OWN YOUR LANE
Thread started by
indigis at 04.23.08 - 12:35 pm
The last thing I'd ever do is suggest how others should ride. These are the rules I ride by. Add your own...
1. Own Your Lane - I own the lane I'm in. The only thing that comes from riding "courteously" on the lane's right is inviting a driver to take advantage of the space your offering thereby swiping by you too closely and unsafely.
2. Be A Motorcycle - If you ride in traffic, be a part of the traffic. If you can't ride within 10% of the flow of traffic, you should be on that street. When I ride, I ride the same way as I do when I'm on my motorcycle. I split lanes, I pass when safe, I ride confidently, I ride as if (as I do) I have the right to the road.
3. Refrain From Anger and Outbursts - The hardest thing for me to do by far. It is more than inevitable, it is common, for hate to be thrown your way. I get honked at for simply being on the road. My temptation is to chase up and catch the car to fuck with them. This accomplishes less than nothing. Take the hate. Return it with love.
4. Be A Hunter - Ride hyper hyper defensively. Always be on the lookout for every stupid thing that can happen in front of you. It's going to happen. See it coming. Be prepared and be safe.
5. More Flies With Honey - Critical Mass rides are protest rides. MR rides are celebratory rides. On our MR rides I want to protect the image of the group and not cause hate among the police. However, safety comes first. Better to own the whole road safely than half the road in danger.
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I definitely ride by these principals myself.
markedge04.23.08 - 12:55 pm
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I'll add one thing that I use for myself and encourage others to follow while riding:
Be Vocal - "OPEN YOUR MOUF!" You've got a voice, use it. Cars can hear you better if you yell and alert your presence.
Important times to be vocal:
1. When people are about to open their driver-side doors into the lane.
2. When crossing an intersection when the light's about to change.
3. When a driver is about to make a right turn and they don't see you in their mirror.
4. When riding in a group and a car is about to buzz by. It's way better to let your friends know of an upcoming obstacle than not saying anything at all.
Also, make sure drivers make eye contact with you. Otherwise, be vary wary that they might not know you are there and make some noise.
Joe Borfo04.23.08 - 1:06 pm
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use bright ass fuckin flasher lights like the minewt night rider (stupid name for a light?) use these flasher lights in the day time.
I like what was said about hyper defensive riding. I assume every single person on the road is not paying attention. you have to assume that.
Roadblock04.23.08 - 1:16 pm
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I would also like to add one..
OPEN YOUR MOUF - VISUALLY!
Dressing in visually-stimulating outfits/costumes not only boosts visibilty but also attracts and/or strikes fear in your opponents (autos). Dust off that ol' banana-suit and ride to work! You won't be run over, at least on accident.
SKIDMARCUS04.23.08 - 1:26 pm
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I ride to the right unless the lane is narrow.
always ride door length plus 2 feet from parked cars.
I'm pretty quick so I feel ok about trading between left and right lane when navigating traffic.
if it's bumper to bumper be extra cautious when passing cars on the right. this is the time when drivers are steaming themselves up looking for side street or parking lane escape routes making sudden right turns much more common.
Roadblock04.23.08 - 1:26 pm
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anticipate what drivers are thinking. if you know there is a major right turn up ahead expect the cars to be jockeying for this right turn.
yes be VOCAL and VISIBLE. look drivers in the eye. point at them if you have to. anything to get their attention. drivers in traffic are lost in deep thoughts of anger and depression
Roadblock04.23.08 - 1:29 pm
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One more tip from the motorcycling world, always have an escape route.
sc_nomad04.23.08 - 1:31 pm
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that 10% rule is a pretty good rule of thumb...
hey Dennis what date was that when wolfpack hit the 110E to the 5N exchange?
Roadblock04.23.08 - 1:35 pm
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If you can't ride within 10% of the flow of traffic, you should be on that street.
I don't get it. There is a "NOT" missing right?
marino04.23.08 - 1:41 pm
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Can't remember the date but we can boast that Wolfpack rode on the freeway.
sc_nomad04.23.08 - 1:47 pm
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I'm sure we got a couple of motorists confused as 40 cyclists just exited the Golden State Freeway.
sc_nomad04.23.08 - 1:57 pm
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My first Wolfpack was 8.6.2007- we got on a stretch of highway exitramp, i think it was the 5.
SKIDMARCUS04.23.08 - 2:09 pm
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Agreed.
There are 2 rules I abide by when on a motorcycle. They apply to bicycles also:
1. You are 100% invisible. No one ever, ever, ever, sees you. No matter what. Never. Ever. Ever.
2. If they DO see you, they are out to kill you.
Ride with those 2 rules in mind and it should help you stay a little safer and avoid any unpleasant accidents.
