left cross again from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Like UPS?
I'm wondering if I should adopt the UPS policy of avoiding left turns. I've almost been hit twice in the last week by drivers ignoring the stop sign at the same intersection and turning left in front of me while I'm making a left turn. The woman today stopped at the stop sign, waited until I got closer then looked right at me and stomped on the gas. My arm was straight out signaling the turn the entire time.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Buzzed While Making a Left Turn!
People keep getting more and more ridiculous out on the road.
I was riding a very popular route for cyclists using a wide shoulder. I had no trouble until I signaled and moved over to make a left turn. The speed limit here is 35 mph and I was going 25 mph so I wouldn't think it would be too much to ask for a driver to slow 10 mph for a few seconds while I make my left turn. As it turns out my speed wasn't what required him to wait to pass, the oncoming car would have meant anyone turning left would have to slow down, requiring the driver behind them to slow, or make an illegal pass. I signaled and moved over with plenty of time for him to slow down to wait for me to turn. He didn't wait. He decided to pass me while I was in the process of making my left turn and while another vehicle was in the oncoming lane. Unfortunately I didn't get the plate number. The rear facing camera angle starts just before I signal and begin to move over to turn.
I was riding a very popular route for cyclists using a wide shoulder. I had no trouble until I signaled and moved over to make a left turn. The speed limit here is 35 mph and I was going 25 mph so I wouldn't think it would be too much to ask for a driver to slow 10 mph for a few seconds while I make my left turn. As it turns out my speed wasn't what required him to wait to pass, the oncoming car would have meant anyone turning left would have to slow down, requiring the driver behind them to slow, or make an illegal pass. I signaled and moved over with plenty of time for him to slow down to wait for me to turn. He didn't wait. He decided to pass me while I was in the process of making my left turn and while another vehicle was in the oncoming lane. Unfortunately I didn't get the plate number. The rear facing camera angle starts just before I signal and begin to move over to turn.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Furry Right Cross
It finally happened. I've had close calls before, but today was the day.
I ran over a squirrel.
Rocky came up to the edge of the road and then thought twice about it, then decided what the hell. He went for it. I was picturing this when I saw him go for it. Fortunately, even though my front wheel went right over him, I rode away and as near as I can tell from the slow mo video, he ran away.
Bikesafer
Jeff
I ran over a squirrel.
Rocky came up to the edge of the road and then thought twice about it, then decided what the hell. He went for it. I was picturing this when I saw him go for it. Fortunately, even though my front wheel went right over him, I rode away and as near as I can tell from the slow mo video, he ran away.
Furry Right Cross from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
Bikesafer
Jeff
Monday, April 27, 2009
Not Taking My Pound of Flesh
Monday morning's ride was a harrowing experience I'd like to avoid in the future. I got buzzed by 2 cars on the same ride, both times with less than a foot between me and the cars. The first time, I'm certain if I hadn't swerved out of the way I would have been hit. Sadly, close passes have become so common, I don't get as freaked out by them as I used to, but these had me shaking for 10 minutes each. This photo is just before I swerved for the shoulder.
479 lem from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
rmc 25 from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
Officer Puente from The New Berlin Police Department was professional and helpful through the entire complaint process. Written warnings were issued to both drivers. At first, I was a little disappointed that even with some of the scariest footage of one of the most dangerous passes I've experienced, that no ticket would be issued. I wanted them to pay for coming that close to causing a serious accident.
The more I thought about the situation and it's outcome, though, I remembered why I contact the authorities after incidents like this. I want to insure these drivers don't repeat their dangerous behavior. The best way to accomplish that is to make sure they know the laws and understand bicyclist's rights to use the road. I believe Officer Puente effectively communicated that to both drivers. I also believe that the written warning will serve as a deterrent to prevent them from driving like this again.
