Questions tagged [safety]
Riding safely, safety equipment, and safe places to ride.
536 questions
123
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33
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How do I deal with a dog chasing me when I'm touring?
Once I was riding my road bike down a rural road. I heard barking over my shoulder and saw two dobermans running toward me. I can't think of a time in my life that I felt more endangered.
I reacted ...
113
votes
6
answers
37k
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Safety data: Which is safer, head/tail lights which blink or emit a steady beam?
My head and tail lights can be set to blink or emit a steady beam of light.
I usually set my rear (red) light to blink, because I believe it makes me more visible at night. My friend argues that it ...
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87
votes
13
answers
5k
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Is pollution a problem in urban cycling?
I usually ride a bicycle in Barcelona. I'm concerned about pollution and I take an anti-pollution mask. Of course, some people scream because they confuse me with Hannibal Lecter but currently that's ...
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78
votes
11
answers
29k
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Why is it safer to bike with traffic, instead of facing oncoming cars?
There has been an ongoing debate in my area's local newspaper, regarding biking with vs. against the flow of traffic. A recent incident in which a cyclist was hit from behind, and later died of his ...
- 3,893
69
votes
8
answers
9k
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When or how often should I replace my bike helmet?
I’ve fallen a couple times, but no serious damage is visible on the helmet except for a couple divots here and there.
Should I consistently be replacing my helmet after a certain amount of time? ...
- 793
64
votes
15
answers
43k
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Why don't cyclists wear all-encompassing motorcycle-style helmets?
It is possible to get a helmet that covers your entire head and face, and in theory would protect you against more kinds of falls. In particular, Why don't bicyclists wear them, and why do ...
- 18.1k
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30
answers
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How can I make my bike (and myself) visible at night?
By winter I will be commuting on my bike at night. How can I make my bike as visible as possible to all car drivers?
- 1,827
59
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21
answers
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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 ...
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55
votes
17
answers
10k
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How to get over anger at inconsiderate drivers
Fortunately, I have very few strongly negative interactions with cars (most people generally seem to respect the way I ride), but those that do stick with me for a while.
The scenario is almost ...
- 763
55
votes
9
answers
6k
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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 ...
- 663
55
votes
4
answers
9k
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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 ...
- 3,893
54
votes
16
answers
33k
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Safest way to slow down a bike quickly if both sets of brakes fail
This may sound like a crazy question, however today in the wet my rear brakes decided to stop working effectively. It has been pouring rain here which makes the problem more apparent.
I managed to ...
- 1,509
54
votes
13
answers
7k
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What is the proper etiquette for overtaking a horse?
What are the general rules when encountering a mounted horse rider on a trail? I understand if we are approaching each other I would dismount, move to the side of the trail, and allow them to pass. ...
- 19k
52
votes
12
answers
7k
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How can I make it clear to other road users that I'm an inexperienced cyclist?
I'm in my mid-20s and I'm currently learning to bike, on my own, as I don't have anyone to teach me. My goal is to be able to commute to work when I want to, be able to travel to nearby towns, and ...
- 609
48
votes
16
answers
10k
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Best ways to avoid getting hit by cars?
When riding through city traffic, what are the best ways to increase the chance you are seen, given a bit of space, and are not touched by any vehicles?
- 5,528
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Using a ski helmet for winter biking
I am curious if anyone uses a skiing helmet for winter biking? Would this be safe? Are skiing helmets designed to protect you from the same kind of accidents that you would have on a bike?
My ...
- 8,596
37
votes
3
answers
5k
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Threatening swerving by driver - should I report it? (Canada)
I'm curious to get some opinions on this from other cyclists. FYI this event took place in Ottawa, Canada.
On my work commute, there are about 3 blocks where I ride in the lane with cars because ...
- 4,339
35
votes
9
answers
2k
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How can I be visible in the dark when I'm signalling a turn?
My bike and I are fairly visible at night--white light in front, red light in the back, bright yellow fenders, reflective tabs and a light on my helmet. I use hand signals to alert motorists when I'm ...
- 3,880
34
votes
19
answers
11k
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What can you do when a driver cuts you off?
Commuting into work by bicycle can be a serious challenge if you’re anywhere other than Amsterdam.
I commute by cycling in London, about 6 km each way through busy parts of central London. Although I ...
- 612
34
votes
21
answers
5k
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Safely overtaking pedestrians
When riding on bike paths or mixed-use paths, there are usually pedestrians walking along them as well. Pedestrians tend to be somewhat unpredictable; they may suddenly turn around or step to the side....
- 4,304
34
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10
answers
11k
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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 ...
- 442
33
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10
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5k
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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 ...
- 4,304
32
votes
8
answers
8k
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How to indicate you are going straight?
I live in a country where people drives on the right.
Say I am riding my bike like this:
- main road
vvvv
vvvv - narrow path
vvvv vv
\ \ | |
\ \ |* | &...
- 423
32
votes
5
answers
7k
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Can Cycle Camera Evidence be Used by Police to Enforce Dangerous Motorists?
The (UK) Highway Code dictating that motorists should pass a cyclist no closer than 1.5 meters is only useful to protect us if it can be enforced. Indeed, it's hardly the odd occurrence that I'm close-...
- 2,203
31
votes
9
answers
1k
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What is a good camera arrangement for city riding?
