I’m going to take a class or three in October on cycling safely in Austin…
But I’ll probably be the only unicyclist there.
Any advice on modifying bicycle safety practices? And what skills do I need
to be safe? Freemount, ride, turn, dismount… idle?
–
To dream that you are riding a unicycle, signifies that you are in total
control of a situation and exercising authority in both personal and
business matters.
–Klaas Bil
As far as safety goes i think we can divide it into categories:
Now for thwarting off attackers I’ve developed a few techniques that can be done while maintaining your position on the uni. The front and sidekicks can be quite effective when done from mid-idle position. The tornado kick works well when done from a uni spin. Simply stick your leg out as your attacker edges in. A backfist punch can also be used from this position. While your attacker is on the ground perform the crotch-hop which will ensure that the threat is over.
Having these skills under your belt makes daily riding much safer. Or I guess you could carry a stun-gun.
Sned
A bicyclist instructing a unicyclist on cycling safety seems somewhat inappropriate. The bicyclist is going to be unfamiliar with the extent of control that a unicyclist has over direction, ability to correct and change position, relative safety of “frame free” falling, and the order of magnitude of attainable speed.
I usually wear a helmet riding a Coker in traffic. Not because I think I’m going to fall off and hit my head but because a car may hit me unexpectedly and I won’t fall off (in the unicycling sense) I will be ejected in the catapault sense in a very uncontrolled manner. I went on a Coker ride with John Childs and he wore a helmet AND kneepads and gloves but no wristguards or shinguards. David Maxfield ALWAYS wears wristguards and a helmet. That’s what they are comfortable with.
A Coker is a highly visible vehicle as well as a distraction. I think people see Cokers much more easily than they see bicycles or even motorcycles. They are big, the rider is sitting up high, and they are comparatively slow. The likelihood of being NOT seen and then hit by a car on a Coker is relatively low in my opinion.
If I’m on a walk with my wife I am on the sidewalk primarily and wear whatever safety gear (gloves, kneepads, elbowpads, shinguards) that I consider appropriate for the skill development I’ll be working on…never a helmet. I usually wear no protection on those three mile walks.
I have worn shinguards while learning to freemount a 6 foot giraffe because I needed the ankleguard portion. I never wear ANY protection while riding a giraffe anymore, even in traffic. They are giant billboards to traffic screaming, not saying, “LOOK AT ME!!!”
When I road tested the uni.5 I wore pretty much all the body armor I had. I think when Nathan had it he said he geared up completely the first time he rode it too. That was riding an untested technology which COULD and DID seize during high speed riding.
If I am riding MUni, I put on everything I have. Every piece of gear I have has saved me from injury off road at least once EXCEPT my helmet. My helmet has only snagged brush as I ride by. Off road there is a chance (and there have been many instances) AT ANY TIME that I will hit something large enough to throw me off in an uncontrolled manner where I may land in a bizzare position on irregular terrain. It only takes one time. The helmet is ALWAYS on off road.
You will get a variety of opinions on this topic most of which will suggest that you do what makes sense to you as long as it is in accordance with whatever the writer thinks is best for you. I personally don’t care as long as you don’t land on me when you fall. One day, globally, not just in the US, all will be taken care of for you. First, you will have to wear a full body Nerf suit in order to BUY a permit to be TRAINED to ride a unicycle… just before unicycling is banned because it is too dangerous of a choice for you to make on your own. Skip the safety training, use common sense, and drink in life. Oops, I drifted.
Wow, Greg has a soap box and is able to climb upon it. Reading his response, I was wondering, if he’s just walking with his wife, does he really need all that protection?
I guess he “walks” with his wife, like I “walk” with my dog. One of us is riding a unicycle, and you can guess which one.