MikeyWalsh04.23.08 - 3:06 pm
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indigis
"Critical Mass rides are protest rides. MR rides are celebratory rides.
FALSE. I'm sick and tired of this continual mischaracterization. Can everyone here who rode a CM for protest please raise their hand? Can everyone here who rode a CM for fun please raise their hand? A lot more hands up the 2nd time. Fuck the above noise.
Alex Thompson04.23.08 - 3:11 pm
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Rida of the Year04.23.08 - 3:15 pm
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Alex, perhaps if this is a CONTINUAL CHARACTERIZATION, it should be you who reconsiders what CM is. No one is denying that we have fun on CM rides. But what are you saying? That CM is not about bicycles asserting their rights to the street (aka protesting car culture)? You've lost me. Or you've lost your mind. I hope it's only the former.
indigis04.23.08 - 3:59 pm
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I would argue that Alex Thompson is "almost" right, in that CM in LA is just for F.U.N. But that would be totally disregarding the whole spirit of CM and what it originally was intended for, that is, CM IS definitely a protest ride. It may no longer be, in Alex Thompson's eyes, but it doesn't change that it was originally.
MR is definitely a celebration of Bike
KCulture.
Um, what's this thread about again?
the reverend dak04.23.08 - 4:04 pm
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@ indigis
Spelling error, fyi culture now = Kulture
dolamyte04.23.08 - 4:05 pm
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I've lost you. CM has no stated reason for existence, and in West LA many ride it for fun, many for other reasons. For us, after Westsidazz ceased and before the Cub Diaspora, it was our only party ride. So, fuck yes, it wasn't about protest for most, at least during that period of about a year.
Besides, your statement implicitly asserts that protest and FUN are mutually exclusive. FALSE. So FALSE.
To characterize CM as protest in contrast to MR is to ridiculously oversimplify a complex phenomenon.
I think your riding guidelines are pretty good . . . you shouldn't torpedo them with controversial assertions about other topics.
Alex Thompson04.23.08 - 4:10 pm
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Alex, really, lighten up on the CM thing. It is what it is. And since no one can agree what that is. It's any damned thing anyone wants it to be.
indigis04.23.08 - 4:21 pm
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indigis,
Until people ease off with the "CM is bad, MR is good, catch more flies with honey, I just ride for fun" tripe, I'll keep hammering this point. If/when they do ease up, so will I.
Alex Thompson04.23.08 - 4:26 pm
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Ask a NY Critical Masser what they think CM is.
Joe Borfo04.23.08 - 4:26 pm
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Borfo - you mean Manhattan CM.
Ask a police assisted and escorted Brooklyn CM what they think it is.
Borfo: "Context, GFY"
Alex Thompson04.23.08 - 4:29 pm
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@Alex Thompson, you just spilled it. You just stated that your definition of CM as FUN so you can get more people on it. Because, YES, CM has a negative (CM = bad) vibe to it because it IS/WAS a protest ride. If that's not spinning the truth for your own agenda, I don't know what is.
That, Mr. Thompson, is an EPIC FAIL.
the reverend dak04.23.08 - 4:38 pm
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Dak,
Respectfully, what the fuck are you talking about? I can't make heads or tails of it. Yours,
Alex Thompson04.23.08 - 4:40 pm
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Alex, now I understand what got you started. You equated my saying "protest" with bad and not fun. Read my words again. You inferred. I did not imply. Personally, I love CM. I go almost monthly. I ride for my intended purpose, which primarily is protest oriented. And for fun. Both.
Now, if you'd like to add value to this thread, please list some pointers which enhance your riding experience and safety level. Enough CM rehashing.
indigis04.23.08 - 4:58 pm
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Alex why are you so married to the idea of CM format anyway?
why not champion the ride format that has proven time and again to bring car drivers out of their cars in this town? yes, that ride format is none other than the "ride for fun, ride late, be friendly inclusive and smiley to car dirvers cause we love them all too" party ride of defness... MIDNIGHT RIDAZZZZZ wizzzao!
PS protest doesnt necessarily equate to "bad"
Roadblock04.23.08 - 5:01 pm
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Your backpedaling and double-talk bores me sometimes. You clearly insisted that CM is NOT a protest, but you then concede that it was at least not a protest for whatever years, then you defend your current stance with an example which clearly shows that you are trying to dis-spell the negative (car-hating, protest-tainted, civil-disobedience) impression that CM has to
some people. To a lot of us, CM is a fun-filled car-protest ride. It is for me, nothing BAD or negative to it for me at all. In fact, I wish all the satellite CMs in the LA area would cease, and join forces for a really huge CM that would start in Central LA. Maybe once a year? When is the LA CM anniversary? ...
So, back on topic...
