They are making it scarier than it needs to be. The advice at the end is best: "Start small and work your way up". Think of different roads as different slopes you would see on a ski hill. There are black diamonds and there are easier hills; blue square, green circle etc. If you aren't at the difficulty level of a doubleblack diamond dont ride your bike in downtown rush hour practice, start small on side streets and on trails to gain your confidence and muscle memory. Once you feel like the bike is a part of you should you bother with trying to be a part of road traffic. Cheers from a old dog that used to be a bikemessenger and have ridden in a dense city for multiple decades.
Or suddenly, parked car backing up when you proceed from a stop sign in the right angle. You had no idea that there was even a driver in the car. This was insane! But honestly, 99% (so far, knock on wood) cars are friendly and thoughtful to cyclists or pedestrians. Salute!
Okay, yeah actually. People need to treat learning how to ride more like learning how to drive. Would you say that you can drive if you can get the car in gear and slowly turn it around in a parking lot? No, of course not. But most people are at a learner's permit level of riding a bicycle. Just knowing how to stay upright and pedal and use the break is fundamental. Now you need to learn traffic signaling, how to navigate stop lights, how to deal with hills and bad road conditions. When you learn to drive a car you start out slow on quiet city streets, then only when you're more comfortable and have the muscle memory down you go try the highway. Likewise on a bike, quiet city streets, bike paths, smooth asphalt, short rides on nice days, these are all learning conditions. Then when you're more comfortable, try a little on busy streets, bigger intersections, rougher roads, longer rides, riding in weather or at night. When you can handle all the conditions that you need to, to get around, then you've got your "license".
Great video! As another cyclist said to me once, "prepare to have your rights violated." I try to bike (and drive, and walk!) with compassion. We've all been in a rush, we've all not been our most kind selves.
RobertaRSantos Yes, it is more challenging in cities that prioritize cars or where there are no bike lanes. Even here in San Francisco I'm finding that drivers are getting more aggressive and are now more than ever, parking in the bike lanes which forces cyclists to drive into traffic. Take care and bike when/where you feel comfortable.
Technically streets were initially made for pedestrians, bikes, horses and carriages. No motor vehicles were in there. The only place that a road is solely designed for cars is motorway (or interstates highway in US)
I'm an aggressive cyclist, I swear at cars and even hammer fist a UTE parked on bike lane, called a woman plonker trying to park at a bike lane. I ain't giving no shit. I stick my meddle finger at them ass-holes.
I like this video, can totally relate! I ride my bike through my city to get to my college in new haven every day lol. The scary thing isn't the cars, cause I'm very vigilant, but the fact that I'm all alone in the city, 10 miles from my home with nothing but my bike, water and cell phone haha. Makes you feel very vulnerable, especially in today's society. Really makes the rest of my day more productive and enjoyable though!
very helpful!! if you're capable , take part in improving yourself, the community and the world. i've been biking in the city for more than 10 years and it's a mad world out there. Stay sharp and show the world that you can make a change.
+Lam Borghini The great thing about bicycles is that they have no blind spots. You can just turn your head and see what is behind you, whether you have a mirror or not.
i agree with Lam Borghini - with one addition: I use a mirror attached to my glasses - close to the eye for better field of view, moves with the head for more directional options. in my opinion, the only way to commute!
Timothy Fish except your eyes cant see 360 degrees around you and the time you take to turn your head to see whats behind you is time off from looking ahead. And 99 percent of the time on a bike is with going forward. A mirror helps with being able to look behind without having to lose time watching whats ahead
As a motorcyclist and cyclists I can honestly say these are the same fears on two wheels period. I used to think that riding a motorcycle was the scariest thing but once I learned it was pretty much the same rules besides having a dedicated lane it was easy. But here in California you don't have to use the bike lane. you basicly have the same rights as cars. The thing I've noticed the most is that cagers hate anyone on two wheels motorized or not. I really wish we could pick up cycling and motorcycle commuting as normal like the rest of the world. People don't realize how much money and time you save and how great you feel after a ride. Everyone should try especially if your work is 10 miles or less from home. Be safe everyone.
Wow! The whole idea of "overcoming your fears" while biking is totally alien to me. I got my first bike when I was 2 and cycled through town on my own when I was about 8, I guess. Never had to wear a helmet or dress up like a spandex trooper. Cycling means total freedom for me. But then, I live in a total different country where drivers have lots of respect for cyclists. To get that respect, you must first create awareness by going out on bike. You cyling people are pioneers there, I suppose!
I love riding in San Francisco! I love how quickly the scenery changes and the sense of riding with other riders. Just as drivers need to obey rules, I have seen other cyclists do some stupid shit and y'all gotta realize that running red lights/stop signs are rarely a good idea, especially in a city.
Amanda Meth Very true on all points. It's hard to get all parties including bikers, cars, pedestrians to follow the rules of the road. If we all did, urban biking would be even more fun and enjoyable!
So glad it was helpful! My next video will be about bike camping - something I tried in September. It's another great way to get out on your bike, and it's a great way to get out into nature.
Great video, I feel a little more confident now to start..and for Johnathan Nellis, I cant reply to him but a cheap great camera...invest in a GoPro, cheap and definitely versatile!
The best tip is just to go do it. You get comfortable with the traffic, you just have to take that first ride out onto the road. Biked in Tampa by the USF campus down packed roads at all times of day, that was my practice.
+Martin Joustra Wish that would happen here. In San Francisco, the police tend to blame the cyclist. In one case I know of, the local bicycle advocacy group found evidence that the truck driver was at fault in killing a cyclist and the courts were still unwilling to convict the driver.
i ride my bike on the sidewalk as much as possible, when there are no pedestrians...when i ride i just want to enjoy it and relax... i do not want to worry about safety...so i never go fast :D
I used to be unafraid of riding my bike in Huntington Beach, then I tried to ride my bike home through Santa Ana. Bike lanes or no; some cities people really don't care about bicycles. There are also some A holes that love busting glass bottles in known bike paths knowing full well what it will do. But if you live in a biking heavy area keep with a pack if your afraid but over all in a biking city enjoy.
Imagine a world where a majority of the people in urban areas biked. I think you could see benefits from slowing climate change to less crime. Just my opinion.
BrainSeepsOut Well, I agree but maybe the percentage of bikes being stolen would go down. And this is just a theory, I don't know if I'm right or not. I'm making a prediction.
BrainSeepsOut theft isn't the only type of crime. But it has been proven that when people work out they are more relaxed, calmer and overall less likely to commit crime. Plus I don't know if you understand how statistics work. Try taking a college course, statistics is a very easy class.