I AGREE. Do what makes sense. At the convention I broke one of my golden rules. I always wear a helmet and wrist guards when riding any unicycle -or unicycling type device. I borrowed a UW that was very different from mine, and didn’t think I’d need anything for a quick ride. In about 3 seconds, I deposited a chunk of skin from my palm onto the pavement. I’ve seen what Holms wears when riding off road, or just riding the hand rails along stairs. I’ve also seen him ride with no helmet and sandalls. I’ve seen pictures of Nathan Hoover riding in sandalls with a beer. (No, Greg, it wasn’t root beer.)
If you think you’re not riding safely, do something about it. If you take a bicycling safety class, remember it’s not for unicyclists, but you might learn something. I took a mountain cycling class and had to borrow a bicycle. The instructor didn’t think the class name needed to include BI. -I learned (among other things) how little control most bicyclists have compared to unicyclists.
Do you ride off-road in Austin?
jerryg98@flash.net
lol Sned.
I would just use basics for bike saftey and make little adjustments for the Uni. 
Re: Street safety
“Harper” <harper.a9nvn@timelimit.unicyclist.com> wrote in message
news:harper.a9nvn@timelimit.unicyclist.com…
>
> A bicyclist instructing a unicyclist on cycling safety seems somewhat
> inappropriate. The bicyclist is going to be unfamiliar with the extent
> of control that a unicyclist has over direction, ability to correct and
> change position, relative safety of “frame free” falling, and the order
> of magnitude of attainable speed.
Urban Cycling
Urban Cycling is Austin’s hands-on, no-nonsense class in how to bike safely
and effectively through the thick of central Austin’s traffic. Each class is
three hours long and includes lecture, drills, and on-street riding.
Taught by experienced urban cyclists, this is not just the same old stuff
about wearing your helmet. This class is about how to get more space and
better treatment from the traffic around you, and treating them well in the
bargain. The class schedule is structured to make attendance easy.
Pre-register or just drop in, classes can be paid for individually at $10
apiece and can be taken in any order, though taking them sequentially is
best. $25 pre-registers you for the whole series. The subject matter is of
immediate use to anyone with a bicycle in Austin, whatever their level of
experience.
The Urban Cycling curriculum follows a logical progression of steps aimed at
the essential task of avoiding crashes:
Route choice
Being visible
Controlling traffic stress
Influencing traffic
Being influenced by traffic
Emergency maneuvers
Crash protection
Requirements: you must bring your own bicycle in safe working order. Helmets
are recommended but, of course, not required. Visibility gear, audible
warning devices, and rear-view mirrors are highly recommended as their uses
will be developed in class. There is no age requirement for this class. For
any questions, call 453-0438.
Urban Cycling 1:
Introductions and mechanical check-over Riding skills diagnostic
drills
Powering the bike, theory and drills
Route Choice
Visibility
Practice ride
Urban Cycling 2:
Section 1 Review Managing traffic stress
Managing traffic flow
Practice ride
Urban Cycling 3:
Section 1 and 2 review Crash avoidance maneuver drills
Crash gear
State and local laws reviewed and interpreted
Practice ride
> I usually wear a helmet riding a Coker in traffic. Not because I think
> I’m going to fall off and hit my head but because a car may hit me
> unexpectedly and I won’t fall off (in the unicycling sense) I will be
> ejected in the catapult sense in a very uncontrolled manner. I went on
> a Coker ride with John Childs and he wore a helmet AND kneepads and
> gloves but no wristguards or shinguards. David Maxfield ALWAYS wears
> wristguards and a helmet. That’s what they are comfortable with.
>
> A Coker is a highly visible vehicle as well as a distraction. I think
> people see Cokers much more easily than they see bicycles or even
> motorcycles. They are big, the rider is sitting up high, and they are
> comparatively slow. The likelihood of being NOT seen and then hit by a
> car on a Coker is relatively low in my opinion.
Good, sort of. What do you think of the odds of being hit, though?
>
> If I’m on a walk with my wife I am on the sidewalk primarily and wear
> whatever safety gear (gloves, kneepads, elbow pads, shinguards) that I
> consider appropriate for the skill development I’ll be working
> on…never a helmet. I usually wear no protection on those three mile
> walks.
