Comments on: Commuting 101: Be aware of common driver mistakes http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/ Tips, Hints, Reviews and Safety for Bike Commuters Tue, 18 Jun 2013 01:08:08 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: uberVU - social comments http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-136471 uberVU - social comments Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:42:28 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-136471 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by bikeambassadors: Article on 'common driver mistakes' is really useful approach to city riding http://bit.ly/1RbwtA (from commutebybike.com) @BikeShopGirlcom... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by bikeambassadors: Article on ‘common driver mistakes’ is really useful approach to city riding http://bit.ly/1RbwtA (from commutebybike.com) @BikeShopGirlcom…

]]> By: Mac http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-127401 Mac Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:45:26 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-127401 About a week ago I started feeling comfortable enough to ride in the street on sections where I usually stay on the sidewalk and move like a pedestrian. Wearing bright clothes on a sunny day I experienced every one of these issues in a five mile stretch. I'm really starting to wonder if people around here (Hampton Roads, VA) just hate people on bikes being on "their" roads. About a week ago I started feeling comfortable enough to ride in the street on sections where I usually stay on the sidewalk and move like a pedestrian. Wearing bright clothes on a sunny day I experienced every one of these issues in a five mile stretch. I’m really starting to wonder if people around here (Hampton Roads, VA) just hate people on bikes being on “their” roads.

]]> By: Marcia http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-92067 Marcia Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:57:18 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-92067 "Bicycling is a passion. Like breathing. Can't survive without it." I'm with ya Sharky. I have a 40 mile round trip commute and I wouldn't trade those hours and miles for the world. It is what helps keep me balanced physically and psychologically. People call me nuts, but I know it is one of the most sane things I do for myself. The down side is, come winter I have to use the stink'in car as we get ample snow in my region. I leave my house around 5:20am, so it's obviously dark, but very little traffic. I always wear my flouresent reflective vest (day and night) and have front and rear flashers. Here in the Erie, PA area most drivers are courteous and give me room as they pass by. There are a few discourteous drivers, but realitively few. Truly I consider it a courtesy on our part when we take proactive measures to make ourselves as visible as possible, and I know drivers appreciate it. After all, I'm a driver as well, and I greatly appreciate cyclers and runner who take the initiative to make themselves visible. And drivers gabbing on their cell phones...lord yes, and I would say equally as many men as women. I was stopped at an intersection the other day, and as I was watching the left-turning traffic roll thorugh, 8 OUT OF THE 12 CARS HAD DRIVERS WITH THEIR CELL PHONES TO THEIR EAR! Please, please, please, people...just hang up and drive. “Bicycling is a passion. Like breathing. Can’t survive without it.”

I’m with ya Sharky. I have a 40 mile round trip commute and I wouldn’t trade those hours and miles for the world. It is what helps keep me balanced physically and psychologically. People call me nuts, but I know it is one of the most sane things I do for myself. The down side is, come winter I have to use the stink’in car as we get ample snow in my region.

I leave my house around 5:20am, so it’s obviously dark, but very little traffic. I always wear my flouresent reflective vest (day and night) and have front and rear flashers. Here in the Erie, PA area most drivers are courteous and give me room as they pass by. There are a few discourteous drivers, but realitively few. Truly I consider it a courtesy on our part when we take proactive measures to make ourselves as visible as possible, and I know drivers appreciate it. After all, I’m a driver as well, and I greatly appreciate cyclers and runner who take the initiative to make themselves visible.

And drivers gabbing on their cell phones…lord yes, and I would say equally as many men as women. I was stopped at an intersection the other day, and as I was watching the left-turning traffic roll thorugh, 8 OUT OF THE 12 CARS HAD DRIVERS WITH THEIR CELL PHONES TO THEIR EAR! Please, please, please, people…just hang up and drive.

]]> By: Shark Bait http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-91752 Shark Bait Sun, 14 Sep 2008 12:39:45 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-91752 Great observation there Stel. I've come up with over 20 phenomenal reasons why it is better to bike to work than drive. There is only one negative, and you identified it. Not riding isn't one my options. Bicycling is a passion. Like breathing. Can't survive without it. Great observation there Stel. I’ve come up with over 20 phenomenal reasons why it is better to bike to work than drive. There is only one negative, and you identified it.

Not riding isn’t one my options. Bicycling is a passion. Like breathing. Can’t survive without it.

]]> By: Stel http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-91747 Stel Sun, 14 Sep 2008 11:53:48 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-91747 We have to ride like this because our society doesn't really take cycling seriously. We have increasingly serious issues with obesity, yet we would rather pay for treatment rather than prevention. Our economy is in tatters because of high energy costs and a pathological reliance on gasoline. I love cycling and ride as much as I can, but I stay away from high volume roads with poor shoulders. My strategy to avoid crazy drivers is avoidance. That means I have to take the car to work. I made this decision because if something happens to me, my family would be affected very significantly. If there was a safe way to commute from my home to work (approx 25 miles), I'd be on my bike in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, my community has not supported the development of sensible bike lanes or trails to make commuting possible for me. When are we going to get really serious about the important issues in our society? We have to ride like this because our society doesn’t really take cycling seriously. We have increasingly serious issues with obesity, yet we would rather pay for treatment rather than prevention. Our economy is in tatters because of high energy costs and a pathological reliance on gasoline.

