Riding safely, safety equipment, and safe places to ride.
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
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, ...
6
votes
3answers
900 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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
2answers
513 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 ...
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 ...
6
votes
3answers
171 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 ...
6
votes
1answer
319 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: ...
5
votes
6answers
417 views
Should the laws be amended to allow cyclists to run red lights?
Ignoring the question of whether or not cyclists should or should not break the law by running red lights, should the law be changed such that cyclists are somehow exempt from stopping and waiting? ...
5
votes
4answers
215 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 ...
5
votes
4answers
281 views
How far do I “pull over” in a bike lane?
If I am riding down a marked bike lane on a road which is adjacent to the curb, and I need to stop for a very short time (e.g. to adjust something, turn on lights, or drink some water), how far should ...
5
votes
5answers
618 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 ...
5
votes
3answers
366 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 ...
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?"
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?
5
votes
3answers
105 views
How can I tell if a helmet will be comfortable before buying?
Barring taking a helmet on a 50-mile ride before buying it:
Some kinds of chin straps, for example, won't stay tight, and some kinds of cages aren't comfortable no matter how I adjust them. What ...
5
votes
4answers
484 views
Cycling traffic signs and rules in Germany
I'm over 30 and have just started cycling in real traffic, my first experience, as I have only ever ridden as a child in parks and such. I live in a university town in the state of Baden-Württemberg ...
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
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)
4
votes
6answers
567 views
Storing bicycle helmets…will temperature affect the performance of the helmet?
I got into a discussion at home about where to best store our bicycle helmets. We store our bikes in the garage (a standalone, not attached to our apartment). So, logically and aesthetically my wife ...
4
votes
8answers
449 views
Long sleeves for safety?
I took @Jason's and @Neil's advice and practiced wearing clipless pedals in cold weather. I fell three times (nearly four) last week, all at very low speeds: twice because of ice, and twice because of ...
4
votes
5answers
1k views
Are runners allowed to use the bike lane?
This morning on my commute I encountered a runner in the bike lane I was riding in. This irked me because:
The bike lane was on a busy street, with three lanes of motor vehicle traffic in each ...
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 ...
4
votes
1answer
382 views
What does this warning symbol on my pannier bag mean?
I bought a pannier bag which attaches to the rear rack with 3 quick-releases. Each quick-release has a sticker on it:
What does this symbol mean? My guess would be something like "don't hit this ...
4
votes
3answers
951 views
Is it safe to ride on a cracked rim?
Doing my monthly inspection & clean of my wheels last night and I was shocked to see a crack around one the spokes as they enter rim. It is a rear wheel (Shimano R600 I think). I had obviously ...
4
votes
2answers
172 views
Rules for rotary/roundabout?
Does a cyclist have the right of way in a traffic circle/roundabout/rotary (in the US)? Any tips for riding around one of these scary things?
This past summer, I was riding around a rotary (a.k.a. ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
159 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
478 views
Different tyre width (front and back)
Out of necessity, I had to put an 1.26" (32mm) rear tyre on my bike where the front tyre is only 1.1" (28mm) wide (and the bike came with 1.1" tyres when I bought it). Are there any advantages or ...
4
votes
2answers
437 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!
4
votes
2answers
210 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 ...
4
votes
1answer
343 views
Do cyclists make safer drivers?
Is there any research that suggests cyclists are safer drivers than drivers who don't cycle? Is there evidence to suggest the opposite?
Please remember this is not a discussion. Please include ...
3
votes
10answers
676 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 ...
3
votes
2answers
287 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.
3
votes
6answers
357 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
475 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 ...
3
votes
4answers
336 views
Should I ring my bell before going around corners?
I'm in a town in Bavaria, Germany and the local custom with the more dangerous corners is to honk a horn or ring a bell. Will this actually make me safer?
Currently I am cycling in a half-urban ...
3
votes
5answers
2k views
How do you know when you need to add more air in the tires?
How much air is too little and you should add more for the safety and ease of your bike ride?
3
votes
3answers
956 views
What does a flashing yellow arrow traffic signal mean?
While bike commuting in an urban setting, I've started noticing that some intersections have flashing yellow turn signals during part of the light cycle. What does this mean? If I am on my bike in the ...
3
votes
2answers
373 views
Speed wobble safe fall?
What's the best downhill safe fall if you're getting a lot of speed wobble, or you're on a really rocky course and lose control?
I noticed a lot of people try to slide the bike down to its side, but ...
3
votes
4answers
386 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 ...
3
votes
3answers
2k views
Where can I find replacement pads for a bicycle helmet?
I have a Bell bicycle helmet that is probably two years old, and the pads for the front and sides have disintegrated from sweat and are now little more than pieces of fabric attached to the velcro ...
3
votes
3answers
229 views
Are 2-way bike lanes safe?
For this question, I'm referring to bike lanes of the type shown here:
To me they seem like a really bad idea. Firstly, one of the lanes is going against traffic. In this instance, the cars ...
3
votes
3answers
645 views
Back wheel skidding out
On my cycle to work this morning I noticed my back wheel was skidding out as I was going up a fairly steep hill. It did it enough that I thought I'd probably gotten a flat, however upon inspection it ...
3
votes
1answer
211 views
Is there a resource that lists certifications for all available helmets?
Is there a reference on on-line source of information on what certifications have been awarded to all helmets currently available on the market?
For example I'm specifically trying to determine what ...
3
votes
1answer
3k views
What is the best Anti-Pollution Mask?
I bike everyday in Paris and I am looking for a mask with a particulates filter.
3
votes
1answer
126 views
Can the extreme heat from powder coating influence frame integrity of older bikes?
I just got an older frame powder coated. The shop that I took it to doesn't specialize in bikes. They mainly do industrial grade powder coating and perhaps a car wheel here and there, so I wouldn't ...
3
votes
2answers
212 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 ...
3
votes
1answer
261 views
How to practice jumping over cars with disc brakes and SPD shoes?
This question here raises a sub-question, to avoid accidents. I am looking for some safe ways to practice jumping over cars. I use SPD shoes and disc brakes because I have noticed that I can burst ...
3
votes
5answers
484 views
Which footwear is the safest for summer cycling?
This morning I could not find my training shoes. So, I used my sandals. I found that the sandals not only kept my feet cool but there was no pedal slippage as I had expected. The more I think about ...
