gadget_lover
Flashaholic
I wonder about the trajectory for the third rock, the one that streaked across the central California sky. Did it match either of the other two?
Daniel
Daniel
I've had similar thoughts. I've never collided with a car in 34 years of cycling, but it's only because I ride defensively and have cat-like reflexes. I figure if something ever happens, in all likelihood the driver will say it's my fault regardless of the actual turn of events. After all, cyclists in NYC seem to be blamed for everything from hurricanes to bad hair days. The camera will exonerate me. Same thing if a cop stops me for some traffic violation which didn't actually occur (the police, particularly in Manhattan, have been giving lots of cyclists tickets, sometimes even for violations of laws which don't exist). Come to think of it, the situation here in NYC is pretty much like in Russia-lots of bad drivers, corrupt police force. A camera is sounding better all the time.to be honest, I've considered getting a little GoPro camera for the bike I commute on. Too many drivers that either drive while sleeping or don't respond well to any change in routine traffic. And it will be handy for the next meteroite that screams across the local cornfields!!
I wonder about the trajectory for the third rock, the one that streaked across the central California sky. Did it match either of the other two?
Daniel
Come to think of it, the situation here in NYC is pretty much like in Russia-lots of bad drivers, corrupt police force. A camera is sounding better all the time.
For what it's worth, she'll probably avoid any problems as far as the police go if she doesn't go through red lights or stop signs right in front of them. Nearly every cyclist here treats red lights as yields simply because nearly every block has a traffic light. As far as avoiding problems with motorists, not too hard if you're generally respectful. Don't make quick maneuvers, cut people off, or pass red lights/ stop signs if there's cross traffic. Fact is everyone in NYC is a scofflaw in a big hurry, but we all somehow make it work. You just need to keep a high spatial awareness of everything around you. It's actually quite a bit of fun once you get the hang of it.One of my daughters intends to do her residency in the NYC area and she also likes to ride bikes. She has worked in NYC before, but not with a bike. Reading about the NYC bicycle riders and their problems should slow her down.
the verbal comments from the Russian drivers at times were simply hilarious - although quite vulgar in language. Our Russian acquaintances had never mentioned those links, probably because that is the life over there.
For what it's worth, she'll probably avoid any problems as far as the police go if she doesn't go through red lights or stop signs right in front of them. Nearly every cyclist here treats red lights as yields simply because nearly every block has a traffic light. As far as avoiding problems with motorists, not too hard if you're generally respectful. Don't make quick maneuvers, cut people off, or pass red lights/ stop signs if there's cross traffic. Fact is everyone in NYC is a scofflaw in a big hurry, but we all somehow make it work. You just need to keep a high spatial awareness of everything around you. It's actually quite a bit of fun once you get the hang of it.
Just the intonations in some of the voices were pretty funny without knowing what the comments were and one gets the impression that those Russians sure do know how to cuss without even knowing the language! There sure didn't seem to be too many people on bicycles tooling around the Russian streets either. It must be dangerous enough to just to be a motorist.
You're quite welcome. Here's a few other pointers I picked up from years of riding in the city which you might wish to pass on:Thanks! I copied off your comments in an email to her.