I much prefer to cycle to my destination in the city, but occasionally I have to carry more than is possible on my bike and am forced to drive. During these trips, I always find it instructive getting the driver’s perspective of using the roads.
When I am driving behind a cyclist who is going slower than I am, as is usually the case, my reaction is that I want to pass the cyclist as soon as possible. Cyclists should always be aware of this. Drivers want to pass you, and they want to do it right away. And some of them will resort to less than ideally safe practices when they do it. It’s amazing how often a cyclist’s life and body are treated with reckless disregard so that a driver can save a few seconds.
The lesson for cyclists here is that they need to cycle in as straight a line as possible and at a steady speed. The driver who is trying to imitate Gilles Villeneuve while passing you is assuming that your speed and trajectory will not vary. You may be hit if you don’t move as the driver expects you to.
Right turns are one of my least favourite driving manoeuvres, especially at busy intersections. Drivers have to observe and process a remarkably large amount of information in a very short amount of time while deciding when to make a right. They are often a bit stressed while doing this. If you are cycling up fast behind a car that is signalling right, don’t assume the driver will see you. If you go past on the right, you may be hit. Always assume the driver doesn’t see you in these instances, and act accordingly.
Cyclists who put themselves in the driver's position will be much safer.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Friday, September 12, 2014
Sneaking Ahead
Lately, the concept that bikes are vehicles, and so should behave as such, is seeming to sink in with more and more of my fellow cyclists: I see an ever-increasing percentage of them signalling turns and stops; fewer red lights are being run; and incidents of other types of rule-flouting behaviour are also becoming rarer. Still, I do occasionally see, for example, cyclists riding against the direction of traffic on major roads or weaving wildly around cars as though they were part of a circus act. And the odd cyclist will still brazenly ride through a red light.
But on the whole, cyclist behaviour on city streets is much improved nowadays.
A bit of a throwback to the days of rampant red-light running, though, is what might be described as the red-light sneak. This is when a cyclist is temporarily stopped at a red light but then starts to slowly ease through the intersection after the red light has been showing for a while. Drivers, and most cyclists, know that you can’t proceed until the light has actually turned green. But some cyclists seem to think it is okay for them to run a red light because the light will be turning green soon and because they aren’t speeding through the intersection. It is as though they are thinking that because they are moving slowly, running a red light doesn’t count as a traffic-rule violation. I mean, hey, the light was about to change, wasn’t it?
An awful lot of bad blood still exists between drivers and cyclists. This sort of red-light running doesn’t help matters.
But on the whole, cyclist behaviour on city streets is much improved nowadays.
A bit of a throwback to the days of rampant red-light running, though, is what might be described as the red-light sneak. This is when a cyclist is temporarily stopped at a red light but then starts to slowly ease through the intersection after the red light has been showing for a while. Drivers, and most cyclists, know that you can’t proceed until the light has actually turned green. But some cyclists seem to think it is okay for them to run a red light because the light will be turning green soon and because they aren’t speeding through the intersection. It is as though they are thinking that because they are moving slowly, running a red light doesn’t count as a traffic-rule violation. I mean, hey, the light was about to change, wasn’t it?
An awful lot of bad blood still exists between drivers and cyclists. This sort of red-light running doesn’t help matters.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
New Bike or Old?
Winter is not kind to bicycles. The dirty, salty water that gets splashed all over them at that time of year turns clean bikes into ones that looks like filthy, derelict wrecks. Every spring, when I take my bike in to the shop for general maintenance, I’m given a list of parts that need to be replaced after the winter. And often it is suggested to me that I might as well buy a new bike because the repair costs are so high. As much as I’d enjoy having a new bicycle, I don’t think this is a good financial strategy.
I quite like my bike. It has served me well over the years. But aside from the frame, it doesn’t have many of its original parts left. If I were to tally the cost of all the replacement parts I have ever put on it, I would end up with an amount that would more than cover the cost of a new bike. The people at the bike shop suggest I get a new bike in part because they don’t think it is wise to spend so much on an old bike. They are also thinking of all the money I have already put into it. (And of course they’d like to sell me a bike...)
