No applause please, just throw money!

[SMS]

Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
reason it generated a lot more interest than usual. At the HP "Energizer
Station" I was delayed by a photographer taking pictures of my lights
and horn. At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and
Pedestrian Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I
think one person needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.

One thing that was annoying was when one rider, dressed nicely, even a
tie, rode up on a Dahon Speed, and someone from the Cupertino Bicycle
Pedestrian Commission lambasted him for not wearing a helmet. I said "I
didn't think helmets were required for adults in California." Of course
this brought forward the stories of "a helmet saved me when I fell,
wearing a helmet is the smart thing to do, blah, blah, blah." I have to
say while I don't like how some of the AHZ's confuse correlation with
causation and have no understanding of scientific methodology, I share
the frustration with a bunch of do-gooders trying to tell others how to
live their lives, and the level of risk they should accept. This
commission should be out improving the bicycle facilities, lobbying for
bicycle triggers for traffic lights, and encouraging bicycle-friendly
roadway design.

Steve
"http://bicyclelighting.com"
"http://bicyclecoffeesystems.com"

 

[Just A User]

SMS wrote:
> Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
> reason it generated a lot more interest than usual. At the HP "Energizer
> Station" I was delayed by a photographer taking pictures of my lights
> and horn. At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and
> Pedestrian Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I
> think one person needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.

How dare you try to kill with your pedestrian warning system!

Ken

 

[Ben Pfaff]

SMS <[email protected]> writes:

> Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
> reason it generated a lot more interest than usual.

Yeah, me too. And Caltrain celebrated Bike to Work Day by
running all the trains 10 minutes late.
--
Ben Pfaff
http://benpfaff.org

 

[SMS]

Ben Pfaff wrote:
> SMS <[email protected]> writes:
>
>> Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
>> reason it generated a lot more interest than usual.
>
> Yeah, me too. And Caltrain celebrated Bike to Work Day by
> running all the trains 10 minutes late.

Maybe the delay was due to increased bicycle boardings/deboardings.

You've got to admit, that CalTrain is probably the most
bicycle-accommodating trains in the country, with a minimum of 16 bikes
allowed on every train, and 32 on many trains.

 

[rdclark]

On May 17, 12:32 pm, SMS <[email protected]> wrote:
> Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
> reason it generated a lot more interest than usual. At the HP "Energizer
> Station" I was delayed by a photographer taking pictures of my lights
> and horn. At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and
> Pedestrian Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I
> think one person needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.

Just goes to show that nobody should ride a bike without their
earplugs. Cars have window gaskets windows and soundproofing to
protect their passengers from hearing injuries, but cycists are
exposed and vulnerable.

Studies have shown that as many as 85% of cycling-related hearing
injuries could be prevented by earplug use.

"Air-horns, sirens, jackhammers, and a variety of other urban hazards
present constant threats to the exposed ear," said Lemuel Pennythwait,
spokesperson for the Fair Hearing Coalition. "People on bicycles are
in immediate danger from these noises, because their hands are busy
and they can't cover their ears."

The Coalition is sponsoring legislation to make built-in hearing
protection a mandatory feature for bicycle hellmutts of the future.

r

 

[Ben Pfaff]

SMS <[email protected]> writes:

> You've got to admit, that CalTrain is probably the most
> bicycle-accommodating trains in the country, with a minimum of 16
> bikes allowed on every train, and 32 on many trains.

I won't argue. It's often not enough capacity, though; I've been
turned away from trains many times. Between 6 and 7 pm it's
always, at best, crowded. The "baby bullets" are generally
filled to or beyond capacity, at least where I board in Palo
Alto. It's not a huge obstacle; I just ride at more convenient
times.
--
"doe not call up Any that you can not put downe."
--H. P. Lovecraft

 

[Michael Grillparzer]

On 17 May 2007 12:35:33 -0700, rdclark <[email protected]> wrote:

>On May 17, 12:32 pm, SMS <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
>> reason it generated a lot more interest than usual. At the HP "Energizer
>> Station" I was delayed by a photographer taking pictures of my lights
>> and horn. At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and
>> Pedestrian Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I
>> think one person needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.
>
>Just goes to show that nobody should ride a bike without their
>earplugs. Cars have window gaskets windows and soundproofing to
>protect their passengers from hearing injuries, but cycists are
>exposed and vulnerable.
>
>Studies have shown that as many as 85% of cycling-related hearing
>injuries could be prevented by earplug use.
>
>"Air-horns, sirens, jackhammers, and a variety of other urban hazards
>present constant threats to the exposed ear," said Lemuel Pennythwait,
>spokesperson for the Fair Hearing Coalition. "People on bicycles are
>in immediate danger from these noises, because their hands are busy
>and they can't cover their ears."
>
>The Coalition is sponsoring legislation to make built-in hearing
>protection a mandatory feature for bicycle hellmutts of the future.
>
I wonder if mandatory hearing protection for a bicyclist wouldn't be
more of a problem than a solution. I tell my motorcycling riding
buddies that the one advantage a bicyclist has over a motorcyclist is
that we can hear what comes up behind us. I know ear plugs don't
block most noise but I am concerned that they would block enough to
lose a critical advantage.

