Bike Safety - I Love Bicycling

Cycling At Night – The Essentials to Keep You Safe

February 12, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Whether you are a commuter cyclist or an avid cyclist trying to squeeze in a bit more ride time, the time will come that you’ll have to ride at night. When cycling at night, it’s best to be prepared as you are taking on substantial risks that need to be mitigated. Bike riding can be hazardous enough during the day. There are basically two ways you end up cycling at night. The first is that your ride goes long or you’re commuting later, or earlier, than originally planned. The second is that you knew you were going to be riding in the dark and were expecting it. In the first, you just want to safely make it to where you’re headed. In the second, you want the ride to be safe as well as enjoyable without the constant fear of something going wrong.

Cycling At Night – The Unplanned Endeavor

Regardless if you’re commuting or riding for fitness, if your ride is even going to come close to sun down you should be prepared with a light or two. A small tail light that stays on your bike is a good option as it’s small enough that you don’t even know it’s there during the day but bright enough at night for people to actually see you from behind. Something small and sleek such as this will do the trick. For a headlight, it depends on how likely you are to be caught in the dark. You can go the route of just being visible from the front with a light such as this but not really being able to see where you’re going. If you’re riding in a place with city lights, you might be OK. But if you actually need light to see where your front wheel is headed, you’re going to need something a bit brighter such as this. A good trick is to leave the mount on your handlebars but leave the light in your jersey pocket or saddle bag until you need it.

Cycling At Night – The “Well” Planned Endeavor

When you know that you’re going to be riding in the dark you better be prepared from head to handlebar. A few of the dangers that riding at night brings is not being able to see potholes or other obstacles that might throw you from your bike. Spending descent money on a light will save you more than ten-fold on a trip to the emergency room.

The Helmet Light

When you’re planning to ride at night your are going to want two lights pointing forward. One on your handlebars, the other on your helmet. It’s generally better to have the brighter light on your helmet but since it’s brighter it generally requires a larger battery which is not ideal on your head although some models allow you to place the battery in your jersey pocket. Even if you do get a smaller (dimmer) light however, you are going to want to make sure it’s still marginally bright, about 200 lumens. Anything less than that you’re going to have a hard time seeing wherever your handlebar light isn’t pointed, say when going around corners and your handlebars aren’t yet turned. In addition, being able to point your light directly at motorists to get their attention will help to make sure that they see you.

The Handlebar Light

If you opted for the dimmer helmet light to save weight on your head, you’re going to want to get a brighter handlebar light. You can mount the battery pack on various parts of the bike if it’s not condensed enough to be one unit within the light. Some handlebar lights can get super bright, like a car on high beams bright, which is great on technical trails or bumpy roads. The best thing with these lights is that they have the capability to be that bright if needed but even at half power are pretty freaking bright allowing your battery to last longer than your legs can.

The Bike Taillight

If cycling at night on roads, you are going to want a bright tail light. One that even grabs the attention of the drunk driver on their phone. One such as this. The biggest thing with taillights is to make sure that they are positioned so that they can be seen by a driver behind you. This means that if you have a saddle bag and you place the taillight on your seat post, the driver may not be able to readily see it. In addition, if it’s a pretty directional taillight, meaning it’s super bright in one direction but not so much to the sides, you don’t want to place it on your seat stays where it points up into the air at a 45 degree angle. You want it positioned so it points directly at the drivers behind you.

The Helmet Back Light

The more lights you have the better, particularly when they’re at two different heights from the road. Having a back light on your helmet is an easy way to double the number of lights facing a driver. With both of your back lights flashing, they will gain extra attention from drivers. The Garneau Helmet Light is a super handy light that attaches to the ratchet system on the back of their Garneau helmets but other options exist if you don’t have a Garneau such as this. It’s also a great option for just leaving on your helmet for if you do get caught in the dark.

Other Good Ideas For Cycling At Night

Having head and taillights is the most important part to cycling at night. However, there are a few other things you should include to better your night ride. The first is to wear a cycling cap. The brim on a cycling cap allows you to shield your eyes from the bright lights from oncoming traffic allowing you to still be able to see where you are going as well as to keep your eyes from adjusting back to daylight. The second smart thing to have is clear sunglasses. These will keep the wind, potential debris, and rain if it’s raining, out of your eyes allowing you to see unhindered. Also, wearing something such as a jersey or jacket or a pair of socks that are reflective will help motorists to see you even more, particularly if one of your lights becomes non-functional.

Cycling at night doesn’t have to be dangerous and can open up a whole new world of riding, not to mention the additional time available to actually do it. Be prepared and stay smart and you’ll reap the benefits of cycling at night be it commuting or getting some extra training in.

10 Cycling Mistakes a New Cyclist Makes

February 11, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

We’ve all made these cycling mistakes when we started riding but you don’t have to. And if you find you’re doing one of these, you can quickly fix it before your next ride. Fixing some of these cycling mistakes will help save your life while others will just help you look good in your new found passion.

#1 – Riding Like You’re Visible

It’s a newbie mistake that can get you hit by a car; the assumption that cars can see you. There are few things in life that you should assume without verification, your visibility on a bicycle is not one of them. Always ride like you’re invisible.

Scan Your Surroundings

Constantly be aware of traffic coming up from behind by checking over your shoulder and listening. It’s not always possible to monitor your surroundings 360-degrees but do your best. If possible, make eye contact before making any sudden moves if possible, particularly across intersections.