<snip novelty stuff>
> If I am riding MUni, I put on everything I have. Every piece of gear I
> have has saved me from injury off road at least once EXCEPT my helmet.
> My helmet has only snagged brush as I ride by. Off road there is a
> chance (and there have been many instances) AT ANY TIME that I will hit
> something large enough to throw me off in an uncontrolled manner where I
> may land in a bizarre position on irregular terrain. It only takes one
> time. The helmet is ALWAYS on off road.
>
> You will get a variety of opinions on this topic most of which will
> suggest that you do what makes sense to you as long as it is in
> accordance with whatever the writer thinks is best for you. I personally
> don’t care as long as you don’t land on me when you fall. One day,
> globally, not just in the US, all will be taken care of for you. First,
> you will have to wear a full body Nerf suit in order to BUY a permit to
> be TRAINED to ride a unicycle… just before unicycling is banned
> because it is too dangerous of a choice for you to make on your own.
> Skip the safety training, use common sense, and drink in life. Oops, I
> drifted.
Yep. Thanks for the reply, though. I’m a god of ukemi, honest, so I’ll
probably only wear a helmet. Armor’s not really the class topic…
–
To dream that you are riding a unicycle, signifies that you are in total
control of a situation and exercising authority in both personal and
business matters.
–Klaas Bil
So, is it reasonable for god to take a bicycling class to be a safer unicyclist? I’d think he knew better.
Good luck.
Re: Street safety
> Wow, Greg has a soap box and is able to climb upon it. Reading his
> response, I was wondering, if he’s just walking with his wife, does he
> really need all that protection?
>
> I guess he “walks” with his wife, like I “walk” with my dog. One of us
> is riding a unicycle, and you can guess which one.
>
> I AGREE. Do what makes sense. At the convention I broke one of my golden
> rules. I always wear a helmet and wrist guards when riding any unicycle
> -or unicycling type device. I borrowed a UW that was very different from
> mine, and didn’t think I’d need anything for a quick ride. In about 3
> seconds, I deposited a chunk of skin from my palm onto the pavement.
> I’ve seen what Holms wears when riding off road, or just riding the hand
> rails along stairs. I’ve also seen him ride with no helmet and sandals.
> I’ve seen pictures of Nathan Hoover riding in sandals with a beer. (No,
> Greg, it wasn’t root beer.)
> If you think you’re not riding safely, do something about it. If you
> take a bicycling safety class, remember it’s not for unicyclists, but
> you might learn something. I took a mountain cycling class and had to
> borrow a bicycle. The instructor didn’t think the class name needed to
> include BI. -I learned (among other things) how little control most
> bicyclists have compared to unicyclists.
>
> Do you ride off-road in Austin?
No, I suck. I don’t ride anywhere except from my house down Bradwood to
Wilshire - a little less than one block on a smooth slight downhill, and as
often as not I don’t make it that far. Once I get level 1, I’ll cross
Wilshire and ride through the neighborhood. Once I can do the 2.5 mile loop
through the neighborhood on my Coker that I walk or run with my dogs every
morning without a UPD, I’ll commute. Once I can ride to TLC and juggling
practice and Barton Springs and so forth without a UPD and do level 2, I’ll
buy another unicycle or two and try off-road stuff.
But not yet, I still suck.
Re: Street safety
> So, is it reasonable for god to take a bicycling class to be a safer
> unicyclist? I’d think he knew better.
Unfortunately, being a god of ukemi doesn’t help if one is dead before one
hits the ground. Also, while I got hit a dozen times or so bike commuting
in Chicago without suffering so much as a bruise, my bikes were frequently
totaled.
On one memorable occasion I got doored and went flying as the person parked
one car ahead was getting out of her car. I was fine, she went to the
hospital in an ambulance with broken ribs and a punctured lung, my bike was
unridable.
And I’m getting old. I had my first serious injury 10/14/1/4pm.
Not ukemi-related, of course; I’m not THAT old. 
RE: Street safety
> Urban Cycling is Austin’s hands-on, no-nonsense class in how to
> bike safely and effectively through the thick of central
> Austin’s traffic.
