Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Holly H on April 28, 2016 at 7:58am

I'd also encourage them to learn to coexist with other cyclists while riding.

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Permalink Reply by Cody McChane on April 28, 2016 at 9:54am

I think this can apply anywhere, but there are some Chicago-specific route choice things you can point out. The nature of our grid makes it relatively easy to ride a lot of places on low-stress streets, and you can often find neighborhood streets that cross arterials at lights or stop signs for easy crossing. More specifically, you can get really far by taking advantage of the Emerald Necklace connection of boulevards and parks.

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Permalink Reply by Ivo Iliev on April 29, 2016 at 6:14am

1. Earbuds increase the chances of the rider getting into an accident (especially if the rider is a novice). 

2. In an accident, you are a lot more likely to injure a part of the body other than the head (broken wrist, broken collarbone, busted ribs, etc.)

3. Helmets protect only in the case of a fall that results in direct impact to the head (and even that's doubtful because a lot of riders/ rookies do not even strap their helmets properly).

Therefore it follows that you could be a lot safer not wearing earbuds and not getting into accidents in the first place as opposed to wearing a helmet that will protect you in case you fall and hit your head.

I am not saying that helmets do not save lives, all I am saying is that it is very rare when they do, and if you don't get into an accident in the first place, then helmets are useless. This conclusion is, of course, based on my personal riding style and may not apply to everyone, but wearing earbuds is still pretty stupid to me. Especially when the slow rider in front of me is blocking the entire lane and does not hear me coming from behind.

Hope that makes sense...

P.S. This was meant to post as a reply to an earlier comment above, and I can't delete it so...

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Permalink Reply by yai danche on April 29, 2016 at 10:30am

Here are some tips I've seen floating around Chainlink and Let's Go Ride a Bike that helped me:

-Ride in traffic on a weekend when traffic is low (this parks/paths advice in NYT article is only useful for people who don't know the mechanics of riding a bike).

-Pick a short route that you know well and has marked bike lanes.  

-Left turns are most challenging for beginners, so don't feel bad doing a box left turn (Google it if this is an unfamiliar term).

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Permalink Reply by Paul Lazzaro on April 29, 2016 at 1:24pm

This whole thread makes me sad.  As a relatively old person, I grew up on bikes, riding everywhere.  By the time I was in middle school, I knew very well how to ride in (heavy) traffic.  It says something (very bad) about the urban planning of the last decades that so many younger people haven't a clue about how to survive on a bike in traffic.  But I really applaud them for making the effort to learn as adults!

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