Given that outcome I'm happy to leave my pound of flesh on the table and trust that the drivers have learned from the experience.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Love to H8T
Saturday was the 3rd annual, but my first, H8TR. It started with the shotgun, (actually a pinch flat) start. After the neutral roll out it was head for the unfinished trail as fast as you could pedal. Being slightly undergeared for the paved section was fine since the H8T wouldn't really start until the after the turn around into the wind. All in all it was a great way to start the season.
H8TR from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
H8TR from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Warning, Warning, Warning
No, it's not "Robot" from lost in space, it's common sense being exercised by officers from New Berlin and West Allis.
Multiple written warnings were issued this week to bad drivers.
Officers from the maroon Mercury incident and Saturday's white van incident gave written warnings to those drivers.
EK 9330 from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
I wish more officers would use the written warning. I'm not looking to get people cited, I just want them to be more careful around bicyclists. I really think a written warning would do that in many cases. It has the added benefit of being on their record in case they do commit similar offenses, officers can see that and take the appropriate action to get compliance. The officer in West Allis understood and supported my right to the road but apparently the driver did not. He told the officer I should have been on the sidewalk. The officer told him in fact bicycles do have the right to use the road. So now the motorist has been educated about bike laws, and will hopefully change his ways.
EK 9330 from Bikesafer on Vimeo.
I wish more officers would use the written warning. I'm not looking to get people cited, I just want them to be more careful around bicyclists. I really think a written warning would do that in many cases. It has the added benefit of being on their record in case they do commit similar offenses, officers can see that and take the appropriate action to get compliance. The officer in West Allis understood and supported my right to the road but apparently the driver did not. He told the officer I should have been on the sidewalk. The officer told him in fact bicycles do have the right to use the road. So now the motorist has been educated about bike laws, and will hopefully change his ways.
Unfortunately not everyone is as enlightened as these officers.
I got what I consider to be justice in these two cases, but it doesn't always work out that way.
Just because we might expect injustice, doesn't mean that we should accept injustice.
Bikesafer
Jeff
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Helmet Cam How To
I've received many requests lately for information about how to hook up a helmet camera system. I posted a video how to about a year or so ago. It shows how I set up my bike and helmet with the cameras. As far as camera type, I use the Oregon Scientific ATC2K and ATC3K. I prefer the 2K even though it is the older model it has better low light capabilities. Some folks prefer the VholdR but it is more expensive than the ATC2K. There are many other choices out there most can be found at the website helmet camera central. My video how to can be found at: http://bikesafer.blogspot.com/2008/02/ask-and-you-shall-receive.html
On a separate note, WJJO-FM in Madison recently aired a segment called "Bike Trail of Death" which advocated, jokingly, the killing of cyclists. The segment ended with the statement, "The only bicyclist that isn't a pain in your ass is a dead one on the side of the road." I didn't find this the least bit funny. I'm going to send a letter to the station manager and a complaint to the FCC. I'll post the letter when it's done. The more letters and calls the station gets, the more likely it is they will get the message they can't use the public airwaves to advocate harming cyclists. If you do write or call, please don't call names or threaten to do anything illegal. Apparently there have been some calls and letters that were just as offensive as the original segment. Being consructive in your criticism will likely get more positive results. The FCC complaint form can be found at:
https://esupport.fcc.gov/sform2000/formE!input.action?form_page=2000E
Bikesafer
Jeff
On a separate note, WJJO-FM in Madison recently aired a segment called "Bike Trail of Death" which advocated, jokingly, the killing of cyclists. The segment ended with the statement, "The only bicyclist that isn't a pain in your ass is a dead one on the side of the road." I didn't find this the least bit funny. I'm going to send a letter to the station manager and a complaint to the FCC. I'll post the letter when it's done. The more letters and calls the station gets, the more likely it is they will get the message they can't use the public airwaves to advocate harming cyclists. If you do write or call, please don't call names or threaten to do anything illegal. Apparently there have been some calls and letters that were just as offensive as the original segment. Being consructive in your criticism will likely get more positive results. The FCC complaint form can be found at:
https://esupport.fcc.gov/sform2000/formE!input.action?form_page=2000E
Bikesafer
Jeff
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