I think this is great problem solving. It's: Cheap Improves Safety A Great Conversation Starter Easy to mount vertically when not needed I've personally been hit by a car, and the most stressful...
I think this is great problem solving. It's:
Cheap
Improves Safety
A Great Conversation Starter
Easy to mount vertically when not needed
I've personally been hit by a car, and the most stressful time is biking in the mountains or islands of Washington state with little or no shoulder. Will I add it to my work commute? Probably not. But for low visibility and dangerous curvy mountain roads, it's definitely something I would consider.
This struck a note with me because I've been using my bicycle to get to the train station a lot more since I recently moved house, and the route includes a highway where traffic is travelling at...
This struck a note with me because I've been using my bicycle to get to the train station a lot more since I recently moved house, and the route includes a highway where traffic is travelling at 80km/h - and there's one section where there is no shoulder or bike lane or margin. I have to ride in one of the main lanes for at least part of the way, and it's scary.
That said, I'm not sure I'd want to effectively take up a whole lane on that dual-lane road.
Maybe that's part of the problem: I feel like I'm intruding into the cars' space, rather than feeling like an equal user of the road. But they're bigger and scarier than me. In any incident, I know I'm going to come off a lot worse than the driver of the other vehicle, so I ride as defensively as possible, and try to take up as little space as possible.
I'd love to be able to do this pool noodle thing, but I think it would bring down the wrath of dozens of drivers who I'd be holding up.
Goodness, yes, this. I used to bike-commute in a state with narrow road shoulders. Even taking longer backstreet routes to evade heavier traffic, I got clipped by truck mirrors or driven into the...
Goodness, yes, this. I used to bike-commute in a state with narrow road shoulders. Even taking longer backstreet routes to evade heavier traffic, I got clipped by truck mirrors or driven into the ditch a few times. I even got hit while riding on the sidewalk!
In Florida, though there are dedicated bike lanes, I've seen drivers crowd bicyclists in horrifyingly hazardous ways. I've never had the insane bravery to ride long distances here. It doesn't matter if the law is on your side, a 40 kg bicycle will lose to a 1,000 kg vehicle every time.
If it wouldn't be even more dangerous, maybe putting a steel rebar rod or pipe in the pool noodle (or just gluing some really coarse sandpaper to the end) would emphasize the point about legal clearances.
Just a bit of pedantry but isn't 40 kg really damn heavy for a bicycle? Also the steel would probably throw you off balance and end up in a lawsuit somehow.
Just a bit of pedantry but isn't 40 kg really damn heavy for a bicycle?
Also the steel would probably throw you off balance and end up in a lawsuit somehow.
I get the motivation but this is a bit silly. Also, one of the joys of cycling is exploiting the fact that you're substantially narrower than anything else on the road!
I get the motivation but this is a bit silly. Also, one of the joys of cycling is exploiting the fact that you're substantially narrower than anything else on the road!
Whether you need it or not probably largely depends on where you are from, where you typically cycle and how aggressive/inconsiderate the drivers are there. And it ain't silly if it works,...
Whether you need it or not probably largely depends on where you are from, where you typically cycle and how aggressive/inconsiderate the drivers are there. And it ain't silly if it works, especially if it potentially saves your life.
That and even with the pool noodle you're still narrower than everyone else, since they aren't rigid. Though most drivers probably won't know what it is, so won't take a chance getting near it, which is likely why it works so well. It also provides a nice stark visual indication for cars of how much distance they should be giving you.
The fact is, for me to even employ such a technique would be hypocritical - since I recognize myself that I do cycle aggressively, even dangerously (n.b. I never take risks around pedestrians -...
The fact is, for me to even employ such a technique would be hypocritical - since I recognize myself that I do cycle aggressively, even dangerously (n.b. I never take risks around pedestrians - only road traffic).
I guess if this saves someone's life one-day it's a good thing, though.
I have been cycling regularly for about 10 years both as a sport and as a means of transportation in a big city. Never been hit. It is possible that a pool noodle makes cyclists safer, mostly...