I would like to have continuous camera coverage while commuting on city streets, in order to have evidence in any collision. I have been experimenting with an ATC3K mounted on the pannier rack, ...
- 421
30
votes
10
answers
11k
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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 ...
- 18.1k
30
votes
3
answers
6k
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Pack of dogs - best response to owner?
Yesterday 5 large pit bull/lab mix dogs came after me, had to get off the bike and use the bike as a physical barrier between me and them, the owner eventually came out, but I have no idea what would ...
- 471
30
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3
answers
5k
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Do I really need to replace my helmet every 2-3 years if it hasn't been in a crash?
OK, I know from the top answer here: When or how often should I replace my bike helmet?, that I should buy a new helmet every 2-3 years, even if it hasn't been in a crash and shows no signs of damage.
...
- 403
29
votes
12
answers
65k
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Carbon bikes make me nervous. Can you ease the tension?
Is it only me, or do Carbon bikes make others nervous!
I realize that carbon fibre is strong, but for some reason, having a bike that isn't made out of metal seems like asking for trouble.
My main ...
- 22k
29
votes
11
answers
49k
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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 ...
- 2,076
29
votes
7
answers
8k
views
Is there a way to hop up onto a parallel curb?
The scenario: you're riding in a curb-adjacent, paint-only bike lane. You happen to look over your shoulder (or in your mirror) and see a vehicle approaching from behind, either fully in the bike lane,...
- 417
29
votes
6
answers
72k
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What are the risks of untrued wheels?
I understand that wheels should be trued for efficiency. Are there any safety risks (or risk of damaging the bike) in using untrued wheels?
Are the risks different between wheels untrued left-right ...
- 465
28
votes
10
answers
52k
views
Safety vests: Yellow vs. Orange?
What are the factors that should affect whether my visibility will be higher with a "high visibility Yellow" vs. a "high visibility Orange" vest or jacket?
It seems too simplistic to simply say "...
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27
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Staying out of the blind spot of a truck that has camera "mirrors"?
As a little kid, I learned a simple rule when cycling around trucks, vans and buses to stay out of their blind spot: "If you can see the driver, the driver can see you". When stopping at an ...
- 375
27
votes
10
answers
33k
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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, ...
- 1,595
26
votes
12
answers
1k
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Safety guidelines for cycling in traffic
Please post your safety tips for cycling/commuting that should help you get to your destination place in one piece.
I came across a nice printed guideline a few years ago when working as courier, it ...
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26
votes
7
answers
9k
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How close do I have to be for effective drafting (while commuting)?
I commute and want to draft another bike, but still have room to stop when someone opens a car door in front of the rider in front of me. At what distance does drafting significantly reduce drag? Are ...
- 1,223
26
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9
answers
18k
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How can I offer a test ride while selling a bike?
I am selling a bike to someone I don't know from Craigslist. I expect that the prospective purchaser will want to test ride the bike before making the purchase.
How can I prevent them from riding ...
- 395
26
votes
4
answers
25k
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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?
- 13.4k
25
votes
9
answers
24k
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Wrong way on a bike lane?
Is it OK to ride the opposite way on a designated bike lane? I'm in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. The reason I ask is because most of the lanes near me are only on one side of the road. The picture below ...
- 1,927
25
votes
14
answers
19k
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Bicycle designed for one-arm usage?
I badly fractured my shoulder in a car accident and have limited mobility in my right arm after the repair.
Is there a way for me to safely bicycle on city streets with one arm? Can I modify my ...
- 29.5k
25
votes
12
answers
8k
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Is it really safer to ride in the road than on the sidewalk?
I am fairly new to riding, in a city where it is legal to ride in the road or on the sidewalk. In the areas where I need to ride, the roads are busy but the sidewalks are virtually deserted.
I keep ...
- 401
25
votes
4
answers
4k
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Can road bumps excite frame eigen frequencies?
During my last bike holiday I have happened to ride downwhill on roads which had transversal stripes to mark the approaching of a turn.
The stripes were made with road paint, and were slightly higher ...
- 7,311
25
votes
4
answers
8k
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Does it make you safer to use lights during the day?
My bike light, the Cygolite Metro 360, has a "Daylighting" mode which flashes very brightly and is intended to be used during the day. Similarly, many tail lights have flashing modes. Obviously one ...
- 819
25
votes
2
answers
4k
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How should I handle a highway patrolman who stops me occasionally to give incorrect instructions about my riding duties?
I live near a minor Tennessee town and frequently ride the few miles into town and back on state highways. Part of the route (the less busy part, ironically) has a dedicated bike lane, but it's filled ...
- 361
25
votes
2
answers
3k
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Passing cars on the right, and later merging into their lane
My commute takes me along a fairly busy road, with 4 lanes of traffic and parked cars along most of it. There are no bike lanes, but in some places, it's wide enough that I can easily pass traffic on ...
- 4,304
24
votes
6
answers
22k
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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 ...
- 351
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9
answers
4k
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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?
24
votes
5
answers
16k
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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?
- 4,530
24
votes
6
answers
8k
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How can I interpret the intent of and respond to cars behind me honking?
Two days in a row on my commute home I've had vehicles behind me start honking at me. (Note: I'm in Canada, and drive on the right.) The first time I was riding on a four-lane road, with a left ...
- 343