Greetings all,
I was just reading the "Getting hit by a car, is it a matter of time?" thread, and it really kinda worries me - I've been a casual cyclist, getting into about 3 months ago. I "commute" to school, which is about .25 miles each way. Occassionally, I commute to places within 25 miles, as my bike is my transportation. Normally, I'd either ride on the sidewalks (illegal, yes I know), or I'd hug the bikelane, and use crosswalks when I'd need to make turns. I'm interested in touring, however, so I know that I need to learn how to commute in traffic (ie, using the left hand turn lanes, using hand signals to move across, etc). The thing is, this terrifies me!
Allow me to clarify, this isn't a "paralyzing" sort of fear, b/c, I've still been practicing, but it still is unnerving. I have a handlebar rear view mirror, I wear my helmet, and I'd like to say that I'm a fairly safe cyclist. I've had a handful of "close" calls, but never any contact. I guess my biggest fear is getting struck from behind (which, from what I read, is quite unlikely) or getting side-swiped. I think its b/c I can't really see behind all that well... (The convex handlebar mirror makes it difficult to see things in the distance, plus it's sometimes partially blocked by gear I carry slung around my body. So, maybe its time that I get a helmet mirror, hm?) Nevertheless, even if I could somehow get eyes implanted into the back of my head, I think I'd still feel very nervous in traffic.
So, my question is: How do you guys muster the courage to commute in traffic? I'd like to know some secrets!
- Mike
I was just reading the "Getting hit by a car, is it a matter of time?" thread, and it really kinda worries me - I've been a casual cyclist, getting into about 3 months ago. I "commute" to school, which is about .25 miles each way. Occassionally, I commute to places within 25 miles, as my bike is my transportation. Normally, I'd either ride on the sidewalks (illegal, yes I know), or I'd hug the bikelane, and use crosswalks when I'd need to make turns. I'm interested in touring, however, so I know that I need to learn how to commute in traffic (ie, using the left hand turn lanes, using hand signals to move across, etc). The thing is, this terrifies me!
Allow me to clarify, this isn't a "paralyzing" sort of fear, b/c, I've still been practicing, but it still is unnerving. I have a handlebar rear view mirror, I wear my helmet, and I'd like to say that I'm a fairly safe cyclist. I've had a handful of "close" calls, but never any contact. I guess my biggest fear is getting struck from behind (which, from what I read, is quite unlikely) or getting side-swiped. I think its b/c I can't really see behind all that well... (The convex handlebar mirror makes it difficult to see things in the distance, plus it's sometimes partially blocked by gear I carry slung around my body. So, maybe its time that I get a helmet mirror, hm?) Nevertheless, even if I could somehow get eyes implanted into the back of my head, I think I'd still feel very nervous in traffic.
So, my question is: How do you guys muster the courage to commute in traffic? I'd like to know some secrets!
- Mike