I'm in NJ, and we have no "bike lanes" even worse, half of the streets are full speed highway like roads, that dont have sidewalks. Ive almost been clipped afew times just trying to stay as far to the right of the road as possible by people speeding. Meanwhile avoiding the glass on the side of the roads thats about everywhere. The few sideways we have are terrible, glass all over them, huge cracks and misplaced bumps and holes. Oh and even worse, at the end of each sidewalk there is a good huge drop, tall enough so you cant bike up it and tall enough so you have to stop and walk your bike over them or get a flat. So about 80% of the time im on the side of the road, trying to avoid speeding cars that are behind me/speeding past me by a few inches, holes, glass, wide hole gated sewer ducts, and anything else that speeds past me. The cars go so fast when passing me only a few inches away from my bike, I almost freezer up every tiem it happens, as if I move an inch or more the sudden movement freaks the cars out and it could cause a crash. *TL;DR - I wish we had bike lanes.*
***** Sounds very scary, and like there is a need for some organizing around bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure. I don't know this organization but it seems like a good group to reach out to and discuss the need for lanes in your area. www.newjerseybikewalk.org/ Stay safe!
Laura Lukitsch It is, I have to freeze up when a car passes me every time, or even worse if I'm headed for a pile of glass while a car is speeding 50 past me inches away its hard to avoid, if I slow down it might cause another car to hit me. The town I am in doesnt care. There is just 1 road that has bike land, but its useless as it does not go anywhere as its on one side of the town, that doesnt even go to the other side, and its covered in glass 80% of the time, Its unusable and hard to get there to begin with with the highway like traffic lanes.
Ever considered looking into defensive cycling rather than passive? Here in Australia, there is little cycling infrastructure, and our highways don't cater for cyclists. When I ride these, I take "primary position" - that is, the centre of the lane. This means that any car behind you *cannot pass you* without changing lanes. Therefore; you are not forced to freeze up when cars whizz by, and you don't risk punctures from glass or other debris on the edge of the road. You might say "oh but it'll make motorists angry" - the reality is that your safety is #1. Motorist convenience doesn't make the top 10 in the list of importance when cycling on-road. Check out CycleGaz on RUclips. He's a London cyclist and he is a pro; I learned defensive riding before I got on my bike through his channel and let me tell you - it's made me confident, happy, and I feel safe when I'm in the saddle!
i am biking to work 40 mins through the city, but i stick away from the car road whenever i can and stick to pedestrians/bike tracks. At some places it's more efficient to move to traffic road because of all the bumps but all i need is to take a look over the shoulder to see if there is a passing car, if there is i'd just wait for clear moment and then continue on it.Also for me it helps a lot knowing traffic rules, so when you know that a car should let you pass, you should expect it to let you pass, but i would not blindly rely on it just the same way i don't blindly rely that car would stop when i show my intention to walk over pedestrian zebra and car should stop, but it does not...
My mistake was starting on a motorcycle before bicycle... I think most people should get the basic idea through cycling through the city first and then when they get some experience they can hop onto a motorcycle... I sold my motorbike and looking for a road bike now and when I feel confident in traffic I’ll get a motorcycle again :)
San Francisco is fun anyway you see it, and you do not need a car to see it. Great Public Transportation, very pedestrian friendly. Much better than L.A. in terms of taking out a bike and wondering if your are coming back. (Think ghost bikes)
My biggest fear is the taxi drivers, nothing personal just the fact that they work so many hours a day and frequently drive tire and sleepy, specially during the best ride times (early morning and night) I use a very powerful rear light and ride 1m from the kerb because they have to see you as a motorcycle in that lane. The closer you ride from the kerb the more they squeeze you. You have to own the lane that you ride in otherwise they don't respect you at all. I am from Singapore
I have no fears, but I have broken arm. Parked guy opened door really unexpectedly )) Still going to bike (in the next season, it is pretty cold in Ukraine now)
+Wu Tang Ghostface Killah Oh, sorry to hear that! The general recommendation is to bike 4 feet (1.2 meters) from car doors. Keep warm and stay safe on the roads!
without gears if you are going up a steep hill, your gear could be just too tough to turn even if you stand on the pedals. and if you are going on flats or downhill, you cannot spin the pedals fast enough to go at the desired speed. gears help your legs always spin at the most comfortable 'cadence'.
My town doesn't have bike lanes, and I have to ride on some busy roads. First on my list for safety gear is going to be a rear view mirror, followed by a good quality flashing strobe for the rear, which IMO is a must to alert drivers that I'm there, especially for those that don't pay attention, on cell phones or are driving around stoned. I would have a fear riding in traffic with those Uber driver less cars. I am totally against them, and hope the country wakes up and say's we don't need them, before they are crammed down our throats by huge corporations that are pushing for them.
most of the comments on the video were pretty good especially "pay attention & know what is happening around you (requires a mirror). things i thought of but nobody has ever advised. 1) in downtown traffic & similar switch to a medium gear that is fixed. such a gearing system does not exist right now (way back when sturmey archer had a two speed internal hub that had a freewheel hi & fixed low), 2) when crossing a busy street dismount and push with one foot for fast starts. 3) use the same and safest route every time. familiarity in knowing where potholes are etc breeds safety. before bikes were in & there were no bike lanes etcetra i used the secondary roads in the following way as i advised my dot : i've never had an accident doing this in 70 years. not only is this action intrinsically safer but it reduces fatigue and time on the road two things which improve safety on a total trip: " i always use the secondary roads and i never stop at stop signs 4 way or 2 . here is how i do it safely. lets do the 4-way stop-- when i'm within 45' of the intersection i fade to the center line so if there is a car they can see me and i them. if the cars is on the right i go way left and if on the left to the right this does two things: 1) it lets the driver know i see him and 2) that he has start up space. i've never had a car start on me. cars usually let me go first anyhow but this eliminates the indecisiveness.. if a car does start i can go behind it. i never do this without color. 95% of the time there is never a car there anyhow..//// you can facilitate this by marking 4 ways as such. the above amber-light radar system could be used here also. incidentally. your timing lights are a great aid in whether or how i cross. arterials this way."
I have only 50% of my hearing riding down city streets is very very hard for me my hearing loss is in my right ear so my since of direction is compromised But i love to ride my bike Do you have any thoughts on that
I do not have experience with this, but wonder if having a mirror either on your helmet or handlebar might help. Several bike touring friends use the mirror on tours, when roads and traffic are less predictable.