OWN YOUR LANE!!! Seriously.
the reverend dak04.23.08 - 5:12 pm
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indigis:
we have similar riding styles and i don't think i have anything to add, except this:
folks! if YOU do not feel comfortable taking the right line, but prefer riding IN the door zone, stop fucking yelling "CAR BACK! MOVE TO THE RIGHT!" to other cyclists. i understand this is important if some cyclists are taking up multiple lanes without reason, but it's super annoying and i just ignore you anyway.
yeah, so own your damn lane or stop complaining about cars trying to run you off the road.
meandmybluebike04.23.08 - 6:01 pm
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On topic riding styles of AT
indigis,
It seems like you took your previous experience from riding motorcycles, and applied it to a slower mode - cycling. When I started riding in LA, I took my experience training for competitive running, which is slower than cycling, and it applied to cycling.
It's harder to do when cycling but
I look for eye contact from drivers. This is best for driveways. Similarly, we all know the art of reading "car body language".
The siren noise is a great way to create a little hesitation in the driver, and an air horn also works. I quit sporting an airhorn when I found myself using it to jolt a unaware driver at a 4 way stop so that I could cruise through while they looked around. Know the ways to get driver's attention, but don't abuse them to your detriment.
off topic CM indigis, I took your comment in the context of the "CM < MR" sentiments of so many Ridazz. You're right - I read to much into it.
RB - you know well that I have fully indulged in, supported and organized night time rides. The evening ones also get a different crew out, especially in SM.
Dak - I think CM is a potluck. I think to characterize it one needs to specific about which rides, when, and where. Santa Monica CM in 2006 was very different from SMCM in 2007, which was very different from Manhattan CM in 2005, or SFCM in 1993, or SFCM in 2004. Even if the intent was originally as a protest, today the papers are more likely to highlight those aspects in a ride than the riders are. I think it's drifted more toward being primarily FUN, with spats of protest. Zack Beatty always finished SMCM emails with "Ride daily, celebrate monthly" (paraphrase) . . . and those rides are celebratory.
Alex Thompson04.23.08 - 6:13 pm
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Great points Indigis, I'd like to see more people own their lanes that way the Metro bus drivers won't look at me funny when I do it and they try to run me into the curb, happens allot, if we ride smart collectively I hope it would encourage the curb riders to ride on the streets as well, you know who I'm talking about, they commute to and from work not knowing any better cause they don't feel safe on the streets or don't know that riding on the curve is more dangerous than riding on the street safely.
dannyzuko04.23.08 - 6:24 pm
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i also want to mention, that some of these people genuinely think that they are 'owning' the lane by riding in or near the door zone.
meandmybluebike04.23.08 - 6:32 pm
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Yea Indigis, Nice Post.
As a biker and motorcycle rider I see it daily.
My two cents:
S - scan
I - identify
P - predict
D - decide
E - execute
They teach it in all motorcycle sefety courses.
SIPDE has SAVED MY LIFE over and over again.
Learn it.
Know it.
Use it.
Going to go take a ride now
Stay safe and happy.
adamthelizard04.23.08 - 6:34 pm
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I dispise cars with tinted driver side windows. It is illegal and it is dangerious to bikes, motorcycles and other cars.
I have not come close to an encounter with a car since riding with the ridazz in a offensive and confident manner.
I have become comfortable with taking the whole right lane, even when cycling solo. There are too many streets where it is not safe to hug the curb just so cars can have the right lane. There is ALWAYS (caps lock intended) some butthead who will buzz me in the gutter, when I am making room for his sorry ass to pass me, just to remind me that I don't belong on the street.
Creative Thing04.23.08 - 6:43 pm
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Critical Mass is a
protest ride, in the sense in which Shakespeare used the word. An affirmation, a declaration, a vow.
Let's argue about something else now.
PC04.23.08 - 6:50 pm
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Every ride is a protest ride.
Look up my
profile
@indigis own your thread, don't let it be hijacked!!!
marino04.23.08 - 6:55 pm
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Creative that's what I'm talkin about,
Also I don't wear headphones and I see lots of cyclist wearing them, it's not legal in most parts and can be dangerous cause you wont hear what's going on around you.
dannyzuko04.23.08 - 6:57 pm
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USER SUBMITTED
ALEX THOMPSON HAS
EPIC FAIL
REASON FOR EPIC FAILURE
TRUTH SPINNING FOR PERSONAL BENEFIT
EPIC FAIL04.23.08 - 7:56 pm
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I don't wear headphones but I do blast music through my little speakers because it's F.U.N. for me and those who see me say: "Look! he rides a bike and he has F.U.N." and that prevents the icebergs from melting and I saves the earths.
Srsly gaise without music I'd become a blogger complaining about all the drivers who
almost ran me over. Too much anger, not enough peace.
With music I die happy.
marino04.23.08 - 8:33 pm
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