Increase Visibility

Take steps to increase the probability that motorists see you by wearing bright colored clothing during the day, and lights at night…..More on fashion later.

#2 – Riding in the Wrong Lane

Everyone has seen it; newbies riding peacefully down the wrong side of the road opposite the flow of traffic. This is wrong for two reasons:

One: you could be hit by a car on the same road coming at you from straight ahead of you. Cars have less time to react when they see you and can’t take take evasive action because they’re approaching you faster than normal because you’re going towards them rather than away from them. Also, if you do happen to get hit, the forces are greater because it is two objects traveling toward each other rather than both in the same direction at differing speeds.

Two: Cars turning from an intersection are not looking for traffic — you on a bike — coming from the wrong direction. They will turn right into you.

#3 – Riding Too Far to The Right

Newbies often ride very close to the curb because they’re worried about being hit from behind. But if you take a look at where the car is, you’ll see that the driver is looking down the road for traffic. They’re not looking in the bike lane or the area closest to the curb. Drivers typically look down the middle of the lane for other cars. The farther left you are the more likely the driver will see you.

Move Out There

If you’re new to cycling, move to the left. Stats support the concept and say that you’re far more likely to get hit by a car coming at you in an intersection than a car from behind which can see you more clearly.

#4 – Group Ride Without a Clue

Learning to ride in close proximity to other riders takes practice. You’re in trouble from the start if you attempt a group ride without first knowing what’s expected of you. Newbies who don’t know the drill put the whole group in danger. They may not know the gentle buzzing of your front tire into someone’s rear tire can cause both of you to go down hard, not to mention the riders behind you as well.

Ride With Friends

Ride with a few experienced friends to get the feel for it ahead of time. Talk to them and have them tell you what to do and not to do with just the few of you. Have them teach you how a paceline works and what all is expected of you. Don’t tag along on a multi-person group ride until you’ve got the basics of group etiquette down.

#5 – Starting Out Too Aggressive

Newbies sometimes decide to tackle 30 or 40 miles on the first day. As with any new form of exercise, you need to ease into cycling. Chances are that you can make a longer ride, but the crippling, unexpected soreness can discourage you from cycling altogether, or worse, It can lead to injuries.

Start Small

Start small. Bike 1 or 2 days a week for a few miles, maybe even ten. A good indicator is when you realize that your rear-end isn’t sore.

#6 – Getting Cocky

Nobody likes a show-off. Even if you have a moderate or high level of fitness, hot-rodding is a no-no. It’s a newbie mistake that shows a lack of confidence in your own ability — and it doesn’t fool anyone. A good example is the newbie who takes both hands off of the handlebars at the same time. This show-off gesture is only appropriate for pros when they win the big race — and it gets them in trouble at times.

Look Ma, No Hands

Keep two hands on the bars at all times. Ride with respect to the environment, other cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

#7 – Wrong Clothing

Wearing pants is common among commuters and newbie cyclists. Don’t do it without restraining your pants legs with a pants band or don’t wear pants at all. Cyclists have plenty of horror stories about catching a pant leg in a chain or chainring. It doesn’t have to happen that way.

Embrace Lycra

Embrace Lycra. Lycra is tight, it’s designed to be slick enough to allow you to be comfortable on the seat and with the pedaling motion without your shorts or pants catching on your knees. T-shirts are another item to discard for riding. Jerseys are made with an athletic material and are light, airy, with pockets for everything. Get the right gear.

#8 – Wearing Underwear

Almost all newbie cyclists do this one; wearing underwear under Lycra shorts. It might be considered uncouth to skip the underwear, but underwear bunches up under cycling shorts and can really cause you pain. Lycra is designed to be worn without underwear.

Be a Swinger

Just do it. You’ll never understand how comfortable Lycra is by itself until you try it.

#9 – Fashion Faux Pas

Newbies might not care about cycling fashion but that doesn’t mean that they should ignore the rules of road cycling fashion. These are rules that you can only learn through time spent around other cyclists, or by getting on first-name terms with the staff at the local bike shop of course.

Wearing Long Socks

Socks that cover most of your calf just look stupid when riding a road bike. Cyclists of all kinds wear short socks only. When your calves start to bulge, you’ll want to show them off. Wear short socks.

Wearing Baggy Shorts

Newbie mountain bikers who might have crossed over to road biking might still be thinking that it’s fine to keep wearing baggy shorts. It looks funny, like you grabbed the wrong bike. While baggy shorts are perfectly acceptable for off-road riding, the exact opposite is true for road riding.

#10 – Not Wearing a Helmet – The Biggest of Cycling Mistakes

A lot of the time cyclists will see what other riders are doing and try to emulate it because it looks cool. In some cases this is OK, such as adopting a bright colored sock, saddle, and handlebar tape combo, but one thing you should never adopt is riding without a helmet. Riders will do this because they think it looks cool but you should always wear a helmet, even if it’s just down the street to the grocery store quick. You never know when something might happen and being seen without a helmet on just makes you look stupid. Wear one. Always. It will save your life.

Quick Release Recall: Is Your Bike Affected?

February 1, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

It’s a scenario that can give you nightmares; You’re riding down the road on your bike when the front wheel suddenly locks up, dislodges or comes completely off. You go down hard. The scenario could actually play out if your bike is one of the 1.55 million included in a recent industry-wide quick release recall .

