a) How many bicycle thefts there are
b) The ridiculous risk of packing valuables in your luggage
c) How obvious that this is a bike to a baggage handler
Because I seriously doubt this fits in an overhead bin. #cycling
@blash: It may be possible for an entire bike to be stolen, but unless you fly The Airline Bubba Done Built Airways, it's likely you'll not have much to worry about. I have a feeling a baggage handler would not be as eager to snatch something that big, unless you're flying out of the Disputed Zone. #cycling
I don't think anybody cut from much "lesser cloth" would even consider buying this thing. If they're riding Huffy's (or anything NOT carbon/aluminum), then they probably don't want to bother dis/assembling their bike. Nor would they shell out the money for this thing, as spiffy as it is.
New York state law expressly states that the rules that apply to other vehicles on the roadway apply to bicycles as well.
If you run a red light and get hit by a car, your chances of winning in court are slim to none. Similarly, in New York, vehicles (and bicycles) turning left have an affirmative duty to only proceed if the turn can be completed safely and that oncoming traffic has right of way. Finally, while you may not be a fan of helmets, wearing them is highly suggested. Failure to wear one consistutes a failure to mitigate damages.
While this lawsuit talk may sound cynical, think about it this way: the lawsuit isn't just for someone to get a big payout. It's also to determine who will pay the injured party's bills.
Many young people may not have insurance. Unless your job offers it, many young people risk going without. If you're found liable for your lawsuit, those medical bills will likely come out of your own pocket.
Follow the rules, even the dorky ones. Your body and bank account will thank you.
paused it just right, the look on his little lego face when he is about to be hit is priceless...needs to be made into a wallpaper. Hell even add the PSA to the bottom, I will use it.
I fully admit to being an a-hole bike rider. I ride through red lights, I take up lots of lane real estate, and I aggressively weave in and out of traffic.
I would prefer a PSA detailing how the UK and USA should follow the lead of countries such as Denmark, Germany, Neterlands, etc. and tailor their transportation systems to benefit non-car owners. A biker friendly infrastructure would help relieve congestion, pollution, and obesity. And by biker friendly I mean get ride of the bike lane and give bikers their own protected streets and paths that they don't have to share with motor vehicles and pedestrians.
@Sham: I shave my legs.: Yes, but the U.S. also has large cities that if properly renovated could replace cars with bicycles. I mean the longest distance I travel within the city is 10 miles, an easy length to bike.
@Toastie: I, for one, am sick and tired of being the outcast. I have to maintain different banking hours, as I cannot use the drive thru at TD bank on a bicycle (no reason given). I cannot use certain retail establishments who have removed their bike racks or will not let men in the store with bags. Bridges to NJ do not let cyclists cross after dark. Bringing bikes on trains is at the discretion of the conductor, Peak hours are not set in stone, limiting the ability to make a schedule. I want full rights - My property taxes pay for 99% of the roads.
As a responsible rider who does stop at all stop signs and red lights, and cannot control those who can't, I want my rights. In exchange, I'll hold back the emmisions and save some gasoline for your Hummer.
@Toastie: There are certain parts of Montreal that have car parking on roads set back from the curb about three feet, to create a bike lane next to the sidewalk. Works brilliantly.
I hate it when cyclists obey some rules of the road that are convenient for them, but don't obey others.
For instance, a biker who rides in the road as if they were a car (which is fine), blocking faster traffic behind them, but as soon as they get to a stop sign or red light, they cut to the front, and as soon as the light turns green, they now have a whole host of new cars behind them, who are now wishing they could pass the slow biker despite the heavy oncoming traffic.
I once smiled as a cyclist rode down the middle of a sleepy one-way street and a cop, who happened to be on foot because of a local sporting event, stopped him and told him he was going the wrong way on a one-way street and had to turn around. The cyclist had no idea what was going on.
Some context for this PSA: a number of cities are considering amending laws so that cyclists may come to a red light and, after executing a full-stop, continue through the red light as long as no traffic is coming. This PSA takes direct aim at this initiative by suggesting that the (lego) cyclist incorrectly assessed the danger of proceeding. The message is that cyclists can't be trusted to look both ways and see if it is safe to proceed.
