Commuting for the first time?!

[ZeroGravity360]

So I have had the bike a few months, but I have successfully been on the roads by my self 4 or 5 times, and although I need work on emergency stops and not stalling when I am at a stop sign, I think I am going to tackle commuting now. I go in at 7 am, so no problems there, but I DO get off at 5 O'clock when rush hour hits. I plan to take less traveled on roads to get back home. Any advice here? Anything really is going to help.

[JohnnyBravo]

Find a place close by to watch the traffic jams in the shade till the wildness calms down... It's what I used to do

[dcj13]

Be observant.
Be assertive, but not aggressive.
Don't tailgate.
Watch for vehicles turning left in front of you (all three ways they can do it).
If you're behind a big truck or bus, the guy that's going to turn left in front of you will not see you.
Wear bright colored jacket and helmet.
Wear proper gear.

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by dcj13

Be observant.
Be assertive, but not aggressive.
Don't tailgate.
Watch for vehicles turning left in front of you (all three ways they can do it).
If you're behind a big truck or bus, the guy that's going to turn left in front of you will not see you.
Wear bright colored jacket and helmet.
Wear proper gear.

Solid advice.

I'd add the following:

RELAX and go with the flow. Keep pace with traffic.

Do a head check before changing lanes. This helps with situational awareness and also cues drivers that you're about to change lanes.

Do not worry about what's immediately behind you (new riders often obsess over this). There's nothing you can do about that guy. (If you're last in line at a stop light, however, it might be a good idea to watch your mirror for that texting idiot who might rear-end you.)

Plan well ahead. Look through the windows of the car in front of you to anticipate sudden slowdowns. Watch for brake lights.

Position yourself so you always have an escape route.

Stay out of drivers' blind spots.

If you're going to pass, pass. Don't plant yourself next to someone's fender and stay there.

Get out of the passing lane if you're not passing (huge pet peeve of mine).

Go ahead and use your high beam. I've found that when following a driver hogging the passing lane, high beam plus a slow weave from center to alignment with the driver's side mirror can do wonders... people wake up and realize there's a bike behind them, and will move over more often than not.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by adouglas

Solid advice.

I'd add the following:

RELAX and go with the flow. Keep pace with traffic.

Do a head check before changing lanes. This helps with situational awareness and also cues drivers that you're about to change lanes.

Do not worry about what's immediately behind you (new riders often obsess over this). There's nothing you can do about that guy. (If you're last in line at a stop light, however, it might be a good idea to watch your mirror for that texting idiot who might rear-end you.)

Plan well ahead. Look through the windows of the car in front of you to anticipate sudden slowdowns. Watch for brake lights.

Position yourself so you always have an escape route.

Stay out of drivers' blind spots.

If you're going to pass, pass. Don't plant yourself next to someone's fender and stay there.

Get out of the passing lane if you're not passing (huge pet peeve of mine).

Go ahead and use your high beam. I've found that when following a driver hogging the passing lane, high beam plus a slow weave from center to alignment with the driver's side mirror can do wonders... people wake up and realize there's a bike behind them, and will move over more often than not.

All my gear is black and white, my helmet is black, I was thinking of getting a light color backpack though, I am not sure because the one that has enough space for me is $80 (http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...treet-backpack) . Or I can get this one (http://www.walmart.com/ip/Eastsport-...kpack/36064623) I was thinking black and pink and get a hiviz vest thing to wear over my jacket. One like the construction workers wear (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hi-Viz-Safet...oAAOSwGotWpij5)

[CaliGrrl]

Have fun! Commuting is much better on a bike than in a car.

Hi-viz vest, sure, why not.

Sitting at a stop light, flash your brake light when you see a car come up behind you. A flashing light gets a driver's attention more than the solid brake or tail light. Also once you stop, turn your front wheel toward a gap so that if a car hits you from behind, you'll get pushed somewhere safer than into the bumper in front of you. I usually turn toward the lane-line or toward the side of the road. Somewhere open.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by CaliGrrl

Have fun! Commuting is much better on a bike than in a car.

Hi-viz vest, sure, why not.

Sitting at a stop light, flash your brake light when you see a car come up behind you. A flashing light gets a driver's attention more than the solid brake or tail light. Also once you stop, turn your front wheel toward a gap so that if a car hits you from behind, you'll get pushed somewhere safer than into the bumper in front of you. I usually turn toward the lane-line or toward the side of the road. Somewhere open.

NEVER would have thought of that turning your wheel thing! Great advice, thank you!

[VaFish]

I wear a hi-visit vest, and I strap my backpack to the passenger seat with a bungy cargo net.

[adouglas]

Next helmet, think of a lighter color.

