Reinventing The Wheel

Not only are Urban bikers are crazy about biking, but we’re also crazy about how we bike. I learned this last week when I published an article for GOOD.is entitled, “Yell Like Your Hair’s on Fire and 5 More Urban Cycling Tips.”

Our mission for our crazy bike light company is to make city cycling safer, and the original title was “Safety Tips For Aggressive Cyclists” and I intended to share my urban biking battle guide and stimulate a discussion but I didn’t expect such a response. >350 liked/shared the article calling it a “survival guide” and “advice for saving your ass”.

While most people believe you’re free to ride (as long as you don’t put others at risk), a feverish contingency advocate for safe, defensive cycling. And these people hate the way I bike.

Of the many comments and emails I received, I’ve organized comments into buckets, and responded to my favorites. So let’s get the conversation going:

Overall Message: Optimize for Safety, Speed, and Fun

Commenter: “’Imagine if a motorist said, “If I stopped and waited at all the cross walks, red lights, no fun’ - would you prefer they soley trust their judgment and speed/safety/fun optimization?” - ClubAntieTam

Response: On weekends, I am a motorist, and I drive defensively because, unlike my bike, my car is heavy, and not agile. Bikes are not cars.

Tip #3: Bike Lane Will Not Protect You So Take Sidewalks When It’s Safer and/or Faster

Commenter: “NO. Vehicles—be they cars, motorcycles, or bicycles—DO NOT belong on sidewalks.” -SideWalker.

Response: Under this definition, my nephew’s tricycle DOES NOT belong on sidewalk. There’s a monstrous difference in size, weight, and power between a motor vehicle and human-powered vehicle.

Commenter: “Yes, paint is not a magic force field, be vigilant and aware of your surroundings no matter where you are, but riding on the sidewalk? Fail.” -GrandCrewNO2.

Response: Yes, biking fast on crowded sidewalk endangers pedestrians. But who does that? Biking on bad streets kills cyclists. As commenter RobbieFeld pointed out, “Yes I ride on the street, but there are definitely times where it is necessary to hop onto the sidewalk to avoid dangerous situations, or to make a quick turn and avoid more traffic.”

Commenter: “Bicyclists can’t have it both ways, untouchable on the streets and sidewalks” – JColorado

Response: Well put!

Proof: Bike Lanes Aren’t Always The Safest

Tip #6: Juke Left To Surprise and Startle Cars Into Giving You More Space

Commenter: “Shenanigans! Juking and being unpredictable is a recipe for disaster! Just ride in a straight, predictable, line.” - GrandCrewNO2

Response: My inner monologue reads this is a British accent, making it really hard to disagree. Yes, I’m all for predictability. I take predictable right turns, I predictably slow down, and Ipredictably assert the lane. But when a car crowds me, that’s when I juke left and am unpredictable. It’s supported by British cyclist / psychologist Ian Walker.

Comments

comments