Apparently this was not obvious to some of the others who posted. The class,
in a nutshell, is how to stay as safe as possible while riding legally in
the streets of a busy city. There are books on the subject, as well as a lot
of commonly known rules and ideas. Whether on a bike or a unicycle, the vast
majority of this information is the same, with a few variations.
Basically the idea is how to use the same roads the cars use, without ending
up under one. As a former motorcycle instructor, I am well aware of the
“nakedness” of a motorcyclist in traffic. People in cars have metal shells
around them. These shells do two things:
Protect the driver, especially if he or she is wearing a seat belt. The
car gets smashed up while the person is held inside the metal cocoon
Insulate the driver from the world around them, making it seem less
immediate, less real, and less threatening (which makes it easier to be
distracted by coffee, radio, makeup, phone, etc)
So a motorcyclist is relatively “naked,” hence the reason why helmets are
required by law. That’s the legal limit to the extent of a motorcyclist’s
cocoon. Many riders add leathers to that. Whereas being thrown from a car in
an accident increases your risk of death by 25 times (look it up), on a
motorcycle this is a given. So a good motorcycle rider is more aware, and
has to ride more defensively, than the driver of a car.
On a bicycle, you’re even more naked. Your speed is generally slower than
the traffic around you, putting you at a kinetic disadvantage. Also, you
have much less ability to power out of dangerous situations. A guy on a
motorcycle can hit the gas and dart away quickly, which is sometimes all you
need to avoid a collision.
On a bike, you generally ride on the side of the road, and hope the traffic,
which is behind you, both sees you and leaves you enough room to ride
without feeling threatened. Commuting regularly, along busy roads, is not an
activity for everybody.
So a bike safety class (urban) is going to be about how to basically protect
yourself from being hit by cars, along with a few other topics.
So if you’re going to ride a unicycle in traffic, same as a bike, you should
start off by wearing a helmet. If you don’t you’re stupid. STOOOOPID.
Any questions? Of course, as an adult at least, you still have the legal
right to be stupid. This is one of those inalienable rights people have all
over the world. You see people exercising this right all the time, every
day. In fact, some of these people, when they’re in cars (or pick ups) are
the ones you have to look out for when cycling in traffic.
I don’t mean to start up a helmet debate. It’s just that the more you read
and the more you learn about accident statistics, of which there are tons
for highway accidents, the more it becomes pretty darn obvious. Almost no
accident is unique. All of them happen thousands of times a year.
So you’re wearing a helmet. The purpose of the helmet is to protect your
head from the windshield of the car that doesn’t see you. It’s not because
you might be a klutz. This may or may not ever happen. You wear one because
it may.
I also recommend a mirror. I’ve bought one to attach to my sunglasses, so I
can see what’s going on behind me. I used to have one on my bike helmet, but
it kept getting broken off. So I’ll try the glasses kind. I think I was
spoiled by having mirrors during my motorcycling days. I never owned a
motorcycle, I just taught people how to ride them. Strange, but it paid the
bills at the time…
As for other safety equipment, I think that’s a more personal choice. I have
a new Coker Deluxe, which I’ve ridden to work twice, but my knees have
problems with the prox. 16 mile round trip so I haven’t done it any more
yet. I think I’ll have to build up to it. Since I am not used to the new
cycle with its short cranks, I’m wearing my volleyball kneepads. And gloves.
Wristguards are a smarter idea than gloves, but they interfere with seat
holding, picture taking, and other stuff, so I don’t use them (yet).
> Taught by experienced urban cyclists, this is not just the same old stuff
> about wearing your helmet. This class is about how to get more space and
> better treatment from the traffic around you, and treating them
> well in the bargain.
Sounds like a good class. Most of what is taught there should apply the same
way to the unicycle. You’ll know where you have to make adjustments. As
someone else pointed out, a unicycle, especially a big one like a Coker,
will attract more attention. This is a potential hazard if drivers fixate on
you and don’t pay attention to what else is around them. That’s why I want a
mirror.