Quick Release Recall – Time Table

In April of 2015, Trek discovered a defect in the quick release which could cause the front wheel to separate from the frame of the bike. According to the the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the quick release recall was officially announced on September 29, 2015. The Bicycle Product Suppliers Association, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Health Canada and Profeco, the Mexican consumer protection federal agency, have also issued the voluntary quick release recall.

Industry Wide

Quick release devices are not manufactured by bike companies, but instead are purchased by bike builders and are used by a broad range of bicycle manufacturers, so the recall quickly spread across the industry. In addition to the roughly 1.5 million bikes recalled in the U.S., almost 245,000 of the bikes were sold in Canada, and another 9,000 in Mexico.

Check Your Bike

Seventeen bike manufacturer’s have issued the quick release recall for one or more of their bikes. Cyclists can go to QuickReleaseRecall.com or contact their manufacturer to see if their bike is affected.

Disc Brake Bikes

The quick release recall affects disc-brake bikes only. Bicycles that do not have disc brakes are not included in the recall. Specific models of bikes involved were not named in the recall but bicycles dating back as far as 1998 for some brands are included. The recall is not price specific ranging from bikes that sold for between $200 to $10,000.

The Pencil Test

If you’re not sure, or just want to make sure your bike is safe without doing any extensive research, the Bicycle Product Suppliers Association said owners can check the release by applying the No. 2 pencil test.

Test Your Quick-Release

The test involves opening the lever and loosening the front-wheel quick-release. Push the lever toward the brake disc rotor and measure the distance between the lever and the rotor.

Use a Pencil

Slip a No. 2 pencil between the cam lever and the rotor. If the pencil cannot fit smoothly between the lever and disc rotor, your bike could be a candidate for recall. Owners are encouraged to take their bikes to a bike shop for a replacement quick release.

Don’t Ride

If your quick-release fails the pencil test, it’s recommended that you stop using the bicycle and immediately contact the manufacturer or dealer for free installation of a new quick release on the front wheel.

Open or Closed

It might seem confusing at first to tell if your lever is open or closed. A few pointers on quick release levers might help to alleviate some of the confusion: There are two ways to tell if a lever is open. Some levers are clearly marked “open” or “closed”. Look for the markings on the lever.

Look For the Curve

Quick release levers are typically curved. When the curve or bump protrudes outward, the lever is in the closed position. If the curve or bump protrudes inward or is cupped-shaped, the lever is open. Closing and opening the lever requires flipping it 180-degrees — not rotating it.

Tightness Check

Even when the lever is closed, it’s a good idea to test it for tightness. Give the lever a good tug, if it resists, it’s tight. If it opens with a slight tug, it’s too lose and should be tightened.

How To Tighten

Another tell-tale sign that your quick release is loose comes from a clunking noise in your front end. If you suspect it, or hear a clunking noise stop the bike. Pick up the front end of the bike and bounce the tire lightly off the pavement. If you can reproduce the noise, the quick release may be loose. If you check the quick release and it’s tight but you still hear a clunking noise when you bounce the front tire, the noise might be coming from your headset, a separate issue.

Do It Yourself

Replacing a quick-release is basic and almost anyone can do it without taking it to a bike shop. However, doing so may invalidate the guarantee.

Quick Release Removal

The typical quick release consists of a skewer — a long rod — a lever, two springs and a nut. Remove the existing quick release by first opening it. Unscrew the nut from the opposite side. Remove the nut and one spring. Pull the skewer from the axle from the lever side.

Installing a Quick Release

Insert the skewer with the spring and lever into the hub from the disc side. Note that the spring on the skewer should have the skinny side facing the hub. When the end of the skewer emerges from the opposite side of the hub, slip the spring on — skinny side facing the hub — and then screw on the nut. Adjust for tightness before riding. One way to check; a good measure of tightness leaves a slight impression on your palm when tightening it.

Educational Information

The information provided should be considered educational in nature. If you have any hesitancy or questions about your quick-release (or anything else on your bike for that matter) don’t hesitate to consult with a professional or your local bike shop. They’re there to help you with anything, and are glad to do it.

Pro Cycling Team Hit by Car in Spain – How to Improve Awareness

January 26, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

This past week the World Tour Team Team – Giant-Alpecin had a training camp in Calpe, Spain where many teams flock for winter miles because of the good weather and terrain that is available. Bad luck struck however when a tourist from Britain was driving on the wrong side of the road and hit six of the riders, head on. Fortunately, all of the riders are in stable condition following the accident.

Improving Awareness

This brings up the continued issue of bike safety and awareness on the roadways. These riders were all professionals competing at the top level of the sport and have logged countless miles on the roads for years. If an event of this magnitude can strike a group of riders at this level, it can happen to anyone. In this instance, poor driving was the cause and it just happened to be a group of cyclists around the next bend and not another vehicle.

However, this goes back to the article, Safety in Numbers: More Cyclists, Safer Cycling, which sites that an increased number of cyclists on the roadways results in an increased awareness for cyclist, and thus a lower incident rate. In addition, it also increases the overall safety factor on the roads in general. It’s unclear of the exact circumstance, but had this women been properly educated about the increased cycling traffic on the roadways because of being a popular destination for cycling teams, she hopefully would not only have been more aware of cyclists on the roadways, but also in the overall attention to her driving in general. This hopefully would have resulted in her paying more attention and remembering that this location drives on the opposite side of the road than what she was used to at home.

