brakes).
This would mean riding with my hands mostly on the hoods, ...
1
vote
4answers
242 views
Thinking of quitting due to dangerous driving [closed]
I used to cycle a lot, and decided to try taking it back up after last year's Olympics.
But it feels like almost every time I try to go out for a ride I nearly get taken out by someone passing far ...
4
votes
2answers
209 views
How to get back on the road again?
I am from Mumbai, India. And as some of you might be knowing, it is a pretty crazy traffic on roads here. Many times, it so happens that trucks, cars etc. may force you to get off the road while you ...
3
votes
2answers
206 views
What is the braking (stopping) distance for bicycles?
A vehicle driver must keep enough braking distance (aka stopping distance) between him/her and a vehicle in front in order to avoid collision. It depends on the driving speed.
What is the braking ...
0
votes
1answer
98 views
Cycling fast - and brakes don't work - what to do? [duplicate]
I hope this doesn't occur to any of us, but it can.
What must the cyclist do when he/she is cycling (too) fast and needs to stop or slow down immediately, but neither the front and rear brakes work ...
4
votes
2answers
157 views
What is the largest hole a tire can bear before replacement?
Saw this question today. The tire in question has a 2cm long hole on the inside, from a knife.
I sometimes get puncture flats from e.g. glass. Never as big as 2cm. Usually if they're less than ...
6
votes
2answers
124 views
How much of the saddle rail is suiteable to use
Is it possible to safely set the seat to the max to get the saddle as far forward as it will go. Or should it only be clamped within the marked range 0 to 3.5? I have marked the points in red. The ...
2
votes
6answers
337 views
Does exercising solely through cycling cause injuries?
I get most of my exercise through cycling. Does cycling without cross-training cause injuries? If so, are there specific injuries to which cyclists are susceptible (knee, hip, etc.), and is it ...
6
votes
3answers
170 views
How can I determine whether rust has made my bike unsafe?
I ride a 1972 steel frame bike year round through Canadian winters.
When I got the bike it was in good shape, but after putting a few thousand km worth of commuting on it, it has a lot of scratches ...
1
vote
2answers
90 views
Sun protective clothing interfering with bike mirror
I have had a "third eye" type bike mirror on my helmet for years. However, recently I have learned of some genetic predisposition to certain types of skin cancer which affect the skin on the ...
7
votes
2answers
135 views
Baby Transportation Safety Statistics
Is there a resource comparing different safety statistics for transporting babies on bicycles, specifically using different methods?
I'd like to see some information about how safe it is to compare a ...
3
votes
3answers
128 views
Which is the most stringent bicycle helmet certification?
There are numerous safety standards for bicycle helmets available, but which certification is the most stringent one in terms of safety?
7
votes
1answer
179 views
What are my options for cycling mirrors?
What options are available in terms of types of cycling mirrors? Where all can I mount them and what are the advantages and disadvantages to each?
8
votes
4answers
250 views
Recovering confidence after a fall
One month has passed since I fell on a mountain bike trip. The accident wasn't critical, it just left a huge scratch. The accident happened during a fast descent when my front tire hit a little crack.
...
2
votes
3answers
175 views
What is the correct way to put a helmet on?
I hear often claims similar to "many cyclists wear their helmets the wrong way" and "wearing a helmet incorrectly significantly reduces it's protective ability".
My helmet is similar to the following ...
10
votes
1answer
180 views
Does helmet padding contribute to the safety of a helmet?
Does the padding inside of a bicycle helmet contribute to the overall security of the helmet? I.e. do they cushion a crash in some way, or are they just there for comfort?
9
votes
1answer
218 views
What is the proper technique for crossing railroad tracks?
I cross railroads as perpendicularly as is possible, but that's all I know to do. Safety is a priority, speed not so much. Specifically:
Is there an optimum speed?
Should you pedal through them ...
26
votes
1answer
350 views
Does a helmet-mounted light affect the safe functionality of the helmet?