Your head is the highest, most prominent thing on the bike.

The hazards that matter most are those in front of you... and your fairing, windscreen and headlight will obscure most of that vest.

Observe:

The following rider in this photo is wearing a hi viz vest but the helmet is far more noticeable.

Which do you think would do more to improve your visibility: A bright helmet or something bright on your chest?



I don't bother with a hi-viz jacket any more. My jacket is black. But I do wear hi-viz on the stuff people are more likely to see....

[RacinNinja]

Always, always watch the wheels of a stopped car and NOT the driver. The driver will look right at you and pull out anyway.

However, if you watch the wheels of the car, at the slightest movement you can hit the brakes or make other maneuvers.

You can see if the wheels are turned towards your path of travel if they intend to change lanes in stopped traffic too. Then if they move, you'll have time to brake (hopefully).

[crazymadbastard]

Get up extra early and practice hard stops and swerves. You will have more confidence and the needed practice for the ride.

[arnvc]

and, trash days always added some extra caution. kids,pets, cars blocked by the cans as well as trucks moving slow or stopped.

[CaliGrrl]

Originally Posted by RacinNinja

Always, always watch the wheels of a stopped car and NOT the driver. The driver will look right at you and pull out anyway.

However, if you watch the wheels of the car, at the slightest movement you can hit the brakes or make other maneuvers.

You can see if the wheels are turned towards your path of travel if they intend to change lanes in stopped traffic too. Then if they move, you'll have time to brake (hopefully).

Oh, yeah, that's good. I have to remember that myself.

[MyTriggaz]

Ride more before you go and start commuting. Seriously.

Not trying to be mean, but if you know your not confident and lacking in certain basic skills, ie stopping and starting from a dead stop, then you should not be doing what you're wanting to do. Especially at the end if the day when everyone is itching to get home after a ****** day at work.

My suggestion, drive your car and when you get home, dedicate an hour or two each day/every other day to getting in the roads more. Seriously. You say you've been on the road 4 or 5 times now, please, please, please, get some more road experience before you subject yourself to commuting and dealing with asshats that do not have the patience for a newb rider.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by MyTriggaz

Ride more before you go and start commuting. Seriously.

Not trying to be mean, but if you know your not confident and lacking in certain basic skills, ie stopping and starting from a dead stop, then you should not be doing what you're wanting to do. Especially at the end if the day when everyone is itching to get home after a ****** day at work.

My suggestion, drive your car and when you get home, dedicate an hour or two each day/every other day to getting in the roads more. Seriously. You say you've been on the road 4 or 5 times now, please, please, please, get some more road experience before you subject yourself to commuting and dealing with asshats that do not have the patience for a newb rider.

While I respect your opinion my commute to work is about 10 minutes and even with heavy traffic getting back takes me about 20-25 minutes. It's not a long commute. Maybe 4 miles?

[MyTriggaz]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

While I respect your opinion my commute to work is about 10 minutes and even with heavy traffic getting back takes me about 20-25 minutes. It's not a long commute. Maybe 4 miles?

Lol, i guess i assumed it was a longer commute. If it's only 4 miles, then if you're confident you can handle it, by all means give it a go.

I do still suggest getting more road time before trying to tackle major commutes.

Honestly, a week of riding for an hour or two after work and you'll be feeling a lot more sure of yourself.


Btw, Bloomington, Indiana?

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by MyTriggaz

Lol, i guess i assumed it was a longer commute. If it's only 4 miles, then if you're confident you can handle it, by all means give it a go.

I do still suggest getting more road time before trying to tackle major commutes.

Honestly, a week of riding for an hour or two after work and you'll be feeling a lot more sure of yourself.


Btw, Bloomington, Indiana?

Yes, Bloomington Indiana. I work two jobs. One in the morning is 3.2 miles commute. Then I go about 4 miles east to my second one. Just looked up the commute home it's about 5.7 miles. :-p

[MyTriggaz]

Well, as a fellow Hoosier, I wish you luck and safe travels.

Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

[VaFish]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

Yes, Bloomington Indiana. I work two jobs. One in the morning is 3.2 miles commute. Then I go about 4 miles east to my second one. Just looked up the commute home it's about 5.7 miles. :-p

I hate you, my commute is 27 miles and depending on traffic can be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hrs.

While your commute is short, remember most accidents happen close to the point of origin. Those short little trips in town are more dangerous than cross country trip on the highway.

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by VaFish

I hate you, my commute is 27 miles and depending on traffic can be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 1/2 hrs.

While your commute is short, remember most accidents happen close to the point of origin. Those short little trips in town are more dangerous than cross country trip on the highway.

