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Old 04-08-2015, 06:01 PM
 
252 posts, read 233,972 times
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How many of you bicycle in the city? What are your experiences? Safety tips? Can bicycles and motor vehicles safely coexist together on dense center city streets? I see bicyclists all the time, but let me explain. My husband just ordered a bicycle to ride throughout the city, and I'm a bit nervous. He was already in a motorcycle accident last year in the city that nearly cost him his life (he is doing well now). Naturally because of this, I am really concerned. I can't go through what I went through before. At the same time, I know I can't live my life in fear or keep him in a bubble. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks, everyone!
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:31 PM
 
364 posts, read 732,358 times
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You can't live in fear. Accidents happen. People get hit on bicycles and die. But substantially more people enjoy long, fulfilling lives cycling in the city.

I would review these bike maps and learn where the bike lanes are. In reality bike lanes aren't always useful (e.g., Spruce and Pine on weekend mornings) so the best way to learn is to get out there and try.

A helmet is an obvious must, but don't skimp out. Fit and quality matter. I'd also say a very high quality blinky light is required for dusk and nighttime riding too. If your husband expects to lock the bike outside, you need a high quality U-lock. Cheap chain locks will not do in Philly. Expect to pay upwards of $100 for a helmet, $30-40 for a blinky light, and $50-75 for a U-lock (and maybe a braided steel cable for the front wheel). Cycling gear is expensive but still cheaper than SEPTA or car ownership.

Finally,
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Old 04-08-2015, 07:41 PM
 
Location: East Coast
2,932 posts, read 5,419,003 times
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Check out this organization:

Quote:
The Bicycle Coalition promotes cycling advocacy, healthy living and healthy transportation; it promotes a way of life, a way of bringing people together for a greater purpose.


Our small staff come from many walks of life, but we share the same passion: make bicycling a safe and fun way to get around for anyone in Greater Philadelphia.
Home - Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
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Old 04-09-2015, 06:24 AM
 
Location: Philadelphia
11,998 posts, read 12,924,934 times
Reputation: 8365
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcguirk View Post
You can't live in fear. Accidents happen. People get hit on bicycles and die. But substantially more people enjoy long, fulfilling lives cycling in the city.

I would review these bike maps and learn where the bike lanes are. In reality bike lanes aren't always useful (e.g., Spruce and Pine on weekend mornings) so the best way to learn is to get out there and try.

A helmet is an obvious must, but don't skimp out. Fit and quality matter. I'd also say a very high quality blinky light is required for dusk and nighttime riding too. If your husband expects to lock the bike outside, you need a high quality U-lock. Cheap chain locks will not do in Philly. Expect to pay upwards of $100 for a helmet, $30-40 for a blinky light, and $50-75 for a U-lock (and maybe a braided steel cable for the front wheel). Cycling gear is expensive but still cheaper than SEPTA or car ownership.

Finally,
Agreed-you can become "too comfortable" and get blindsided by an old man swinging his Cadillac door wide open.
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Old 04-09-2015, 10:03 AM
 
236 posts, read 318,965 times
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What areas would he be biking in? I've biked exculsively in CC and West Philly for 2 and a half years. Other than one accident that was caused by my own stupidity (and only resulted with some minor cuts and sprains) I've never had an issue.
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Old 04-09-2015, 10:33 AM
 
10,787 posts, read 8,749,363 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2e1m5a View Post
Agreed-you can become "too comfortable" and get blindsided by an old man swinging his Cadillac door wide open.
Yeah, you can also have fools who think it's okay to bike on sidewalks and almost run over people. It's happened to me a bunch of times.
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Old 04-09-2015, 10:40 AM
 
252 posts, read 233,972 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevin1813 View Post
What areas would he be biking in? I've biked exculsively in CC and West Philly for 2 and a half years. Other than one accident that was caused by my own stupidity (and only resulted with some minor cuts and sprains) I've never had an issue.
CC and South Philly. We are in Graduate Hospital.
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Old 04-09-2015, 02:25 PM
 
Location: Philadelphia
11,998 posts, read 12,924,934 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kyb01 View Post
Yeah, you can also have fools who think it's okay to bike on sidewalks and almost run over people. It's happened to me a bunch of times.
Yeah, if I ever am on the sidewalk I try to go the pace of the peds.
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Old 04-09-2015, 06:56 PM
 
Location: Philadelphia, PA
1,567 posts, read 3,115,318 times
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Be sure to actually stop at the red lights and not just blow through them at full cruising speed like I see others doing on a near daily basis.
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Old 04-10-2015, 08:04 AM
 
10,787 posts, read 8,749,363 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2e1m5a View Post
Yeah, if I ever am on the sidewalk I try to go the pace of the peds.
You're joking, right? You shouldn't be on sidewalks at all. Only children under, say, 12. Aren't there rules about it? But, hey, many bicyclists don't follow traffic laws: don't come to full stops at red lights or stops signs, wrong way on one streets.

I remember a bicycle/ped collusion at 16th and Locust where the ped was killed a few years ago. I never heard a single follow up to that story.

Bike lanes have helped. I do agree with that.
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