Eighty-five percent of all hearing injuries could probably be
prevented with hearing protection, not just those that occur while
riding a bicycle. If a bicyclist routinely travels through a
hazardous environment than hearing protection might be a wise choice;
for those who don't safety and enjoyment would be effected. Not
everyone rides in an urban environment and are exposed to repeated
incidents of high volume sounds. Some of us have the option of riding
in quieter locals.

 

[Cathy Kearns]

"SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and Pedestrian
> Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I think one person
> needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.

I just have to ask, which city? I know some folks on a city's Bicycle and
Pedestrian Commission that would get a big kick out of a set up like that.

I rode my town bike from my home near downtown Los Altos to Mountain View
for lunch with a friend yesterday. I was dressed in my normal luncheon
outfit, a blouse, flippy skirt, strappy sandals. After lunch my friend was
walking me to my "car" and I pointed out, actually I had biked, and then
could park out front. (Parking is notoriously tough in this town around
lunch.) And yes, the first thing she noticed was not the chain guard, the
shiny fenders, the grocery bag size panniers, the lighting system run off
the hub generators, or even the very fine bell. She noticed I was riding
without a helmet. And how could I do that. She was also impressed I rode
all of 3 miles there and back. It's flat. You don't even sweat. And you
can easily take small roads with little traffic. I told her it was much like
driving my convertible that distance. Your hair might get mussed, and you
should be wearing sun screen, but the effort of shifting the car or peddling
the bike was pretty much the same.

 

[Roger Zoul]

Michael Grillparzer wrote:
:::
:: I wonder if mandatory hearing protection for a bicyclist wouldn't be
:: more of a problem than a solution. I tell my motorcycling riding
:: buddies that the one advantage a bicyclist has over a motorcyclist is
:: that we can hear what comes up behind us.

I have been on many rides where this was not true. Either road conditions or
wind noise can prevent a cyclist from hearing a car approaching from behind.
It's why I use a mirror and check it frequently.

 

[Roger Zoul]

Cathy Kearns wrote:
:: "SMS" <[email protected]> wrote in message
:: news:[email protected]...
::: At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and
::: Pedestrian Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I
::: think one person needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.
::
:: I just have to ask, which city? I know some folks on a city's
:: Bicycle and Pedestrian Commission that would get a big kick out of a
:: set up like that.
::
:: I rode my town bike from my home near downtown Los Altos to Mountain
:: View for lunch with a friend yesterday. I was dressed in my normal
:: luncheon outfit, a blouse, flippy skirt, strappy sandals. After
:: lunch my friend was walking me to my "car" and I pointed out,
:: actually I had biked, and then could park out front. (Parking is
:: notoriously tough in this town around lunch.) And yes, the first
:: thing she noticed was not the chain guard, the shiny fenders, the
:: grocery bag size panniers, the lighting system run off the hub
:: generators, or even the very fine bell. She noticed I was riding
:: without a helmet. And how could I do that. She was also impressed
:: I rode all of 3 miles there and back. It's flat. You don't even
:: sweat. And you can easily take small roads with little traffic. I
:: told her it was much like driving my convertible that distance.
:: Your hair might get mussed, and you should be wearing sun screen,
:: but the effort of shifting the car or peddling the bike was pretty
:: much the same.

Did you ask her is whe wears a helmet into the shower?

 

[dgk]

On 17 May 2007 12:35:33 -0700, rdclark <[email protected]> wrote:

>On May 17, 12:32 pm, SMS <[email protected]> wrote:
>> Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
>> reason it generated a lot more interest than usual. At the HP "Energizer
>> Station" I was delayed by a photographer taking pictures of my lights
>> and horn. At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and
>> Pedestrian Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I
>> think one person needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.
>
>Just goes to show that nobody should ride a bike without their
>earplugs. Cars have window gaskets windows and soundproofing to
>protect their passengers from hearing injuries, but cycists are
>exposed and vulnerable.
>
>Studies have shown that as many as 85% of cycling-related hearing
>injuries could be prevented by earplug use.
>
>"Air-horns, sirens, jackhammers, and a variety of other urban hazards
>present constant threats to the exposed ear," said Lemuel Pennythwait,
>spokesperson for the Fair Hearing Coalition. "People on bicycles are
>in immediate danger from these noises, because their hands are busy
>and they can't cover their ears."
>
>The Coalition is sponsoring legislation to make built-in hearing
>protection a mandatory feature for bicycle hellmutts of the future.
>
>r
>

Very funny. I got new earphones, cheap ones that came with a new
player, but I haven't used actual in the ear ones before. They really
do block out a lot of sound and they aren't even the noise cancelling
types. I think I do prefer hearing what is going on around me though.