I have ridden bicycles in traffic since I was eight years old and have never had a serious issue with it. That said, I feel way safer on my motorcycle than a bicycle.
Wow never even knew some people had a fear of starting to bike in the city I just hopped on one day and went didn’t even think twice about it but I still watch out for my life I don’t want to get get by randomass cars, pedestrians, or scooters
I think the oddest thing I had leap out in front of me between parked cars was a refrigerator. Dogs, deer, hedgehog, grouse, rabbit, rat, humans quite ordinary.
"Your safety is on you" - this should not be the case, we should have roads and environments which protect the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. They are the vulnerable ones, not the people in big metal boxes and look at the safety measures in place for them. Until this kind of attitude changes it will be very hard to convince many people that cycling is a viable alternative to driving everywhere.
On June 17th of 2021 I was riding my bike on the sidewalk in Los Angeles and a van jumped the curb and crushed my body between the van and the wall. The ambulance picked me up and on the way to the hospital I died but was revived. I went into 36 hours of emergency surgery and spent a week in a coma. I lost many parts of my body like my lower intestines, half of my stomach and Colin. 8 broke ribs, right shoulder, left knee and elbow. After waking up the doctor wanted me to stay another week so what else could I do. The next week they did some tests and I was discharged and went home. A man came to my house returning my bike that was left on the sidewalk and I thanked him. I began repairing my bike that was just the back rim that had to be replaced so I ordered a new rim on line and when it was delivered I went right to work on it. A few days later I was back on my bike and still ride every day. I love riding my bike and probably will for the rest of my life. I’m 59 and that’s about all I do now not being able to work and have another surgery coming up soon. So ride on and stay safe people.
I'm so sorry to hear that you were hit by a van but happy to know you are healing and able to ride you bike again. Sending healing vibes your way! Stay safe and bike on.
I just knew you were Dutch when I hadn't even seen your name! Yes, to us it's strange to see how foreigners can be so scared of it, but I do understand because in other countries, cycling isn't really that safe as it is here.
Nice little clip addressing a real concern. It would have been better with some real stats pointing out the real danger spots: At low speeds in urban settings, the biggest threat is being "doored" by someone getting out of a parked car; on the highway it is being hit from behind. Knowing these simple facts helps cyclists to think carefully about how they protect themselves.
I am envious of those living in the Netherlands. The roads here are barely wide enough for two cars. Have speed limits of 40km/h but 95% of drivers go 65km/h. They are very hilly so it is hard to go fast on a bicycle which means more vehicle interaction. The roads are very windy so drivers (who are going 65km/h) cannot see you and don't wait to pass until they can see around the next corner. It's frustrating to have to take such risks because of bad drivers and poor infrastructure.
Is there an inexpensive road bike? I live in the US, so I know it is very hard to find, but is there such a thing? I do not want anything fancy... just something to get me rom point A to point B
That depends on what you consider inexpensive. If you're going to get a quality bike from a local bike shop your probably going to spend between 500-700 bucks. Which is pretty inexpensive for a good bike. I've save a bit by buying online. If you go that right do some research on bike fit so you can get a bike thats sized appropriately to your body type.
Check out Pure Fix Cycles, I've seen some for $350 bucks or you can always find a used on in a thrift shop (if you live in a big town you have more changes to find one)
yard sales homie, there is someone out there thats too busy or is just not motivated to ride anymore. I got a 1972 shwinn varsity for free, shes solid. iv spent probably 130$ fixing it. dont spend too much on a bike tho, thats what stupid people do.
I enjoy riding in urban areas. I do, however, avoid roads where the traffic is heavy, because people may not be able to see me through three lanes packed with cars.
zakur0hako Congratulations on your new bike! If you can, find a friend or two who you can ride with during non-rush hour times and ask them to take you in the bike lanes. I personally started with riding in bike lanes on shorter rides and worked up to riding any time of day on routes that have lanes and don't have lanes. My next episode will be on finding your route.
I Germany it is normal for kids to bike to school alone , so i cant really understand the fear some people seem to have. But we got bike lanes everywhere
+cefiersBlock I love the bike lanes in Berlin, many are on the sidewalk and the cyclists are protected. Even in San Francisco where we have bike lanes they are in between parked cars and fast moving traffic. Cyclists have to be on guard. Even so, I prefer cycling to driver or the bus. But it's not as easy to ride here as Europe or even places like Buenos Aires.
hihi I'm from the Netherlands everybody bikes here, kids etc no helmets nobody wheres helmet here, but we have a lot of bicycle roads even bicycle highways, and I never heard of getting "clipped" btw, so thanks for the explanation.
Best investment I made was a bicycle rear view mirror.Velcro attaches to end of the left handle bar gives me a complete wide angle view of what's behind me.Plus it's great for keeping an eye on bicycle trailer cart or pet trailer cart.
DanPLC Yes that $10.00 Walmart mirror has saved my ass several times mostly careless drivers crossing into the bike lane.I will never ride without one again.
every time I go on a bike ride I have a massive heart attack, thinking I'm gonna be an asian pancake. I did get run over twice in Vietnam, but their traffic is just chaotic. I couldn't sit or lie down for weeks without being in pain.
People are pretty soft these days.. horses, trollies, bicycles and autos all used to share the road and from the footage I've seen ppl had no issue co-existing in cities. Put yourself out there, be smart and the movement will spread. Never ride on the sidewalk.
Where I live there are no bike lanes. Its illegal to ride on sidewalks and drivers don't recognize bikers as traffic so you get called off ALOT if you try to ride on the road. I bought a bike and rode to work a half dozen times, then ended up just giving the bike away. INSANE.