@The Lab: That's a valid message. At least in the context of a city, cars come out of no where and don't know that a bike is about to pull out in front of them.
This happened with a teenager in my area recently. He decided it was safe to cross. A huge SUV saw him and stopped mid-intersection blocking the view of the boy from other motorist. Another vehicle, who's light was green, saw no danger and hit the boy as he crossed out from in front of the SUV and into the path of the oncoming car. Tragic.
@Sham: I shave my legs.: I agree to a degree. As a cyclist who rides at night, it sucks to be stuck at a long red light with literally no one else on the road. That said, the idea of "proceeding when safe" is far too open to interpretation to mean anything. I think lowering the fines would be sufficient while still giving the police a reason to deliver a lecture if need be. I think it is fair to have different rules of the road for bikes and cars for they are far different vehicles.
@The Lab: I would agree to that as well. I'm just worried that by making it legal, you are putting their safety into the hands of the motorist. I would fear that some cyclist would take advantage of this.
@The Lab: Yea, but as someone who only has to cycle 6 miles to work in a flat area, redlight waits suck ASS.
It takes up to 40 mins,.... 6miles, 40 minutes.
Most lights don't change for me as I have an Aluminum frame, and when there is no one else around, waiting 3 minutes for a light is ridiculous.
@OMG! Totally. Also, don't blame your frame. I have had a number of motorcycles that don't set off those magnetic induction sensors and that's a lot of steel. They sell things to bolt onto the motorcycle to trigger the sensor.
@The Lab: I have some problems with the definition of 'stop', with some of the laws proposed. Why does it have to involve a foot down? I can stop both my bicycle and motorcycle on most roads (downhill and off camber grades on the moto excluded) for at least the 3seconds required for an automobile to stop. If a law comes into place requiring me to put my foot down, I'm going to have a hard time understanding why someone wants to make me a criminal.
Um, I thought that the roads were made for cars, not bicyclists. Of course car drivers should be aware of bicyclists, but don't you think that if you're riding a bike and you're sharing space with a vehicle that could easily destroy you, don't you think you should be a little bit more alert and careful? Common sense suggests that any time you're up against something bigger, faster, stronger and deadlier than you are, you should respect that object even if they don't respect you and should do all that you can to avoid any unnecessary interactions with them. The roads ARE for CARS, not bicycles and remember, in a fight between a car and a bicycle, the car wins.
@SurinaKnunder:
Bicycles are treated the same as motor vehicles under most, if not all, local laws (you can be ticketed for riding on the sidewalks in every city where I've lived). And the fact that your car can cut through a cyclist like tinfoil kinda suggests an inherent responsibility on _your_ behalf to make sure you don't. That's why, even if they're not obeying all the traffic laws, a cyclist still has the legal right of way.
On the flip side, yes, the bike almost always loses very badly, so anyone riding a bike should acknowledge that any car they come across has the "right of weigh". That said, don't expect any sympathy from the legal system if you plow through some cyclist.
@SurinaKnunder: Yeah well you thought wrong. Roads were made long before cars even existed and are made for all forms of traffic that are legal for use on city streets. That means motorcycles, scooters, and bicycles. Possibly others, I don't know. You are right to say that in a fight between a car and a bike, car wins. That is why there need to be rules that protect cyclists who have a right to be there from entitled jerks who think that the road literally belongs to them.
@SurinaKnunder: Not according to the law. Only interstates and highways are built just for cars, otherwise according to the law bikes have just as much right to the road as a car. Also keep in mind that in a fight between a semi and your car the semi wins, he simply doesn't run over you because you have the same right to the road as he does according to the law.
@Toastie: On your "Semi v Car" point, most drivers pay special attention when a Semi is approaching and either move away from it or at least drive a tad more defensively. Also, where a car and a semi travel a similar speed gamut, a cyclist almost always slows traffic, (depending on said cyclist's level of assholery).
Both points are valid. No one has sole ownership of the road, and you are responsible for your own safety. If you cycle in busy streets you're knowingly taking the risk, and if you compound that risk by being a jackass, fucktard, idjit, moron, douchebag or other such adjectives then it's no one's fault but your own when it bites you in the ass. Likewise for drivers.