The other danger of standing out from the crowd is the reaction of small-ego
drivers. These are the ones that like to rev engines, squeal tires, shout
rude things, or try to clip you with their mirrors. I don’t have anything to
offer for dealing with these people, other than the things already in the
class. If you have a real problem, consistently, you might have to change
your route. Or get license numbers and report them.
> 4. Influencing traffic
This is an interesting one, in that cars will tend to give you more
right-of-way when you’re on a unicycle. Again the danger is still there that
these drivers are too distracted by you, so keep this in mind. Make sure
you’re not being waved into the path of an oncoming car.
> 6. Emergency maneuvers
These might have to be adjusted to fit the unicycle. Chances are you can
turn quicker than a bike, which may come in handy. This was my main line of
defense when I used to occasionally ride my old 45" wheel around traffic.
Also bear in mind that you’re probably going slower than the average bike
commuter, so some of the speed issues may not exist for you.
> Good, sort of. What do you think of the odds of being hit, though?
Same as on a bike. People on bikes get hit all the time. Same as
motorcycles. Cars generally are on the lookout for other cars (not bikes),
and they may look right through you if they’re not paying attention. Make
sure they definitely see you before crossing in front of them.
Good luck with your class! Please let us know what you learn that you
think’s interesting for us.
Stay on top,
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
jfoss@unicycling.com
“If we are what we eat, then I’m easy, fast, and cheap!”
Re: Street safety
> So if you’re going to ride a unicycle in traffic, same as a bike, you
should
> start off by wearing a helmet. If you don’t you’re stupid. STOOOOPID.
Agreed.
> Any questions? Of course, as an adult at least, you still have the legal
> right to be stupid. This is one of those inalienable rights people have
all
> over the world. You see people exercising this right all the time, every
> day. In fact, some of these people, when they’re in cars (or pick ups) are
> the ones you have to look out for when cycling in traffic.
Good point.
>
> I don’t mean to start up a helmet debate. It’s just that the more you read
> and the more you learn about accident statistics, of which there are tons
> for highway accidents, the more it becomes pretty darn obvious. Almost no
> accident is unique. All of them happen thousands of times a year.
>
> So you’re wearing a helmet. The purpose of the helmet is to protect your
> head from the windshield of the car that doesn’t see you. It’s not because
> you might be a klutz. This may or may not ever happen. You wear one
because
> it may.
Right. To emphasize the point, I wear it because it’s my HEAD. I can live
with a broken arm or leg. If it interferes with your ukemi (it did mine)
then practice. I could (then) roll a thousand times in an hour. An hour
every morning for a couple of weeks was more than enough to learn how to
roll (front and back and left and right) with a helmet on.
>
> I also recommend a mirror.
Agreed, I have one on my bike helmet.
>
> As for other safety equipment, I think that’s a more personal choice. I
have
> a new Coker Deluxe, which I’ve ridden to work twice, but my knees have
> problems with the prox. 16 mile round trip so I haven’t done it any more
> yet. I think I’ll have to build up to it. Since I am not used to the new
> cycle with its short cranks, I’m wearing my volleyball kneepads. And
gloves.
> Wristguards are a smarter idea than gloves, but they interfere with seat
> holding, picture taking, and other stuff, so I don’t use them (yet).
I wear a knee brace and helmet. Anything else ukemi can handle, or at least
it’ll heal. That’s not cockiness, that’s a dozen bike commuting accidents
in Chicago - some bad enough to total my bike and one bad enough to send an
innocent bystander to the hospital in an ambulance with broken ribs piercing
her lung - without so much as a scratch or bruise on me.
>
> > Taught by experienced urban cyclists, this is not just the same old
stuff
> > about wearing your helmet. This class is about how to get more space and
> > better treatment from the traffic around you, and treating them
> > well in the bargain.