Improving Our Safety

As with the Giant-Alpecin Professional Cycling Team, it’s often the case of dumb luck. You just can’t predict or expect something like that. After better educating and making the general public more aware, it is up to us to better our odds of avoiding incidents. The best solution is to simply ride roads that have less traffic and a wider shoulder. These are often rural country roads however which have the greater likelihood of vehicles travelling at faster speeds, and blind turns such as the case here in Spain, but less of them. With greater odds of reducing your crossings with vehicles there is still always a risk. In the event that something like this does happen, it’s just a matter of how you react and how quick as well as the driver. The best thing you can do to prepare for this is to just make sure your bike handling is up to snuff so you can brake and/or put your bike exactly where you want to go without even thinking about it.

Stay safe riding and don’t let the likelihood of incidents deter you from riding. There are far more things that have a greater risk factor and just being aware of your surroundings significantly lowers your risk. Keep your head up and pay attention. And enjoy the ride.

Safety in Numbers: More Cyclists, Safer Cycling

January 25, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

Statistics prove that there are risks associated with riding a bicycle particularly on roadways. Statistics also prove that the more cyclists there are on the road, the safer they are. The premise of safety in numbers helps in that a greater number of motorists expect a cyclist to be there on the side of the road. Cycling safety is not going to change overnight, but the persistent efforts of cycling advocates, cyclists themselves, and awareness by motorists can go a long way to keeping cyclists safe.

Stats and Cyclists

Bicycle fatalities represent less than two percent of all traffic fatalities. However, statistics are not always a good indicator. Stats typically only include cyclists killed or injured in road accidents when reported to the police. Some cyclist casualties are not reported to the police, even when the cyclist is inured badly enough to be taken to a hospital. The figures might also exclude cycling accidents that occur away from roads. Although the number of deaths is accurate enough, there could be two or three times as many seriously injured cyclists and double the number of slightly injured.

What The Stats Say

743 people lost their lives in bicycle/motor vehicle crashes in the United States in 2013. It amounts to just less than about two people every day of the year. Stats report that in 2014, 113 cyclists were killed in the United Kingdom. Injuries for both countries rise well into the thousands.

Risk Assessment

The risk varies by time of day with night time being more risky. Other variables include the experience of the rider, location of riding and many other factors. Until we have better data, the risk of cycling can’t be accurately compared to other modes of travel. Stats that rely on data per mile should be taken with a grain of salt. There is no reliable source for the data, because nobody knows how many miles bicyclists travel each year, or how long it takes them to cover those miles.

Common Cycling Accidents

Even though safety in numbers is proven to make cycling safer, certain types of accidents are typically responsible for a large percentage of the accidents. In no particular order, common accidents might include:

Motorist emerging into path of cyclist
Motorist turning across path of cyclist
Cyclist riding into the path of a motor vehicle
Child cyclist playing or riding too fast
After stopping at a stop sign, cyclist rides into the intersection in front of a car that has the right-of-way
Cyclist with right-of-way, without a stop sign and car drives out into the intersection, in front of the cyclist
Motorist and cyclist approach an intersection from opposite directions. As they enter the intersection, the motorist turns left, colliding with the cyclist.

Accident Seasons

Cycling accidents typically occur during the spring and summer months — May to September — with fewer occurring between October and April. This is likely due to the increased number of cyclists on the roads during this period.

Speed Kills

Country roads only account for 32 per cent of cycling traffic but 58 per cent of all the cycling deaths. The main reason is obvious: speed.

Safety in Numbers

A University of Colorado-Denver study shows that bicyclist safety significantly increases when there are more bikes on the road, a finding that could be attributed to the “safety in numbers” effect.

Changes Behavior

Wesley Marshall, PhD, PE, assistant professor of civil engineering at CU Denver’s College of Engineering and Applied Science says that: “Studies have hypothesized that when drivers expect to see a significant number of bicyclists on the street, their behavior changes. They are more likely to look over their shoulder for a bicyclist before taking a right turn.” The effect on behavior is then reciprocated by cyclists.

Safer For Motorists

University studies have also indicated that the more cyclists, the better the overall safety, even for motorists. “In fact, we are beginning to find that cities with a high level of bicycling are not just safer for cyclists but for all road users”, said Marshall. “Improving the streets to better accommodate bicycles may enhance safety for everyone.”

Stats Prove It

The trend is clear in Britain. For example: York tops the list for safety where around only one in eight commuters cycle to work and only 0.1 percent are badly hurt in accidents each year. Not far down the road in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, fewer than 1 in 120 commuters use bikes, and those that do face a danger level 15 times higher than in York.

Denmark Rules

The phenomenon of safety in numbers could be at it’s greatest example in Denmark. In Denmark, the average person rides over 10 times further than his British peer every year but only has twenty percent of the risk of being killed.

Dutch Cycling Dominates

Infrastructure is partly responsible for safety in numbers attitude. For example: Dutch riders enjoy car-free bikes lanes, secure parking at every train station and an automatic presumption of innocence in any collision with a car. The situation in the United States and the UK is very different. Cyclists are often determined to be the cause of the accident and are without the high prevalence of bike lanes, signs and overall bicycle awareness.

Everyday Activity

One way to improve cycling safety is to begin to portray cycling as an everyday activity, not just the guilty pleasure of young men and women with an assertive attitude and a wardrobe full of Lycra.