+Brandon Taylor Here in Slovenia we have messed up bike lanes. There will be a bike lane and then it will just disappear and help you god if you dont know where to go then, cause someone will hit you. Or there's a bike lane on the sidewalk and then it goes on the road as a very thin bike lane and then back on the sidewalk, back on the road, its stupid. You have to be careful every time you switch from road to sidewalk. And if you're in the suburbs of a city, there isn't even any bike lanes haha and yeah it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk
talking about oppression (which is pretty trendy these days), cyclists are having way more than their fare share in US and Canadian cities. and the media coverage almost zero until they get killed by car then they get a footnote. that's funny this video is telling what cyclist should do (basically saying : do not have fear of dying in the way to work and back) and it totally forgot (ignored) the role of city's infrastructure that SHOULD be in place to have fear-free commute : so ya cycling is a joke to city managers and politician, so ya MIND THE GAP
vehicles and motorbikes is my ultimate fears everytime i encounter them head on on a road as if they're gonna clip me on the sides even though im already on the edge of the gutter or the ride thinking of it drives me really crazy
do you mean that you ride against the flow of traffic? if so that's incorrect, and you're putting everyone at risk: drivers, other cyclists, and yourself. you have to ride alongside traffic. if you're afraid of that, then take your bike to the sidewalk and pedal slowly so that you're not a danger to pedestrians. you might feel safer being able to see oncoming traffic, but you're actually at greater risk.
not at all unless if i really dont have a choice like theres no gap to pass on like a really busy section n yeah i pedal slowly coz its really scary when they pass by me really close so sometimes i gotta suck it up n go for it or else im gonna be late at work
need more bike roads in our city's and ( stop lights for biking ) also less cars on the streets we should be like .......norway or the asia ) denmark ECT for biking making it more safer for us biker's that bike to work and for just biking around our town's... and city's and our kids that love to go out biking with there mom & dad's .
I find drivers are worst now than in the days when I used to ride my bike all over Los Angeles. Talking 1980s here and I rode everywhere no problem no fear. But now everyone is on their phones, and people are in much more of a hurry to get to where they are going.
After 20 years of street riding in NYC I have only question.Why people think that 200 lb (my weight+bike weight) traveling at 15-20 miles per hour is less dangerous then moving car. Why for fuck sake they think I can always stop on time and it is ok to walk or cross a street in front of me? I especially love when they do that while walking a fucking dog on a leash..
Folks, crazy drivers apart, the real danger of cycling in city is pollution. It has been proven that regular cyclists in urban area has more accumulated pollution in their lungs that those who doesn't. The same goes with jogging.
+TheGolfdaily You actually get A LOT more in a car, though. It just settles inside the car. When riding you filter much of the pollution since your lungs are operating efficiently. Also, the best speed to decrease the amount of emissions in your lungs is a moderate 10-15mph pace. To sum it up, you are much better off moving on a bike than walking or especially trapped in a car.
Yeah a lot of people like to park in the bike lane, play with their cell phone for a min in the car before popping that door open. Any time I see a parked car with it's lights still on Immediately begin exercising caution and move slightly to the left or I just hop on the sidewalk for a bit. Clipped a poorly parked car once and was lucky not to crash, passed by the next day and saw the mirror straight hanging off. Oops!
The problem with people is when they are ON they just Go like a freight train with no brakes. The competition to stay on the Inside is ridiculous as some are actually very mean spirited and intentionally try to Out someone. Fear was one of my reasons why I started cycling...I was so sick of someone telling me I couldn't or just being a stupid bully so they can be at the top or above everyone else. I've also over the years of cycling have witnessed many Rage drivers and driving as if they want to kill someone. I'm glad there are bike lanes to a certain extent, but the failure of the human conscience is shown through their driving ability. Brain reflexology...another story all together.
I always wear a bright reflective vest, even during the day. Why would you wear black or dark clothing against a black colored street? If a car hits you and it was the driver’s fault, it really doesn’t matter, you still got hit.
They are making it scarier than it needs to be. The advice at the end is best: "Start small and work your way up".
Think of different roads as different slopes you would see on a ski hill. There are black diamonds and there are easier hills; blue square, green circle etc.
If you aren't at the difficulty level of a doubleblack diamond dont ride your bike in downtown rush hour practice, start small on side streets and on trails to gain your confidence and muscle memory. Once you feel like the bike is a part of you should you bother with trying to be a part of road traffic.
Cheers from a old dog that used to be a bikemessenger and have ridden in a dense city for multiple decades.
Or suddenly, parked car backing up when you proceed from a stop sign in the right angle. You had no idea that there was even a driver in the car. This was insane!
But honestly, 99% (so far, knock on wood) cars are friendly and thoughtful to cyclists or pedestrians. Salute!
Okay, yeah actually. People need to treat learning how to ride more like learning how to drive. Would you say that you can drive if you can get the car in gear and slowly turn it around in a parking lot? No, of course not. But most people are at a learner's permit level of riding a bicycle. Just knowing how to stay upright and pedal and use the break is fundamental. Now you need to learn traffic signaling, how to navigate stop lights, how to deal with hills and bad road conditions. When you learn to drive a car you start out slow on quiet city streets, then only when you're more comfortable and have the muscle memory down you go try the highway. Likewise on a bike, quiet city streets, bike paths, smooth asphalt, short rides on nice days, these are all learning conditions. Then when you're more comfortable, try a little on busy streets, bigger intersections, rougher roads, longer rides, riding in weather or at night. When you can handle all the conditions that you need to, to get around, then you've got your "license".
Great video! As another cyclist said to me once, "prepare to have your rights violated." I try to bike (and drive, and walk!) with compassion. We've all been in a rush, we've all not been our most kind selves.
My biggest fear is to find aggressive drivers and who think that the streets are made just for cars ! I'm from Brazil.
RobertaRSantos Yes, it is more challenging in cities that prioritize cars or where there are no bike lanes. Even here in San Francisco I'm finding that drivers are getting more aggressive and are now more than ever, parking in the bike lanes which forces cyclists to drive into traffic. Take care and bike when/where you feel comfortable.
Streets are basically made for cars. Bicycle riders have to follow rules of the road, too.
Car drivers are a problem everywhere, there are simply too many cars.
Time to get rid of them.
Technically streets were initially made for pedestrians, bikes, horses and carriages. No motor vehicles were in there. The only place that a road is solely designed for cars is motorway (or interstates highway in US)
I'm an aggressive cyclist, I swear at cars and even hammer fist a UTE parked on bike lane, called a woman plonker trying to park at a bike lane. I ain't giving no shit. I stick my meddle finger at them ass-holes.
I like this video, can totally relate! I ride my bike through my city to get to my college in new haven every day lol. The scary thing isn't the cars, cause I'm very vigilant, but the fact that I'm all alone in the city, 10 miles from my home with nothing but my bike, water and cell phone haha. Makes you feel very vulnerable, especially in today's society. Really makes the rest of my day more productive and enjoyable though!
are you a girl?
very helpful!! if you're capable , take part in improving yourself, the community and the world. i've been biking in the city for more than 10 years and it's a mad world out there. Stay sharp and show the world that you can make a change.
From my experience a rearview mirror, attached to the left side handlebar, is invaluable. You got to know what's behind you.
+Lam Borghini I keep meaning to try one. Thanks for mentioning it.