>
> Sounds like a good class. Most of what is taught there should apply the
same
> way to the unicycle. You’ll know where you have to make adjustments. As
> someone else pointed out, a unicycle, especially a big one like a Coker,
> will attract more attention. This is a potential hazard if drivers fixate
on
> you and don’t pay attention to what else is around them. That’s why I want
a
> mirror.
>
> The other danger of standing out from the crowd is the reaction of
small-ego
> drivers. These are the ones that like to rev engines, squeal tires, shout
> rude things, or try to clip you with their mirrors. I don’t have anything
to
> offer for dealing with these people, other than the things already in the
> class. If you have a real problem, consistently, you might have to change
> your route. Or get license numbers and report them.
I have decent focus: revving and squealing and shouting don’t matter, and
I’ve been clipped by mirrors (in Chicago, not Austin) on a bike without
falling. It hurts, is all. On a unicycle, though… yeah, I’d UPD.
>
> > 4. Influencing traffic
>
> This is an interesting one, in that cars will tend to give you more
> right-of-way when you’re on a unicycle. Again the danger is still there
that
> these drivers are too distracted by you, so keep this in mind. Make sure
> you’re not being waved into the path of an oncoming car.
>
> > 6. Emergency maneuvers
>
> These might have to be adjusted to fit the unicycle. Chances are you can
> turn quicker than a bike, which may come in handy. This was my main line
of
> defense when I used to occasionally ride my old 45" wheel around traffic.
> Also bear in mind that you’re probably going slower than the average bike
> commuter, so some of the speed issues may not exist for you.
I could panic stop on a bike hard enough to taco the front wheel (twice).
Gonna have to work on agility.
> > Good, sort of. What do you think of the odds of being hit, though?
>
> Same as on a bike. People on bikes get hit all the time. Same as
> motorcycles. Cars generally are on the lookout for other cars (not bikes),
> and they may look right through you if they’re not paying attention. Make
> sure they definitely see you before crossing in front of them.
>
> Good luck with your class! Please let us know what you learn that you
> think’s interesting for us.
Thanks! Three sessions in October, I’ll keep you posted.
And thanks for the excellent advice.
RE: Street safety
> Unfortunately, being a god of ukemi doesn’t help if one is dead before one
> hits the ground. Also, while I got hit a dozen times or so bike commuting
> in Chicago without suffering so much as a bruise, my bikes were frequently
> totaled.
Sounds like you’re in a good position to react well in a unicycle accident.
It’s easier to get off a unicycle than a bike. Plus, if you’re on a Coker,
being higher up probably helps some too. This depends on what’s hitting you,
but it could put you a little less in harm’s way.
> On one memorable occasion I got doored and went flying as the
> person parked one car ahead was getting out of her car. I
> was fine, she went to the hospital in an ambulance with broken
> ribs and a punctured lung, my bike was unridable.
Sorry she was hurt so bad, but hope she learned a lesson. When opening one’s
metal cocoon, one is now as unprotected as the cyclists on the road. It
amazes me how people open their doors into traffic, and then look out
through the open door to see if anything’s coming. That’s the people who
look at all, of course.
Stay on top,
John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
jfoss@unicycling.com
“If we are what we eat, then I’m easy, fast, and cheap!”
Re: Street safety
“John Foss” <jfoss@unicycling.com> wrote in message
news:mailman.1030835170.18894.rsu@unicycling.org…
> > Unfortunately, being a god of ukemi doesn’t help if one is dead before
one
> > hits the ground. Also, while I got hit a dozen times or so bike
commuting
> > in Chicago without suffering so much as a bruise, my bikes were
frequently
> > totaled.
>
> Sounds like you’re in a good position to react well in a unicycle
accident.
> It’s easier to get off a unicycle than a bike. Plus, if you’re on a Coker,
> being higher up probably helps some too. This depends on what’s hitting
you,
> but it could put you a little less in harm’s way.
Talking about this has caused me to actually think about this, amazing.
