Who commutes on a 'bent?

In article <[email hidden]>, Ken M
([email hidden]) wrote:

Usually, though it's waiting for parts ATM.

Quoted message said:

And what kind of 'bent is it?

HP Velotechnik Speedmachine

Quoted message said:

And what city do you commute in?

London, UK

Quoted message said:

Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides?

No, I have my Trice XXL for that.

Quoted message said:

I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

I did use a (borrowed) LWB for a while and it was not an experience I
would care to repeat.

--
Dave Larrington - <http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk/>
uck Wa

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

Ken
--
You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

I plan on doing "variable fair-weather commuting" on an SMGTe (an SWB
design) this late spring/early summer in NYC. I'm sure it can be done
without too much hassle, especially once I "master" the 'bent, but it
would be through some bad neighborhoods, not to mention with even more
traffic than I care for (I who think traffic is "safe," if annoying,
since hit-and-runs seem much less likely) on my upright.

I'll let you know how that goes -- stay tuned! Same bat-channel, same
bat-time....

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

Ken

I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.

I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.

Indiana Mike

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it?

I do my commuting on an Optima Baron (low racer).

Quoted message said:

And what city do you commute in?

I commute between Amstelhoek and Hoofddorp, although I wonder if anybody
here has ever heard of these places. Hint : they are in the Netherlands...

Quoted message said:

Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

I use mine for both. Luckily the Netherlands is quite well suited for
riding bikes (flat) and has a fairly well maintained network of bicycle
tracks. I ride to work about two to three times a week and tour about
two to three times a month..

Arnold.

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it?

Trice XL NT.

Quoted message said:

And what city do you commute in?

I don't. The nearest city is London, but my commute is from one small
town, through 5 miles of countryside, to another small town.

Quoted message said:

I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

Being a trike, the trice is not the best at picking its way alongside
stationary queues - when I come across queues I generally sit in them,
whereas on a bike I'll filter down the queue. Generally, I arrange my
route to avoid queues (I have four possible routes, all between 5 and
7 miles, which I choose between depending on the traffic news, the
weather, and intuition).

regards, Ian SMith
--
|\ /| no .sig
|o o|
|/ \|

"Arnold Ligtvoet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Or do most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

I use mine for both. Luckily the Netherlands is quite well suited for
riding bikes (flat) and has a fairly well maintained network of bicycle
tracks. I ride to work about two to three times a week and tour about
two to three times a month..

Arnold.

That's one of the things I really liked about Amsterdam. *Everybody* rides a
bike.

Is the car largely frowned upon over there?

Cully_J
http://comatimes.blogspot.com/

Mike Rice said:

...
I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.

<http://www.mirrycle.com/> I presume.

--
Tom Sherman - Fox River Valley (For a bit)

"Ken M" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do most
'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational / touring
rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB designs
might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

Ken
--
You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

I used to commute to and from my train station in White Plains, NY by bent
trike. The trike I rode was a Tricruiser and it was selected for that
purpose because it was higher and more visible. I used a Greenspeed trike
for touring. It was easier to transport and more comfortable to spend an
entire day in. Stability wasn't a problem but traffic was. When I am able to
ride again I will be using a Lietra for commuting. I will stick to the least
trafficked roads I can find (which means I will ignore the "official" bike
route completely).

Jeff

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

Ken

I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.

I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.

Indiana Mike

Mike my friend,

I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when you
take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route if
I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn from
my experience.

Jeff

Johnny Sunset said:

Mike Rice said:

...
I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.

<http://www.mirrycle.com/> I presume.

Yes, exactly. Thanks for the correction.

Indiana Mike

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

Ken

I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.

I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.

Indiana Mike

Mike my friend,

I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when you
take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route if
I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn from
my experience.

Jeff

Thanks for the concern, Jeff.

Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.

All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
vehicles.

Indiana Mike

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <[email hidden]> wrote:

>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
>Ken

I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.

I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.

Indiana Mike

Mike my friend,

I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when
you
take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route
if
I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn
from
my experience.

Jeff

Thanks for the concern, Jeff.

Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.

All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
vehicles.

