Comments on: Got a new bike! http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/ Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:01:19 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: admin http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-91 admin Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:43:10 +0000 http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/#comment-91 It sure is. :) I just wish the weather would be a bit better here. The day I bought the bike was quite nice, which is what partly influenced me to make that move then, but it's still winter without a doubt.. days are quite cold, sometimes rainy etc. But hey, spring isn't all that far off. :) I've read something about fitting in main traffic being safer than riding on bike lanes, apparently because then other drivers would notice you more. I suppose, either that or trying to drive so that other cars are invisible to you (as in anywhere near when crossing the roads, for example) is a way to go. Thanks for commenting! It sure is. :) I just wish the weather would be a bit better here. The day I bought the bike was quite nice, which is what partly influenced me to make that move then, but it’s still winter without a doubt.. days are quite cold, sometimes rainy etc.

But hey, spring isn’t all that far off. :)

I’ve read something about fitting in main traffic being safer than riding on bike lanes, apparently because then other drivers would notice you more.

I suppose, either that or trying to drive so that other cars are invisible to you (as in anywhere near when crossing the roads, for example) is a way to go.

Thanks for commenting!

]]> By: Olivier http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-89 Olivier Wed, 30 Jan 2008 20:11:04 +0000 http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/#comment-89 I am amazed by the number of parallels that I find in your adventures and mine, not the least of which is that I finished reading Orwell's 1984 last week-end =) I am a highly enthusiastic urban cyclist. I am very much against bicycle lanes, which, in southern France, are usually much more dangerous than the road itself. The city is a shared space; driving a car is hurtful for everyone (emissions, space, physical danger, noise) and should never be seen as a "right". When cycling, I defend my clearance as hard as I can, and rarely respect car-based signals and rules. When driving, I humbly try to provide cyclists with space, and especially, avoid urban areas carefully. Happy cycling! You are now riding one of the most beautiful and clever piece of human design =) I am amazed by the number of parallels that I find in your adventures and mine, not the least of which is that I finished reading Orwell’s 1984 last week-end =)
I am a highly enthusiastic urban cyclist.
I am very much against bicycle lanes, which, in southern France, are usually much more dangerous than the road itself. The city is a shared space; driving a car is hurtful for everyone (emissions, space, physical danger, noise) and should never be seen as a “right”.
When cycling, I defend my clearance as hard as I can, and rarely respect car-based signals and rules.
When driving, I humbly try to provide cyclists with space, and especially, avoid urban areas carefully.

Happy cycling! You are now riding one of the most beautiful and clever piece of human design =)

]]> By: admin http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-84 admin Sat, 26 Jan 2008 14:11:50 +0000 http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/#comment-84 Oh, I am aware biking is quite popular there. I didn't know it was that pervasive though. That's quite awesome. :) Oh, I am aware biking is quite popular there. I didn’t know it was that pervasive though. That’s quite awesome. :)

]]> By: Taco Buitenhuis http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-82 Taco Buitenhuis Sat, 26 Jan 2008 11:46:58 +0000 http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/#comment-82 In the Netherlands, someone who does not own a bike is either disabled or a foreigner. In the Netherlands, someone who does not own a bike is either disabled or a foreigner.

]]> By: admin http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-81 admin Fri, 25 Jan 2008 15:16:02 +0000 http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/#comment-81 Thanks for those tips, I'll try to keep them in mind. Looks like you have experience with this? :) Thanks for those tips, I’ll try to keep them in mind.

Looks like you have experience with this? :)

]]> By: Taco Buitenhuis http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/comment-page-1/#comment-80 Taco Buitenhuis Fri, 25 Jan 2008 10:30:47 +0000 http://www.memeverse.com/2008/01/25/got-a-new-bike/#comment-80 Being perfectly safe on a bike is not too difficult. - choose a route that makes use of bicycle tracks as much as possible, even if it's a bit longer - when going left on a very busy street, consider right-left-left instead, especially if that possibility brings you to traffic lights that make the traffic stop for you - if it's bigger than you, assume it doesn't care about traffic regulations and didn't see you either, until you're sure the assumption is wrong for once - if you stop next to a bus or truck, be aware it is very likely the driver doesn't see you. Wait for them to move first, or even better, stop behind them instead of next to them. Being perfectly safe on a bike is not too difficult.

- choose a route that makes use of bicycle tracks as much as possible, even if it’s a bit longer

- when going left on a very busy street, consider right-left-left instead, especially if that possibility brings you to traffic lights that make the traffic stop for you

- if it’s bigger than you, assume it doesn’t care about traffic regulations and didn’t see you either, until you’re sure the assumption is wrong for once

- if you stop next to a bus or truck, be aware it is very likely the driver doesn’t see you. Wait for them to move first, or even better, stop behind them instead of next to them.

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