One of the things that kept me safe was the Launch - dive rolling OVER
obstacles like car doors and cars. The launch was probably much easier and
more effective off a freewheeling hub. More ukemi practice, crap, and it’ll
have to wait until I can ride on grass, because I’m getting old. Another
thing was panic stops - coupling a sharp turn with maximum braking. Sure it
tacoed a couple of wheels, but it also saved me from a couple of…
individuals… who ran red lights. How hard can one stop on a unicycle
without brakes? With brakes? Note: slamming on the brake so the yike stops
on a dime as I fly forward is unacceptable.
>
> > On one memorable occasion I got doored and went flying as the
> > person parked one car ahead was getting out of her car. I
> > was fine, she went to the hospital in an ambulance with broken
> > ribs and a punctured lung, my bike was unridable.
>
> Sorry she was hurt so bad, but hope she learned a lesson. When opening
one’s
> metal cocoon, one is now as unprotected as the cyclists on the road. It
> amazes me how people open their doors into traffic, and then look out
> through the open door to see if anything’s coming. That’s the people who
> look at all, of course.
She saw me coming and figured getting out of her way was my problem, turned
her back on me. I’d’ve humored her if I hadn’t gotten doored, honest. As
it was I bounced off her on my way to a nice smooth easy roll to my feet -
slammed her ribs-first into the corner of her door HARD. If I’d been as
heavy then as I am now, she’d’ve died. If she’d been a few inches to the
left, she’d’ve died when broken ribs punched through her heart instead of
her lung.
If she’d kept her eyes on me and ducked, she’d’ve been fine.
–
To dream that you are riding a unicycle, signifies that you are in total
control of a situation and exercising authority in both personal and
business matters.
–www.dreammoods.com/dreamdictionary
RE: Street safety
John Foss wrote:
John gave a lot of good advice here (the helmet is critical), but I’m not
sure that riding a unicycle in serious traffic is a good idea, at least not
in Ohio, and I suspect other states as well. My concern is the influencing
traffic part. As John says, cars give you a lot of right-of-way, and I
have seen the same thing. I have always worried that I will be the cause
of an accident as cars cross the double yellow line to get around me. Now,
I worried about this when I took Effective Cycling class (on a bicycle),
but was told that I’m a legal vehicle, and if they choose to cross the
double yellow line that is their fault. The problem is that a unicycle is
not a legal vehicle, at least not in Ohio. In case an accident does occur
the unicyclist is in a very bad position.
If a unicycle is a vehicle in other states what I said doesn’t apply. A
unicyclist is apparently a pedestrian in California which changes some
legal issues. For the record, I have ridden the unicycle on quiet streets
but switch to the sidewalk on busier streets.
Beirne
>
> So if you’re going to ride a unicycle in traffic, same as a bike, you
> should start off by wearing a helmet. If you don’t you’re stupid.
> STOOOOPID. Any questions? Of course, as an adult at least, you still
> have the legal right to be stupid. This is one of those inalienable rights
> people have all over the world. You see people exercising this right all
> the time, every day. In fact, some of these people, when they’re in cars
> (or pick ups) are the ones you have to look out for when cycling in
> traffic.
>
>> 4. Influencing traffic
>
> This is an interesting one, in that cars will tend to give you more
> right-of-way when you’re on a unicycle. Again the danger is still there
> that these drivers are too distracted by you, so keep this in mind. Make
> sure you’re not being waved into the path of an oncoming car.
>
>> 6. Emergency maneuvers
>
> These might have to be adjusted to fit the unicycle. Chances are you can
> turn quicker than a bike, which may come in handy. This was my main line
> of defense when I used to occasionally ride my old 45" wheel around
> traffic. Also bear in mind that you’re probably going slower than the
> average bike commuter, so some of the speed issues may not exist for you.
>
>> Good, sort of. What do you think of the odds of being hit, though?
>
> Same as on a bike. People on bikes get hit all the time. Same as
> motorcycles. Cars generally are on the lookout for other cars (not bikes),
> and they may look right through you if they’re not paying attention. Make
> sure they definitely see you before crossing in front of them.
