I don't know how you city boys (and girls) do it

[bajakirch]

Today I got off of work at 3:00. It was a nice afternoon so, rather than head straight home and start work on the long weekend's longer to-do list, I decided to take a ride and get some photo-tagging in. I planned my route so that I would finish up near my wife's work near quitting time, surprising her with an impromptu dinner invitation.

While I work in a larger city (200K population) and I'm comfortable driving my cage around at any time of day or night, it's been awhile since I've tooled around the urban area on my bike during normal daytime hours. Now I remember why I avoid it -- give me 70 mph in a downpour on the open road so I can relax a bit.

I didn't get 2 blocks from my work before the first cage merged into my lane, forcing me to make 2 lanes where there had only been one. No sooner did that car turn off than another one did the same thing. And these were just the side roads; I hadn't even gotten on the main thoroughfares yet. WTF?!

Then I started getting into the heart of the city (SOQS works at the very center of town, in the most metropolitan area of the city). A bus -- A FRIGGIN' BUS! -- cut me off, forcing me to take evasive action and nearly have an off.

This, along with constantly trying to be aware of pedestrians, bicyclists, renegade squirrels and such, had me dripping with sweat after only being on the bike for 30 minutes. And it was a 60-degree, cloudy day.

Did you ever have one of those days where you felt the world was out to get you?

I have great respect for those of you that put up with that nonsense on your every-day commute. I don't know if I could do it and keep riding my bike to work. Even though my office is in the city, it's right on the edge, so my morning commute is 95% highway driving.

[HandsomeSteve]

Yeah, it's crazy.  I finally sold my old bike years ago after too many close calls in the city.  Last straw was getting tapped from the side (merger) in Malibu, CA. 

Now that I'm out in the "sticks" riding is much more enjoyable.

[cmyers]

Baja: commuting for me is rarely peaceful, but that is part of what I enjoy. I know that sounds crazy, but the constant vigilance and "fighter pilot" mode of riding reminds me how much I appreciate life and want to live.

When I ride in congested areas alone, I would describe myself as Defensively Aggressive - this means I ride in a lower gear keeping the RPM's up near peak torque, I dont allow poeple to pace right with me and I make quick passes to minimize people merging into me, when entering intersections I use other cars as shields staying slightly behind or in front ready to brake or gas it as needed, I almost always ride at one edge or the other of the lane to increase sight distance, also utilizing standing up, weaving and the horn help gets peoples attention. I am sure people think I am a$$ at times, but I am still alive and in one piece. When riding in the city the bikes two greatest advantages over cars or other vehicles is their maneuverability and acceleration ability, use these to their fullest advantage.

[OhCrap]

I like to carry a large stick with me. Just swing it around vigorously in dense traffic and everyone will stay at a proper distance. If not just hit 'm a couple of times and they usually back off.












 

[Baileyman]

The majority of my riding is in San Francisco heading across town to school, work, gym, etc.  If I'm not heading across town I'm hopping on the SF Bay Bridge.  Being in the city, having a bike is great! Parking, traffic, all that.  There are lots of bikes and scooters here in the City, so perhaps motorists are pretty used to it, and we ride year round.  It can be tiring though.  A 30 minute drive across the bay after work, and I'm ready to chill out.  It's exhausting!  Not only do I have to look out for cars, busses, trucks, etc., but also other motorcycles who might be lane splitting.  I better check my mirror to be sure there's no biker screaming between the lanes before I pull in to it myself.

I would love to go for some rides away from the city where it is less hectic.  My only concern is that I would get lazy and forget to keep my eye out for all the possible hazards that one can encounter on a less traveled country road.

Stay safe out there!

[Burgi]

I'm gonna quote Coffee here cause she has some of my favorite forum lines.
"A guppy in a shark tank is one fit, fast guppy...."
I enjoy the hyper awareness it takes, the need to try and constantly anticipate others movements and keep yourself in the best position possible. Off the freeway having a powerful bike means nothing to me, light and nimble are by far the best attributes.
Be careful not to hang in anyone's blind spot.
I pull away from lights first but don't race way ahead of cars. Often cars will pull out in front of a single bike but if you have a wall of cars behind you they will wait.
Try to avoid riding the outside lane on multi lane roads. You are less likely to be seen there.
Given the time I spend riding in the city vs country and my near misses in each I actually think I am safer in the city. 

[Bumblebee]

"A guppy in a shark tank is one fit, fast guppy...."