+Lam Borghini The great thing about bicycles is that they have no blind spots. You can just turn your head and see what is behind you, whether you have a mirror or not.
i agree with Lam Borghini - with one addition: I use a mirror attached to my glasses - close to the eye for better field of view, moves with the head for more directional options. in my opinion, the only way to commute!
Timothy Fish except your eyes cant see 360 degrees around you and the time you take to turn your head to see whats behind you is time off from looking ahead. And 99 percent of the time on a bike is with going forward. A mirror helps with being able to look behind without having to lose time watching whats ahead
Idiots, the lot of you.
Understand perfectly. Good FYI.
What a contrast to Copenhagen. Kudos to those biking in cities where cycling infrastructure is bad or half-done.
Biking is the best thing in the world. So cool
As a motorcyclist and cyclists I can honestly say these are the same fears on two wheels period. I used to think that riding a motorcycle was the scariest thing but once I learned it was pretty much the same rules besides having a dedicated lane it was easy. But here in California you don't have to use the bike lane. you basicly have the same rights as cars. The thing I've noticed the most is that cagers hate anyone on two wheels motorized or not.
I really wish we could pick up cycling and motorcycle commuting as normal like the rest of the world. People don't realize how much money and time you save and how great you feel after a ride. Everyone should try especially if your work is 10 miles or less from home.
Be safe everyone.
Wow! The whole idea of "overcoming your fears" while biking is totally alien to me. I got my first bike when I was 2 and cycled through town on my own when I was about 8, I guess. Never had to wear a helmet or dress up like a spandex trooper. Cycling means total freedom for me. But then, I live in a total different country where drivers have lots of respect for cyclists.
To get that respect, you must first create awareness by going out on bike. You cyling people are pioneers there, I suppose!
I love riding in San Francisco! I love how quickly the scenery changes and the sense of riding with other riders. Just as drivers need to obey rules, I have seen other cyclists do some stupid shit and y'all gotta realize that running red lights/stop signs are rarely a good idea, especially in a city.
Amanda Meth Very true on all points. It's hard to get all parties including bikers, cars, pedestrians to follow the rules of the road. If we all did, urban biking would be even more fun and enjoyable!
This video has encourage me in cycling more often
I've experienced that on tours in rural California. Fortunately, most of the bigger dogs have been behind fences!
Love your tutorial on biking ❤️🚴 always stay safe
So glad it was helpful! My next video will be about bike camping - something I tried in September. It's another great way to get out on your bike, and it's a great way to get out into nature.
"Your safety if on you" is such an American attitude to cycling
Best thing to do is be alert all the time. It is hard but needed for maximum safety.
Great video, I feel a little more confident now to start..and for Johnathan Nellis, I cant reply to him but a cheap great camera...invest in a GoPro, cheap and definitely versatile!
The best tip is just to go do it. You get comfortable with the traffic, you just have to take that first ride out onto the road. Biked in Tampa by the USF campus down packed roads at all times of day, that was my practice.
Always have a the rear light on, even daytime. Led can last a week on a charge. If they don't see you just state visable distance of the light.
When in the Netherlands a car and a bike get in an accident the car driver is ALWAYS to blame, unless otherwise can be proven.
+Martin Joustra Wish that would happen here. In San Francisco, the police tend to blame the cyclist. In one case I know of, the local bicycle advocacy group found evidence that the truck driver was at fault in killing a cyclist and the courts were still unwilling to convict the driver.
Martin Joustra I so wish I biked in the Netherlands the more I hear about biking there the more I want to go
And rightfully so I drive my bicycle everyday and everytime I ride I see at least 30 cars breaking the law and endangering cyclist.
Ahh...Professor Moriarty. We meet again!
i ride my bike on the sidewalk as much as possible, when there are no pedestrians...when i ride i just want to enjoy it and relax... i do not want to worry about safety...so i never go fast :D
Hi Laura, Thanks for making this video. Shared :) Keep up the good work.
I just fear going down big and bumpy hills
I used to be unafraid of riding my bike in Huntington Beach, then I tried to ride my bike home through Santa Ana. Bike lanes or no; some cities people really don't care about bicycles. There are also some A holes that love busting glass bottles in known bike paths knowing full well what it will do. But if you live in a biking heavy area keep with a pack if your afraid but over all in a biking city enjoy.
Imagine a world where a majority of the people in urban areas biked. I think you could see benefits from slowing climate change to less crime. Just my opinion.
A Whether Moments Poet Less crime? More stolen bikes...
BrainSeepsOut Well, I agree but maybe the percentage of bikes being stolen would go down. And this is just a theory, I don't know if I'm right or not. I'm making a prediction.
So you're saying more bikes would decrease bike crime, despite the actual amount of crime not decreasing? Clever playing with statistics.
BrainSeepsOut theft isn't the only type of crime. But it has been proven that when people work out they are more relaxed, calmer and overall less likely to commit crime.
Plus I don't know if you understand how statistics work. Try taking a college course, statistics is a very easy class.
Nothing special just Copenhagen
It truly is fun.
Great little clip. Thanks guys
Scott kelly Thank you! Glad you enjoyed.
I'm in NJ, and we have no "bike lanes" even worse, half of the streets are full speed highway like roads, that dont have sidewalks. Ive almost been clipped afew times just trying to stay as far to the right of the road as possible by people speeding. Meanwhile avoiding the glass on the side of the roads thats about everywhere. The few sideways we have are terrible, glass all over them, huge cracks and misplaced bumps and holes. Oh and even worse, at the end of each sidewalk there is a good huge drop, tall enough so you cant bike up it and tall enough so you have to stop and walk your bike over them or get a flat. So about 80% of the time im on the side of the road, trying to avoid speeding cars that are behind me/speeding past me by a few inches, holes, glass, wide hole gated sewer ducts, and anything else that speeds past me. The cars go so fast when passing me only a few inches away from my bike, I almost freezer up every tiem it happens, as if I move an inch or more the sudden movement freaks the cars out and it could cause a crash.
*TL;DR - I wish we had bike lanes.*
***** Sounds very scary, and like there is a need for some organizing around bike lanes and pedestrian infrastructure. I don't know this organization but it seems like a good group to reach out to and discuss the need for lanes in your area. www.newjerseybikewalk.org/ Stay safe!
Laura Lukitsch It is, I have to freeze up when a car passes me every time, or even worse if I'm headed for a pile of glass while a car is speeding 50 past me inches away its hard to avoid, if I slow down it might cause another car to hit me. The town I am in doesnt care.