I am currently testing a bunch of lights for my (slowly) upcoming head lights review. Several of the lights can be mounted to a helmet using a mounting strap, like this:
I'm wondering if having a ...
1
vote
2answers
180 views
New Chain causing skipping on cassette - will this work itself out or is it unsafe?
I just installed a new chain on my 2002 Trek 2200 Road Bike. The old chain was a Shimano 9 speed that I installed 18 months and about 5000 miles ago. It had stretched modestly and was full of winter ...
3
votes
1answer
160 views
How does one test the freewheel?
What are the failure modes (symptoms) of a failing or failed freewheel?
My understanding of normal free wheeling means the rear tire should rotate when the bike is moving and the pedals are or are ...
5
votes
2answers
155 views
Is this rim safe?
The rim has a parting at the join:
This is a brand new wheel, and I was wondering if this is a safe one. Could it split at the join?
4
votes
4answers
246 views
Employer Duty of Care for cyclist
The company I work for provides cycle racks for cyclists in a semi underground carpark that is open at one side. Several cycles have been stolen from this area and one colleage was attacked by a bike ...
5
votes
3answers
344 views
Fixed gear Biking, how to ride properly?
I Have been riding bikes since I've been 6 years old, and I don't mean riding up and down the street - I mean touring with my sisters for 10-20 Km. Later on, I really got into Downhill.
Over time I ...
1
vote
3answers
243 views
Bicycle lights- Indicating in the dark
I am a product designer and am currently working on a bicycle lighting project and would really appreciate your valuable feedback.
In England, turning left on a bicycle is not really a problem as ...
6
votes
1answer
315 views
Any experience about radially-laced hub flanges actually breaking?
Most hub manufacturers forbid lacing spokes radially, mostly because there is less material in the radial direction away from a flange hole than in the standard 3-cross, tangential lacing.
(UPDATE: ...
18
votes
7answers
933 views
What are some alternatives to fruitlessly ringing my bell at a motorist?
I doubt that motor-vehicle drivers can hear the "ding" sound that a bicycle bell makes. What are some better alternatives?
3
votes
2answers
286 views
Which brake is most expendable?
I'm thinking of removing a brake(front or back) to reduce weight and simplify my bike. Which brake is most expendable? Its your average fixie road bike.
9
votes
6answers
489 views
How many fingers on the brake lever?
I have seen people stop with one finger, two fingers or the whole hands on the levers. Is there a recommended number of fingers on the brake levers when stopping/anticipating an emergency stop? Do ...
2
votes
4answers
396 views
Is riding shirtless safe?
During the summer, I like to go for rides on trails without a shirt. Is this safe?
Also, related: is it rude to other people on the trail not to wear a shirt?
1
vote
3answers
281 views
Is it safe to ride with bent fork?
My bicycle went from this when I bought it:
To this when I crashed (note the front fork bent where it attaches to the stem; front wheel almost touches the down tube):
Update: Just looked at the ...
2
votes
3answers
103 views
“wound” on the tire side
The other day I was stopped at a traffic light when I felt my bike moving slowly forward. Did not pay really attention, thought there was a slight slope, so hit the brake and voila.
But it did not ...
6
votes
3answers
352 views
Is a headlight required to emit light to the sides?
The California Vehicle Code says:
(d) A bicycle operated during darkness upon a highway, a sidewalk
where bicycle operation is not prohibited by the local jurisdiction,
or a bikeway, as ...
36
votes
9answers
2k views
Protocol for downhill cyclist overtaking a car?
Last weekend, I was driving (yes in a car, something I rarely do) down a fairly steep and very curvy mountain road (thus with very poor sight lines/visibility ahead) when I noticed a cyclist in my ...
5
votes
5answers
616 views
How do you shift your weight when leaning on a turn?
When I turn I usually shift my weight on the same side I'm turning to. To ease the discussion let's assume we are turning left, on a paved road (no mud/gravel/potholes/grease/oil/ice/door traps).
