Commuting for beginners
-
- Posts: 1290
- Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:47 pm
- Location: Perth
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby GraemeL » Thu Apr 14, 2011 7:56 am
Please use lights, it may just save your life.
Graeme
* Bicycle Camera FAQ's *** Mounting FAQ’s & DIY Mounts *
- fatherofmany
- Posts: 3494
- Joined: Thu Aug 14, 2008 3:13 pm
- Location: Central Coast NSW Australia 33°26'16"S 151°20'39.50"E ish
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby fatherofmany » Fri Apr 15, 2011 12:10 pm
It's also a legal requirement to run lights at night. I also run Tioga dual eyes on the rear of all my bikes, really bright and you can't avoid seeing them. On the front I have a Knog white blinkie so they can see me and a 1W LED torch on a handlebar mount so I can see stuff.
FoM
- waramatt
- Posts: 346
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 8:52 pm
- Location: Newcastle
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby waramatt » Fri Apr 15, 2011 8:23 pm
1. Lights, front & back, up and down and flashing at different frequencies
2. High visibility clothing and backpacks
3. Headlight lamps (front, white) and lights (rear, red)
Obviously I'm a giant dork, and not the slightest bit fashion conscious, but it gives me some sense of security, and based on the old guy's feedback, I'm noticed by drivers. You'll never see me wearing dark grey or black lyrca....it's hi viz yellows and oranges all the way for me.
Giant TCR Adv 0 Di2
SE Draft Lite SS
Felt Dispatch SS
Surly Cross Check CX
Fuji Nevada 3.0 MTB
Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race. H G Wells
- MattyK
- Posts: 3252
- Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby MattyK » Sun Apr 17, 2011 11:23 am
* Get puncture resistant tyres. No flats is better than learning how to fix them beside the road.
(Side issue, know where the nearest bike shops are on your route)
* Get muguards. You'll get caught in the rain unexpectedly some time, best to be ready for it. Rain is pleasant, road spray is not.
* Have a lightweight spray jacket with you at all times
* Panniers are nicer than a backpack. I use a fold-out Topeak MTX bag that can be quite small.
* Be seen. I have two Magicshine headlights (10W LED each) two 1/2 W taillights (flashing at different frequencies, very visible), and if it's dark I'll wear a reflective vest also (Bunnings special, but sewn in at the sides for a nicer fit, less flappy) or the aorementioned spray jacket (yellow, reflective piping). Shoes have reflectors, wheels have reflectors.
*Gloves, mostly for extra grip when it's wet.
* Avoid really busy roads, but on't compromise your route too much unless you love hills etc.
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:21 pm
- Location: WINNING
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby Nick - Pie Man » Thu Apr 28, 2011 9:37 am
I have started commuting to work in a sense - I ride to the station, take a train, and then ride to work
Bike riding is so much fun. I can't believe I waited until I was 29 to learn how to do it.
Here's a question for Melburnians. How are you supposed to 'carry' your bike on trains? It's easy on the VLine trains they have a little compartment for bikes and that's awesome. But on the regular Metro trains - what are you supposed to do? Block a door way? How do you get bikes onto trains during peak hour when they are totally crowded?
- Mulger bill
- Super Mod
- Posts: 29060
- Joined: Sun Sep 24, 2006 2:41 pm
- Location: Sunbury Vic
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby Mulger bill » Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:25 am
If you must, go for cars 1, 3, 4 or 6 and head for the cab end, there's a little more space there.
London Boy 29/12/2011
- Comedian
- Posts: 9166
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:35 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby Comedian » Sat Apr 30, 2011 11:48 am
Mate - I have got utterly no idea of what you speak! None at all!Mulger bill wrote:Getting on a peak hour spark with yer scoot can be an exercise in frustration, avoid if possible.
If you must, go for cars 1, 3, 4 or 6 and head for the cab end, there's a little more space there.