There is just 1 road that has bike land, but its useless as it does not go anywhere as its on one side of the town, that doesnt even go to the other side, and its covered in glass 80% of the time, Its unusable and hard to get there to begin with with the highway like traffic lanes.
Ever considered looking into defensive cycling rather than passive? Here in Australia, there is little cycling infrastructure, and our highways don't cater for cyclists. When I ride these, I take "primary position" - that is, the centre of the lane. This means that any car behind you *cannot pass you* without changing lanes. Therefore; you are not forced to freeze up when cars whizz by, and you don't risk punctures from glass or other debris on the edge of the road.
You might say "oh but it'll make motorists angry" - the reality is that your safety is #1. Motorist convenience doesn't make the top 10 in the list of importance when cycling on-road.
Check out CycleGaz on RUclips. He's a London cyclist and he is a pro; I learned defensive riding before I got on my bike through his channel and let me tell you - it's made me confident, happy, and I feel safe when I'm in the saddle!
on this issue i can truly and honestly say. Western europe is a zillion lightyears ahead of the US on what comes to biking infrastructure.
Jukka Kammer
..and from what ive been reading about Europe's bike laws, I fully agree.
i am biking to work 40 mins through the city, but i stick away from the car road whenever i can and stick to pedestrians/bike tracks. At some places it's more efficient to move to traffic road because of all the bumps but all i need is to take a look over the shoulder to see if there is a passing car, if there is i'd just wait for clear moment and then continue on it.Also for me it helps a lot knowing traffic rules, so when you know that a car should let you pass, you should expect it to let you pass, but i would not blindly rely on it just the same way i don't blindly rely that car would stop when i show my intention to walk over pedestrian zebra and car should stop, but it does not...
My mistake was starting on a motorcycle before bicycle... I think most people should get the basic idea through cycling through the city first and then when they get some experience they can hop onto a motorcycle... I sold my motorbike and looking for a road bike now and when I feel confident in traffic I’ll get a motorcycle again :)
i love bikes I ride a bmx bike everywhere I go
I wish I had that courage I am pretty new to biking and so far I can't get over my fear of going downhill really fast
The only bike lane I have where I live is the little space where the water flows next to the sidewalk.
San Francisco is fun anyway you see it, and you do not need a car to see it. Great Public Transportation, very pedestrian friendly. Much better than L.A. in terms of taking out a bike and wondering if your are coming back. (Think ghost bikes)
Denver got bike share before San Francisco. Hoping to try it one day!
Bike is Fun....!!!
It's fun but can be scary at the same time!
Yes, it depends on the infrastructure and culture. Start small and get comfortable. And enjoy!
what's that guy at 1:10 doing with the frame ?
That's a custom frame from Mission Bicycle (not in frame but that is where the shop is).
thx
Transporting it, obviously!
My biggest fear is the taxi drivers, nothing personal just the fact that they work so many hours a day and frequently drive tire and sleepy, specially during the best ride times (early morning and night) I use a very powerful rear light and ride 1m from the kerb because they have to see you as a motorcycle in that lane. The closer you ride from the kerb the more they squeeze you. You have to own the lane that you ride in otherwise they don't respect you at all. I am from Singapore
Very good point about riding further away from the curb for safety. Thanks for that! And ride safe.
I have no fears, but I have broken arm. Parked guy opened door really unexpectedly )) Still going to bike (in the next season, it is pretty cold in Ukraine now)
+Wu Tang Ghostface Killah Oh, sorry to hear that! The general recommendation is to bike 4 feet (1.2 meters) from car doors. Keep warm and stay safe on the roads!
+Laura Lukitsch -- 4 feet sounds like a great idea.
without gears if you are going up a steep hill, your gear could be just too tough to turn even if you stand on the pedals. and if you are going on flats or downhill, you cannot spin the pedals fast enough to go at the desired speed. gears help your legs always spin at the most comfortable 'cadence'.
Nice vid. Perhaps you could follow up with bike buying advice, as well as helmet cams on how to take junctions etc. But yeah, nice and positive.
Drivers who have experience with biking in the city have a much different attitude. I feel like I can telepathically spot them.
Good video, I have fear of taking my bike because i have never really drived or walked on my own in the city,
My town doesn't have bike lanes, and I have to ride on some busy roads. First on my list for safety gear is going to be a rear view mirror, followed by a good quality flashing strobe for the rear, which IMO is a must to alert drivers that I'm there, especially for those that don't pay attention, on cell phones or are driving around stoned.
I would have a fear riding in traffic with those Uber driver less cars. I am totally against them, and hope the country wakes up and say's we don't need them, before they are crammed down our throats by huge corporations that are pushing for them.
1:10 I always carry a spare frame too. Anyway good video.
most of the comments on the video were pretty good especially "pay attention & know what is happening around you (requires a mirror). things i thought of but nobody has ever advised. 1) in downtown traffic & similar switch to a medium gear that is fixed. such a gearing system does not exist right now (way back when sturmey archer had a two speed internal hub that had a freewheel hi & fixed low), 2) when crossing a busy street dismount and push with one foot for fast starts. 3) use the same and safest route every time. familiarity in knowing where potholes are etc breeds safety.
before bikes were in & there were no bike lanes etcetra i used the secondary roads in the following way as i advised my dot : i've never had an accident doing this in 70 years. not only is this action intrinsically safer but it reduces fatigue and time on the road two things which improve safety on a total trip: " i always use the secondary roads and i never stop at stop signs 4 way or 2 . here is how i do it safely. lets do the 4-way stop-- when i'm within 45' of the intersection i fade to the center line so if there is a car they can see me and i them. if the cars is on the right i go way left and if on the left to the right this does two things: 1) it lets the driver know i see him and 2) that he has start up space. i've never had a car start on me. cars usually let me go first anyhow but this eliminates the indecisiveness.. if a car does start i can go behind it. i never do this without color. 95% of the time there is never a car there anyhow..//// you can facilitate this by marking 4 ways as such. the above amber-light radar system could be used here also. incidentally. your timing lights are a great aid in whether or how i cross. arterials this way."
Try riding where I live in LA. My friends who cycle are always hit by cars on a weekly basis.
They should probably work on that.
use secondary roads
Just as possession is 9/10ths of the law, so anticipation is 9/10ths of cycling or driving.
Exactly what I was thinking
Oh man, you guys make me laugh, come to athens, Greece and see what real dangerous urban biking is like...