But that is applying old-car thinking to old bicycles. Car owners know that when a car reaches a certain age, a decision will have to be made about whether to pay for an expensive repair or sell the car. With old cars, selling rather than repairing often makes financial sense. Do you want to replace the transmission of an older car when the car’s resale value is plummeting?
With bikes there are no hugely expensive repairs looming in the future that might persuade someone to buy a new bike to avoid having to pay for those repairs. A well-maintained and newly repaired older bike is almost like having a new one. So, for an annual maintenance expense that isn’t really all that much, I can have a bike that is almost like new. If I were to buy a new bike to avoid having to pay for repairs on my old one, those repairs would still have to be made after the same amount of time on the new bike. The end result would be that I would have a bike in the same condition as my old bike, generally, but would have pointlessly put out a large amount of money.
Of course there are other reasons for buying a new bike. I wouldn’t mind getting a lighter bike, or one with narrower tires. But repair costs won’t motivate me to buy a new bike.
I quite like my bike. It has served me well over the years. But aside from the frame, it doesn’t have many of its original parts left. If I were to tally the cost of all the replacement parts I have ever put on it, I would end up with an amount that would more than cover the cost of a new bike. The people at the bike shop suggest I get a new bike in part because they don’t think it is wise to spend so much on an old bike. They are also thinking of all the money I have already put into it. (And of course they’d like to sell me a bike...)
But that is applying old-car thinking to old bicycles. Car owners know that when a car reaches a certain age, a decision will have to be made about whether to pay for an expensive repair or sell the car. With old cars, selling rather than repairing often makes financial sense. Do you want to replace the transmission of an older car when the car’s resale value is plummeting?
With bikes there are no hugely expensive repairs looming in the future that might persuade someone to buy a new bike to avoid having to pay for those repairs. A well-maintained and newly repaired older bike is almost like having a new one. So, for an annual maintenance expense that isn’t really all that much, I can have a bike that is almost like new. If I were to buy a new bike to avoid having to pay for repairs on my old one, those repairs would still have to be made after the same amount of time on the new bike. The end result would be that I would have a bike in the same condition as my old bike, generally, but would have pointlessly put out a large amount of money.
Of course there are other reasons for buying a new bike. I wouldn’t mind getting a lighter bike, or one with narrower tires. But repair costs won’t motivate me to buy a new bike.
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Too Cold
This January the weakening of the Polar Vortex is allowing a mass of frigid air to stray south. Toronto often avoids the very low temperatures that occur in most other parts of Canada. But not these days. When I awoke this morning, the temperature was -24 degrees; add in the wind chill and the reading was -39. Perhaps a bit too cold for cycling...
Each winter is the same. Through October, November, and December, as the temperature sinks, I continue to ride regularly, gradually getting used to the cold. But the cold I refer to is usually in the -10 to +10 range. If I dress properly, I’ll be fine.
In January or February, though, there is usually a cold snap that breaks my, and most other people’s, cycling routine. When I have decided that it’s too cold or snowy for cycling, I'll notice a few hardy types still riding their bikes for another day or two. (I’d tip my hat to them, but by that point I’d rather not remove it because of the cold.) But eventually, even these tough people have had enough, and the streets are temporarily without cyclists.
It’s not just the cold that prevents cycling. When it gets really cold, there is just too much ice on the streets. It really would be dangerous on a bike. Throw in the stiff arctic wind we had today, and cycling is out of the question.
I look forward to getting back on my bike. It is so convenient and is such a good way to exercise. The forecast shows I might be able to ride again in two days. But riding today is right out.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
O'Connor Drive Bridge
The O’Connor Drive bridge crosses over the valley through which Taylor Creek flows. It is a concrete bridge that is in pretty good shape, having been repaired and rehabilitated during the winter of 2012/13.
The arch of the bridge reminds me a little of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. This is a view of the bridge as seen from the south.
These pictures are of Taylor Creek where it runs under the bridge. When I first moved into the area, the creek used to smell unpleasant. The main sewage pipe was old and in poor condition. The creek would smell particularly bad after a heavy rain. Repairing the tunnel was deemed too expensive and dangerous, so construction of a new bypass tunnel started in April 2010. This tunnel is now operating, and the creek smells fine. As you can see, it is a pleasant place to be.
