Bicycle Defense Kit

[singlesprocket]

http://bdk.dirtnail.com/... stupid... really helps improve cycling image

it's like the group of roadies last weekend blocking a lane of traffic while avoiding the bike lane on the overlea bridge. like sheesh what a bunch of retards... why not use the bike lane?

[Phat Tyred]

Should be called roadkill.com ... Road bike, no thanks.

[thedumbopinion]

Biking on the road is fun, just not near traffic.

[OrbeaAbsalon]

Wait until some of the hipster fags get ahold of these. Actually they are probley to cheap and will try to make there own original, vintage version.

[garage monster]

Gee, none of those items is going to cause even more road rage.

Doesn't $20 seem a little steep for all that stuff?

[veteran_youth]

Originally Posted by singlesprocket

it's like the group of roadies last weekend blocking a lane of traffic while avoiding the bike lane on the overlea bridge. like sheesh what a bunch of retards... why not use the bike lane?

Like the donut ride article I wrote for Dandyhorse.....the only time I ever went the ENTIRE pack (except me) was riding in the wrong (oncoming) lane for a stretch up Jane (North of Rutherford, 2 lanes) because it best suited their echelon and they could draft better.

I guess I just don't have my priorities straight.

[garage monster]

That's just one of the many reasons I will never do the Donut Ride.

[singlesprocket]

if there is no bike lane, yah use the entire lane... but if there is a wide, good condition, no parked cars, clearly marked dedicated bike lane on the road, why not use it? why impede other people?

[LuMach]

I can't say anything bad about the roadies I see around here when it comes to respecting the rules of the road, other cyclists though.... not so much. Seeing a guy with no helmet, riding against traffic on a busy street, wobbling on one of those tiny BMX's where they knee themselves in the ears with every pedal stroke, is not that uncommon. Seen it a few times over the summer.

Also saw two teenage girls this summer doubling on a bike while riding against traffic with the one girl sitting on the handlebars completely blocking any view the one pedaling had. Now if these morons get hit by a truck, do they deserve a ghost bike and candles, etc?

[garage monster]

Originally Posted by LuMach

Also saw two teenage girls this summer doubling on a bike while riding against traffic with the one girl sitting on the handlebars completely blocking any view the one pedaling had. Now if these morons get hit by a truck, do they deserve a ghost bike and candles, etc?

I can only hope it doesn't come down to a need for the ghost bike. Advocacy and education are key.

Mrs. Monster and I do a bike rodeo for the Brownies where we have bike handling/safety clinics and basic bike maintenance (pumping your tires, checking your brakes and lubing your chain). It can be pretty shocking how little some kids know about how to ride their bikes and a lot of times when you ask them where they got their information, they say "my Dad."

[Jouko]

Crap like that kit is totally uncalled for. Cyclists and motorsits have to learn to respect each other as well as the law.

I enjoy road riding as much as riding the trails and I would not want to give up either. Thankfully we live far enough away from the congestion of the GTA that traffic isn't really much of an issue and motorists and for the most part cyclists seem to co-exist in harmony.

[nspace]

This is one issue I have with road riding. I find not obeying the rules (ex: not stopping at stop lights when its red), is just crap that gets other motorists angered towards cyclists, because they see them not following the rules, yet they are expected to share the road with us.

During my road rides I make a conscious effort to stop at intersections. Out in the rural country, I may do a bit of a slow down and roll through if its clear, but the running lights thing I think just sets a really bad example.

Up until 2 weeks ago, my experience group riding was just with other like minded MTB friends that also ride the road, I had never rode with a club in a large pack. When going on what I thought was just a ride with a friend, it turned into a ride with a bunch of guys from Racer Sportif. Bombing down lakeshore pretty much every red light was just ignored, I was in a bit of a pickle being "within" the pack, but something about that didn't feel right.

On a quiet road, I'll use the lane when riding with others, but if there is traffic I make an effort to take up just enough space for me to ride comfortably.

[garage monster]

In general, I follow the Stop As Yield rules. Since it's not the law in Ontario though, you still have to be wary of the fuzz. Mrs. Monster nearly netted herself a ticket earlier this year for blowing a light.

I think it would be awesome if the MTO considered adopting these concepts.

[EvilScience]

In general I like the Stop As Yield concept, but giving the idiots in Toronto permission to blow lights/stop signs downtown it probably not a good idea. I realize that Yield implies no oncoming traffic, but given the headphones/no helmet/no brakes/no lights crowd, its probably better to stick to Stop means Stop. I mean I saw a guy get doored last night because he was trying to cram himself past (on the right) a stopped, indicating cab - on College at rush hour. He had no lights, no bell, no helmet, and was miraculously unhurt. He's also probably in the market for one of the above 'Defense Kits'

Of course when stuck at an interminably long light with no traffic for miles, we all pretend its a yield...

[singlesprocket]

when in traffic i always try to obey the rules of the road, complete stops, etc... it's for my own safety. i rather yield to another vehicle. though riding on highway 50 through town here and other super high traffic zones is a death wish. just to many trucks and other nimrods... better off on the sidewalk in some parts.

[nspace]

I can backup many claims of idiot truck drivers on HWY 50 no doubt.

[rkj__]

Originally Posted by nspace

This is one issue I have with road riding. I find not obeying the rules (ex: not stopping at stop lights when its red), is just crap that gets other motorists angered towards cyclists, because they see them not following the rules, yet they are expected to share the road with us.

That is a really important point.

When making the decision to follow or break a rule of the road, I try to be aware of who is watching, and how I may be affecting a motorist's views of cyclists.

[Wolfchild]

I ride in traffic everyday, I always stop at the red lights. When it comes to stop signs, I always look how many cars are around me, sometimes I just slow down and roll through or I stop ,it depends on which type of a road it is and how much traffic there is. When I do long distance road rides I always ride alone never in groups. I hate to say this but most roadies ( wannabe Lances ), that I've seen are notorious for not following the rules of the road, it just gives cyclist a bad name.

[Stosh (Canada)]

Originally Posted by singlesprocket

if there is no bike lane, yah use the entire lane... but if there is a wide, good condition, no parked cars, clearly marked dedicated bike lane on the road, why not use it? why impede other people?

Left turns. Not trying to be a smartas but I recently have had the pleasure of being yelled at for not using the bike lane for a left turn. Evidently the moron thought it would be better for me to make a left across 4 lanes of traffic from the bike lane instead of making two separate lane changes and then a proper left from the left most lane.

Bike lanes certainly have a purpose, but all road users should understand that bikes must move out of them to make lefts.

Stosh

[brodie_rider]

That "defense" kit will do more harm than good.

[Wolfchild]

Another thing that bothers me is people who ride in the bike lane against the flow of traffic instead of riding with the trafic flow. I just don't get it.

[Jawz]

yeh its more of a bike offence kit...ill wait till the handlebar mounted crossbow feature is available

[rkj__]

Originally Posted by Wolfchild

Another thing that bothers me is people who ride in the bike lane against the flow of traffic instead of riding with the trafic flow. I just don't get it.

Yeah, that's a minor pet peeve for me too. I'm just riding along the bike lane, with traffic, then I notice I am heading strait towards another rider riding in the opposite direction.

[LuMach]

how about pepper spray dispensers mounted into the handlebars that shoot out from the bar ends, that way you can pull up beside a car with an open window and blast a foo'!