Yea cycling can be real dangerous that's why its so fun
I guess similar to Latin American countries with agressive drivers and unsuitable roads
Go to Colombia.
What if you have a reason to be scared of them like you almosted died on yours
I have only 50% of my hearing riding down city streets is very very hard for me my hearing loss is in my right ear so my since of direction is compromised But i love to ride my bike Do you have any thoughts on that
I do not have experience with this, but wonder if having a mirror either on your helmet or handlebar might help. Several bike touring friends use the mirror on tours, when roads and traffic are less predictable.
Laura Lukitsch Thank You for your advice i do have a mirror on one of my bikes it on the handlebars I will look into getting one for my Helmet
Gary Van Dyke Stay safe! I'm also asking around for other advise.
Maybe if you rode in a small group that you trust to help ride on your right.
But then again, take it with a spoon of salt.
I have ridden bicycles in traffic since I was eight years old and have never had a serious issue with it. That said, I feel way safer on my motorcycle than a bicycle.
Wow never even knew some people had a fear of starting to bike in the city I just hopped on one day and went didn’t even think twice about it but I still watch out for my life I don’t want to get get by randomass cars, pedestrians, or scooters
The infrastructure in NL is the main reason that people cycle there, lucky you :P
Aint no thing in a city like SF, saw tons of bikes there, whole other thing in a city where you're the only one out there on a highway.
I think the oddest thing I had leap out in front of me between parked cars was a refrigerator. Dogs, deer, hedgehog, grouse, rabbit, rat, humans quite ordinary.
"Your safety is on you" - this should not be the case, we should have roads and environments which protect the safety of pedestrians and cyclists. They are the vulnerable ones, not the people in big metal boxes and look at the safety measures in place for them.
Until this kind of attitude changes it will be very hard to convince many people that cycling is a viable alternative to driving everywhere.
On June 17th of 2021 I was riding my bike on the sidewalk in Los Angeles and a van jumped the curb and crushed my body between the van and the wall. The ambulance picked me up and on the way to the hospital I died but was revived. I went into 36 hours of emergency surgery and spent a week in a coma. I lost many parts of my body like my lower intestines, half of my stomach and Colin. 8 broke ribs, right shoulder, left knee and elbow. After waking up the doctor wanted me to stay another week so what else could I do. The next week they did some tests and I was discharged and went home. A man came to my house returning my bike that was left on the sidewalk and I thanked him. I began repairing my bike that was just the back rim that had to be replaced so I ordered a new rim on line and when it was delivered I went right to work on it. A few days later I was back on my bike and still ride every day. I love riding my bike and probably will for the rest of my life. I’m 59 and that’s about all I do now not being able to work and have another surgery coming up soon. So ride on and stay safe people.
I'm so sorry to hear that you were hit by a van but happy to know you are healing and able to ride you bike again. Sending healing vibes your way! Stay safe and bike on.
Folks..... the number one thing to look out for when biking..... is a good coffee shop!
I just knew you were Dutch when I hadn't even seen your name! Yes, to us it's strange to see how foreigners can be so scared of it, but I do understand because in other countries, cycling isn't really that safe as it is here.
What is the guy doing at 1:10?
Nice little clip addressing a real concern. It would have been better with some real stats pointing out the real danger spots: At low speeds in urban settings, the biggest threat is being "doored" by someone getting out of a parked car; on the highway it is being hit from behind. Knowing these simple facts helps cyclists to think carefully about how they protect themselves.
I am envious of those living in the Netherlands. The roads here are barely wide enough for two cars. Have speed limits of 40km/h but 95% of drivers go 65km/h. They are very hilly so it is hard to go fast on a bicycle which means more vehicle interaction. The roads are very windy so drivers (who are going 65km/h) cannot see you and don't wait to pass until they can see around the next corner. It's frustrating to have to take such risks because of bad drivers and poor infrastructure.
Is there an inexpensive road bike? I live in the US, so I know it is very hard to find, but is there such a thing? I do not want anything fancy... just something to get me rom point A to point B
That depends on what you consider inexpensive. If you're going to get a quality bike from a local bike shop your probably going to spend between 500-700 bucks. Which is pretty inexpensive for a good bike. I've save a bit by buying online. If you go that right do some research on bike fit so you can get a bike thats sized appropriately to your body type.
REI has some on clearance right now for under $600.
Check out Pure Fix Cycles, I've seen some for $350 bucks or you can always find a used on in a thrift shop (if you live in a big town you have more changes to find one)
yard sales homie, there is someone out there thats too busy or is just not motivated to ride anymore. I got a 1972 shwinn varsity for free, shes solid. iv spent probably 130$ fixing it. dont spend too much on a bike tho, thats what stupid people do.
Don't listen to these people. I got my bike used for $50 and it has two wheels and a seat. As long as it works.
So many bike commuters ! Ô_ô
Indeed SF is really an alien city in the Usa... xD
Bicycle RUSSIA - the BEST!!!
Some day hope to get there with my bike!
I enjoy riding in urban areas. I do, however, avoid roads where the traffic is heavy, because people may not be able to see me through three lanes packed with cars.
+Timothy Fish Yep, I prefer quiet streets, too. Especially if they have some greenery.
Good!
i live in Chicago. finally bought a bike two days ago and still scared shitless to go out and ride :'(
zakur0hako Congratulations on your new bike! If you can, find a friend or two who you can ride with during non-rush hour times and ask them to take you in the bike lanes. I personally started with riding in bike lanes on shorter rides and worked up to riding any time of day on routes that have lanes and don't have lanes. My next episode will be on finding your route.
helmet gloves and VISIBLE clothes ..also glasses can prevent accidents ..
it helps to be crazy brav
I Germany it is normal for kids to bike to school alone , so i cant really understand the fear some people seem to have. But we got bike lanes everywhere
+cefiersBlock I love the bike lanes in Berlin, many are on the sidewalk and the cyclists are protected. Even in San Francisco where we have bike lanes they are in between parked cars and fast moving traffic. Cyclists have to be on guard. Even so, I prefer cycling to driver or the bus. But it's not as easy to ride here as Europe or even places like Buenos Aires.
hihi I'm from the Netherlands everybody bikes here, kids etc no helmets nobody wheres helmet here, but we have a lot of bicycle roads even bicycle highways, and I never heard of getting "clipped" btw, so thanks for the explanation.
My biggest fear is having to look behind me. It's impossible in the rain when I'm hooded. I could veer off into the other lane, too.
Best investment I made was a bicycle rear view mirror.Velcro attaches to end of the left handle bar gives me a complete wide angle view of what's behind me.Plus it's great for keeping an eye on bicycle trailer cart or pet trailer cart.