Indiana Mike

Mike, forget all of the above and listen to Jeff. If we can learn from his
experience then we are ahead of the game. If not, we are doomed to repeat
the experience ourselves. Trust me on this. It is just a matter of time
until some fantastically stupid driver will run right over you. He will of
course claim that he didn't see you and all that so-called eye contact will
have turned out to be nothing but a chimera on your part.

Find better and safer roads to bike on.

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

I commute year round during fair weather, switching between my HPVs (DF
road bike, Bacchetta Strada SWB high racer, Trimuter tadpole trike),
though when it's dark and the roads are in bad shape (like now), I go
mainly with the trike.

This is in the Raleigh-Durham area of NC, mostly on high volume,
45-55mph speed limit rural roads and state highways that go through
office park country.

--
I do not accept unsolicited commercial e-mail. Remove NO_UCE for
legitimate replies.

Cully_J said:

"Arnold Ligtvoet" <[email hidden]> wrote in message

Quoted message said:

I use mine for both. Luckily the Netherlands is quite well suited for
riding bikes (flat) and has a fairly well maintained network of bicycle
tracks. I ride to work about two to three times a week and tour about
two to three times a month..

Quoted message said:

That's one of the things I really liked about Amsterdam. *Everybody* rides a
bike.

Uhhh, the Netherlands are bigger than Amsterdam ;-) However I do agree
that a lot of bikes are ridden (also outside Amsterdam). The only
problems are that bikes tend to get stolen a lot of the times and the
wind is always against you. Both problems actually go away when riding
recumbents: nobody (at least most thieves) knows how to ride them and
the wind is less of a factor.

Quoted message said:

Is the car largely frowned upon over there?

Nope not frowned upon. In the city it's getting near impossible to park
(or expensive up to almost 4 US per hour). Outside the city you'd be
pretty sure to end up in a traffic jam. On an average day we get about
200 kilometers of traffic jams. Please keep in mind that the whole of
the Netherlands only measures about 120 kilometers by 250 (or so).

When I commute I know for a fact that it will take about 25 minutes to
work. When I go by car the minimum up to now is just under 15 minutes
and the all time high is 1.45 hours!

Arnold.

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <[email hidden]> wrote:

>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>
>Ken

I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.

I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
consistantly.

Indiana Mike

Mike my friend,

I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when
you
take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route
if
I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In this
country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn
from
my experience.

Jeff

Thanks for the concern, Jeff.

Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.

All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
vehicles.

Indiana Mike

I was on a stretch of road that mostly has a bike lane. I was in the 50
yards where there was no bike lane and so I took the lane. It was not the
few cars who were right behind me that got me. They saw me and moved into
the left hand lane. It was someone several cars back who didn't realize that
cars were moving into the left hand lane because I was there. You know your
roads better than I do. All I'm saying is that being safe and sharing the
road with cars is not completely compatible.

Jeff

"Edward Dolan" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Tue, 24 Jan 2006 05:10:21 -0500, "Jeff Grippe" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Mike Rice" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...
> On Mon, 23 Jan 2006 09:07:13 -0500, Ken M <[email hidden]> wrote:
>
>>And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
>>most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
>>touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the
>>LWB
>>designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.
>>
>>Ken
>
> I commute 8 months of the year on my Tour Easy LWB recumbent. It's
> only six miles each way, and really helps me enjoy the day. I ilve in
> a medium sized town (60,000 or so) and have ridden just about every
> major road in my county, including the busiest intersection we have,
> and at rush hour. I probably should have found an alternate route, but
> it was no problem as long as I 'took the lane' when approaching stop
> lights. If I was too far to the right at a stop some idiot would pull
> up beside me leaving too little room for comfort or safety.
>
> I have mirror-cylcle (sp?) mirrors on both sides and use them
> consistantly.
>
> Indiana Mike
>

Mike my friend,

I too 'took the lane' when necessary. It is why I got hit. I was also
worried about being sideswiped if I was too far to the right. Please be
careful. There are plenty of things that some idiots can do to you when
you
take the lane as I can testify. I would think about that alternate route
if
I were you. I now know that your feeling of safety is an illusion. In
this
country, the more you can stay away from cars, the better. Please learn
from
my experience.