@JoeKhurr:
Most drivers also fail to notice motorcycles on the road. It's all a matter of who will be worse off in an accident really. If the other guy will bite it, maybe it's not so important. If the driver is in danger, then damn skippy they'll be more likely to try to avoid an accident.
The corrolary to that is that the less danger a driver feels like he/she is in, the more likely they are to feel inconvenienced.
10/25/09
10/25/09
10/25/09
a) How many bicycle thefts there are
b) The ridiculous risk of packing valuables in your luggage
c) How obvious that this is a bike to a baggage handler
Because I seriously doubt this fits in an overhead bin. #cycling
10/25/09
10/25/09
10/25/09
10/25/09
10/25/09
10/12/09
10/12/09
10/12/09
09/28/09
If you run a red light and get hit by a car, your chances of winning in court are slim to none. Similarly, in New York, vehicles (and bicycles) turning left have an affirmative duty to only proceed if the turn can be completed safely and that oncoming traffic has right of way. Finally, while you may not be a fan of helmets, wearing them is highly suggested. Failure to wear one consistutes a failure to mitigate damages.
While this lawsuit talk may sound cynical, think about it this way: the lawsuit isn't just for someone to get a big payout. It's also to determine who will pay the injured party's bills.
Many young people may not have insurance. Unless your job offers it, many young people risk going without. If you're found liable for your lawsuit, those medical bills will likely come out of your own pocket.
Follow the rules, even the dorky ones. Your body and bank account will thank you.
09/28/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
As a responsible rider who does stop at all stop signs and red lights, and cannot control those who can't, I want my rights. In exchange, I'll hold back the emmisions and save some gasoline for your Hummer.
09/28/09
09/27/09
For instance, a biker who rides in the road as if they were a car (which is fine), blocking faster traffic behind them, but as soon as they get to a stop sign or red light, they cut to the front, and as soon as the light turns green, they now have a whole host of new cars behind them, who are now wishing they could pass the slow biker despite the heavy oncoming traffic.
I once smiled as a cyclist rode down the middle of a sleepy one-way street and a cop, who happened to be on foot because of a local sporting event, stopped him and told him he was going the wrong way on a one-way street and had to turn around. The cyclist had no idea what was going on.
BTW, I just to ride my bike everywhere.
09/27/09
I do have to ask, if there is a bike lane available, should the cyclist be in the street, the bike lane, or is this one of those grey areas?
09/27/09
Here is the priceless reaction shot.
09/27/09
09/27/09
This happened with a teenager in my area recently. He decided it was safe to cross. A huge SUV saw him and stopped mid-intersection blocking the view of the boy from other motorist. Another vehicle, who's light was green, saw no danger and hit the boy as he crossed out from in front of the SUV and into the path of the oncoming car. Tragic.
I don't think any such law should be amended.
09/27/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
It takes up to 40 mins,.... 6miles, 40 minutes.
Most lights don't change for me as I have an Aluminum frame, and when there is no one else around, waiting 3 minutes for a light is ridiculous.
09/27/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
Priceless.
09/27/09
09/27/09
Bicycles are treated the same as motor vehicles under most, if not all, local laws (you can be ticketed for riding on the sidewalks in every city where I've lived). And the fact that your car can cut through a cyclist like tinfoil kinda suggests an inherent responsibility on _your_ behalf to make sure you don't. That's why, even if they're not obeying all the traffic laws, a cyclist still has the legal right of way.
On the flip side, yes, the bike almost always loses very badly, so anyone riding a bike should acknowledge that any car they come across has the "right of weigh". That said, don't expect any sympathy from the legal system if you plow through some cyclist.
09/27/09
09/27/09
09/27/09
Both points are valid. No one has sole ownership of the road, and you are responsible for your own safety. If you cycle in busy streets you're knowingly taking the risk, and if you compound that risk by being a jackass, fucktard, idjit, moron, douchebag or other such adjectives then it's no one's fault but your own when it bites you in the ass. Likewise for drivers.
09/28/09
Most drivers also fail to notice motorcycles on the road. It's all a matter of who will be worse off in an accident really. If the other guy will bite it, maybe it's not so important. If the driver is in danger, then damn skippy they'll be more likely to try to avoid an accident.
The corrolary to that is that the less danger a driver feels like he/she is in, the more likely they are to feel inconvenienced.