Aren't Bicycles Great.

Johnmcl7

I would be very surprised if a police person was at all bothered by the lack of pedal reflectors, technically there's very few bike lights that are legal (due it requiring them to be a certain BS standard which few companies bother to certify for) but I can't see the police pulling someone for that aspect alone either (I can see a cyclist being pulled for using high power off road lights in built up areas)

Many of the cyclists I know only cycle clipless on all their bikes but have never been pulled for the lack of pedal reflectors but a few have been fined for riding without lights.

John

brat

Hanky_Panky wrote: »

Quick question for Brat - if no-one minds the hijack

I do, during the winter go out after dark and am certainly well lit up with two lights front and two rear plus reflective detail on my top and shoe covers.

As I'm riding SPD-SL's I don't have reflective pedals. As a Police Officer what is your view of that please?

Thanks

As a police officer, I have to say that the law requires you to have them fitted for night riding.

As a police officer I also have to say that it's an offence to drive at 31mph on a quiet hazard free exit from town.

I've never heard of either offence ever being prosecuted.

If you ensure you are very visible, you'll be extremely unlikely to be tugged, and while there's no doubt that reflectors can help you be seen, good lights and reflective detailing on your clothing are incredibly effective.

Paradoxically, the types of bikes that have no reflectors tend to be road bikes with cleats which are usually ridden by the most responsible riders, who wear clothing with reflective detail and good lights at night.

No lights, no reflectors and dark clothing at night in an unlit street is about as foolish as it gets. They obviously need ticketing.

The fact that a bike had no reflectors at night would be included in a report into a serious accident, and its relevance would depend on the facts of the case and the adequacy of lighting and other aids to visibility.

I have a red reflective strip on the back of the saddle and my mini saddle bag is reflective. I have speedplay pedals, so no reflector, however the reflective strips on my overshoes light up at night, and would drown out any retro reflection from a pedal.

So, to answer your question, I have little or no issues with responsible highly visible cyclists riding without rear reflectors. I am not representative of the police service so can't speak for my colleagues other than to say that the only time I've known us get exercised about reflectors on bikes is on day one of cycling proficiency!

melanzana

I have a bike in my shed. It's been there for years.

I am afraid I will fall off it and break my teeth or my head for example. Terrifies me. And I cycled to school for years, but that was a long time ago.

How do I get my confidence back?

I suppose the answer is logical, get up on that bike and try it out!

Just wondered if anyone else is a bit scared!!

Johnmcl7

melanzana wrote: »

I have a bike in my shed. It's been there for years.

I am afraid I will fall off it and break my teeth or my head for example. Terrifies me. And I cycled to school for years, but that was a long time ago.

How do I get my confidence back?

I suppose the answer is logical, get up on that bike and try it out!

Just wondered if anyone else is a bit scared!!

I wouldn't say a lack of confidence with cycling is at all unusual, the odd thing is that the more you think about your balance the more trouble you're likely to have with it leading to a downwards spiral as the more you worry about your balance, the more likely you are to wobble or fall over which in turn makes you even less confident.

Depending on where you live I'd have a look to see if there's any local cycle groups you could join, there's one here which does classes for adults wanting to get back into cycling but lacking confidence.

John

Marco_Panettone

melanzana wrote: »

I have a bike in my shed. It's been there for years.

I am afraid I will fall off it and break my teeth or my head for example. Terrifies me. And I cycled to school for years, but that was a long time ago.

How do I get my confidence back?

I suppose the answer is logical, get up on that bike and try it out!

Just wondered if anyone else is a bit scared!!

Where do you live? Some local councils offer cycle training (sometimes free) to help with just this lack of confidence.


Otherwise there's always the park to practice by yourself - grass is softer to crash on.


What is it that scares you?

melanzana

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

Where do you live? Some local councils offer cycle training (sometimes free) to help with just this lack of confidence.


Otherwise there's always the park to practice by yourself - grass is softer to crash on.


What is it that scares you?

I am not in the UK now. And there do not appear to be any classes for adults here.

Anyhow, the big fear is hitting a stone or something and falling off and breaking my teeth. My friend had this happen to her some years ago and lost all her front teeth. Irrational I know that.

The balance thing I think would be OK. Maybe it's a phobia now, since I have had some expensive dental work done recently!!

I know I come across as a bit odd, but it is a real fear for me.

I did consider buying a trailer for the bike, as then I wouldn't fall off it, as it would be balanced. lol.

Look, I know reading this thread that many on here are actually cycling athletes, and good luck to you.

