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Comment on Pros / cons of riding a bike?

Ziggurat@sh.itjust.works ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago

From a European perspective (I use car/bicycle/train/longboard), a few pointers rather than a pro-con/list

The more people use a bicycle, even casually, The more it put pressures on local politician to do something
For short distances (<5km) in town, it’s faster than the car
Gloves are more important than helmet, on the couple of fall I got, gloves protected my hands, while my head didn’t hit. However, if you’re in a severe accident a helmet can make the difference so I still recommend one.
Beware of your clothe, if you wear black, at night, without lights, you call for problem, and I can see how even good faith motorists can hit you.
Paint isn’t infrastructure but at least remind the motorists that you have the right to be there. I can see how the mayor call the infrastructure director and ask them for bike lane without any budget, but it sucks
Be a bit agressive, and look for eye-contact before passing between car, keep distance from parked car, they can open a door, If you don’t think a car can pass you with a safe distance (small urban streets) stay in the middle of the road, and stop to the side when you can to let the car pass you.
A backpack, or bike pack helps a lot carrying groceries, not really an excuse
The problem isn’t that much the winter (unless you live on a really cold place) but the rain, good clothe can help, but still.

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hemko@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Just wanted to comment on this bit.

Gloves are more important than helmet, on the couple of fall I got, gloves protected my hands, while my head didn’t hit. However, if you’re in a severe accident a helmet can make the difference so I still recommend one.

Gloves will save you from very annoying and painful scratches on your hands, but helmet can save you from becoming vegetable or dead. I don’t think there’s any competition for which is more important, helmet any day.

Still, definitely recommend both but at very least a helmet
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aaa999@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
What kind of gloves do you use?

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- Ziggurat@sh.itjust.works ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
  In Summer, I use “weight lifting fingerless gloves”, it’s very similar from “cycling fingerless gloves” but half of the price. In winter, I use “light” outdoor gloves.
  
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akwd169@sh.itjust.works ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
Upvote because longboard

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Badeendje@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨months⁩ ago
For rain and stuff in the Netherlands (we have some rain) you can get a rain suit I causing pants you can just wear over your normal clothes to work.

Make sure the rain suit has reflector strips or patches… your lighting and reflectors are key in Beiing seen.

Depending on the commute distance getting an Ebike helps keep your speed up without becoming massively sweaty. You can still exercise but you do it at a steady 25kph.

For groceries you can get cargo bags for on the back of the bike. Depending on the type you get they can store a lot.

Listening to music… put in one earbud only and have the volume low. But in the Netherlands we have mostly separate bike infra (protected bikebanes and such) so this might still be dangerous if there is no good bike infra.

Lastly, you can choose other routes that would normally not work by car. If you find a cut through somewhere, you maybe can avoid the dangerous stroads all together.

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