Dear So and So

[cylegoddess]

Dear Bike shop,

how come It took me only five( only been riding a year, just bought a Zinn's bike maint manual) to fix my brakes, when I paid money and left my bike - and you STILL gave me back a bike that I rode for 6 months, with rubbing brakes?
Ive been riding on full brakes for 6 MONTHS!
I know you are all young and keen on bikes, but could you be keen on fixing them properly? I figured it out, and Im not terribly mech minded.( Just a tread head, working on it.)
Wow , I wonder how easy it is going to be, when I stop feeling so ill and try it out again....

[ccnyc]

Why the @#$%! did you slow/brake without signaling or calling out that you're slowing/stopping for no good reason (there were no road hazards, obstacles, traffic lights, darting squirrels, or stop signs) when we were doing 18+ mph on the straightaway by the reservoir? You were taught NOT to do that. You caused 2 of us to crash, go to the hospital by ambulance, destroyed one carbon bike, and generally ruined what was a lovely ride up until that point. I will be thinking of you every time I turn my head (ouch!), roll over in bed (ouch!), lean forward (ouch!), or see my left side in the mirror (yikes!). Oh yeah, I've got to shell out for a new helmet, too. My co-leader has to shell out for a new bike!!!!

If any of you ever show up for rides that I'm leading, you're not welcome.

BTW, you don't deserve to graduate from the CSIG program. You're a danger to riders everywhere.

[MM_QFC!]

It's bike to work month and today is bike to work day here in the Seattle area. I realize that a lot more people who are brand new to riding and/or to commuting by bike may be venturing out on the roads lately.
I was hit by a car in April last year, shortly before bike-to-work month started and am still not back to commuting to work on a bike, so I've either been observing when I'm on a bus or from behind my steering wheel.

As a roadie, I know that I'm even more vigilant for riders while I'm driving a car and - for the life of me - cannot understand why so many riders, even if you're a newbie rider - would wear dark clothing, not use lights nor reflective gear - ANYTHING to make you more visible while you're riding. Honestly, every day I see 'stealth' riders in all black, no lights or 1 very faint blinkie out there. How in #ell are drivers supposed to see you? Please be aware that it isn't just darkness that can render you invisible to others sharing (or wanting to safely share!) the road; you can easily disappear into the shadows and shade even on days with bright sunshine.
It doesn't mean that you need to buy new cycling clothes...either wear a reflective or highly visible vest or use lights, reflective tape - whatever it takes to keep you from being invisible on the road!
For what it's worth, when I read the police report of the car crashing into me and destroying my bike, it had lots of information for the reporting officer to not only note the basic facts of the incident, but also to note the conditions that were present: weather (high clouds, clear, about 60 degrees F), time-of-day (bright daylight/early afternoon), road (clear and dry, painted crosswalk, numerous bicycle crossing/caution signs), traffic (trail intersection with thoroughfare), as well as specifically weather the cyclist (me!) was wearing visible/reflective clothing (yes), helmet (yes, light colored one), had lights or reflective material on their bike (yes, both), etc...it all helped in quickly establishing that the driver was completely liable for causing the injuries and property damage.
So, if not for any safety reason for yourself, it might be worth your while to be covered on this point, if the driver (or their insurance/attorney, etc) says that they couldn't see you at all...

Tailwinds!
Mary

[Duck on Wheels]

It's bike to work month and today is bike to work day here in the Seattle area. I realize that a lot more people who are brand new to riding and/or to commuting by bike may be venturing out on the roads lately.
I was hit by a car in April last year, shortly before bike-to-work month started and am still not back to commuting to work on a bike, so I've either been observing when I'm on a bus or from behind my steering wheel.

As a roadie, I know that I'm even more vigilant for riders while I'm driving a car and - for the life of me - cannot understand why so many riders, even if you're a newbie rider - would wear dark clothing, not use lights nor reflective gear - ANYTHING to make you more visible while you're riding. Honestly, every day I see 'stealth' riders in all black, no lights or 1 very faint blinkie out there. How in #ell are drivers supposed to see you? Please be aware that it isn't just darkness that can render you invisible to others sharing (or wanting to safely share!) the road; you can easily disappear into the shadows and shade even on days with bright sunshine.
It doesn't mean that you need to buy new cycling clothes...either wear a reflective or highly visible vest or use lights, reflective tape - whatever it takes to keep you from being invisible on the road!
For what it's worth, when I read the police report of the car crashing into me and destroying my bike, it had lots of information for the reporting officer to not only note the basic facts of the incident, but also to note the conditions that were present: weather (high clouds, clear, about 60 degrees F), time-of-day (bright daylight/early afternoon), road (clear and dry, painted crosswalk, numerous bicycle crossing/caution signs), traffic (trail intersection with thoroughfare), as well as specifically weather the cyclist (me!) was wearing visible/reflective clothing (yes), helmet (yes, light colored one), had lights or reflective material on their bike (yes, both), etc...it all helped in quickly establishing that the driver was completely liable for causing the injuries and property damage.
So, if not for any safety reason for yourself, it might be worth your while to be covered on this point, if the driver (or their insurance/attorney, etc) says that they couldn't see you at all...

Tailwinds!
Mary

Ditto to that! Assume drivers are pretty near blind. Do all you can to be visible, and then still do all you can to keep an eye on those crazy drivers. Two days ago a geezer in a little grey sedan pulled an unsignalled left right in front of my nose. Claimed he didn't see me, and I was driving a big, tall, fire-engine red Eurovan! Now imagine how likely he is to see a ninja cyclist all in black with no lights in the dusk on a rainy day.