http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress Encouragement, Education & Advocacy for Bicycling in the Real World Thu, 24 May 2012 19:12:54 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 Encouragement, Education & Advocacy for Bicycling in the Real World Commute Orlando no Encouragement, Education & Advocacy for Bicycling in the Real World http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2012/02/08/want-respect-on-the-road-ride-a-recumbent/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2012/02/08/want-respect-on-the-road-ride-a-recumbent/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:58:44 +0000 Bill http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=14655 I will preface my remarks by stating this is not a report on a scientifically proper experiment, but relating my person experience. In other words, strictly anecdotal evidence. I recently had a total shoulder replacement, left side. Knowing I couldn’t ride my standard bike for a while, I looked into a recumbent to use while my shoulder mended. I found Suncoast Bicycles in Inverness had TerraTrikes for rent. As soon as I could drive, I went over and picked one up. I rented a TerraTrike Sport for one month. (Being the eternal optimist that I am, I feel assured I will be back on my regular bike by then.) Riding the recumbent is a blast. It handles very well and it’s just fun riding so close to the ground. (Can you pick up the newspaper without dismounting?) And it’s pretty comfortable. The TerraTrike has single rear wheel drive with two wheels that steer in front. I find this configuration to be very stable and easy to maneuver, although the turning radius is large. I’m riding it everywhere I rode my standard bike. It’s a little less efficient than my standard bike with more moving parts, so it doesn’t go quite [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2012/02/08/want-respect-on-the-road-ride-a-recumbent/feed/ 11 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/09/21/your-biannual-equinox-reminder/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/09/21/your-biannual-equinox-reminder/#comments Tue, 22 Sep 2009 03:27:41 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=4950 When you are riding in the morning and evening, your shadow points to the other travelers who might have trouble seeing you in the glare of the rising or setting sun. —A tip from LCI Bob Bayn, Cache Valley, UT Today was the last day of summer, though you’d never know it by the temperature. Ugh. This time of year brings the sun a bit lower during commute times and that requires some special safety considerations. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I’m just going to link up the previous two posts we’ve done on the subject: The Blinding Sun Beware the Equinox Ride safe!]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/09/21/your-biannual-equinox-reminder/feed/ 10 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/02/26/beware-the-equinox/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/02/26/beware-the-equinox/#comments Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:15:14 +0000 Mighk http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=2560 Riding in to work on South Street this morning, the sun was blazing in my helmet-mounted mirror.  Ah yes; equinox on the way.  If you remember your astronomy, the sun rises and sets close to due east and west around the time of the equinox.  So if you’re traveling one of those straight east/west roads, beware.  This is one of the few circumstances in which a competent cyclist has to be concerned about overtaking motorists.  If you’re heading into the sun, chances are the motorist behind you can’t see you as well as usual. There can be problems from the front as well.  A left-turning motorist looking into the sun can miss you.  Motorists pulling out of sidestreets (and driveways) can miss you. If your shadow is long and straight in front of you, then the sun is right behind you! Some strategies: Find a different route that doesn’t head straight east or west. Leave 10-15 minutes later or earlier. Find a route with a good tree canopy. Slow down on intersection approaches and prepare for conflicts. Get and use a really bright tail-light.  Put it on flash mode (not those pointless chaser sequences; all the LEDs should be on [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2009/02/26/beware-the-equinox/feed/ 9 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/30/fun-in-the-dark/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/30/fun-in-the-dark/#comments Thu, 30 Oct 2008 19:52:20 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=1175 The good news is, next week your ride to work will be brighter. But depending on when you leave work, you may find yourself in twilight, or darkness, on the way home. One of the reasons it’s hard for bike commuting to take hold in Florida is that we have our optimum riding weather with reduced sunlight. The Northern Tier enjoys beautiful cycling weather and long hours of daylight at the same time. But just when the weather here becomes hospitable, the sun sets on our commutes. People who haven’t had months of beautiful weather to become comfortable with bike commuting, tend to give up at the thought of riding in the dark. Riding in the dark is safe and fun. I sometimes find it more enjoyable than daylight riding. I also have found motorists to be more courteous and cautious at night than during the day. Here are a few tips to see and be seen. From the rear: you want to be seen and identified as a slow-moving vehicle. To be seen, a flashing red tail light and reflective piping on your cargo and/or body are effective. Make sure your tail light is mounted securely and aimed properly—you [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/30/fun-in-the-dark/feed/ 4 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/leave-wide-lanes-alone/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/leave-wide-lanes-alone/#comments Wed, 29 Oct 2008 12:25:52 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=521 The following video is a segment of what Brian DeSousa shot with me a few weeks ago. This follows the Orange Avenue footage as we turn right and head South on U.S. 17-92 (Mills). Mills Ave. has 15ft curb lanes. They are a foot wider than the FDOT “standard” width which is considered share-able between a bike and car. I have ridden on this road in heavier traffic and used a lane-sharing position to accommodate the traffic flow. Motorists will typically move to the far left of the lane and the passing clearance is adequate. But in light traffic, it is not necessary to accommodate same-lane passing. Motorists can use the left lane easily and without delay or inconvenience. Some notes about the video: In the first 20 seconds we encounter diagonal RR tracks which require us to use most of the lane to cross safely (perpendicular). Our consistent, prominent lane position has encouraged the passing motorists to file into the left lane, giving us the ability to make this maneuver without having to negotiate a merge. We pass several cars approaching from side streets. We are in a prominent position, making us clearly visible to those drivers. There is [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/10/29/leave-wide-lanes-alone/feed/ 9 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/09/19/the-blinding-sun/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/09/19/the-blinding-sun/#comments Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:16:52 +0000 Keri http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=781 How many vehicles do you see on this road? As the equinox approaches and daylight closes down on our commutes, I’ve been contemplating a post about the hazards of the rising and setting sun. Tonight I stopped on my way home to take a photo. I kid you not, I had no idea there was a cyclist coming when I took this photo! I didn’t see him because the setting sun was blinding. It wasn’t until after I took the photo and he was in the intersection that I saw him. Had I been in a car (or on my bike) turning left at that intersection, I would likely have violated his right-of-way and might have hit him. I don’t like harping on the hazards of cycling because, frankly, there are not many hazards which can’t be avoided with a few simple skills. Cycling is very safe when we follow the rules and best-practices. Understanding the dangers and where they come from is the key to staying crash-free. The rising and setting sun creates a visibility a hazard we need to understand. Sun in my eyes Few situations frighten me on the road. I’m not fearful of being on the [...]]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/09/19/the-blinding-sun/feed/ 2 http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/17/light-up-the-night/ http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/17/light-up-the-night/#comments Sun, 17 Aug 2008 15:46:44 +0000 LisaB http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/?p=197 No worries about being seen in the dark with this set of wheels. The Puma Stealth Visibility Bike sports night glow paint that collects light during the day, allowing it to glow when the sun goes down. At $1,600, it’s a bit pricey for most urban riders. But if you can get past the price tag, there are an awful lot of features most city dwellers would covet, including a built-in lock system.]]> http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2008/08/17/light-up-the-night/feed/ 1