Archive for 'Commuting'
Should Cyclists Yield or Stop at Stop Signs?
Posted on 28. Apr, 2009 by carlos.
Today the debate about the safest, most ‘friendly’ way for a cyclist to go through a stop sign came up. I had no idea this was even a debate, but this video below makes sense to me after spending a few months on a bike. The driver’s viewpoint also makes sense: that if you (the cyclist) want to act like a car, do so in every way.
Here in Austin TX, the University of Texas police are ‘cracking down’ on students who do not stop.
“You ran a stop sign. Are you familiar with the state bike laws?” asked UT Police Officer Joseph Silas, still wearing his helmet as he inspected the advertising junior’s ID card. via (The Daily Texas)
Cyclists in the video are not arguing that speeding through busy intersections should be legal, but they are suggesting that stopping is unnecessary under some circumstances:
As a cyclist or car driver, what do you think?
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What type of bike should I get to commute to work?
Posted on 05. Mar, 2009 by carlos.
I’ve been apprenticing at Tsunami Cycles, a cycle repair shop in Austin, Texas, for the past week. I am continuously reminded of the timeless adage, “the more you learn, the more you realize you do not know.” I learn how to fix a single tire, only to be told that many types of tires exist. I learn one way to remove a part, only to learn that different countries thread parts differently. The vast array of bikes grows with time. Thousands of customizations to each person’s liking are available and only a mechanic knows how to tell the difference.
PHEW…those were my overwhelming feelings, but let’s back peddle a bit. To start off, we do not need to fix bicycles. Let’s put repairs to the back of our mind and learn to simply identify the bikes we will be dealing with. This is the starting point that I needed to grasp.
Below will help you understand some general things about commuter bikes and some important questions to ask yourself.
What is a commuter bike?
Any type of bike can be a ‘commuter.’ The bike that gets you comfortably from home to work and back, is a good commuter. This is not the be-all end-all post for picking your bike, but we both have to start some where.
What questions should I answer about my commute?
Does it have a lot of hills?
If yes, then your answer is in a geared system. Make an automatic assumption that you will be getting a geared bike. Without detail on how gears work, they will ease your climb and give you more power when cruising on a straight path.
