Comments on: New Commute Woes

By: Maurice Schutz

Maurice Schutz — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:46:16 +0000

I thought Soul Train sucked because All the performers Had to lip sync. My parents employed to watch Solid Gold if i was bored I’d personally watch that mess. But, I thought Arsenio was funny-ish.

By: Patrick

Patrick — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:20:15 +0000

Get a pugsly and ride on the shoulder. You might get in even better shape!

I wish I could see the terrain. I feel for you. I live 2 miles from work.

Obviously, it’s very ironic that you work at a bike shop but can’t commute to your job by bike!

I like the idea of a bike “shell” like the ones used by the fastest human-powered vehicle. I think that’s probably your best bet, or carry a trailer that widens your stance, with a big reflective flag flying 10 feet into the air!

By: jim

jim — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 04:14:10 +0000

I understand your concern with the 2laner but I can tell you that I was scared to death of F hwy and Mo.160 here in the branson aria I have been commuting here for about 8 years and for the first 7 I would ride to the half way point ( where the shoulder ended ) and call a friend to pick me up there, after dark. This year though that was just not an option I bought a reflective vest from Omark safety equipment http://www.omarksafety.com/ and just did it I road the 2 lainer all the way after dark, and found that with the added visibility of the vest and a good set of lights that the traffic was surprisingly friendly ( well ma by friendly is a bit strong more like to freaked out by have there Territory’s and there rout compromised to even think about getting to close to me or triing to run me off the road ) how ever you want to think about it. it is really not as bad as it might first seem be visable be safe and have fun ( try not to wave with one finger )

By: Spike

Spike — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:26:47 +0000

I think a lot of the options have been covered, but doing anything to be seen and obvious, even to a speeding car, is the best thing to be said. Also, I think that the more you do it, the more you’ll be relaxed and cars will come to expect you on the road. My boss told me of a guy who he sees on his commute home that uses the whole lane on a very busy road, but people know he’ll be there.
As far as location, I know it’s usually tough to move to the part of town that is easier on your commute, but in the long run it will be easier on your pocket book, your body and you get to spend more time with your family.
Hope it all works out and keep riding!

By: Pierre

Pierre — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 22:51:18 +0000

Get a garish cycling top:

http://www.procyclingshirts.com/tour-de-france/the-history-of-the-yellow-jersey/

That’ll make you stand out a bit better. Theres some real decent ones from World Jerseys, you can pick em up from Amazon.com still I think.

By: Arleigh

Arleigh — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 04:37:28 +0000

Larry,

You’re link didn’t carry through on my end. Try again or shoot me an email with it! arleigh@gmail.com

Thank you

By: ohio biker

ohio biker — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:41:19 +0000

Personally I would like to ride a three-wheeled
fully-faired bike, with a light-weight aerodynamic
shell. The shell would serve a number of purposes,
including increasing visibility, protecting rider from
elements (especially wind and rain), providing much
less wind resistance, and finally, being an extra layer
of protection to help minimize damage to the rider,
in case of impact. (Kind of like a bike helmet, but
made for your whole body …)

Not only would you be even more visible, but in
the off chance that you still got hit, you would
stand a better chance of surviving or minimizing
your injuries.

Being more comfortable and more aerodynamic,
would increase the range of trips one might
seriously consider taking by bike. Being more
visible and safer increases the set of roads one
might be willing to ride.

Naturally you would incorporate running lights,
tail-lights, turn-signals and headlights into
the whole thing. The hard-core techno-geek
could incorporate an LED based message
display on the sides and/or the back, similar
to Blimps. I would scroll bike advocacy
messages …

I’ve been thinking about the design and hope to
build one for myself before I get too old to make
good use of it. It would help me to feel more
comfortable about riding on certain stretches of
road that would be a joy, if only it were NOT for
the operation of motor vehicles on those same
roads.

By: Blue

Blue — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 16:37:15 +0000

Get a good mirror and harden your nerves.

be like everyone else and become a car commuter.

By: Larry Staton Jr.

Larry Staton Jr. — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 11:49:58 +0000

I live in and ride around Huntersville all the time. From your shop, I would try something like this route: .

The good news is that you’ll be off of 115 through Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson, so you’ll see less traffic. The bad news is that this route is longer and has more hills, especially on Grey Rd. through Davidson. Moreover, because these are backroads, the streets are not lit.

Let me know if you need any help finding some back roads through Huntersville. I’m a member of CABA and I will to be working with Huntersville’s planners in the new year to make the area a bit more bike friendly for commuters.

By: jason (sd)

jason (sd) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 23:47:00 +0000

I don’t know what you’re traffic levels are like, but I would say ride your shortest route. I live in a relatively small town, but big enough to have a rush hour. I ride on the busiest road in town, in the traffic lane, even when there is a nice wide paved shoulder. I have learned over the years that I am safer riding in the lane of traffic. If I give them enough room to squeeze by, that is exactly what they do. If I take up enough room to force them over the center line then they have to pay attention to what they are doing. This does take some nerve as more motorists will let you know how they feel about bicycles on the road. If you are worried about safety from traffic behind you just remember: That every road in this country was designed so a vehicle could avoid a stationary object in the road way. If they can’t avoid you they were either: speeding by more than your speed, not paying attention to their driving, or over driving the conditions.
I know of no bicyclists that have the super human powers of invisibility. However a lot of people ride to make themselves invisible to the average motorist. If you ride in the traffic lane, where they expect traffic to be, they have no excuse that they can’t see you.