Hybrid cars

[PamNY]

Have any of you had trouble with hybrid cars?

I've had some scares as a pedestrian and on my scooter. Of course I use all my senses when biking, but I do have the habit of listening for cars.

Pam

[newfsmith]

I have not had any problems with hybrid cars surprising me. Perhaps because I am extra aware of how much time the engine is not running, as we drive a Prius. I have reminded my husband to be extra cautious about pedestrians and cyclists. Not only does the engine shut off at low speeds, but the original tires are designed for maximum milage. If you think about it, tire noise is lost energy, therefore a drag on milage. As cyclists, especially if we are transportational cyclists, we have to be supportive of the greener vehicles. Not everyone is able to do what we are, and we at least want to see them using fuels in efficient ways. I'm not convinced that electric cars will actually change our carbon footprints, at least not until every home has solar collectors and a wind turbine on the roof. I do find the CAV (compressed air vehicles) an interesting approach, since they won't require such big toxic batteries.

It is something we are all going to have to be careful about, both drivers and cyclists. As a cyclist, I have to accept responsibility for checking my back often enough that I can be aware of them. As a driver, I have to accept responsibility for my "stealth" approach, and be extra cautious of the other legal users of the roadways.

[PamNY]

As cyclists, especially if we are transportational cyclists, we have to be supportive of the greener vehicles. Not everyone is able to do what we are, and we at least want to see them using fuels in efficient ways. .

Oh, I'm not opposed to hybrids. Just interested in discussing the matter.

Pam

[7rider]

Have any of you had trouble with hybrid cars?

Not personally, but I have a friend with a Prius (actually, they have 2 in the house), who calls it her "stealth" car and says she often startles folks in the parking garage at work who don't hear her.

I've also heard...although i don't recall the details...that Toyota was going to do "something"...not sure what or when and I'm not inclined to Google it (sorry!)...to make their hybrids louder, in order to respond to complaints from the sight-impaired lobby.

[Aggie_Ama]

I have trouble hearing all cars. I have fine hearing just for some reason don't always hear them. Now a big ol' diesel truck I hear. I guess everyone should drive a diesel.

[PamNY]

I hadn't heard about the pedestrian issue. I Googled and found an article from the LA Times:

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...,3939014.story

Wow, do I have mixed personal feelings on this. As a city dweller, I certainly want cars to be quiet, since they can't be made to go away altogether. But the potential for problems seems very real.

Pam

[lph]

No, I'm rarely surprised by any vehicles. But then, I wear an Ipod

Actually, reading and realizing all the opinions against riding with earbuds has made think through how I ride. This is not to start an Ipod discussion, this is just my personal experience, and works for me in my particular biking situation. I ended up asking myself - what would I do differently if I could hear cars coming earlier? (I can hear them, just a bit later than without ear buds) And I realized I wouldn't do anything different. I've taught myself to ride as if there is traffic about to pass me at all times, so I check my back before making the slightest maneuver to the left, and often just because.

Again, this is not a post to defend Ipods, but riding like this means I'm never, or at least very very rarely, surprised by quiet cars or other cyclists, and riding in noisy or windy conditions doesn't bother me. I've exchanged the habit of listening without looking for the habit of looking - a lot.