..who often dies of the stress caused by trying to not get eaten.

[JB1290]

Baja, I've ridden a bike through the heart.of Madison on a Friday night once and swore that I would never do it again. The drivers up there are nuts! I can only imagine what city traffic in LA, Vegas, NY, etc... Is like. Kenosha traffic sucks eggs but, I have gotten used to it. Most of my rides start in the city since I live in the middle of it but I head straight out west where there is nothing but open county highway roads and minimal traffic. When I'm in the city, I spend that time paranoid and white knuckling the grips on the bike. Unfortunately, its a necessary evil of riding where I live. All I can say is, watch your back up there in Mad Town. It's like they all ate homicidal drivers there.

[illfacebookyou]

Ha, interesting thread. I'm a new motorcycle rider, but have ridden pedal bikes in urban areas for about ten years now. At city speeds, I like to think of lot of skills and general awareness transfers over to riding motorcycles. I honestly feel more at ease riding my 750 in DC than on the highway 75 mph. I'm used to cars not seeing you, popping out of no where, merging into your lane and your body, etc. I just never assume the space I'm in is mine, and am always ready to yield. The hardest part now is just staying out of the bike lanes, haha.

[drdubb]

I have s route that gets me out into the country with minimal urban traffic. Me biggest fear comes on those sections of road that are 5 lane (middle turn) with losts of fast foods etc on each side. Lots of left turns into your path, cars pulling out on the right and the bike tends to get lost in the visual clutter.

[Zimdale]

I like to carry a large stick with me. Just swing it around vigorously in dense traffic and everyone will stay at a proper distance. If not just hit 'm a couple of times and they usually back off.












 

Is this taught in the MSF course?  

[coffee_brake]

Burgi I never thought of that, using the cars behind you to deter the ones about to pull out in front of you...great suggestion!

I'm with cmyers, riding in the middle of the city every single day keeps my claws sharp. The stress is exhilarating, not exhausting.
Now, riding, say, the Atlanta freeway for an hour each way every day, now that kind of stress would wear me down.

FWIW, I've collided with one car in this city, it merged on top of me. I learned a lot from that situation. My bike was undamaged but the shiny new VW was gouged down both door panels with my engine guards (they have swing-out footpegs on them). Bike 1, Volkswagen 0.

[LOKi]

I had a close call where the HWY peg bracket pealed a long strip of plastic off the front bumper of a car. Feels good to have a scrape like that and do more damage to the car than your bike.

Your only problem was you where surprised each time a car tried to kill you. I'm more surprised when I DON'T have at least one car try and kill me. Act like non of them see you and it just makes you hyper focused.

[brokexj]

I have a 100+mile commute everyday from my place in the sticks through several 250K metro areas where most of the folks rarely engage the brain to drive. When riding to the city, I usually find myself so wired with staying aware that it's rarely fun to ride. Now..out in the country..I just need to watch out for the wildlife (mostly!).

[Rakillia]

Kenosha traffic sucks eggs but, I have gotten used to it.

That's just it, You do anything enough you get used to it.  Humans are great at adapting.  First time I drove a cage in Manhattan it scared the hell out of me but I got used to it. Its kinda fun once you get use to it.  Still yet to take my bike in though I bet it would be fun....once I got use to it

[countrygrownup]

the grass is always greener-----

The other day a deer walked across the road in front of me and everyone knows, where there is one there are more.  I went on alert but there were no more!

Then how about those squirrels!  the ones around here drink too much coffee.  They start out in one direction then turn around then turn around.  it's stressful!

And just last Saturday I came across two vultures having breakfast on the side of the road.  If you haven't been close to one of them you have no idea how big they are.  I thought i heard one look at me and say should we eat him here or take him with us!
Now that is stress!

[LOKi]

Then how about those squirrels!  the ones around here drink too much coffee.  They start out in one direction then turn around then turn around.  it's stressful!

I got a trick for squirrels. I aim for them. Ever TRY and hit one? Yea it's harder than you think. And if you do hit one you can barely feel it.

I got a few on my bicycle oddly enough. Those park squirrels are too used to people and expect them to slow down or swerve. I just yell "don't do it, or I'll run your fuzzy butt"......thump thump "over". 

[countrygrownup]

I got a trick for squirrels. I aim for them. Ever TRY and hit one? Yea it's harder than you think. And if you do hit one you can barely feel it.

I try to avoid all the critters but if they think I'm leaving the road to save their life--- they're mistaken.