Popular Mechanics says, among other things, to drive like you're riding a bike to increase fuel economy. You're looking for #4 in the link.
I started doing this when I started riding. I realized I knew about everything about being efficient on a wheeled vehicle because my bike had taught me the hard way! So why not put it to practical use when I'm driving? It's easier on my car/body/bike, uses less fuel/food, and is less stressful/fun.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Off the Sidewalk
This is a common issue that arises: How do we get sidewalk cyclists off the sidewalk and onto the street.
* Make it the law.
* Convince them.
The first one is just out, most of us can't even begin to make that happen. Besides, why do it? There are occasions for sidewalk cycling.
So, the second option.
One way we can go about this is to simply state what so many of us perceive as fact: Riding on the sidewalk is more dangerous than riding on the street. Than we can go on to explain a few reasons why: Road crossings, commercial drives, out of sight out of mind, etc.
I think the trouble here is that you're leading with the wrong thing. You're first contradicting their sensibilities. Common sense tells us that the sidewalk is a safe place to cycle: If you don't believe me I direct you to observe where most folks ride their bike on a busy street.
So how about this direction:
1. Admit that one can safely cycle on the sidewalks.
2. Explain how:
* You must keep your speed low, say below 10mph.
* You must slow, even more, for every commercial drive and street crossing; then look behind you for traffic which appears likely to turn across your path; then look forward for traffic which appears likely to cross your path (or the other way around I think).
* You must consider it your responsibility to not get hit by cars who cannot see you.
* Always ride behind, or stop for, cars which intend to pull out onto the street from side streets and commercial drives.
3. Point out that this is how you should be doing things as a pedestrian as well, but it's a bit easier to do at that speed and with that extra balance and ability to stop and go quickly.
4. Explain how to ride safely in the street:
* Ride to the right when you feel it's safe (I'd say practicable, but no sane person cares what this word means).
* Follow the same rules of the road cars do.
5. Point out that 4 is easier than 3; and since it's easier it's more repeatable and so it's probably safer in the long run.
6. Show the normal statistics.
* Make it the law.
* Convince them.
The first one is just out, most of us can't even begin to make that happen. Besides, why do it? There are occasions for sidewalk cycling.
So, the second option.
One way we can go about this is to simply state what so many of us perceive as fact: Riding on the sidewalk is more dangerous than riding on the street. Than we can go on to explain a few reasons why: Road crossings, commercial drives, out of sight out of mind, etc.
I think the trouble here is that you're leading with the wrong thing. You're first contradicting their sensibilities. Common sense tells us that the sidewalk is a safe place to cycle: If you don't believe me I direct you to observe where most folks ride their bike on a busy street.
So how about this direction:
1. Admit that one can safely cycle on the sidewalks.
2. Explain how:
* You must keep your speed low, say below 10mph.
* You must slow, even more, for every commercial drive and street crossing; then look behind you for traffic which appears likely to turn across your path; then look forward for traffic which appears likely to cross your path (or the other way around I think).
* You must consider it your responsibility to not get hit by cars who cannot see you.
* Always ride behind, or stop for, cars which intend to pull out onto the street from side streets and commercial drives.
3. Point out that this is how you should be doing things as a pedestrian as well, but it's a bit easier to do at that speed and with that extra balance and ability to stop and go quickly.
4. Explain how to ride safely in the street:
* Ride to the right when you feel it's safe (I'd say practicable, but no sane person cares what this word means).
* Follow the same rules of the road cars do.
5. Point out that 4 is easier than 3; and since it's easier it's more repeatable and so it's probably safer in the long run.
6. Show the normal statistics.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Popularity of the Commute
This is my first summer commuting in Lincoln. I started commuting off and on last November and started doing it full time last February.
But these last two months have been, by far, the best showing of Lincoln cycle commuters I've seen. I see about 4-5 other people every morning, although they're usually different people but my schedule varies a lot. I saw my neighbor commute the other day. There are usually 4-5 others at work each day (sometimes more, sometimes a bit less). And this is a 50 person company.
I don't remember seeing so many cyclists while driving last year, but I might not have been looking.
Now, they're all on sidewalks and MUPs. But one thing at a time right?
Must be $4 a gallon gas.