- trailgumby
- Posts: 15469
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:30 pm
- Location: Northern Beaches, Sydney
- Contact:
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby trailgumby » Sat Apr 30, 2011 1:31 pm
- Comedian
- Posts: 9166
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:35 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby Comedian » Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:38 pm
Thankstrailgumby wrote:cars = rail cars. The one at the end or those with a driver cab tend to be a little less crowded and/or more accessible.
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby il padrone » Sat Apr 30, 2011 5:43 pm
Reflectors (red rear) are legally mandated. Take a bright torch one night, switch on your tail-light then shine the torch at the rear of your bike (with reflector fitted) holding it near your eyes. You'll see the value of reflectors as the reflector drowns out your 'bright' tail-light.GraemeL wrote:I have taken the front and rear reflectors off our bikes. We have lights and use them all the time. If we get stopped I will argue that lights replace reflectors
Please use lights, it may just save your life.
Please use reflectors and your lights. Note: most rear blinkies do not have a reflector built into the lens. Some do - notably the old Vistalite Supernebula (no longer made)
and also the new Cateye Reflex Automatic flasher
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
- Comedian
- Posts: 9166
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:35 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby Comedian » Sun May 01, 2011 7:09 am
- elStado
- Posts: 2363
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:27 am
- Location: Syd, NSW
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby elStado » Sun May 01, 2011 1:09 pm
Lights and reflectors are normally required by law, and by common sense/self preservation.Nick - Pie Man wrote:Ah. Good thing I asked
Go down to your LBS and pick up a decent set right now. The go online and buy yourself some spares/secondary blinky lights.
You can get some very cheap from places like DX, just cheap, simple LED blinky lights you use WITH your main lights in case there's a fault/battery issue etc.
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/white-red- ... -set-19033
http://www.dealextreme.com/p/2-led-3-mo ... 2032-44066
I have 2x rear and 2x front lights on both my bikes. Planet bike main lights and some DX cheapies as secondary.
I wear a hi-viz long sleeve shirt. However I have started to avoid it unless it is a particularly grey, gloomy day and my lights aren't as visible as at night.waramatt wrote:it's hi viz yellows and oranges all the way for me.
Normally I just wear a regular white or coloured shirt with some black shorts or jeans. Why? Because I don't like the idea of "looking" like a cyclist and also I feel that wearing all the safety vi-viz gear is affirming to other people (in particular motorists who don't cycle) that cycling is an inherently dangerous activity and you have to look like a 'dork' to avoid being killed. I prefer to passively market cycling as a normal, easy, accessible activity that anyone can do- no hi-viz or special clothing required! More cyclists on the road is 100x better way for going about cyclist safety and presence than hi-viz clothing and 900+ lumen lights..
But yes, have reflectors, have a good set of lights and a backup (not only for visibility but also so you can see at night and not injure yourself), ride in a predictable and firm manner, obey road rules, thank motorists who make a conscientious effort to accommodate you on the road and most of all smile and show other people how you're having a great time. This is especially effective for all those salary slaves who sit in a car for hours each day commuting to work.. they see you having fun and being active and that might just get them over the line and start cycling too!
-
- Posts: 1290
- Joined: Fri Dec 03, 2010 4:47 pm
- Location: Perth
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby GraemeL » Sun May 01, 2011 1:51 pm
il padrone wrote: You'll see the value of reflectors as the reflector drowns out your 'bright' tail-light.
So you are saying that a reflector is better and brighter than my lights? You use your reflector and I will use my lights!
Sheldon Brown http://www.sheldonbrown.com/reflectors.html
Just for the record, I have and use, day time and night time, two Planet Bike Blinkies and a PDW Radbot 1000 which has a built in reflector.
Graeme
* Bicycle Camera FAQ's *** Mounting FAQ’s & DIY Mounts *
- il padrone
- Posts: 22931
- Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:57 pm
- Location: Heading for home.