More Cyclist Drivers

Millions more should be spent on infrastructure to improve cycling safety be it the lowering of serious injuries in cities or deaths on rural roads. However, an increase in old-fashioned courtesy might make a difference too. More cyclists means that there are more cyclists driving vehicles and cyclists who do drive, tend to drive with the thought of cyclists in mind.

3 Feet When Passing Law – Give it A Share to Help Make It Safer for All of Us

January 23, 2016 by Adam Farabaugh

Obviously as cyclists we all would like vehicles to pass us with ample room and give us the proper courtesy. We know when driving ourselves to give ample room to cyclists but your friends who do not ride may not. Help spread the word and pass this video along to your friends who don’t ride and help all of us cyclists as a whole. Thanks for sharing and helping to make our roads safer for us!

Cycling and Society – How the World Sees Us

January 20, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

With cycling and society, cyclists have a bad rap by the public at large. But cyclists are fit, don’t pollute the air, are self-sufficient, are environmentally conscious, and pay taxes that repair roadways that motorists destroy. So why the image problem? The excuses are almost all the same. Cyclists hold up traffic. Cyclists slow commutes. Cyclists ignore stop signs. I’m sure you’ve heard more. These derogatory remarks have led to some terrible conditions in some areas for cycling and society.

Tacks and Wires

Two mass bike rides, the Velothon Wales in the UK, and the Seattle to Portland in the United States, have reported tacks and wires strung across the roadways, some on downhill slopes. The sabotage creates dangerous accidents. This type of deliberate angst against cyclists in general is disturbing. So how do others really see us as a group?

Internet Hits

If you punch “cyclists are” into Google, the search results bring back derogatory words like “nuisance”, “idiots”, “untrustworthy,” and a “menace.” Mountain bikers are “stupid”, road bikers are “snobs”, Italian cyclists are “dopers.” The sea of negativity should be taken with a grain of salt, as runners, triathletes, and any other individualistic group receives similar treatment by Google.

Psychology Studies

Dr. Ian Walker, a psychologist at Bath University, has done studies on why cyclists get treated so poorly. He sums it up like this: “What you see in discourses about cycling is the absolute classic 1960’s and 1970’s social psychology of prejudice,” he explains. “It’s exactly those things that used to be done about minority ethnic groups and so on – the overgeneralisation of negative traits, under-representation of negative behaviors by one’s own group, that kind of thing. It’s just textbook prejudiced behavior.”

A Few Bad Apples

Probably some of the disdain for cyclists comes from a few bad examples: Riding two abreast at the wrong time, blocking traffic, failing to yield when necessary, weaving in an out of traffic, et cetera . The failure of certain cyclists to obey rules gives the pubic fodder for at least some of this bad press concerning cyclists.

Instinct Individualists

Matt Seaton, author of Two Wheels – Thoughts from the Bike Lane, sums it up like this: “Cyclists are instinct individualists and so have an uneasy relationship with being part of the collective solutions dictated by policymakers and town planners. This is a conundrum for advocates and lobbyists but also throws up dilemmas every day as we respond to the behaviors of others, and they react to ours.”

An Embattled Minority

Seaton continues to define it with a simple statement; “Most cyclists seem to relish the feeling of belonging to an embattled minority.” Seaton’s last statement might just sum it up; cyclists don’t really care what others think about them because motorists in general, do pretty much whatever they want with complete disregard for a cyclists safety anyway.

The Cyclist Stereotype

It’s too easy to stereotype cyclists as Lycra-clad snobs who take up too much room on the highway, and that’s what’s happening. And believe it or not, cyclists are just as prone to road rage as motorists. When angry motorists flip off cyclists or shout angry foul words, those same cyclists reciprocate with a flurry of equal, or more foul gestures or language, and the situation continues to feed and grow.

Incorrect View

The general public has an incorrect view of cycling. This reason alone might be at the top of the list why people view cyclists differently. People think of cycling as hard work, maneuvering a complicated machine in dangerous traffic where they don’t belong and are not wanted. The motorist doesn’t know what the cyclist is doing or how they’re doing it. The level of ignorance generally corresponds to the dis-like of cyclists.

Smug Cyclists

Cyclists would be less annoying if they weren’t so smug about being cyclists. Lycra shows off an athletic build, typically much thinner and fitter than others who sit on their asses all day. And then there’s the eco-friendly aspect. Some people just don’t care about the environment and don’t like being reminded of it. Cyclists embody green living.

Not Enough Dedicated Cyclists

Another reason why cyclists get such bad press is that there are far more bicycle owners, than dedicated, active cyclists. Bicycle owners don’t particularly fit into the culture of cycling as they will ride any type of bike, no matter the condition, in any way they want without taking the time to learn the proper etiquette and not to ride on sidewalks, fail to yield or otherwise,or do stupid things on bicycles. Bicycle owners who don’t ride regularly never really get the idea that traveling on a bike is a way of life and obeying all the rules is part of cycling.

Cycling and Society – Lets Put it Into Perspective

Putting it in terms of fatalities and serious injuries, the trouble posed by cyclists is exaggerated with cycling and society. Motorists are too quick to complain about nuisance cyclists but it is vehicles that are responsible for the vast majority of serious accidents.

Bikes in the News

In terms of fatalities and serious injuries, the threat posed by cyclists is exaggerated. Cycle fatalities tend to make the news, emphasizing the dangers of cycling. It’s worth bearing in mind though, that it’s also dangerous being a pedestrian.Four times as many pedestrians are victims of road fatalities than cyclists according to cycle stats in the UK.

