Bicycle commuting

[jedibix783]

I just read a whole slew of articles about bicycle commuting.

Bicycle commuting is an issue very close to my heart, not only do I think it's an awesome idea for everyone who can ride, but it's one of my favourite things to do.  It gives me the chance to get outside, to ride my bike, to overcome inertia, and is also one of the only times in my day

Comments

[sollersuk]

Bicycles and red lights, oh, dear. As a motorist I've had bicycles whizzing across my bows as I go through a green light; as a pedestrian I've had them come within inches of me when crossing the road. Yes, it's frustrating to have to stop when there is absolutely no traffic around, but it's frustrating for drivers too.

Drivers of big vehicles don't notice motor bikes, and particularly motor scooters, either. There's been research apparently that shows that more motorists are considerate towards cyclist on sit-up-and-beg bikes who don't wear helmets, apparently because they've had so many bad experiences with the other sort - pedestrians too; I'm thinking of someone I know who was knocked down by a cyclist running a red light who then swore at her and shot off leaving her lying there.

Difficult.

[amandapalooza]

berlin has bike lights! shaped like little hearts. it's all very cute. i have a road bike here, but not what the germans called a "rennrad"/race bike (which was what my raleigh was at monroe street). the tires are thicker, and it's MUCH better. also, it's not all that nice, so i feel semi-confident that it won't get stolen.

SEE YOU TOMORROW!

[nathan_hale]

Slate must be all over bike commuting lately, because I read an article about biking in an urban environment on there recently as well (and not the ones you posted) though I can't find it anymore.

It had a wonderful picture of one of the streetlights in Copenhagen that confused the bejeezus out of me.

The basic conclusion was that momentum's a bitch, the Idaho stop sign law is awesome, and cops should enforce certain rules (e.g. one-way streets) more stringently for cyclists.

Also, your story of a stolen bike reminds me of when I lived in New York and the girls bike that I'd bought for $50 got stolen (also while locked with a u-lock) outside of my dorm a few weeks after I bought it. As I recall, this was just before I went to London in Oct of 2004.