Jeff

Thanks for the concern, Jeff.

Let me explain that my version of 'take the lane' involves eye contact
with the driver I will merge in front of, hand signals, and seeing an
acknowledgement from said driver. I am talking about approaching red
lights on very busy state highways with narrow shoulders (usually the
narrow shoulders are only at the light), a situation I sometimes must
deal with as some of my destinations are on said roads. If I do not
see that the driver expects me to merge, then I stay as far to the
right as possible. When I don't get to merge successfully I feel
crowded and definately less safe waiting for the light to change, I
always worry that the car beside me might make an unsignaled left
turn. So I watch the drivers and, more importantly, the front wheels
of the vehicle to make sure my intended path will be safe.

All in all I feel much safer waiting the light as a vehicle in the
line of vehicles than as an extra crammed in beside the line of
vehicles.

Indiana Mike

Mike, forget all of the above and listen to Jeff. If we can learn from his
experience then we are ahead of the game. If not, we are doomed to repeat
the experience ourselves. Trust me on this. It is just a matter of time
until some fantastically stupid driver will run right over you. He will of
course claim that he didn't see you and all that so-called eye contact
will have turned out to be nothing but a chimera on your part.

Find better and safer roads to bike on.

Regards,

Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota
aka
Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota

You and I are in sync on this topic Ed. I was riding on busy, heavily
trafficked roads (the "official" bike routes where I live). I felt safe
because I had my blinky light and was on an official bike route. My safety
was an illusion. The woman who hit me says she didn't see me and I believe
that she really didn't. Her judgment was lacking, however, in that she
couldn't figure out that people were changing lanes because I was there and
moving slowly. My expensive reflective white ski pants and my blinky light
did not make me visible enough.

In this country drivers are not taught to respect cyclist. To be fair, many
cyclists are also pretty poor at sharing the road. All in all, in this
country, cars and bikes don't mix well.

Jeff

Jeff Grippe said:

You and I are in sync on this topic Ed. I was riding on busy, heavily
trafficked roads (the "official" bike routes where I live). I felt safe
because I had my blinky light and was on an official bike route. My safety
was an illusion. The woman who hit me says she didn't see me and I believe
that she really didn't. Her judgment was lacking, however, in that she
couldn't figure out that people were changing lanes because I was there and
moving slowly. My expensive reflective white ski pants and my blinky light
did not make me visible enough.

In this country drivers are not taught to respect cyclist. To be fair, many
cyclists are also pretty poor at sharing the road. All in all, in this
country, cars and bikes don't mix well.

Jeff

Frankly, I think that just as cyclists defer to peds, cars should AS A
MATTER OF COURSE defer to cyclists.

The fact that it isn't done is because everyone is a ped, including
motorists, so the DMV and DOT should emphasize us cyclists much more in
their literature and their tests before we ride up with torches and
pitchforks.

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

I have been commuting through Reading, PA, a small (pop 70,000)
industrial city with fairly narrow streets with cars parked on both
sides. I commute on a LWB Stratus with no problems. For me, the low
BB gives me a secure feeling. I have ridden through the same city on
my Strada but prefer the LWB. For me, the narrower the street, the
more lane I take. I don't want the motorist behind me to believe
he/she can pass me on my left at the same time an oncoming car is
approaching. The only other comment I would add is my reliance on my
hearing as I approach intersections. I listen for cars before I can
see them.

Jim Reilly
Reading, PA

Most all my commute (approx. 5,000 / yr.) happens on a bent. Have access to
any style. In traffic I prefer the long one. The wheel if front of the feet
(for me) feels safest in the emergency situation in that the bike takes the
impact not my feet.
Commuting is fun and a great way to stay in shape for the occasional race.
Speedy

Ken M said:

And what kind of 'bent is it? And what city do you commute in? Or do
most 'benters relegate the recumbents to fitness / recreational /
touring rides? I was curious because I was thinking that some of the LWB
designs might be a little unsuitable for city traffic.

Ken
--
You never have the wind with you - either it is against you or you're
having a good day. ~Daniel Behrman, The Man Who Loved Bicycles

Homepage: http://kcm-home.tripod.com/

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