The Solution: More Cyclists

Overall, reliable data on bike accidents is hard to come by, so it’s hard to say how many crashes and injuries are caused by inattentive or uncaring cyclists. But here’s the key to how cyclists are viewed and improving the relationship between cycling and society. An increase in the number of cyclists should actually reduce accident rates over time and give cyclists more right of way. It’s because the mere presence of more bikes tends to make people more aware of them, and to be more careful and respectful around them. Not everywhere will be full of bikes though so staying safe and constantly being aware of motorists is the sure-fire way to ride on the roads.

Cycling in the Wind — Tips for Riding in the Breeze

January 13, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

“There’s always a headwind on a bike.” You’ve probably heard the saying many times, because it’s true. Cycling more than about 15 mph produces a steady breeze. Add a mild wind to that, and you’ve got a substantial barrier to smash through. Cycling in the wind though doesn’t have to be a fun-ride-break provided you know how to deal with it.

Cycling in the Wind – Cut in Half

Cycling in wind can cut your speed in half, requiring twice the effort for half the miles. You work twice as hard for the same output. Riding directly into a headwind, mile after mile can be a long, lonely ride, sapping spirit, killing moral and beating you to death. If not given the respect it deserves, it depletes the remaining reserve in your legs, heart and lungs. But don’t get discouraged. There are tactics you can employ to level the battlefield.

Dress Appropriately

There’s a reason why cyclists wear Lycra. The more formfitting your gear, the less forward momentum the wind saps from you which is why bike-specific clothing is a wiser choice than a windbreaker or everyday jacket. Department store gear isn’t designed for cycling. Large collars, open sleeves and a loose fit around your neck and waist all catches the wind. Any type of cycling specific jersey or jacket can be more aerodynamic by pulling zippers all the way up to your chin to prevent them from ballooning up like a parachute.

Gearing Matters

Ride in a lower gears than normal at a higher cadence. You probably can’t hold your favorite cruising gear for long in the wind. It will cost you some speed but you’ll be able to keep your stamina up longer. It’s fine to forfeit speed for endurance, it benefits you in the long run. Pushing bigger gears overworks your legs and causes you to run out of energy sooner.

Get Tucked

It’s a no-brainer, but if you duck down while cycling in the wind, and get in the drops, you’re less exposed to the wind. Aero bars can benefit you in this situation, but use them with care, they can be twitchy. But there’s more to it than just getting your torso out of the wind. Crouching and leaning forward compacts your body and you become an overall smaller target. With your hands on the drops you also have better control when a gust hits you from the side, or from any direction. You stand a better chance of keeping your bike straight and out of the ditch or traffic.

Don’t Fight It

Don’t try to maintain a set speed if it gets too much for you. Gusty wind changes speed. One minute it’s fast, you catch a break, and then it hits you again. Be flexible with the wind, and adjust your speed as necessary. You can’t beat it down like another rider.

Distract Yourself

Safety issues aside, listening to music blocks out fatigue-related symptoms such as burning lungs, the beating heart and lactic acid in the muscles. Studies have shown that listening to music while riding can reduce your perception of effort by as much as 10 per cent. You’ll be pedaling harder without even noticing. Use music with a beat that will match your cadence if possible.Use music as a distraction only when you can do so safely and only ever wear an earbud in one year so you can still hear traffic and other dangers.

Plan Your Route

Long distance cyclists take advantage of the wind when possible when the ride is planned in stages. You should know the weather patterns in your area by now. Plan on riding against the wind the first half of your ride then on the way back you’ll have a nice tail-wind to get you home feeling good. It sounds good in theory anyway, but if you’ve been out there before, you already know that the wind changes direction just when you need to rely on it. It’s almost a given. Just do your best and hope for the best.

Surface Heating

Calm morning rides can be some of the most memorable rides you can imagine. Surface heating in the morning is a condition that can aid you in your search for the perfect ride. Also evening twilight rides just before the sun sets can be calm. Of course this depends on where you live as some places like the beach, the higher winds can be at these times.

How it Works

When the sun heats a section of wide open spaces it creates surface heating. As the air rises, wind flows in to fill the void. That’s why the wind often starts to stir about mid-morning. It happens everywhere there’s flat ground. It almost always happens in the same direction, and you can plan your ride around it. Unfortunately, if there’s a weather front already in place, it might not work. Watch for local weather conditions the night before to help you get a grasp on wind direction and speed.

Terrain and Trees

Try to plan your ride when cycling in the wind. Look at roads with windbreaks such as hedges, or natural land formations that block the wind. Trees are always good for sheltering you from gusty winds. Buildings work, albeit briefly, depending on where you live, and the distance you plan on doing.

Training

Professionals know that cycling in the wind can be a definitive training tool. Don’t let it go to waste. Run a series of intervals, cranking out your best effort briefly facing into the wind. Allow the wind to keep your speed up as you cool down between efforts with it at your back, then flip it and do it again. Wind training can help you climb better. The resistance is very similar to riding hills or rollers. Use it to your advantage.

Positive Attitude

A positive attitude is the overall best approach for cycling in the wind, it tests your resolve. It tests your endurance, strength and spirit. If you can live with it, some cyclists, depending on their location, consider windy conditions as normal, and they go on to beat other cyclists in competitions where there is little wind. No matter where you live, wind is always going to be an issue for cyclists. Embrace it.

