How can you tell.....

[marni]

Interesting observation--you may have a good point. Doesn't change the fact that riding w/o a helmet is reckless, however.

picture your brain as an egg and then drop said egg on the sidewalk. That is your brain without a helmet.

I am pretty unabashed about calling anyone who rides without a helmet an organ donor. it's a good thing whhen they take themselves out of the gene pool voluntarily.

[Catrin]

I do believe a person who doesn't wear a helmet is not an experienced, i.e., knowledgable cyclist.

I am always taken aback when out riding when I see someone (usually male) on an expensive road/racing bike, full kit and NO helmet. I really do not understand those who ride motorcycles without a helmet. Indiana has no helmet law, but really, don't they understand what happens to the skull when it hits the ground unprotected? Perhaps this comes from a belief that it can never happen to them?

-.....
-They have to walk bicycle across at a traffic light because they are in too high a gear and don't understand your instructions for how to downshift.

I will still walk my bike at most busy intersections. Not because of my shifting, but because it still takes me a little longer to start than other cyclists and I don't want to p*ss off impatient drivers. I am working on this, but in the end, will do what feels safe to do.

This is the nice thing about my country roads - I just don't yet care for urban cycling. I suspect that this is entirely related to experience though, as I get more, I will become more confident on urban roads. I just don't see the fun in having to stop for a light at every block or so... Of course there are busy intersections in the country, they are just further apart

[PamNY]

I will still walk my bike at most busy intersections. Not because of my shifting, but because it still takes me a little longer to start than other cyclists and I don't want to p*ss off impatient drivers. I am working on this, but in the end, will do what feels safe to do.

Catrin, you are right to do this and I don't think it's indicative of a lack of skill or experience.

I have a friend who is a long-time NYC bike messenger. He hates the same intersections I hate.

It's very interesting to talk to him about biking because he has nothing to prove -- having made his living on the mean streets for years. He's usually not wearing a helmet when I see him -- so nothing to do with experience.

[Catrin]

.....When she got to my side I changed gears for her by turning the wheel and shifting. Then she was able to ride.

Sigh. Quite a difference from being safe and cautious

No offense taken, just wanted to point out that there is more than one reason to walk an intersection.

That being said, it has not been all that long since I had the same problem as she did - but I at least knew how to turn my wheel and shift it into an easier gear for starting. I finally got wise and figured out that I actually can start in almost any gear - as long as I am not going up-hill. Then again, how I start prevents that from even being possible anyway