Why cyclists dont stop at stop signs
posted on October 19th, 2011 in Cycling, Cycling Tips, Video Blog by Stephen
A situation that has been addressed around the Atlanta area is cyclists ‘blowing through’ stop signs. I think what the motorists don’t realize is that the front cyclists slow down and check traffic and that the group goes through the stop sign as a whole. Although it is not legal, it is to most motorists advantage to get this group of cyclists out of their way faster.
I was out on a metro-Atlanta road and came upon a construction area that was single file. Before moving into the next lane, I looked over my shoulder and saw that over 100 feet back there was a car approaching. So I went from a leisure training ride into putting in a solid effort to rush through this construction zone.
After getting through it the car behind would not pass, and now I noticed that there were 4 cars that had backed up behind this 1 motorists. So, again, I pedaled in earnest up to the stop sign, slowed nearly to a stop, checked both directions and made my right hand turn.
Then about 200 yards up this road, a pickup truck pulls up next to me and starts yelling ‘if you want to be taken seriously as traffic, then obey the stop signs’, and of course sped off before I could reply.
Here I was trying to stay out of the way, not get hit and help the flow of traffic, and I got yelled at anyway.
What I don’t think most motorists realize is that cyclists do not want a car following behind them just as much as most motorists don’t want to have to drive behind a cyclist.
Another thing that motorists don’t realize is that historically those stop signs are there to regulate speed, not right of way;
Now, since only elite cyclists average over 22 mph – whose speed are they trying to regulate?
Here is a great video that explains the reasons why most cyclists do not stop at stop signs.
I agree with what the video says, cyclists are ‘usually’ more cautious around other motorists because we realize how distracted motorists are these days. Also, in an accident between an automobile & a bicycle, a cyclist realizes he has the most to loose.
What I would add that cyclists yielding to stop signs allows for better flow of traffic for everyone on the roads.
Something that I try to keep in mind is that motorists hate anyone else using the roadways, especially if it slows them down.
Safe Travels!
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why motorists hate cyclists on the road
posted on October 17th, 2011 in Cycling, Cycling Tips by Stephen
Dear cyclists,
If you think about it, it’s not really you, (well, most of you anyway – ride 3 abreast with a car-back & it IS you!) motorists are mostly just angry with anyone else (traffic) on the road. And if you are on the road also, well that just makes you an easier target of their annoyance. They can honk, yell, scream, intimidate & just press the gas pedal for a quick get-a-way.
Odd thing is that most cyclists hate cars driving behind them as much as anyone else!
Here is a timeless eye opening video:
Did you notice the names given?! Mr. ‘Walker’ – Mr. ‘Wheeler’ I would have said Mr. ‘Motorist’.
I think the trick to this is, don’t escalate things & don’t allow them to bother you emotionally. And remember, it’s not just cyclists that motorists are angry with – it’s anyone that is ‘in their way‘ or ‘slows them down‘, so try not to take it personally.
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What bike should a new triathlete buy
posted on September 8th, 2011 in Cycling, Cycling Tips by Stephen
I have this question asked quite often by beginner triathletes: “What kind of bike should I get?” People that are just getting into triathlons are often confused with all the bikes out there. Although they are looking for which brand of bike to purchase – we usually answer with ‘A Road Bike‘. After the odd look, I start to explain my reasoning.
Tri-athletes may think I am crazy when I tell them that they should get a road bike and not a triathlon bike. But there are many important reasons why your first bike should be a road bike, and not a triathlon (TT) bike like this:
Some of my reasons are:
1) Your hands will never be far from your shifters.
2) Your hands will never be far from your brakes.
3) Your weight is not shifted as far forward (on a road bike) due to less vertical seat tube angle.
4) On a Triathlon bike, your arms & steering points are not as far forward past the steering tube – stem length + aero-bar length.
5) On a triathlon bike, your points of contact are now very narrow, rather than tri-angle shaped (road) points of contact – seat, Left & Right hand. This makes it harder to maintain a straight line while riding.
AND the most Important reason is you can focus on your bike handling skills FIRST!
Unfortunately people often go into bike shops and say, I’m going to do a triathlon, I need a tri-bike. Truthfully, they do NOT. They need a road bike, so that they learn how to ride on the road, before riding a bike in a triathlon or time trial position.
Riding on the road is dangerous. Learning the fundamentals of steering, braking, shifting, dealing with traffic, riding near other cyclists, food and drink, all should be learned before purchasing a triathlon bike. Although it may sound expensive to purchase a road bike to ride for 2 years before getting a triathlon bike, it is actually a much smarter decision to work on the fundamentals of cycling. Also, a Triathlon bike is not the ideal bike for every triathlon, a road bike can be a faster bike on some hillier courses.
A great tip that I give to people attempting to fuel while on the bike is to use the hand that controls the front brake to get food, drink. This way your rear brake hand remains near the rear brake. It maybe awkward at first, but it can save you a lot of trouble in case anything happens.
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StrongerCyclist.com is the site of Stephen Carhart, personal trainer, author, and cyclist.