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby il padrone » Sun May 01, 2011 2:42 pm
I know and agree with Sheldon's views. He is talking re. some US jurisdictions where cyclists and/or lawmakers have tried to allow reflectors as a substitute for rear lights. Very different to what I am suggesting.GraemeL wrote:il padrone wrote: You'll see the value of reflectors as the reflector drowns out your 'bright' tail-light.
So you are saying that a reflector is better and brighter than my lights? You use your reflector and I will use my lights!
Sheldon Brown http://www.sheldonbrown.com/reflectors.html
The red rear reflector is much brighter in appearance when a car headlight shines on it, as then it is reflecting a 55W beam, compared to your 0.5W tail light beam. As I said earlier, even with a 3W LED torch shining on it, the reflector drowms out the 0.5W led light. Read my post - I am saying use a front and rear light and reflectors, in contrast to your statement:
Just for the record I use good bright lights (powerful headlight and two tail lights) together with red rear reflector and clothes/bags with reflective patches.GraemeL wrote:I have taken the front and rear reflectors off our bikes. We have lights and use them all the time. If we get stopped I will argue that lights replace reflectors
"An unjustified and unethical imposition on a healthy activity."
-
- Posts: 12170
- Joined: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:40 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby jasonc » Wed May 04, 2011 9:59 pm
that's a +1 from meComedian wrote:So does the Radbot! I still think this is the best tail light I've come across. On my roadbike I fitted it and removed the reflector (no other spots) and it does both jobs well.
- find_bruce
- Moderator
- Posts: 10579
- Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 8:42 pm
- Location: Sydney
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby find_bruce » Wed May 11, 2011 12:17 am
This is not just the brightness of the magic shine, even the AA led flashlight has road signs etc all brightly lit.
I found plenty of out of the way spaces to re-mount the reflectors & lets be honest, for a commuter bike, the 50 or 100 grams makes no difference.
So yes I say leave the reflectors on & use nice bright lights
Cheers
Bruce
- kodakmomentz
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:24 pm
- Location: Narrogin
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby kodakmomentz » Fri May 20, 2011 12:25 am
Should I just cycle the whole way or should I ease into it and break it down and get fitter as I go along?
The bus services to where I work have just been revised but still take longer than to cycle all the way which I think is funny.
- Comedian
- Posts: 9166
- Joined: Mon Aug 09, 2010 7:35 pm
- Location: Brisbane
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby Comedian » Fri May 20, 2011 6:33 am
How far will be your commute? How is your fittness?kodakmomentz wrote:Instead of starting a new post...I'm getting back into cycling to my new work which has a much more fancier shower and facilities than that of a shopping centre.
Should I just cycle the whole way or should I ease into it and break it down and get fitter as I go along?
The bus services to where I work have just been revised but still take longer than to cycle all the way which I think is funny.
Do you know the best route? If it's a fair way then by all means go part way to start. Another option which might work for you is to ride in and then catch public transport home and back in. Then ride home the next day. It will obviously depend on your bike storage options. Good luck and keep us posted.
- kodakmomentz
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Sat Jul 25, 2009 4:24 pm
- Location: Narrogin
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby kodakmomentz » Fri May 20, 2011 9:26 pm
About 20 kilometres each wayHow far will be your commute?
A 5 kilometre walk leaves me puffing.How is your fitness?
I might try riding a full length to see how I go and how long it will take. I'm hoping under an hour. Ill take some bolt cutters with me so I can lock my bike up at the train station in an enclosed locker just in case.
