Riding safely, safety equipment, and safe places to ride.
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 ...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
Night cycling: Is it worth using electroluminescent wire?
It's currently winter in the UK, so for my commete to and from work I need lights and reflective surfaces for safety. I've read about local people losing their lives cycling, so I don want to make ...
2
votes
4answers
395 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?
7
votes
7answers
460 views
Do any bike sharing schemes provide a way to rent or share helmets along with the bikes?
Do any bike sharing schemes provide a way to rent or share helmets along with the bikes, either in a kiosk or through an arrangement with local businesses?
None of the schemes that I've used (London, ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
327 views
How practical is an unicycle on uneven surfaces?
From my experience riding a bicycle the fact that a bicycle has two wheels makes it rather easy to ride over minor obstacles like minor cracks in the road. Segway also looks promising in this aspect ...
8
votes
6answers
838 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 ...
43
votes
21answers
5k views
Is listening to music dangerous while cycling? [closed]
This wouldn't apply to riding technical trails or anything challenging, but are there any reasons to eschew the tunes while riding? Noise canceling earbuds would probably be hazardous to myself and ...
5
votes
5answers
611 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 ...
7
votes
5answers
912 views
What is the recommended type of tire for riding on wet pavement?
I am commuting in rainy Seattle, and the rain has started. Right now I have Continental Gatorskin tires on my commuter, but yesterday I noticed I was braking to stop the wheels and skidding quite a ...
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, ...
4
votes
2answers
435 views
Can a steel fork be unbent?
I was hit by a car and now the steerer of my Reynolds 753 aero fork is bent.
Is it possible to bend them back? Would that be safe?
I can't afford a new pair!
20
votes
5answers
1k views
Which states or countries have stop-sign-as-yield laws for bicyclists (Idaho stop law)?
In Idaho (PDF), bicyclists are allowed to treat stop signs as yields, and red lights as stop signs (essentially; see the actual law for details). This seems like a very reasonable approach, balancing ...
4
votes
7answers
350 views
Need a bright headlight for offroad, UK
As winter approaches I am looking to upgrade my cycle lights. My commute takes me on an unlit section of canal tow path so I am looking for suggestions of a super bright headlight or cycle light that ...
7
votes
7answers
574 views
As recumbents are low to the ground and hard to see, how to you use one safely on a normal road?
My wife thinks that she can't use a recumbent on the roads, as a car driver will not be able to see it. What’s the solution?
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 ...
8
votes
3answers
291 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?
8
votes
3answers
617 views
Silencing a rattling u-lock
I'm not sure if they're all like this, but my u-lock is a bit loose between the two pieces, the U and the bar. The provided mount snaps very very tightly onto the U, leaving the bar to fend for ...
0
votes
4answers
595 views
Feedback on Bern Helmets for winter
I was thinking about picking up a new helmet this afternoon. My current helmet:
Has had a few accidents
Isn't very warm in the winter.
Doesn't have great clearance for ski goggles.
I was ...
-5
votes
5answers
471 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 ...
17
votes
8answers
2k views
Arguments for/against bike lanes?
What are the arguments for and against bike lanes? Can anyone summarize the best reasons they're good for and bad for cyclists and automobile drivers?
For example, Are there some environments ...
11
votes
5answers
3k views
What should I look for when buying a used bicycle?
I'm moving to a city where I can ride a bicycle to the grocery store, coffee shop etc. I want to purchase a decent used bicycle. I'm leaning towards a bike that's in between a "10-speed" or road-bike ...
17
votes
5answers
423 views
How should a bicycle helmet fit?
I see enough folks wearing helmets in such a manner that they might as well not be. What is the proper way to fit & wear a bicycle helmet?
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 ...
13
votes
6answers
395 views
If I'm riding on the road, and there is a red light but a walk signal in my direction, should I go?
I frequently come to stop lights in which there is an all-way stop and a pedestrian signal. I always stop at such lights, but I'm wondering if I should then bike slowly across after determining that ...
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 ...
6
votes
4answers
4k views
What do I do wrong to get hip aches after biking?
I ride about 17 miles each session. After the ride, the outside of my hips sore: only the parts near the outermost joints, most likely the tendon (although this is only a guess). My knees are fine, my ...
