Biking at college for the total newbie?

[dukebound85]

Since you insist, you could get a mirror.

true i could but i have an image to maintain! haha ill have to look into it as i bike alot

 

[.JahJahwarrior.]

yea but still when that vehicle goes so much slower than other vehicles going the same direction i find that more dangerous

You are treated by the law as a vehicle just like a car. You have to stop at the stoplights, use turn signals, etc. Similarly, you have to drive down the correct side of the road. Driving the wrong way is exactly that: the wrong way to bike.

Using your logic, my grandmother should drive the wrong way down the road just because she is reeeeeaaaaaaaally slow in her old as sin Buick, to be safe and all.




I have a Ulock and a chain lock, Ulock for back tire, chain lock for front tire and frame. Seat and wheels are all helt on with those quick disconnect things...I'll either change them, or put them on so tight you need tools to take it apart.

 

[Eraserhead]

i would much rather ride against traffic so i can see whats coming vs getting sneaked up from behind. exact same reason why i will run against traffic too if i have to go on the street

What about those cyclists cycling in the correct direction down the cycle lane? They aren't usually wide enough to allow safe passing, so that is incredibly dangerous.

yea but still when that vehicle goes so much slower than other vehicles going the same direction i find that more dangerous

Not if you cycle at a decent speed, and regardless its up to the cars to avoid you and pass you safely.

You are treated by the law as a vehicle just like a car. You have to stop at the stoplights, use turn signals, etc. Similarly, you have to drive down the correct side of the road. Driving the wrong way is exactly that: the wrong way to bike.

Using your logic, my grandmother should drive the wrong way down the road just because she is reeeeeaaaaaaaally slow in her old as sin Buick, to be safe and all.

+1

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

yea but still when that vehicle goes so much slower than other vehicles going the same direction i find that more dangerous

I completely agree. I trust myself 10x more than most drivers. If I knew the driver of the vehicle behind me wasn't a complete moron, than it would be fine but usually it is certainly not the case. If you think you notice how bad drivers are when driving your car, you notice poor drivers much more on a bicycle and likely because they just don't give a fudge ( even though they are suppose to ). I'm the cyclist that often sits back 5 - 10 feet from the curb to let traffic know that I want them to go first. I trust no one. I have lights and a helmet but still... I use my bicycle pretty much anywhere. As far as rain, well, I have a mountain bike and just decided to grab a rain suit, http://www.froggtoggs.com/ for those unfortunate days. I take my MacBook to work every day using just a regular old school backpack. Works well thus far. Only gripe would be that your back can get sweaty from lack of ventilation ( cooling ). As far as other suggestions, you'll slowly find better and better routes to take. Sometimes side streets are best, sometimes not. Bike / Walk trails are best but not overly common. Just be respectful of private property ( lawns, ... ).

Locks...Absolutely. Not only do you lose a piece of property ( $$$ ) but you also lose your ride ( pun intended ) and than you have to walk, taxi, ... which really blows. Most respectable businesses, schools, ... will have bicycle racks.

 

[Xavier]

I recently purchased a old Schwinn World Traveler with the intention of using it for my commuter bike while at school.

The things I looked into to have a stable, good performance commuter bike was:

-Trued the wheels.
-Good tires (my bike had brand new tired so I lucked out)
-Made sure the brakes aligned correctly
-Replaced the chain. My Old chain didn't fit my crank set, and shifted very hard
-new handle bar tape

Those are the things my bike required to have it actually run smoothly and correctly. Depending on the bikes you get at garage sales and yard sales, you might have a lot of work to do. When I get home next summer, I plan to replace the brake calibers altogether, along with the crankset, because both are original, and both are worn. At that point, I might consider converting into a fixie.

 

[Eraserhead]

I completely agree. I trust myself 10x more than most drivers.

What about the cyclists you are very likely to hit coming the other way. Where are they supposed to go to get around your vehicle?

The reason you walk against the traffic on the road is that if a car comes towards you fast you can jump in the ditch, you can't easily do that on a bike.

If I knew the driver of the vehicle behind me wasn't a complete moron, than it would be fine but usually it is certainly not the case.

Sure some drivers are morons, but they aren't in the majority.

If you think you notice how bad drivers are when driving your car, you notice poor drivers much more on a bicycle and likely because they just don't give a fudge ( even though they are suppose to ).

Thats probably because you are cycling towards them in an illegal and dangerous manner.

I'm the cyclist that often sits back 5 - 10 feet from the curb to let traffic know that I want them to go first. I trust no one.

If you're feeling unsafe at the traffic lights go in the centre of the road with the cars, they won't mind too much as they can't go fast at the traffic lights, and then they can see where you are on the road.

Only gripe would be that your back can get sweaty from lack of ventilation ( cooling ).

Yeah, that can be a problem, if you get a good bag for your back designed for serious use (such as this one) you'll probably have that problem less.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Hi

What about the cyclists you are very likely to hit coming the other way. Where are they supposed to go to get around your vehicle?

Valid. I've had this awkward and dangerous situation happen once or twice.

The reason you walk against the traffic on the road is that if a car comes towards you fast you can jump in the ditch, you can't easily do that on a bike.

I would be willing to bet it is fairly close to the same. Close enough for providing safety anyway.

Sure some drivers are morons, but they aren't in the majority.

This, however, I'm not so sure about. I'm not simply speaking of road experience but just general experience with society. Though, continue on for a bit more on this matter.

That's probably because you are cycling towards them in an illegal and dangerous manner.

Absolutely not. I'm more than respectful to traffic and will be as patient as necessary to make that happen.

If you're feeling unsafe at the traffic lights go in the centre of the road with the cars, they won't mind too much as they can't go fast at the traffic lights, and then they can see where you are on the road.

Traffic lights, no. Stop signs or non-traffic light intersections, yes. Ever hear of a "rolling stop" or how about those drivers who have a terrible habit of creeping out as far as they can for better view, nearly getting hit themselves by the vehicles they are trying to see coming. I'm sorry, maybe stupid isn't the word but most drivers seem more than careless. I won't even speak of how many don't seem to have the knowledge of using a turn signal. Sheesh!

Yeah, that can be a problem, if you get a good bag for your back designed for serious use (such as this one) you'll probably have that problem less.

I want to finalize by saying that I'm not recommending illegal / improper actions. They just don't feel safe to me. That's not even touching on the subject of how most drivers I've experienced seem more than impatient about bicyclists following similar motor vehicle laws. Most drivers are way too impatient in general from what I've observed.

 

[kfordham281]

i would much rather ride against traffic so i can see whats coming

I'm pretty sure that's illegal in all 50 states.

One tip new riders can learn from:

-You need to be a defensive driver while still knowing how to not be a pushover. Don't ride all the way to the right of the lane, but a few feet out to the left. Cars will try to pass you with little/no room if you're riding the right white line. Riding just a few feet to the left of the line will generally force them to make a wider pass.

Biking in FL in August...I can't think of anything worse! Good luck

 

[Eraserhead]

I'm pretty sure that's illegal in all 50 states.

Its certainly illegal in the UK as well. And by saying you do things like this you are condoning their behaviour.

If you are so scared on a bike that you have to engage in illegal activities to ride, I strongly suggest you buy a car.