View from the north.
Part of the support structure of the bridge.
The bridge is quite long. I have biked over it many times, but this is an experience I find a bit unnerving. There are no reserved bike lanes, and there isn’t much space at the sides of the road for cyclists. Cars tend to move quickly on the bridge. I rarely see any other cyclists when I am on it.
The bridge doesn’t currently have a great deal of graffiti on it, but I did notice an area on the underside of the bridge at its far eastern end that warranted a look. I had to walk off-trail to get up to this area. The ground was quite wet, and I ended up having to walk my bike through a fair amount of mud to get there.
I was slightly nervous being in the area where this graffiti was, because it seemed possibly like a place where a gang might hang out. As I approached I watched carefully for signs of people. It turned out that the place was deserted, and I was able to snap a few pictures. I was glad to be on my way, though, as I left.
The arch of the bridge reminds me a little of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. This is a view of the bridge as seen from the south.
These pictures are of Taylor Creek where it runs under the bridge. When I first moved into the area, the creek used to smell unpleasant. The main sewage pipe was old and in poor condition. The creek would smell particularly bad after a heavy rain. Repairing the tunnel was deemed too expensive and dangerous, so construction of a new bypass tunnel started in April 2010. This tunnel is now operating, and the creek smells fine. As you can see, it is a pleasant place to be.
View from the north.
Part of the support structure of the bridge.
The bridge is quite long. I have biked over it many times, but this is an experience I find a bit unnerving. There are no reserved bike lanes, and there isn’t much space at the sides of the road for cyclists. Cars tend to move quickly on the bridge. I rarely see any other cyclists when I am on it.
The bridge doesn’t currently have a great deal of graffiti on it, but I did notice an area on the underside of the bridge at its far eastern end that warranted a look. I had to walk off-trail to get up to this area. The ground was quite wet, and I ended up having to walk my bike through a fair amount of mud to get there.
I was slightly nervous being in the area where this graffiti was, because it seemed possibly like a place where a gang might hang out. As I approached I watched carefully for signs of people. It turned out that the place was deserted, and I was able to snap a few pictures. I was glad to be on my way, though, as I left.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Cycling in the Rain
I occasionally enjoy riding in the rain. I don’t love it; I won’t say that. But as long as I am dressed for it, and the rain isn’t coming down too hard, cycling in the rain can be an enjoyable experience.
When we are children, we sometimes want to play in the rain. Most people develop an aversion to being in the rain as they get older. We’ll hurry from the door to the car with an umbrella over our head, trying to minimize the amount of time we spend in the rain. Choosing to bike somewhere even though it is raining is a way to relive the childish enjoyment of just being out in the rain.
Here are some tips for cycling in the rain:
Don’t bike in a downpour. If it starts to rain hard enough, being out on the streets becomes dangerous. You are harder to see, and drivers may not expect cyclists to be out in such a heavy rain, and so may not be on the lookout for them.
Rain jackets that are meant for cycling come in bright colours, often red, blue, or yellow, and have reflective strips on them. If you cycle in the rain, make sure to wear one of these cycling rain jackets, or at least wear a brightly coloured rain coat. I recommend jackets specifically sold to cyclists, because they usually have reflective strips.
You may not enjoy riding in the rain if your clothes are soaked, so make sure you are dressed properly. To keep your legs dry, you can wear rain pants. Or, at least bring a change of pants that you can get into once you have got to your destination.
Keeping your feet dry is also an issue. If your shoes are just water resistant, your feet are going to get wet. Make sure to bring a change of socks, or wear waterproof shoes or boots. Cycling shops sell overshoes for wet weather.
Bike shops also sell rain hats for wearing either under or over your helmet. An over-the-helmet hat is a good option if you would rather not put a tight cap over your hair.
When cycling in the rain, you may come across the odd puddle in your path. Puddles are common on the sides of roads, where we often cycle. Some of them can be a few centimetres deep, and you may wish to avoid going right through one. If you are cycling in traffic, be very careful about swerving to avoid puddles. If you notice that you are approaching a puddle, slow down (but not suddenly) to minimize the wash of water that will be thrown up. Or, you can go around the puddle, but only after you have checked over your shoulder to make sure no cars or other cyclists are coming up.