But these last two months have been, by far, the best showing of Lincoln cycle commuters I've seen. I see about 4-5 other people every morning, although they're usually different people but my schedule varies a lot. I saw my neighbor commute the other day. There are usually 4-5 others at work each day (sometimes more, sometimes a bit less). And this is a 50 person company.
I don't remember seeing so many cyclists while driving last year, but I might not have been looking.
Now, they're all on sidewalks and MUPs. But one thing at a time right?
Must be $4 a gallon gas.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
87 Miles, LBL
I went on a ride to beatrice today, by the way of the homestead trail. It was a nice ride, big showing: Me and the ride leader.
Crushed limestone is punishing, especially 4 hours of crushed limestone.
Crushed limestone is punishing, especially 4 hours of crushed limestone.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Um, No
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bike-gb,0,3315740.graffitiboard?slice=24&limit=10
[QUOTE]
233. Far too many cyclists arrogantly ignore basic traffic safety laws and rules of the road. Riding side-by-side on a narrow and winding road is the height of stupidity. A profane retort to a reasonable if not polite request just compounds the stupidity. Now, you have to guys whining about injuries that would have been avoided if they had simply done the right and safe thing, ride single file. Not that the guy in the car was right just that the cyclists in this case were more wrong.
This comment is responding to a story where a driver pulls ahead of two cyclists, going down a mountain road, riding next to each other (presumably taking the lane while doing so). They were doing about 30. Apparently the road is windy, which makes sense, it's a mountain road.
The driver pulls ahead, and slams on his breaks. Road bikes don't stop well at 30mph. It's not as horrible as many make it out to be, but it's not as good as a car. Especially a car with ABS who has the reflex advantage (he doesn't have to wait for reflexes).
I fail to see how it's a bad idea to ride side by side on a narrow windy road, especially if you're keeping pace. This is the _best_ time to own the road in such an obnoxious and totalitarian manner. Because: No one has good control or good visibility, and the cyclists need margin for error around the curves.
Now, going up, then it'd be pretty stinkin' rude to ride side by side when there's traffic.
This is typical of comments on this kind of story. If you're not a cyclist everything is the cyclists fault. Even if it goes against the law, reason, and our best sensibilities. If you're a cyclist then "bikes have all the same rights." Few bother to point out that we (usually) have a couple extra responsibilities.
*sigh* I'm gonna be biased here. The cyclists are correct. The cyclists were probably being slightly rude by not riding single file, in the middle of the lane (where they belonged in this case), but who cares? It would mean the same issue for the driver.
[QUOTE]
233. Far too many cyclists arrogantly ignore basic traffic safety laws and rules of the road. Riding side-by-side on a narrow and winding road is the height of stupidity. A profane retort to a reasonable if not polite request just compounds the stupidity. Now, you have to guys whining about injuries that would have been avoided if they had simply done the right and safe thing, ride single file. Not that the guy in the car was right just that the cyclists in this case were more wrong.
Submitted by: T.G.Smith
[/QUOTE]
[/QUOTE]
This comment is responding to a story where a driver pulls ahead of two cyclists, going down a mountain road, riding next to each other (presumably taking the lane while doing so). They were doing about 30. Apparently the road is windy, which makes sense, it's a mountain road.
The driver pulls ahead, and slams on his breaks. Road bikes don't stop well at 30mph. It's not as horrible as many make it out to be, but it's not as good as a car. Especially a car with ABS who has the reflex advantage (he doesn't have to wait for reflexes).
I fail to see how it's a bad idea to ride side by side on a narrow windy road, especially if you're keeping pace. This is the _best_ time to own the road in such an obnoxious and totalitarian manner. Because: No one has good control or good visibility, and the cyclists need margin for error around the curves.
Now, going up, then it'd be pretty stinkin' rude to ride side by side when there's traffic.
This is typical of comments on this kind of story. If you're not a cyclist everything is the cyclists fault. Even if it goes against the law, reason, and our best sensibilities. If you're a cyclist then "bikes have all the same rights." Few bother to point out that we (usually) have a couple extra responsibilities.
*sigh* I'm gonna be biased here. The cyclists are correct. The cyclists were probably being slightly rude by not riding single file, in the middle of the lane (where they belonged in this case), but who cares? It would mean the same issue for the driver.
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