Looking like a commuter is safer ...

[cyberknight]

Than looking like a full on "racer "

When i am commuting i ride a road bike but i have panniers and i very very rarely get close passes or other road users cutting me up.

In the last 3 rides on my other bike that has no panniers riding at very similar speeds making the same choices on road position, awareness of other vehicles etc etc i have had 3 drivers cut me up so close i can touch the car from my hoods that made me shout and they then decided to stop and give me the old road tax , should cycle in the gutter ,your only a bike bullshit and 4-5 others cut me up on roundabouts when i was already on the r/bout clearly indicating in the correct road position.

Can we get carbon fibre aero panniers that i can stick on my "weekend " bike so i can have more room please?

 

[Tynan]

I certainly think that a full on racer with a lean rider in roadie kit, no guards, no lights looks more slight, and of cousrse a great deal of safty in commuting comes from heavy traffic and people driving to and from work rather than gadding about at the weekend going who lnows where to do who knows what

 

[david1701]

my sister says following me in a car the panniers make me a lot more visible from behind, might that be it?

 

[BentMikey]

Looking like a recumbent is much safer still, in my experience.

 

[Brommie77]

Try getting one of those plastic orange flag things that stick out at 90 degrees from the back of the bike

They used to be very popular at one time. It'll add to your street cred no-end

 

[cyberknight]

Try getting one of those plastic orange flag things that stick out at 90 degrees from the back of the bike

They used to be very popular at one time. It'll add to your street cred no-end

I ride a carrera bike with decathlon shorts and retro tops from ebay what is this mythical "street cred "?

 

[Brommie77]

Its when you cycle down the road and everyone points at you and shouts abuse encouragement at you for cycling... I think.........

 

[lejogger]

Apparently studies have proved (I don't have a reference ) that not wearing a helmet and 'appearing' more vulnerable will usually cause a driver to give more room. And that the more 'novice-like' you appear the more wary a driver treats you. It is possible that lycra and leanness will cause an assumption of a better ability to deal with faster-flowing/closer traffic. I've certainly noticed that panniers help. <BR><BR>I use a single pannier when I commute, but always on the side of the traffic to increase how much presence I appear to have. But being a competant cyclist can cause problems in itself. Drivers rarely understand that in a built up area there is very little speed difference between a roadie/fast commuter and any other vehicle in the road, or they don't have the spatial awareness to gauge the speed we're travelling. Plus the mere sight of a cyclist appears to induce panic in the eyes of most motorists whose need to make sure that they get out of their junction first/or overtake at first chance makes them a total menace.<BR><BR><BR>At the end of the day though there are considerate motorists and inconsiderate motorists, and the sooner the DVLA introduce the correct procedure for passing cyclists into the driving test the better.

 

[mark i]

I used to cycle with a rucksack on an old mountain bike. I then added panniers and rack to said bike and the amount of close passes fell off overnight. They are definetly a safety aid!

 

[Wobblers]

There unquestionably is a difference.

I get more close passes when I've donned the lycra as opposed to cycling in civies. I suspect that when you look the part, motorists assume that you're a more competent cyclist and so will be less likely to swerve or wobble and don't need any space. In other words, it seems that they think it's okay to pass closer to you and not risk scratching their precious paintwork.

I suppose you could treat it as a form of compliment: they think you're sufficiently competent that they deem that you don't need all that 6 inches of space.

Or you could strap a garden rake to the rack - with the points to the off-side!

 

[jnb]

my sister says following me in a car the panniers make me a lot more visible from behind, might that be it?

Certainly when I was using motorbikes I always liked to fit panniers, partly because they were practical but partly because the gave the bike a lot more 'presence' on the road.

 

[Wankelschrauben]

they then decided to stop and give me the old road tax , should cycle in the gutter ,your only a bike bullshit

I've never had this happen to me but considering the amount of road taxes I pay on my BMW, I think I'd probably be paying more than the average road user and therfore tell them where to stick it.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

... but considering the amount of road taxes I pay on my BMW ...

You don't pay any road tax on your BMW!

 

[Wankelschrauben]

Ummm, yeah I do, fuel duty, RFL, tax on insurance.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Ummm, yeah I do

Ummm, no you don't.

fuel duty,

That's a tax on fuel, not a road tax.

RFL,

There's no such thing. I think you are referring to GVED (Graduated Vehicle Excise Duty). That's a tax on owning a motor vehicle, based on the amount of pollution it creates, not a road tax.

tax on insurance.

That's a tax on insurance, not a road tax.