Mostly I listen to talk rather than music though it's hard to say
which is more distracting. I really couldn't do the commute without
something though; 80 minutes each way is too long to be alone with my
thoughts. Very unhealthy.

I think we all agree that reading while biking is a bad idea, so some
noise seems to be a good compromise.

 

[Chalo]

dgk wrote:
>
> Mostly I listen to talk rather than music though it's hard to say
> which is more distracting. I really couldn't do the commute without
> something though; 80 minutes each way is too long to be alone with my
> thoughts. Very unhealthy.

It's called meditation. You should check it out-- it's good for you,
despite your impressions. Focus on your breathing to minimize the
tendency for your mind to generate its own monkey chatter.

Chalo

 

[Chalo]

dgk wrote:
>
> Mostly I listen to talk rather than music though it's hard to say
> which is more distracting. I really couldn't do the commute without
> something though; 80 minutes each way is too long to be alone with my
> thoughts. Very unhealthy.

It's called meditation. You should check it out-- it's good for you,
despite your impressions. Focus on your breathing to minimize the
tendency for your mind to generate its own monkey chatter.

Chalo

 

[John Kane]

On May 18, 8:05 am, dgk <[email protected]> wrote:
> On 17 May 2007 12:35:33 -0700, rdclark <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>
> >On May 17, 12:32 pm, SMS <[email protected]> wrote:
> >> Today on Bike to Work Day, I rode my usual commute bike, but for some
> >> reason it generated a lot more interest than usual. At the HP "Energizer
> >> Station" I was delayed by a photographer taking pictures of my lights
> >> and horn. At the Energizer Station staffed by one city's Bicycle and
> >> Pedestrian Commission, they needed a full demo of the system, and I
> >> think one person needed oxygen after I demoed the horn.
>
> >Just goes to show that nobody should ride a bike without their
> >earplugs. Cars have window gaskets windows and soundproofing to
> >protect their passengers from hearing injuries, but cycists are
> >exposed and vulnerable.
>
> >Studies have shown that as many as 85% of cycling-related hearing
> >injuries could be prevented by earplug use.
>
> >"Air-horns, sirens, jackhammers, and a variety of other urban hazards
> >present constant threats to the exposed ear," said Lemuel Pennythwait,
> >spokesperson for the Fair Hearing Coalition. "People on bicycles are
> >in immediate danger from these noises, because their hands are busy
> >and they can't cover their ears."
>
> >The Coalition is sponsoring legislation to make built-in hearing
> >protection a mandatory feature for bicycle hellmutts of the future.
>
> >r
>
> Very funny. I got new earphones, cheap ones that came with a new
> player, but I haven't used actual in the ear ones before. They really
> do block out a lot of sound and they aren't even the noise cancelling
> types. I think I do prefer hearing what is going on around me though.
>
> Mostly I listen to talk rather than music though it's hard to say
> which is more distracting. I really couldn't do the commute without
> something though; 80 minutes each way is too long to be alone with my
> thoughts. Very unhealthy.
>
> I think we all agree that reading while biking is a bad idea, so some
> noise seems to be a good compromise.

Yes. The text bounces up and down and give me a headache. I have the
same problem in a car.

John Kane, Kingston ON Canada

 

[bookieb]

On May 18, 5:56 pm, Chalo <[email protected]> wrote:
> dgk wrote:
>
> > Mostly I listen to talk rather than music though it's hard to say
> > which is more distracting. I really couldn't do the commute without
> > something though; 80 minutes each way is too long to be alone with my
> > thoughts. Very unhealthy.
>
> It's called meditation. You should check it out-- it's good for you,
> despite your impressions. Focus on your breathing to minimize the
> tendency for your mind to generate its own monkey chatter.
>
> Chalo

Bingo. The monkey chatter is long gone by the time I get to the
office or back home.
My commute is time to clear my head of the worries and problems of the
day.

I enjoy focusing on riding safely and smoothly, and the challange of
riding in heavy traffic.
Outside the city, I enjoy the views, the fresh air and the exercise.

All arguments about how safe/unsafe it is to ride with headphones/
earbuds aside, I tried it for a few days, but I missed the
"downtime", and found it distracting (except the traffic reports - I
enjoyed those as I whizzed past the traffic jams - yes, I am very smug
and self-satisfied when that happens).

Best of all is telling my gym fanatic friends that I get 10 45-minute
cardio workouts a week without taking up any extra time before or
after work, or at the weekends.

regards,

bookieb