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Are You Biking Less?

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Started 1 year ago by JonMyers
Latest reply from MikeReed

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JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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I'm curious and would like to know if anyone is biking less in Columbus because you feel the roads here are becoming increasingly dangerous.

I was talking to a friend last night who said he was biking less. My girlfriend who was almost hit by a distracted driver on her bike this morning just said she'll bike even less.

Personally, I've cut back a ton. Anecdotally, it does appear and feel like drivers are becoming more hostile, distracted and reckless, specifically towards cyclists or even pedestrians for that matter.

Maybe the mayor's approach to cycling, combined with his approval ratings are fueling this hostility.

Anyhow, I get tired of the battle.

I feel like I'm in the home stretch of making it out of Columbus without seriously assaulting a driver, being injured or being killed by a car, so why press my luck. So yep - I've cut back.

How about you, are you cutting back and riding your bike less?

Posted 1 year ago #
joev
Merion Village
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I'm biking less because it's too fucking hot to bike during the summer.

Posted 1 year ago #
Lakee911
Clintonville (South)
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I'm biking less because I've become lazy and have no one to motivate me at a convienent time to ride. *sigh*

I agree though: its dangerous to bike on the road. I don't blame anyone for not wanting to do it. It's one of those things though, without bikers on the road, drivers will be less inclined to watch for them. Even though the number of riders go down, the percentage of injuries/accidents may go up.

Posted 1 year ago #
JonMyers
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True, you roll outside and turn into a ball of sweat at this time of day.

Posted 1 year ago #
JonMyers
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Lakee911 wrote >> I agree though: its dangerous to bike on the road. I don't blame anyone for not wanting to do it. It's one of those things though, without bikers on the road, drivers will be less inclined to watch for them. Even though the number of riders go down, the percentage of injuries/accidents may go up.

I didn't even think about that. Good point.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeliberty
Here
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I haven't been on 2 wheels this year yet either(cept for dirt), it is becoming more dangerous on the roads, either that or it is my perception that most drivers suck and it is just getting worse.

that and the heat. I won't get on a motorcycle without gear because
most drivers suck and it is just getting worse.

I don't think High st is bad at all, but the streets I do end up on like Cleveland, Westerville Rd, Weber, all contain some of the worst drivers.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Yes but more so due to living arrangements at the moment.

I've had the opposite experience though. When I've been biking between corrals or info fairs when I am in Columbus, I find myself riding more on High and similar roads that get me to my location a little quicker than side roads. I feel like I am in better shape and more confident to do so. Haven't noticed any issues with drivers.

Posted 1 year ago #
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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Actually I'm biking a little more often now that my knee issues have been mitigated (I was half crippled most of last 2 years). Mostly just short trips though, like todays trip to the hardware store.

Posted 1 year ago #
blammo
in the shadow of the wonder of bread
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I hate to say it but I ride a motorcycle and road race minibikesÃ¢â‚¬Â¦and i feel way more comfortable with either of those activities than I do riding a bicycle down high street. Some drivers just treat cyclists as if they are either non-existent or subhuman, it's ridiculous. They might feel the same way toward motorcyclists, but at least on the motorcycle I have the power to get the hell out of their way.

Posted 1 year ago #
0Angle
A brewery or my kitchen or my bicycle.
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I am biking as much as ever! I think that drivers are more distracted by electronic devices than ever, but I always have tried to ride as defensively as possible-lotsa lights at dusk & night, reflective vest-yeah, I look like a geek when I'm not on my bike, too.. My 9 year old is turning into his Dad-he's the first to point out cyclists making bad choices (today he thought it was funny that a cyclist was wearing a helmet, yet going the wrong way on a one-way street!) I have made it a habit to look for traffic (especially bikes) going the wrong way (at intersections especially), but bikers going the wrong way are usually doubly risky, because they usually don't stop at intersections since stop signs don't face the wrong way.
My brother plans to ride to and from comfest Friday-he doesn't ride much, but I made sure he at least has a helmet and lights.
My wife thinks my safety features are cancelled out by my alcohol consumption, but I don't ride that drunk...

Posted 1 year ago #
CheeseFoodie
Harrison West
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I'm riding as much or more than usual. I will say, I've had more close calls with distracted/on the phone/texting drivers than ever. I do try to follow the rules as if I was driving, and get miffed at the other cyclists who basically choose to ignore every rule!

Posted 1 year ago #
JonMyers
HCMC ✈
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That's my issue. I've had more close calls than ever. Even as a pedestrian, let alone cycling.

Posted 1 year ago #
Daz
Tweeting about some totally unimportant event
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I've been riding to and from school every day lately, but in the campus area it's not nearly the big deal that it is elsewhere.