D0n’t Be Afraid to Lose

Wind isn’t your enemy. It has no animosity toward you as a cyclist. You don’t have to beat it at all. If cycling in the wind is too much for you or becomes dangerous in any way, don’t be afraid to call it quits. Put your feet up in your favorite chair and wait for another day. The blacktop isn’t going anywhere soon.

Overlapping Wheels – How to Deal With It

January 1, 2016 by Wade Shaddy

Phil Liggett, Tour de France commentator calls it, “a touch of wheels” but it doesn’t have to mean a trip to the hospital. Professional cyclists deal with overlapping wheels all the time. It’s because of the tight grouping, high speeds, and the competitive nature of professional cycling. But overlapping wheels can happen to any cyclist at some point whether on a local group ride or just out with a few friends.

Overlapping Wheels – Defensive Skill

Overlapping wheels is a part of cycling and one that you don’t want to experience. Unfortunately — it’s not always your fault. Touching, rubbing, bumping or buzzing wheels requires a defensive skill that can prevent you from hitting the pavement.

Wheel Contact

Wheel contact happens suddenly in pace lines or group riding. It happens when two wheels get too close and overlap each other. One of the riders, typically the one in front, swerves just enough to hit the other wheel, and wham — you’re down. Touching wheels is the major cause of crashes in the peloton. It’s crucial to know how to react to keep the rubber side down when wheels overlap.

Don’t Panic

Panic is one of the main reasons that overlapping wheels causes crashes. Don’t do it. Try to remain calm and relaxed. Don’t clutch your handlebars in a death grip. Don’t fight it.

Steer Into the Offending Wheel

If you lose focus and overlap the wheel in front of you, and then the rider in front swerves, it can instantly deflect your front wheel to the side at such a sharp angle that it causes you to crash.

The Counter-Balance Maneuver

The key to avoid crashing when overlapping wheels and you start to rub is to instantly turn your wheel back into the wheel you just bounced off of. It sounds bad, counter-intuitive, and contradicts your instincts of veering away, but steering back into the wheel is one of the methods for regaining your balance. As you do this, also shift your body weight in the direction you are steering; toward the front rider’s rear wheel. This will help re-center your balance as to not fall. As you do this your bike ,will not be directly underneath you but hopefully it allows for that extra split-second to slow and un-touch wheels.

Don’t Hit Hard

Don’t bang into the poor cyclist’s back wheel in panic mode, try to just use his back tire to brush or tap against, and then steer smoothly away without crashing. It’s part reaction, part bike handling skill. Keep your cool, and use the opposing tire to regain your composure and balance. Don’t forget to apologize after the incident, and give thanks for not crashing either one of you.

The Domino Effect

If you hear the tell-tale sound of carbon or metal grinding, crashing, sliding or breaking behind you, don’t look back. This can cause overlapping wheels in front of you and a second crash is then likely. If you hear a crash behind you don’t panic. Continue on as you were. If you have concerns about the condition of riders behind you, make your intentions known, and pull over when it’s safe.

Back Cyclist’s Responsibility

Remember that, in the event of a crash, the rider in back is the responsible party, even if the rider in front causes it. For example, if the rider in front suddenly spots an obstacle that will cause him to crash, it’s their natural reaction to swerve immediately and he has every right to do so. If you have overlapped their back tire, the crash is your fault. While the rider in front of you is partially to blame for the crash, you could have avoided it had you not overlapped his back wheel. The objection here however is if they don’t hold their line an move suddenly for no reason. This erratic riding can be found more frequently at the lower levels so it is important to avoid overlapping wheels at all costs unless you have the utmost faith in the rider in front of you.

Paceline Rules

Pacelines are the major scenario regarding overlapping wheels. Depending on the experience of the riders, stay within 12-to-6 inches of the tire in front of you. Don’t make any sudden movements. Riding in close proximity takes practice and focus. It doesn’t take much to cause an overlap that results in an accident.

Ride Through It

If you feel that you might have an overlapped the wheel behind you, or that the rider is very close, don’t swerve at the last second. Your safest option is to try and ride through potholes, deep cracks etc. Swerving in a fast-moving paceline is a recipe for disaster.

Braking, Same as Swerving

Hard braking is considered a sudden, erratic movement; don’t do it. If you need to brake, slow down gradually. In most cases, sitting upright catches the attention of those behind you, and helps to catch the wind. Feather the brakes slightly and slow down.

Don’t Drift

Standing up on the pedals can cause you to drift back as your pedaling slows mid-pedal stroke. Give it some thought. When standing, try to stand the same time as you are powering the front of a pedal stroke. If you don’t, it can cause your bike to drift back a few inches or more, depending on speed, and slow down suddenly causing the rider behind you to hit or overlap your back wheel.

Groups and Pacelines

Don’t be intimidated by group riding and pacelines. Greet other cyclists with a friendly, outgoing smile. Communicate and learn hand signals and vocal warnings that might be specific to that group. If everyone follows the same signals, the chances of overlapping wheels is minimized.

Common Signals

Common group riding vocal signals are: “Car back,” and “On your left.” These two vocal warnings are used in most pacelines and group rides. Get used to shouting them. The most common hand signal is a palm out and down, or a finger pointing down, to draw attention to obstacles on either side that might cause the rider behind you to go down. Also, tapping your hip indicates that their is something, such as a parked car, on that side of the roadway and that you need to slide the opposite direction a little.