HAHA! Well I live in a small town. So even going from one side of town tothe other can take about 30 minutes with traffic.

[VaFish]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

HAHA! Well I live in a small town. So even going from one side of town tothe other can take about 30 minutes with traffic.

Yeah but when you stop at a stop light you know the people in the car next to you.

I used to live in a small town in the middle of nowhere, 30 KM commute to work and no speed limits outside of town. Rode a CBR1100XX. That was a fun commute.

Now I'm in the suburbs of Washington DC with some of the worst traffic in the country.

[InvisiBill]

Originally Posted by MyTriggaz

Ride more before you go and start commuting. Seriously.

Not trying to be mean, but if you know your not confident and lacking in certain basic skills, ie stopping and starting from a dead stop, then you should not be doing what you're wanting to do. Especially at the end if the day when everyone is itching to get home after a ****** day at work.

My suggestion, drive your car and when you get home, dedicate an hour or two each day/every other day to getting in the roads more. Seriously. You say you've been on the road 4 or 5 times now, please, please, please, get some more road experience before you subject yourself to commuting and dealing with asshats that do not have the patience for a newb rider.

I agree with this. I'm not familiar with Bloomington's traffic, and only you know your true skill level, but I suggest being completely familiar with the bike before adding rush hour traffic into the mix. We all have brainfarts and occasionally stall or whatever, but if you're still concentrating on physically operating the bike (as opposed to it being simply muscle memory), then you're taking away from concentrating on hazards around you.

If stalling at a stop sign is still a major concern for you, adding in heavy traffic could end up being quite stressful. When you're stressed out is when you're most likely to make a mistake, and the extra traffic increases the odds that a mistake will result in something bad happening. The more comfortable you are on your bike, the more resources you can put into staying safe.

[toEleven]

I didn't see it mentioned, and maybe the short distance is a mitigating factor. Anyway, ride the route a few times on days you're not working, and don't have any time related pressures. Find new routes as well. You're obviously familiar with the directions, but that route via car is not the same as that route via motorcycle. Something as simple as a traffic signal that fails to detect your bike can make your commute more stressful than it needs to be, especially if you're not expecting it.

[crazymadbastard]

So how did it go?��

[adouglas]

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

So how did it go?��

Yeah. Were you the windshield, or were you the bug?

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by crazymadbastard

So how did it go?��

unfortunately I havent done it yet, one of my buddies convienced me to ride my path to work this weekend so I can get to know the road on my bike with out so much traffic before i commuted. However, it looks like rain all next week I am so tired of it raining here!

[toEleven]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

unfortunately I havent done it yet, one of my buddies convienced me to ride my path to work this weekend so I can get to know the road on my bike with out so much traffic before i commuted. However, it looks like rain all next week I am so tired of it raining here!

Did your buddy read my post too?

[ZeroGravity360]

Originally Posted by toEleven

Did your buddy read my post too?

LOL!! what evs!!

[Alex]

/moved to riding skills

[tfkrocks]

Even though it's a short distance away, I'd still wait until you don't stall anymore before commuting. Being a new rider is stressful enough on it's own. Throwing in the stress of commuting in traffic isn't going to help that at all and is more likely to make more new rider errors happen.

[SLOWn60]

Originally Posted by ZeroGravity360

unfortunately I havent done it yet, one of my buddies convienced me to ride my path to work this weekend so I can get to know the road on my bike with out so much traffic before i commuted. However, it looks like rain all next week I am so tired of it raining here!

I like your buddy and his/her advice.

[Omarel]

@ZeroGravity360 I would definitely read up a bit more. But the decision of commuting is freely yours.

Just wanted to point out that in reference to you saying that your commute is short and only 10 minutes. Keep in mind that the majority of motorcycle accidents happen when a rider is less than 6 minutes from their point of departure.

So 10 minutes is a big deal as that is where most issues happen.

As a matter of fact in "ride hard ride smart" the author says if you want to avoid most accidents never ride short rides or less than an hour. Obviously this may not be realistic. He's just making a point.

For some pointers, for me, In the beginning I was paying attention a lot to what's behind me but the truth is most accidents come from 45 degrees to your front left or right. So I would pay attention to what's in front of me and predict 12 seconds ahead.

Research shows that Intersections are the most dangerous for bike riders so be extra cautious there.

Left turners, cars flying passed stop signs. Cars coming out of driveways, out of parking spots. A lot of **** happens on local roads. You have to be alert.

Like mentioned above, the wheels of the car will indicate quicker to you what the driver is going to do more than looking at the car itself.

[SLOWn60]

A large number of accidents would be completely avoided if proper use of the front brake was applied. This cannot be stressed enough. It takes practice.