Posted 1 year ago #
kelseyg

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I don't bike (I can walk to my regular haunts) but I do feel less and less likely to because it seems dangerous. Everyone seems more reckless.

It doesn't help that when I've been driving around I've had to watch out for cyclists who aren't protecting themselves (ones who weave in and out of lanes, going the wrong way down streets, etc. -- good thing I'm keeping an eye on them, yikes!)

Posted 1 year ago #
gramarye
In Exile
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I'm biking more because I own a bike again.

That said, I've only taken it out on the streets once; the rest of the time has been on the Towpath Trail.

Posted 1 year ago #
Rastapasta
Olde North
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I don't ride a bike because I don't think it's worth my safety. Cars are a very dangerous threat.

At the same time though I see tons of bikers riding like total jackasses every day. The attitude that goes along with these self righteous bike riders really gets under my skin.

Last night, I saw a group of about 50 riders coming down High St. and taking a right on Lane. They got split up by a red light, but not one of the bikes stopped instead they yelled "DAMN CAR SHARE THE F'N ROAD!!!" to a confused motorist who expected them to stop at a redlight.

I get particularly upset when they lane split in tight situations, coming within inches of one of my expensive cars. Granted, having them scratch my car isn't the same as them getting injured by a car, but respect is a two way street.

Posted 1 year ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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kelseyg wrote >>
I don't bike (I can walk to my regular haunts) but I do feel less and less likely to because it seems dangerous. Everyone seems more reckless.
It doesn't help that when I've been driving around I've had to watch out for cyclists who aren't protecting themselves (ones who weave in and out of lanes, going the wrong way down streets, etc. -- good thing I'm keeping an eye on them, yikes!)

Seems it's all about perception, which I can respect.

In general I would encourage people who want to bike more to start out small on the bike paths and get a feel for the bike, how it handles and your own capabilities. Move to quieter roads and small trips, take some classes or seek advice and soon the perception will change. Thats how I got to where I am now in just a few years.

Posted 1 year ago #
paktinat
WP
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It seems like you have 3 types of drivers:
1) normal good drivers
2) the people who are just going to be assholes at cyclists; throw things, honk, slam on the brakes after they pass, put you in real danger
3) clueless people; texters, people who forget how big the thing they are driving is, people who underestimate speed of cyclists, etc.

I'll say I've seen a decline in #2 and maybe a steady rise in #3
the problem is; you have to accept you can't do anything about #2, they've already accepted they are OK with you being dead. We need to focus turning #3s into #1s

example;
heading south on high street yesterday, I have less than a car length between me and the COTA in front of me. a silver caviler has the "must pass" mentality and goes to go around me, realizes that there isn't any room and I'm going the same speed as traffic. he squeezes his way in between me and the COTA causing me to slam on the brakes.
He's a #3. He really didn't mean to do that he's just an idiot.

the guy behind him, he was a #2. I was behind this caviler now, following close enough I probably could have grabbed on and taken a free ride; but this #2 would honk at me every time the on street parking would clear up and I didn't "move over". the next yellow light I came to I slowed down to get ready to stop I hear the roar of his engine as he scoots through the red light passing me in the center turn lane.

everyone else I encountered that day was a #1.

Posted 1 year ago #
rus

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Rastapasta wrote >>
I don't ride a bike because I don't think it's worth my safety. Cars are a very dangerous threat.
At the same time though I see tons of bikers riding like total jackasses every day. The attitude that goes along with self righteous bike riders really gets under my skin.
Last night, I saw a group of about 50 riders coming down High St. and taking a right on Lane. They got split up by a red light, but not one of the bikes stopped instead they yelled "DAMN CAR SHARE THE F'N ROAD!!!" to a confused motorist who expected them to stop at a redlight.
I get particularly upset when they lane split in tight situations, coming within inches of one of my very expensive cars. Granted, having them scratch my car isn't the same as them getting injured by a car, but respect is a two way street.

I've seen a number of two wheeled morons zip through red lights. Kinda takes away sympathy for those who end up as bumper food.

On the other hand, I've seen a few cyclists of late use *gasp* hand signals to indicate they were turning. They also actually stopped at stop signs. Well done.

Posted 1 year ago #
cc

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Generally, I am biking more. I do think that drivers are more distracted then ever though (will blame cell phones etc). I just saw someone drive past a school bus with its lights blinking and 'STOP' sign extended. How do you not notice that?

As far as bikers not obeying traffic signals, I would be for license plates on bikes. There needs to be more accountability on both ends.

Posted 1 year ago #