I have been cycling regularly for about 10 years both as a sport and as a means of transportation in a big city. Never been hit. It is possible that a pool noodle makes cyclists safer, mostly because it makes your boundaries more visible. AFAIK the article provides no data on the effectivity of the noodle. Personally? I think it's silly. My bicycle doesn't even have a place for it. You're pretty visible during the day already. At night, a bunch of lights in the right places will make you a lot safer. And always use a helmet. A flexible piece of foam? Nah. I don't buy it. Just my two cents.
It may depend on location. I live in state where it isn't uncommon to hear of cyclists in accidents, sometimes fatal ones. People just don't give bikes enough room here, even if it is the law. I...
It may depend on location. I live in state where it isn't uncommon to hear of cyclists in accidents, sometimes fatal ones. People just don't give bikes enough room here, even if it is the law. I would never feel safe riding a bike here.
I think this is great problem solving. It's:
I've personally been hit by a car, and the most stressful time is biking in the mountains or islands of Washington state with little or no shoulder. Will I add it to my work commute? Probably not. But for low visibility and dangerous curvy mountain roads, it's definitely something I would consider.
This struck a note with me because I've been using my bicycle to get to the train station a lot more since I recently moved house, and the route includes a highway where traffic is travelling at 80km/h - and there's one section where there is no shoulder or bike lane or margin. I have to ride in one of the main lanes for at least part of the way, and it's scary.
That said, I'm not sure I'd want to effectively take up a whole lane on that dual-lane road.
Maybe that's part of the problem: I feel like I'm intruding into the cars' space, rather than feeling like an equal user of the road. But they're bigger and scarier than me. In any incident, I know I'm going to come off a lot worse than the driver of the other vehicle, so I ride as defensively as possible, and try to take up as little space as possible.
I'd love to be able to do this pool noodle thing, but I think it would bring down the wrath of dozens of drivers who I'd be holding up.
Goodness, yes, this. I used to bike-commute in a state with narrow road shoulders. Even taking longer backstreet routes to evade heavier traffic, I got clipped by truck mirrors or driven into the ditch a few times. I even got hit while riding on the sidewalk!
In Florida, though there are dedicated bike lanes, I've seen drivers crowd bicyclists in horrifyingly hazardous ways. I've never had the insane bravery to ride long distances here. It doesn't matter if the law is on your side, a 40 kg bicycle will lose to a 1,000 kg vehicle every time.
If it wouldn't be even more dangerous, maybe putting a steel rebar rod or pipe in the pool noodle (or just gluing some really coarse sandpaper to the end) would emphasize the point about legal clearances.
Just a bit of pedantry but isn't 40 kg really damn heavy for a bicycle?
Also the steel would probably throw you off balance and end up in a lawsuit somehow.
Yes, it is - I meant 20 kg, even loaded up with panniers.
I get the motivation but this is a bit silly. Also, one of the joys of cycling is exploiting the fact that you're substantially narrower than anything else on the road!
Whether you need it or not probably largely depends on where you are from, where you typically cycle and how aggressive/inconsiderate the drivers are there. And it ain't silly if it works, especially if it potentially saves your life.
That and even with the pool noodle you're still narrower than everyone else, since they aren't rigid. Though most drivers probably won't know what it is, so won't take a chance getting near it, which is likely why it works so well. It also provides a nice stark visual indication for cars of how much distance they should be giving you.
The fact is, for me to even employ such a technique would be hypocritical - since I recognize myself that I do cycle aggressively, even dangerously (n.b. I never take risks around pedestrians - only road traffic).
I guess if this saves someone's life one-day it's a good thing, though.
I have been cycling regularly for about 10 years both as a sport and as a means of transportation in a big city. Never been hit. It is possible that a pool noodle makes cyclists safer, mostly because it makes your boundaries more visible. AFAIK the article provides no data on the effectivity of the noodle. Personally? I think it's silly. My bicycle doesn't even have a place for it. You're pretty visible during the day already. At night, a bunch of lights in the right places will make you a lot safer. And always use a helmet. A flexible piece of foam? Nah. I don't buy it. Just my two cents.
It may depend on location. I live in state where it isn't uncommon to hear of cyclists in accidents, sometimes fatal ones. People just don't give bikes enough room here, even if it is the law. I would never feel safe riding a bike here.