Aggressive Riders

Avoid overlaps with an awareness of your surroundings, focus, and by observing other cyclists around you. If you feel you have an overly aggressive rider behind you, find somewhere to pull over and get some distance between you and them, there’s no place for them in a group.

What to Do After A Bike Crash

December 30, 2015 by Wade Shaddy

Being in a bike crash can be a terrifying, confusing experience. There are things that need your attention immediately, and things that require even closer attention after a bike crash, especially if your crash involves a vehicle.

After a Bike Crash – Get Out of the Road

If you are able to move and are in a risky spot such as the middle of the road, make some attempt to get yourself to safety. Cars don’t notice most cyclists when they’re upright; don’t expect them to see you on the ground after a bike crash. If you’re unable to move, you are injured or it’s otherwise unwise to move, call for help from others — if anyone is out there.

Take Inventory

You could be dazed and confused after a crash. Don’t immediately jump to your feet without first checking for broken bones or blood. You could have injuries that you can’t feel such as a concussion or fractured vertebrae. If there’s traffic bearing down on you, crawl or drag yourself out of traffic. Do whatever it takes to get to safety.

Question Yourself

If you’re all alone and have a bike crash, your mental state may not be apparent to you. Do you know your name? Do you know where you are? Do you know what day it is? If you’re unsure about any of these questions, check your helmet for damage. If it’s cracked or you’re confused, call for help immediately. If it’s someone else who has crashed, ask them the questions. This link will give you more insight into concussions.

Stand Up

If you’re body and mind seem to be in working order, stand up slowly. If you don’t crumple back down to the ground and can stand without pain, you may not be seriously injured.

Lean on Your Bike

Some people who are significantly injured do manage to stand up so the next limiting factor is the ability to support your torso by placing your hands on the bars. With a broken collarbone you might get up with pain, but you’ll have a hard time supporting yourself on the bars. Walk around a bit. Make a deliberate, systematic check to make sure everything is still on the bike — lights, water bottles, repair kit, etc.

Check the Bike

Make sure your bike is properly inspected. Carbon fiber is especially troublesome, but a hairline crack in any material might be subsequently catastrophe. Check to see if your seat or handlebars are tweaked in a different direction. Give the wheels a spin to see if you’ve bent a wheel.

Ride The Bike

Grasp the bike and attempt to lift it off the ground. If you can lift your bike without too much pain, it’s likely that you haven’t broken any bones. If you feel like getting back on your bike, and no serious injury or damage has been done, ride away slowly. If you or your bike has sustained damage, or other cyclists, pedestrians or cars are involved, you must take additional steps to protect yourself.

When Others are Involved

It’s one thing to be in a bike crash by yourself on a remote stretch of road or trail. But when others are involved, a car hit you for example, the post bike crash checklist is longer and very important. Gather some facts and evidence.

Don’t Assume Anything

In the event that you’re injured, or think you might be injured, call 911 immediately. If anyone asks you if you are OK, say, “I’m not sure,” because you don’t really know if you’re OK. Some medical issues take days or weeks to present themselves. Admitting that you’re fine can cause problems in a civil or criminal lawsuit. Do not say you are OK to whomever was involved in your crash, the police, or medical personnel. You are not qualified to say you are OK.

Insurance Companies

If you’ve been in a collision with another road user and decline immediate medical care, exchange contact details – even if you don’t think you’ll need them. Cyclists are often worried about medical bills if they are involved in a crash with motor vehicle. The truth is, if you’re involved in a crash with a motor vehicle, and you are injured, the vehicle’s no-fault insurance coverage should provide benefits for your medical expenses and lost wages. Don’t be afraid to go to a hospital because you don’t have health insurance. If you secured valid auto insurance from the driver, the expenses should be covered.

Corroborating Evidence

One person’s word against the other isn’t an ideal courtroom decision maker. Question those who may or may not have witnessed the accident to corroborate your story. Most cyclists are carrying a camera phone these days. Take pictures. A few quick shots of the scene might come in handy later, especially if the circumstances of the accident are disputed. There’s no law against taking pictures in a public space, or of private cars.

File a Police Report

If you’ve been in a collision with another party and the police didn’t attend the scene, go and file a police report. Do it as soon as possible, while the crash is still fresh in your mind. Make sure you get a corresponding report number so you can follow up the incident.

Get a Lawyer

If you were injured in the crash, it’s a good idea to contact a competent attorney who is familiar with bicycle crash litigation to assist you in obtaining no-fault benefits.

Going it Alone

If you choose to go at it alone, try to have the no-fault benefit application returned to the company as soon as possible, preferably within 30-days. The application should provide a claim number. The claim number should then be given to the hospital, doctor, or anyone else involved in your medical treatment in order to bill the insurance company for your treatment. Try to refrain from giving detailed statements to the insurance company about the bike crash. These statements may be used against you later on.

Gather Evidence

Preserve your bike crash evidence. Place your helmet or other gear aside to preserve for a possible trial. Don’t give a statement to anyone about the crash. Insurance companies can be nasty and although they seem friendly, they are not your friends. Be as brief as possible and do not get into details about the crash.

A bike crash is never a good experience and can test your limits both physically and mentally. Having read this, you will have an idea of what you should do in the event of a crash and not be completely lost as even with knowing what to do from experience, it can still be very trying. The first priority is to make sure that you’re OK and seek medical attention if necessary. Then worry about your bike and all the rest. Safe riding.

« Previous Page