I must overcome this stupid fear. Myself and OH are going to visit this place soon, and hope to hire bikes and JUST DO IT!

Wish me luck....

http://www.greenway.ie/

esuhl

melanzana wrote: »

Anyhow, the big fear is hitting a stone or something and falling off and breaking my teeth. My friend had this happen to her some years ago and lost all her front teeth. Irrational I know that.

The balance thing I think would be OK. Maybe it's a phobia now, since I have had some expensive dental work done recently!!

I know I come across as a bit odd, but it is a real fear for me.

Ha ha -- there's nothing odd about that, really. I haven't driven for ages, and to be honest, I'm not sure I'll ever get back behind the wheel. Same kind of thing, just a different vehicle. If you haven't done something for ages, it's bound to be a bit anxiety-proving.

melanzana wrote: »

Look, I know reading this thread that many on here are actually cycling athletes, and good luck to you.

I'm not so sure -- I get the impression that most people here just cycle for fun and convenience rather than as an athletic pursuit (but I've no idea, really). There are rows-upon-rows of bikes locked to the racks in my local towns, but they're mostly mountain bikes, hybrids or "shopping bikes" (with the kind with three gears and a basket on the handlebars. I reckon the "athletic" cycling is still very much a niche activity.

I don't drive (as I said), so cycling is just a convenient way to get about. It's also a fun form of exercise. I'm naturally a bit of a worrier, so I've made my bike as safe as possible -- it's plastered with reflective tape, I use lights no matter what time of day, have a wing mirror, and fat grippy tires, and make sure it's well maintained. Although there's a set of cyclists who are of the "athletic" variety, I think they're very much in the minority.

melanzana wrote: »

I must overcome this stupid fear. Myself and OH are going to visit this place soon, and hope to hire bikes and JUST DO IT!

Wish me luck....

http://www.greenway.ie/

Yay! Have fun and take it easy! Go at your own relaxing pace and just focus on enjoying yourself!
:beer:

Marco_Panettone

melanzana wrote: »

I am not in the UK now. And there do not appear to be any classes for adults here.

Anyhow, the big fear is hitting a stone or something and falling off and breaking my teeth. My friend had this happen to her some years ago and lost all her front teeth. Irrational I know that.

The balance thing I think would be OK. Maybe it's a phobia now, since I have had some expensive dental work done recently!!

I know I come across as a bit odd, but it is a real fear for me.

I did consider buying a trailer for the bike, as then I wouldn't fall off it, as it would be balanced. lol.

Look, I know reading this thread that many on here are actually cycling athletes, and good luck to you.

I must overcome this stupid fear. Myself and OH are going to visit this place soon, and hope to hire bikes and JUST DO IT!

Wish me luck....

http://www.greenway.ie/

Don't worry about the reasons other people ride. As a (lapsed) 'cycling athlete' I ride a variety of bikes at a variety of speeds for a variety of reasons. It's horses for courses, and every ride is different. We ALL have a range of fears when out riding, so you're certainly not alone in that. However, 99.99999% of the time riding (whatever bike suits the journey) is an absolute joy - we aren't masochists in it for the pain, fear and danger; just people going somewhere.


I think 'JUST DO IT' is probably the way forward.

armyknife

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

Don't worry about the reasons other people ride. As a (lapsed) 'cycling athlete' I ride a variety of bikes at a variety of speeds for a variety of reasons. It's horses for courses, and every ride is different. We ALL have a range of fears when out riding, so you're certainly not alone in that. However, 99.99999% of the time riding (whatever bike suits the journey) is an absolute joy - we aren't masochists in it for the pain, fear and danger; just people going somewhere.


I think 'JUST DO IT' is probably the way forward.

Well said, Marco. :-)

brat

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

I think 'JUST DO IT' is probably the way forward.

I just wish we had the weather and the attitude towards cyclists that seems to predominate in the European towns and cities. I've spent a few holidays in south Germany (Black Forest and Bodensee) and Switzerland, and everyone cycles. All shapes sizes and ages. There is no sense that you don't conform. They buy comfort bikes, and electric bikes are everywhere. As a consequence virtually every rout into a town or city has an accompanying well made cycle path.

"Just do it" is what they do over there. My wife doesn't cycle to work because she fears the traffic. She's never off her bike in Germany.

But Marco's advice is good. Just give it a go. Go somewhere safe and quiet and practice. You'll soon build up the confidence you need to move on to the next level. It's one of those activities that quickly gets under your skin.