Looks dorky as hell,but my ass doesn't clinch anymore when I hear a big vehicle approaching that can't see.
+Sandra Fuller I second this...couldn't live without my rear view mirror.
+BrainSeepsOut You just need more practice.
DanPLC Yes that $10.00 Walmart mirror has saved my ass several times mostly careless drivers crossing into the bike lane.I will never ride without one again.
every time I go on a bike ride I have a massive heart attack, thinking I'm gonna be an asian pancake. I did get run over twice in Vietnam, but their traffic is just chaotic. I couldn't sit or lie down for weeks without being in pain.
People are pretty soft these days.. horses, trollies, bicycles and autos all used to share the road and from the footage I've seen ppl had no issue co-existing in cities. Put yourself out there, be smart and the movement will spread. Never ride on the sidewalk.
Where I live there are no bike lanes. Its illegal to ride on sidewalks and drivers don't recognize bikers as traffic so you get called off ALOT if you try to ride on the road. I bought a bike and rode to work a half dozen times, then ended up just giving the bike away. INSANE.
Brandon Taylor Sorry to hear that. We definitely need more bike lanes in the US.
+Brandon Taylor Here in Slovenia we have messed up bike lanes. There will be a bike lane and then it will just disappear and help you god if you dont know where to go then, cause someone will hit you. Or there's a bike lane on the sidewalk and then it goes on the road as a very thin bike lane and then back on the sidewalk, back on the road, its stupid. You have to be careful every time you switch from road to sidewalk. And if you're in the suburbs of a city, there isn't even any bike lanes haha and yeah it's illegal to ride on the sidewalk
He just picked up a new frame, think from Mission Bikes.
muinto top
talking about oppression (which is pretty trendy these days), cyclists are having way more than their fare share in US and Canadian cities. and the media coverage almost zero until they get killed by car then they get a footnote. that's funny this video is telling what cyclist should do (basically saying : do not have fear of dying in the way to work and back) and it totally forgot (ignored) the role of city's infrastructure that SHOULD be in place to have fear-free commute : so ya cycling is a joke to city managers and politician, so ya MIND THE GAP
vehicles and motorbikes is my ultimate fears everytime i encounter them head on on a road as if they're gonna clip me on the sides even though im already on the edge of the gutter or the ride thinking of it drives me really crazy
do you mean that you ride against the flow of traffic? if so that's incorrect, and you're putting everyone at risk: drivers, other cyclists, and yourself. you have to ride alongside traffic. if you're afraid of that, then take your bike to the sidewalk and pedal slowly so that you're not a danger to pedestrians. you might feel safer being able to see oncoming traffic, but you're actually at greater risk.
not at all unless if i really dont have a choice like theres no gap to pass on like a really busy section n yeah i pedal slowly coz its really scary when they pass by me really close so sometimes i gotta suck it up n go for it or else im gonna be late at work
you're very uneasy... probably a phobia... relax..more...
If it's two lanes each way, ride in the middle of the lane. Then they have to pass in the other lane.
Today I compensate at my bike lights i turn them on at broad daylight a 200 lumens is enough to see me in any side of the road
need more bike roads in our city's and ( stop lights for biking ) also less cars on the streets we should be like .......norway or the asia ) denmark ECT for biking making it more safer for us biker's that bike to work and for just biking around our town's... and city's and our kids that love to go out biking with there mom & dad's .
I find drivers are worst now than in the days when I used to ride my bike all over Los Angeles. Talking 1980s here and I rode everywhere no problem no fear. But now everyone is on their phones, and people are in much more of a hurry to get to where they are going.
The people with their mind-numbing call phones are a HUGE threat!
*Click Here* for Laura Lukitsch *Playlist* - From this video to the next in order.
I hope your dream will be true...
My fear is I live on a highway so... mostly semis come on the road no bike lanes ANYWHERE e.e
You should never ever Stop and continue into the intersection on a red light it is against the law to run a red light.
Of course people have to overcome fears if the infrastructure requires safety equipment for an everyday normal activity...
Try cycling in cyprus ...
After 20 years of street riding in NYC I have only question.Why people think that 200 lb (my weight+bike weight) traveling at 15-20 miles per hour is less dangerous then moving car. Why for fuck sake they think I can always stop on time and it is ok to walk or cross a street in front of me? I especially love when they do that while walking a fucking dog on a leash..
Folks, crazy drivers apart, the real danger of cycling in city is pollution.
It has been proven that regular cyclists in urban area has more accumulated pollution in their lungs that those who doesn't.
The same goes with jogging.
+TheGolfdaily You actually get A LOT more in a car, though. It just settles inside the car. When riding you filter much of the pollution since your lungs are operating efficiently. Also, the best speed to decrease the amount of emissions in your lungs is a moderate 10-15mph pace. To sum it up, you are much better off moving on a bike than walking or especially trapped in a car.
Probably just want to avoid pushing yourself too hard that you're breathing through your mouth.
Amen that's why I'm seriously doubting to sell my bike and switch to a moped.I know I will be part of the problem then but its reality
Here in the Philippines we don't have a bike lanes......:(
levi salvador It will take advocacy.
Not missing much. It is more dangerous in many situations. It really only helps drivers.
Laura Lukitsch in a corrupt country like us?? that would be a wishful thinking.......
In bits of EDSA there is
Yeah a lot of people like to park in the bike lane, play with their cell phone for a min in the car before popping that door open. Any time I see a parked car with it's lights still on Immediately begin exercising caution and move slightly to the left or I just hop on the sidewalk for a bit.
Clipped a poorly parked car once and was lucky not to crash, passed by the next day and saw the mirror straight hanging off. Oops!
The problem with people is when they are ON they just Go like a freight train with no brakes. The competition to stay on the Inside is ridiculous as some are actually very mean spirited and intentionally try to Out someone. Fear was one of my reasons why I started cycling...I was so sick of someone telling me I couldn't or just being a stupid bully so they can be at the top or above everyone else. I've also over the years of cycling have witnessed many Rage drivers and driving as if they want to kill someone. I'm glad there are bike lanes to a certain extent, but the failure of the human conscience is shown through their driving ability. Brain reflexology...another story all together.
I always wear a bright reflective vest, even during the day. Why would you wear black or dark clothing against a black colored street? If a car hits you and it was the driver’s fault, it really doesn’t matter, you still got hit.
1:05 MORIARTY IS BACK
#iamsherlocked