Anyone else thinks it's really dumb how many EUC content creators wear dark or low visibility clothes that blend in with everything while aggressively riding, lane splitting, and rolling through stop lights/signs?

[tenofnine]

10 minutes ago, Funky said:

I personally don't have any problems - i can wear whatever i want. Because i don't ride with cars. And generally live in pretty much ghost town. Meaning more or less my side paths, walkways are empty.

Theses days i'm riding T-shirt and jeans.

Hey that's awesome, that's why I like riding really late a night. My usually busy area is also like a ghost town, it's nice.

I very rarely ride in the street with cars, the drivers here are really terrible and don't obey most laws. And with all these crazy people doing delivery apps now they are always trying to roll through stop signs and red lights, looking at their phones more than the road.

[Funky]

14 minutes ago, tenofnine said:

And with all these crazy people doing delivery apps now they are always trying to roll through stop signs and red lights, looking at their phones more than the road.

That only happens in "big" cities.  Where i live, we even don't have those here. Only thing i have to "really" watch out is dog walkers.. But even they are tame.

Fore reference my city population is around ~11k. Euc riders: I, My dad, and another guy.. Even E-scooters not many here. More or less everything is slow and mundane here.

It's never busy here.

[Cerbera]

1 hour ago, Funky said:

Only thing i have to "really" watch out is dog walkers

Oh yes, the blessed dog-walkers  And especially the ones with dogs that aren't on leads at all, or the ones with those new, modern, ultra long-and-thin-and-invisible leads that you can't see until it's uncomfortably late, crossing the entire cycle path as their dogs are allowed to range a full 50 meters ahead of them and in any direction, whilst they browse their phones, oblivious to anything in their immediate proximity or that of the dog ! The best ones also have their headphones on, so can't hear anything either. Lovely people though, I'm sure

RE the main thread, I'm NOT out aggressively lane splitting, but regardless I've gone for the black and white high-contrast approach so people can see me, but without me having to be dayglow green !

As I mainly ride with a full face helmet (I would have gone for a white TSG pass if I'd been able to find one, but black it was in the end) I use my hands as primary communication with pedestrians to let them know what I intend to do as I approach.

I have skeleton gloves (!) for this purpose, which make it very clear to them what my hands are doing, and which directions I am pointing in. If it subliminally makes them think that death is coming for them if they don't obey my instructions that is probably OK also So, whilst I am mainly all in black, I hope I have enough white highlights in key places to remain seen, without being unnecessarily attention-attracting !

Edited July 7, 2022 by Cerbera

[Unventor]

20 hours ago, Funky said:

Question: You put that thing on everytime you ride? Even low speed 2-5km trips? And even in hot, hot summer? (I personally would literally better die, than wear that in summer.)  

Doh - kudos for being safe. 

 

Well I don't live in Texas but we do get hot summer days here too in Scandinavian. 99.t% of time I use the Klim suit. Before that I have my POC DH 2.0 mesh jacket. In summer time I used it under green/yellow tshit in colder days I had a similar color mc jacket over it. 

On the very short rides to garage I wear a blue or a green yellow bicycle helmet. 

The way I make my living is using my brain so it has very high value to me. Last I head it is now possible to replace it. Loosing a leg or an arm, has an impact, but the head.... 

It all comes down to what risk you take and the impact and knowing sometimes things happen outside your control. 

I have had accidents. Caused both by others around me and by equipment failing out of the blue. And in the start learning how to ride and understand there is a limit you do not cross.

Riding at the very top marginal is something I don't do at all since long time back. I use my EUC as slow mopeds meaning upto 45kmh. And even so gear up for it. On few occasions as slower to slow run speeds in very læse mile situation. 

Edited July 8, 2022 by Unventor
Note POC Dh jacket under the traffic coloured MC jacket.

[Ben Hatfield]

On 7/5/2022 at 11:59 AM, litewave said:

nominate @Ben Hatfield for strutting a great look in several of his videos.

appreciate that! I definitely believe in high visibility/reflective/flashing light gear.  That also goes for my big speaker and music - I want to be noticed for a safe approach to riding.  Being (immediately) seen/noticed allows for more predictability of those around you, which helps to anticipate possible outcomes in real time while riding.

Edited July 10, 2022 by Ben Hatfield

[mike_bike_kite]

9 hours ago, Ben Hatfield said:

That also goes for my big speaker and music - I want to be noticed for a safe approach to riding.  

I was with you until this point. I guess we could start another thread on what I think of those who force their music onto everyone else  I know people think they're only one person and that their music will be gone in a minute but every other car that passes my home seems to have music blaring out their windows. I'll admit it probably doesn't matter too much if you're in the wilds of Montana (beautiful state by the way) but, in populated areas, I think it's unacceptable.

[yoos]

Sadly there is a point where one's visibility and noisiness becomes too much. An obvious example are motorcycles which are simply way too loud when revving. mc riders argue that this helps drivers be aware of them. That is true but the whole neighbourhood becomes acutely aware of them, which is irritating and bad for health -- too much of a sacrifice if you ask me. Furthermore the striving for noticeability leads to an inflation of light and noise --when everyone becomes a christmas tree with speakers the whole place gets drowned in sound and light and you stop to stand out again. While acceptable in a rural area (though I still relate to those cows and foxes trying to sleep at night) I think that the amount of light and sound you radiate in the city should be limited. I appreciate that it's hard to get attention from someone in a sound-insulated metal box but loud music hurts pedestrians and bicyclists long before it gets car drivers attention. I really believe the problems should be solved by better infrastructure, regulation, training. Or better yet, AI driving assistance (or full autopiloting) grows smart enough to notice everything and we won't have to argue at all. 

[Ben Hatfield]

I certainly understand preferences - the point I'd double down on is being present as a function of safety.  Visibility helps, and so does noise.  If one doesn't want to make constant noise, it is a good idea to have bell, buzzer, horn for appropriate circumstances.

[VikB]

On 7/5/2022 at 3:07 AM, tenofnine said:

Why are you wearing all black or plain clothes that literally blend in the streets and sky?

Content creators are making...content. Looking cool gets more clicks/eyeballs. Dressing like a traffic cone does not. Clicks/eyeballs > safety. Not hard to figure this out.