I love cycling and ride as much as I can, but I stay away from high volume roads with poor shoulders. My strategy to avoid crazy drivers is avoidance. That means I have to take the car to work. I made this decision because if something happens to me, my family would be affected very significantly.

If there was a safe way to commute from my home to work (approx 25 miles), I’d be on my bike in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, my community has not supported the development of sensible bike lanes or trails to make commuting possible for me.

When are we going to get really serious about the important issues in our society?

]]> By: red head http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-91221 red head Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:24:32 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-91221 I ride delivery for a sub shop and have to deal with police officers and motorists who have no clue. I used to ride on the offense, now I ride on the defense. I slow for intersections even if I have the right of way and have developed a good spidey sense in traffic. I also always keep my hands near the brakes and look around. I can't tell you how many close calls I've had with motorists that are totally unaware of whats going on around them, both females AND males on cell phones and or just out to lunch. To be fair, I also know that there are motorists who DO pay attention and always get a thumbs up and a nod for waiting for me to clear an intersection or waiting when they had the right of way. but then there is the days I want to paint my middle finger orange.... I ride delivery for a sub shop and have to deal with police officers and motorists who have no clue. I used to ride on the offense, now I ride on the defense. I slow for intersections even if I have the right of way and have developed a good spidey sense in traffic. I also always keep my hands near the brakes and look around. I can’t tell you how many close calls I’ve had with motorists that are totally unaware of whats going on around them, both females AND males on cell phones and or just out to lunch. To be fair, I also know that there are motorists who DO pay attention and always get a thumbs up and a nod for waiting for me to clear an intersection or waiting when they had the right of way. but then there is the days I want to paint my middle finger orange….

]]> By: Doug http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-90437 Doug Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:43:58 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-90437 Nice sexist comment there, Doug. Cycling is often a boys club in many locations-no need to offend the sisters. OK, Maybe a boys club in some parts but not where I work. I'm the only guy that commuts where I work. I've not seen a bicycle rider talking on their cell phone yet but I watched a women answer her cell phone while riding by on her motorcycle. I knew it was a women because she was not wearing a helment. Sexist, Not if it was true. Sit by a stop sign and see who is most often taking on their cell phone. Sorry if I offended you. Safe riding. Nice sexist comment there, Doug. Cycling is often a boys club in many locations-no need to offend the sisters.
OK,
Maybe a boys club in some parts but not where I work. I’m the only guy that commuts where I work.
I’ve not seen a bicycle rider talking on their cell phone yet but I watched a women answer her cell phone while riding by on her motorcycle. I knew it was a women because she was not wearing a helment.
Sexist,
Not if it was true. Sit by a stop sign and see who is most often taking on their cell phone.
Sorry if I offended you. Safe riding.

]]> By: Becky http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-90352 Becky Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:06:55 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-90352 I'm lucky that the road I commute on has a large breakdown lane, but I still keep an eye on the cars. It may take longer, but I tend to wait on the side of intersections to be sure all the right hand turners have passed me before I go. People are often too distracted during their drives home to trust them with your life. I’m lucky that the road I commute on has a large breakdown lane, but I still keep an eye on the cars. It may take longer, but I tend to wait on the side of intersections to be sure all the right hand turners have passed me before I go. People are often too distracted during their drives home to trust them with your life.

]]> By: Andrew http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-90350 Andrew Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:53:34 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-90350 "Watch out for women drivers on their cell phones..." Nice sexist comment there, Doug. Cycling is often a boys club in many locations--no need to offend the sisters. “Watch out for women drivers on their cell phones…”

Nice sexist comment there, Doug. Cycling is often a boys club in many locations–no need to offend the sisters.

]]> By: FrankieJ http://www.commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/comment-page-1/#comment-88221 FrankieJ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 03:24:02 +0000 http://commutebybike.com/2007/04/25/commuting-101-be-aware-of-common-driver-mistakes/#comment-88221 One thing that I would suggest is to do your best to make yourself as visible to traffic as possible. I commute to where I work fairly early in the morning and everyday I see some idiot riding against traffic with no lights on whatsoever. When people ride on the bike path, they are invisible to traffic. Being invisible to traffic also means being invisible to the law. One thing that I would suggest is to do your best to make yourself as visible to traffic as possible. I commute to where I work fairly early in the morning and everyday I see some idiot riding against traffic with no lights on whatsoever.

When people ride on the bike path, they are invisible to traffic. Being invisible to traffic also means being invisible to the law.

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