I ...
6
votes
3answers
189 views
Does a three foot passing law actually require drivers to give three feet?
Utah has a three foot passing law that states:
Title 41 Chapter 6a Section 706.5
Operation of motor vehicle near bicycle prohibited.
An operator of a motor vehicle may not knowingly, ...
8
votes
3answers
292 views
Is it safe to ride on an unevenly bulging tyre?
Most of the tyre looks fine, true and straight but the section photographed shows bulging. The rim itself is true, is this safe to ride on?
3
votes
6answers
356 views
How would the “pros” bike this commute?
I've been putting up some pounds and have a bike gathering dust at home =D
I normally commute by bus or carpool, but would like an opinion from some more seasoned bikers on how you'd tackle this ...
-5
votes
5answers
472 views
Is it safe to Cycle with an Umbrella?
Is it safe to cycle while holding an Umbrella?
Obviously it's at least a little less safe than biking without holding something in your left (or right) hand. But how much more dangerous is it?
...
10
votes
4answers
1k views
Is it legal to pass a car on the right when that car is turning?
So I've been poring over the bikes SE, and as a recreational biker and an automobile commuter, I'm naturally most interested in topics addressing how bikes interact with automotive traffic.
In one ...
5
votes
1answer
204 views
Is it safe to ride with one missing chainring bolt?
I have a double chainring on my road bike but one of my chainring bolts has broken so I'm left with only 4 out of the 5 I'm supposed to have. Is it safe to ride? (just until replacements arrive)
1
vote
9answers
339 views
Is it possible to perform tricks with 100% safety during commuting?
When commuting in the city, i encounter many transitions between road and sidewalk. It's easy to jump from the sidewalk down to the road (~20 cm vertical) if you have enough speed, but to get back ...
8
votes
5answers
533 views
Protocol for slipstreaming another cyclist?
I have a nice 12 km commute where lots of different bicyclers travel. The entire stretch is only for pedestrians&bicycles, no cars to worry about.
I ride a regular old 5-speed bike (not a ...
8
votes
6answers
841 views
Is standing up and peddling on multi-gear bicycles a bad idea
After reading While pedaling standing up, bike crank gives in as if shifting, what is causing this? , I was thinking well for starters one should probably not be standing up to pedal under normal ...
3
votes
3answers
471 views
Armor and helmet for ultra-safe commuting (womens size)?
I'm about to start daily bike commuting again after a long hiatus and want to go all out on safety. My fear of an accident is extreme enough that I am looking into regularly wearing body armor and a ...
11
votes
3answers
994 views
Would a military helmet make a safe alternative to a bicycle helmet?
I am in need of a new bicycle helmet and have been exploring some alternative options. One possibility I am considering is visiting my local Army Surplus store and getting a helmet there. I only use ...
11
votes
2answers
2k views
Are anti-pollution masks effective?
In Toronto when the temperature goes above 30 degrees Celcius (90 degrees Farenheit), for a few days and without wind, there is smog.
I find the smog irritates and makes it difficult to breathe in ...
0
votes
3answers
388 views
Should I listen to music when I bike? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is listening to music dangerous while cycling?
Is it bad to listen to earphones while commuting? I have a lot of people tell me I shouldn't, but I find when I'm biking ...
7
votes
3answers
407 views
What are the pros and cons of sunscreen vs. protective clothing?
I have decided that, lack of sunburn aside, I need to get back to being pretty serious about UV protection. I've been sloppy about it for a few years, and would like to not continue inviting skin ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
Are 22mm tires too thin for commuting?
I recently switched from a mountain bike to a road bike with 22mm tires for commuting.
I noticed right away that I could not do the things like hop over curbs with this new bike. I also got flats. ...
9
votes
8answers
589 views
What's the safest way to turn left from a right-side bike lane?
(United States road configuration and customs here. Sorry, those of you who drive on the left!)
On my trip home, I use a bike lane near the right side of a very busy one-way arterial street; there is ...