-
- Posts: 6
- Joined: Mon May 23, 2011 3:18 pm
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby yellowhummer » Tue May 24, 2011 6:15 pm
i have only one rule
i give way to anyone bigger than me and they often give way to me anyway
no helmets so its cool, pantene sure helps
- MattyK
- Posts: 3252
- Joined: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:07 pm
- Location: Melbourne
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby MattyK » Wed May 25, 2011 1:32 pm
That's better than most of the Chinese commuters I saw in Shanghai last year...yellowhummer wrote:i only commute in china
i have only one rule
i give way to anyone bigger than me and they often give way to me anyway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2szsCOb0UYw
-
- Posts: 135
- Joined: Fri Mar 18, 2011 2:21 pm
- Location: WINNING
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby Nick - Pie Man » Thu May 26, 2011 10:48 am
Geez my options are limited though. The Hallam Bypass trail looks ok (would love to hear from anyone that uses it) but getting to Berwick from Paki is going to prove interesting. Not looking forward to playing on the shoulderless Princes Hwy, that's for sure
-
- Posts: 3056
- Joined: Tue Jan 05, 2010 2:54 pm
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby zero » Thu May 26, 2011 6:53 pm
An awful lot of reasonable road users in that vid, just a couple of pushy ones (distributed across all types). Can only imagine the motorist histronics if we had a similar intersection with a similar traffic mix in Sydney.MattyK wrote:That's better than most of the Chinese commuters I saw in Shanghai last year...yellowhummer wrote:i only commute in china
i have only one rule
i give way to anyone bigger than me and they often give way to me anyway
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2szsCOb0UYw
- gururug
- Posts: 1531
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:05 am
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby gururug » Thu May 26, 2011 8:49 pm
If there were legal / accident proceedings, it'd be a shame to be totally in the right and have someone get off one a technicality of you not having reflectors.
- elStado
- Posts: 2363
- Joined: Tue Mar 16, 2010 12:27 am
- Location: Syd, NSW
Re: Commuting for beginners
Postby elStado » Thu May 26, 2011 9:47 pm
It happens. It's one thing I am actually quite worried about, as one of my bikes doesn't have a rear red reflector (has 2x LED red lights instead) and another doesn't have the yellow wheel reflectors (it has yellow tire reflector stickers on the side walls). You can imagine that a crafty lawyer could work that loophole and make it that you are liable for an accident because you were missing a reflector and some fool rear-ended you.. even if you have a couple of bright LED lights instead..gururug wrote:I'd be really surprised if you got done for no reflectors if you have decent lights on front and back.
If there were legal / accident proceedings, it'd be a shame to be totally in the right and have someone get off one a technicality of you not having reflectors.
- General Australian Cycling Topics
- Info / announcements
- Buying a bike / parts
- General Cycling Discussion
- The Bike Shed
- Cycling Health
- Cycling Safety and Advocacy
- Women's Cycling
- Bike & Gear Reviews
- Cycling Trade
- Stolen Bikes
- Bicycle FAQs
- Serious Biking
- Audax / Randonneuring
- Retro biking
- Commuting
- MTB
- Recumbents
- Fixed Gear/ Single Speed
- Track
- Electric Bicycles
- Cyclocross and Gravel Grinding
- Dragsters / Lowriders / Cruisers
- Children's Bikes
- Cargo Bikes and Utility Cycling
- Road Racing
- Road Biking
- Training
- Time Trial
- Triathlon
- International and National Tours and Events
- Cycle Touring
- Touring Australia
- Touring Overseas
- Touring Bikes and Equipment
- Australia
- Western Australia
- New South Wales
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Victoria
- ACT
- Tasmania
- Northern Territory
- Country & Regional
- The Market Place
- Member to Member Bike and Gear Sales
- Want to Buy, Group Buy, Swap
- My Bikes or Gear Elsewhere
- Cycling Brands
- Cannondale
- Garmin
- Giant
- Shimano
- Trek
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users
- All times are UTC+11:00
- Top
- Delete cookies
About the Australian Cycling Forums
The Australian Cycling Forums is a welcoming community where you can ask questions and talk about the type of bikes and cycling topics you like.
Bicycles Network Australia
Forum Information
Connect with BNA
This website uses affiliate links to retail platforms including ebay, amazon, proviz and ribble.