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. ...
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 ...
2
votes
2answers
154 views
Wheel spokes missing
I have 5 spokes missing. Is it OK to ride on it, and how long will it last, or will my wheel just break on me? I will be going to work on it every day.
11
votes
3answers
993 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 ...
14
votes
6answers
453 views
In shared bicycle/pedestrian facilities next to a road, do I obey the pedestrian or the vehicle traffic control devices?
My commute takes me on a bike path that runs parallel to a road (with a sidewalk in between). When crossing other roads, the sidewalk and bike path merge, and there is one curb-cut and cross walk with ...
6
votes
3answers
895 views
How to eat properly when cycling in extreme heat?
In the US, we're in the middle of a heat wave. Temperatures are topping 100 degrees F and up in some areas. When touring, how should one's eating and drinking before and during a ride be changed to ...
8
votes
5answers
649 views
What to do if you are about to get doored?
I was talking to a bike messenger the other day, and he said something that surprised me: If you see a car door swing open in front of you and you can't avoid it, pull your hands off the handlebars ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
How can I make myself and bike more visible during the day?
How can I make myself more visible during the day?
Maybe something to put on my helmet (so it's easy to remember).
6
votes
2answers
510 views
What should I consider when buying a respirator?
I'm using my bicycle to ride from home to work and back. Now I face a problem that the air is not so clean: dust, car exhaust etc.
So I'm thinking of buying a respirator (i.e., an anti-pollution ...
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 ...
6
votes
4answers
485 views
Babies on Bakfietsen: How young is too young?
When is it safe to transport a baby on a bakfiets? How does one know when a child is old enough for this?
By "safe" I mean, protecting the child's brain from damage due to road vibration, pothole ...
7
votes
3answers
749 views
Will reporting intentionally agressive drivers to police have any effect?
Today I was riding ~3 feet out from parked cars (dooring is the most common way to get killed) and this pickup truck comes up behind me and just lays on its horn for an entire block. The driver was ...
8
votes
3answers
1k views
Is it a good idea to get a narrower front tire and a wider rear tire on a road bike?
I am currently running Continental Grand Prix S 4000 in 23-622 / 700x23C front and rear. I am about to buy a new set of tires for my road bike and am fancying a smaller tire for the front and a wider ...
5
votes
5answers
1k views
What are the accepted hand signals for cyclists in the UK?
see also "What are the accepted hand signals for cyclists in the US?"
7
votes
5answers
743 views
Is it more dangerous to use a bike lane or to ride in the road proper?
When I ride my bike, depending on which route I take, there are bike lanes and there are not - both routes take the same amount of time/distance, the only difference is the presence (or lack thereof) ...
5
votes
3answers
337 views
Are reflectors mandatory by the UK highway code?
I bought a set of mudguards recently, the rear one attaches onto the seat post.
I have a red reflector that also attached onto the seatpost, so if I have both the seat has to be too high and only my ...
5
votes
4answers
213 views
Which parts of a wrecked bike would be OK to use or sell?
A few months ago I was in an accident with a car on my way home from work (oncoming car turned left in front of me). My bike was severely damaged, the frame broke in two and the front wheel is bent ...
13
votes
5answers
505 views
How should I deal with bike messengers + others (salmon) riding the wrong way in a bike lane?
Frustrated cyclist "jegrgic" poses this question at the New York Cycling Club (NYCC) website.
They say:
When I see this, I want to just go over to the person and try to give them some common ...
3
votes
4answers
380 views
What statutes govern the directing of traffic by citizens in Massachusetts?
Are there laws or statutes governing the directing of traffic by citizens or "members of the public"?
A scenario I often encounter is one in which someone — typically another rider or pedestrian in a ...
7
votes
2answers
294 views
How much does an impact reduce helmet's ability to protect?
I read the answers to "When or how often should I replace my bike helmet?", but unfortunately none of the answers there cites any references.
Have there been any studies quantifying the claim of ...
3
votes
10answers
675 views
Safe cycling lights red but the man is green
At a standard road crossing, the lights have turned red, but the man has gone green for pedestrians to cross. What do you do?
Honestly in the situation I coast through as long as there is room. (i.e ...