Enjoy being out in the rain, but be safe and dry while doing it.
When we are children, we sometimes want to play in the rain. Most people develop an aversion to being in the rain as they get older. We’ll hurry from the door to the car with an umbrella over our head, trying to minimize the amount of time we spend in the rain. Choosing to bike somewhere even though it is raining is a way to relive the childish enjoyment of just being out in the rain.
Here are some tips for cycling in the rain:
Don’t bike in a downpour. If it starts to rain hard enough, being out on the streets becomes dangerous. You are harder to see, and drivers may not expect cyclists to be out in such a heavy rain, and so may not be on the lookout for them.
Rain jackets that are meant for cycling come in bright colours, often red, blue, or yellow, and have reflective strips on them. If you cycle in the rain, make sure to wear one of these cycling rain jackets, or at least wear a brightly coloured rain coat. I recommend jackets specifically sold to cyclists, because they usually have reflective strips.
You may not enjoy riding in the rain if your clothes are soaked, so make sure you are dressed properly. To keep your legs dry, you can wear rain pants. Or, at least bring a change of pants that you can get into once you have got to your destination.
Keeping your feet dry is also an issue. If your shoes are just water resistant, your feet are going to get wet. Make sure to bring a change of socks, or wear waterproof shoes or boots. Cycling shops sell overshoes for wet weather.
Bike shops also sell rain hats for wearing either under or over your helmet. An over-the-helmet hat is a good option if you would rather not put a tight cap over your hair.
When cycling in the rain, you may come across the odd puddle in your path. Puddles are common on the sides of roads, where we often cycle. Some of them can be a few centimetres deep, and you may wish to avoid going right through one. If you are cycling in traffic, be very careful about swerving to avoid puddles. If you notice that you are approaching a puddle, slow down (but not suddenly) to minimize the wash of water that will be thrown up. Or, you can go around the puddle, but only after you have checked over your shoulder to make sure no cars or other cyclists are coming up.
Enjoy being out in the rain, but be safe and dry while doing it.
Monday, September 9, 2013
Leaside Bridge
One of the more impressive sights on the Lower Don Valley Recreation Trail is the Leaside Bridge. (The most impressive sight on this trail would have to be the Prince Edward Viaduct.) The Leaside Bridge, which opened in 1927, connects Millwood Avenue, to the north, with Pape and Donlands Avenues, to the south. Pape and Donlands meet at the southern side of the bridge.
I envy the lucky people who use the Lower Don Valley Recreation Trail to commute. It is an interesting ride through its entire length: a place where the wilderness and urban join. The Leaside Bridge is a good example of this.
Underneath the bridge it is quite overgrown and wild.
The bridge looms overhead as you approach it.
There is a lot of graffiti on the bridge. Most of it is within easy reach, but someone went out of their way to add “FRENS.” I don’t know what “FRENS” refers to.
Some examples of graffiti at the feet of the concrete pillars supporting the bridge.
The pillars are covered in concrete patches.
Here, the Don River makes its way under the bridge. The concrete footing here doesn’t seem altogether well supported to me. Incidentally, I acquired a three-centimetre nail through my rear tire as I rode off-trail to take this picture.
I envy the lucky people who use the Lower Don Valley Recreation Trail to commute. It is an interesting ride through its entire length: a place where the wilderness and urban join. The Leaside Bridge is a good example of this.
Underneath the bridge it is quite overgrown and wild.
The bridge looms overhead as you approach it.
There is a lot of graffiti on the bridge. Most of it is within easy reach, but someone went out of their way to add “FRENS.” I don’t know what “FRENS” refers to.
Some examples of graffiti at the feet of the concrete pillars supporting the bridge.
The pillars are covered in concrete patches.
Here, the Don River makes its way under the bridge. The concrete footing here doesn’t seem altogether well supported to me. Incidentally, I acquired a three-centimetre nail through my rear tire as I rode off-trail to take this picture.
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