How useful is a bicycle as a form of transportation to you?

[Moonbear]

If the road does not have a good shoulder, ride right out in the middle of the lane, right where a car would.

This is the only thing in your advice I'd take issue with. That's just plain RUDE! Unless you're only on a 25 mph road and can pedal 25 mph, you better get over to the right so cars can get around you, otherwise you're just going to p**s off the drivers. This is my big pet peeve about bicyclists on roads. If you can't pedal the speed limit, get your butt out of the way of the cars that intend to go the speed limit! The further to the right you are, the easier for the car to pass you, even if there's oncoming traffic the other direction, and the more willing they'll be to share the road with bikes because you're not slowing them down from getting where they're going. There's also more room for them to swerve and avoid you if you're over to the right if they DON'T see you until a bit late (like coming around a curve). If you're smack in the middle of the road, you have as much chance as the squirrels.

 

[morphism]

SON OF A B*TCH! My bike -- my main means of transportation -- was just stolen from outside where I live. I came out and my chain was cut in half and thrown onto the floor, adding insult to injury.

ARGH!

 

[chroot]

This is the only thing in your advice I'd take issue with. That's just plain RUDE! Unless you're only on a 25 mph road and can pedal 25 mph, you better get over to the right so cars can get around you, otherwise you're just going to p**s off the drivers.

I couldn't care less about pissing off the drivers. (Do you care about pissing off cyclists?) It's a choice between my life and ten seconds of inconvenience for them. If I were a dumptruck, a school bus, or any other kind of slow-moving vehicle, no one would have a problem with me. Think about that for a minute. The truth is that my impact on traffic on a bicycle is smaller than my impact on traffic in a car. Think about that for a minute the next time you're stuck behind a mile of cars at a traffic light, too.

This is my big pet peeve about bicyclists on roads. If you can't pedal the speed limit, get your butt out of the way of the cars that intend to go the speed limit!

Cyclists should ride as far to the right as is safe for conditions, but no further. If the road is poor and I must take the entire lane, I don't care about you or your speed limit. I'll take up the whole lane until I get through the poor section of road, then move right when it's safe -- and you are legally obligated to deal with it. I don't care if it takes you ten more seconds to get to Starbucks. Get a grip.

The further to the right you are, the easier for the car to pass you, even if there's oncoming traffic the other direction, and the more willing they'll be to share the road with bikes because you're not slowing them down from getting where they're going.

I share the road with motorists because they pay taxes and are legally entitled to use the road with me. I'm frankly don't see it as a matter of anyone's will. If you had it your way, you'd prefer that no cyclists slow you down. If I had it my way, I'd prefer that no cars slow me down. Yes, you heard me right.

There's also more room for them to swerve and avoid you if you're over to the right if they DON'T see you until a bit late (like coming around a curve). If you're smack in the middle of the road, you have as much chance as the squirrels.

I'm afraid you have no idea what you're talking about. You don't cycle regularly in traffic, so I don't expect you to know much about the subject, but try not to pat yourself on the back too much.

The best place for a cyclist to be is right in the middle of the road, right where motorists are expecting to see vehicles. You are easily seen, you have space, and cars are forced to leave the entire lane to pass. The middle of the road is the ideal place to ride a bike. Cyclists make concessions like moving as far right as possible simply as a courtesy to you road-raging adrenaline-pumping morons in cars, who are just so desperate to get to the next stop light ten seconds faster.

Keep in mind that when I'm talking about "riding a bike in traffic," I don't mean tooling around on a mountain bike at 8 mph. I'm talking about busting my ass on an 18 lb road racing bike, at heart rate of 160+ bpm and cruising speeds approaching 25 mph. If you can't bear to be behind a cyclist pushing 25 mph for ten seconds while you wait for a good time to pass, you really need to re-evaluate your rights vis a vis the rights of others.

- Warren

 

[Astronuc]

SON OF A B*TCH! My bike -- my main means of transportation -- was just stolen from outside where I live. I came out and my chain was cut in half and thrown onto the floor, adding insult to injury.

ARGH!

Bummer.

For that reason, I would bring the bike inside. Also, one could get quick disconnect front wheel to prevent someone just riding off.

I thought there are some heavy duty chains, but they tend to weigh a few kgs. There are special locks shaped like an elongated D, which I prefer to a chain - like these http://www.masterlockbike.com/product-category.shtml?id=10316&disname=U-Locks


As for riding a bike in traffic, if I am slower than the speed limit, I pull to the right to let cars go by, otherwise I ride slightly right of center. The center of many lanes it a bit more oily or greasy (particularly in high density areas), so I tended to ride to the right of center.