>
> Good luck with your class! Please let us know what you learn that you
> think’s interesting for us.
>
> Stay on top,
> John Foss, the Uni-Cyclone
> jfoss@unicycling.com
> www.unicycling.com
>
>
> “If we are what we eat, then I’m easy, fast, and cheap!”
–
Beirne “Bern” Konarski
beirne@neo.rr.com “Untouched by Scandal”
RE: Street safety
> I have always worried that I will be the cause
> of an accident as cars cross the double yellow
> line to get around me.
You can’t worry too much about what the other road users will do (other than
staying out of their way). Like your effective cycling class said, the
drivers are responsible for their driving choices. This does not change if
you enjoy the technicality of being something other than a “vehicle” in your
area.
Any driver crossing the centerline is the one potentially causing an
accident, and they are doing this at their own decision. If it is unsafe to
do so, they are supposed to know to slow down, or otherwise wait until it’s
safe to pass you. Regardless of what you are, you are an obstacle and, if
not doing something irresponsible like darting all over the place, are not
at fault for driving mistakes made as a result of your presence.
For my own part, I will avoid riding in any location where this is necessary
for the cars around me. But if I don’t have a choice in this, I will have to
ride there anyway, though I will try to zip through quickly, and eye the
traffic as I do.
As it is, my ride to work is along 4-lane roads, residential streets, and a
big chunk of the American River Bicycle Trail. I cross two major
intersections, usually stopping and pressing the pedestrian button. Of
course I like the bike path part of the ride the best.
> The problem is that a unicycle is not a legal vehicle,
> at least not in Ohio. In case an accident does occur
> the unicyclist is in a very bad position.
I doubt it. If you’re riding something that’s not a vehicle on the roadway,
what are they going to do to you? Probably a fine.
The sad thing is, even bicyclists, after being hit by cars, are often
treated with little respect by our legal system. It always seems as if
they’re being treated like they were in the way. But this is when the
cyclist is hit. If two cars have an accident as a result of trying to avoid
a cyclist who’s just riding where he/she is supposed to, the cyclist should
not be prosecuted.
> A unicyclist is apparently a pedestrian in California
> which changes some legal issues.
I think we have learned otherwise since then. I think that if it comes to a
courtroom, and someone is depicted as a commuter or distance rider, on a
Coker for instance, the law will not have trouble recognizing this person as
a vehicle.
But I’m not a lawyer, and I wouldn’t want to be in that situation…
Stay on top,
JF
Wow Harper, that’s fine for you to select times you’ll need gear (not being abusive), I would just cry if I smashed my shins whilt my pads were in the basement. I’m a sucker for safety gear. But I bet lots of people wear no safety gear ever. Weird.
Safety is not just about protective equipment. I wear a helmet most of the time I’m riding, and usually wear gloves, but I only resort to shin/knee pads for the extreme stuff. So far (riding since 1987 ish) I’ve never had more than bruises and scrapes. Perhaps I’ve been lucky.
But more important to safety is having the right skills to the situation. e.g.:
If you’re going down steep hills, be able to control the uni, pulling on the seat or handle as necessary. Know when to walk.
If you’re riding in crowds, be confident idling and reversing; develop good perception of what is around you; know when to walk.
If you’re riding on the roads, be confident to ride either briskly or slowly with good balance; be good at mounting and dismounting tidily; learn to occupy your space confidently, so car’s give you respect; learn when to wave someone past, or when to make yourself a bit wider to stop them; know when to walk.
Build up to things slowly. I’m riding my Coker regularly on the public roads at night, but I started with short stretches on residential roads in daylight, then worked up to country lanes, and occasional faster roads. Riding in the dark came later. I have to avoid the MUni mentality of seeig every obstacle as a challenge to my ability - fair enough off road, but having a go at riding a 3 lane traffic island ‘to see if you can do it’ is just plain stupid. You ride the island when it’s safe to do so, and when you’ve built up to that level of skill and confidence. Know when to walk.
So perhaps that’s the best overall piece of safety advice: know when to walk.