Death Rides On My Left - urban bicycle commuting

[lotsooo]

great vid, I'm a cyclist but occasionally I let fly at other cyclist while in my car. Recently a cyclist in dark clothing, no helmet abused me for cutting him off (having not seen him)... I became aggressive drove behind him and gave him a blast of my car horn. On a bike you need to be careful, responsible and courteous as you should be in your car, no one has any more rights than any one else.. ps I've been attacked for riding my bike in this manner, it won't always save you, but mostly it will

[devildog99992007]

@lotsooo What does that fact that he wasn't wearing a helmet have to do with anything?

[se7ensnakes]

I have been deliberately attack: 1) Someone threw an egg at me on Halloween. 2) some guy stuck his hand out of the passenger side window and tried to push me down. 3)Some guy threw a bottle at me from a window of a moving car but missed. 4) Friday evening some guy throws an egg from a moving car, but the eggs breaks in midair. He turns the car around and throws eggs again hitting my bicycle frame. 5) Dog owner watches as dog attempts to chase and bite me.

[gorillasocks]

I was about a half second from getting left crossed. I just barely scraped through, and the car never even stopped or slowed.

[lucioscp3]

Good stuff " luvmastertx "!I´m a new bicyclist commuter and i don´t have experience yet;thanks for the video.

[skoockum]

Amazing that as timid a rider as you are, you've managed to crash 3 times in 3 years... I don't crash, yet I ride by jungle rules (you'd probably call it very aggressively) - fast and hard, trying to maintain momentum always. I regularly filter, run signs and lights, ride against traffic etc.. I do respect right of way, and I'm always aware of exactly how close to the edge I am riding -- my limits, sight distance, reaction time etc.

Mebbe you'd crash less if you demanded more from yourself.

[devildog99992007]

@skoockum Yeah I think he said eight times. I ride the same way best defense is a good offense. In the city I prefer to peddle my ass off and stay in front of cars whenever possible.

[skoockum]

@devildog99992007 I'd expect nothing less from a gyrene

[luvmastertx]

@photolitherland - In 99% of town it is legal to ride on the sidewalk. Most of our sidewalks are pedestrian free zones. The primary sidewalk I ride on daily is used like a bike path by most bicyclist. Riding safetly on a sidewalk or bike path is the responcibility of the cyclist.

[XuyenaCorp]

8 times in 3 years? noob

[vanzamee]

Was good meeting you today, thanks for the tips. I will try the Steck route soon, if not tomorrow, on my commute. Good, informative video.

[ReginaldMaulding]

More videos should be like this. Purely instructional and helpful. Thanks dude!

[FloatingMyBoat]

you guys have bike lanes? lucky! i have gutter or road... haha

[dsfgdbdsbd]

see that 06:34 he did it on purpose, what a douche

[ibarracesar10]

@dsfgdbdsbd I think he was just avoiding half of the stopper. Douche, anyways. xD

[MrMartinMihov]

Hi there. Im 18 and live in Bulgaria. I just got a driving license 1 month ago. Id like to say that drivers, bicyclist and pedestrians are all in danger because they are in the traffic. In Bulgaria most people dont know the rules or deliberately disobey. As a bicyclist here I always have to shift on the road - you know the roadway the sidewalk and the path for cyclists. On the path of cyclists you usually find mothers with their little children or old people who even dont hear you.

[lwp1200]

Factual but a bit morose. Excellent Data. What is your source?

[videos1930]

I also commute by bike, and you are making all us commuters look bad. You obviously create more enemies for urban biking every time you ride. I hope these are only your outtakes and you don't ride like this consistently.

[BeeryUSA]

Great video - very informative about the levels of risk involved in various behaviors.

[BeeryUSA]

Regarding those right hooks, many of the ones shown in your video could have been avoided if you had been in the traffic lane. If it's legal in your state, I urge you to consider riding in the lane with traffic and ignoring the bike lane. Bike lanes are beginning to be phased out in favor of sharrows, due to the fact that riding in bike lanes is often dangerous because drivers tend not to signal and tend not to merge into the bike lane before turning.

[cineboy65]

This is a great video. Thanks for making it. 

[alexanderblake]

@Luvmastertx You should really wear a helmet.

[quarvis]

You have the right to ride in the street....but you said it yourself, "death is on the left" why not ride on the sidewalk? I am going to start bike commuting soon and have no intention of riding in the "bike lane" that foot of pavement that doesn't even allow you to fall down without getting run over.

[JoeJoeToth]

your all right man

[sexxyperv]

dude, if ur having so many problems on the bike lane why won't you just get on the damn sidewalk?!

[ben092582]

@sexxyperv most municipalities have laws against riding on sidewalks. I think if he can't take the lane and be a safe, assertive cyclist then perhaps the bus is a good option.

[ibarracesar10]

@ben092582 If a biker forcefully needs to go trough a sidewalk, he can just become a pedestrian by getting down of the bike.

[devildog99992007]

@ibarracesar10 Unless he has clips on his shoes to snap on the peddles. Like me. Can't walk on them things.

[FATKATKY]

Thank you. You have provided a wonderful service. I will watch this over and over.

[Sleeko11]

The most defensive thing a bike rider can do, is make themself visible. Don't ride in the gutter, don't weave in and out of parked cars, make left turns from the left lane, don't wait for traffic lights with your foot on the curb, etc. OWN your lane. I ride 12 miles up/down Pacific Coast Highway, in LA regularly. I don't hide. I ride down the middle of the right lane, and try to have a car trapped behind me (he can take the hit). I view their horn honking as, acknowledgement of my presence. Wave

[karoslif]

keep riding that way and one day it will be your death ride.

[coreysollars50]

this stuff is crazy

[hunhun23]

The thing that I do as a driver is no matter if I am on a divided highway, roadway, or making a left or right turn, I always look to make sure no one is coming.

[hunhun23]

My bike is fully equipped with a sideview mirro, headlight, taillight, bright orange flag, orange vest., and HELMET

[hunhun23]

I know the feeling. Back in 1998 I was commuting along a main highway from school back to my house when I was hit by a truck. Needless to say I made it home 4 days later after plates and screws were put in my knee and a hospital stay.

[TheRUSSIA69]

good video

[suttonk103]

man u are so rite i have ridden bmx and motocross for years and now i ride my bike the some local jumps every day and i see stupid people that just dont pay atttention and u have to realy know how to ride if somone pulls out if front of u or somthing or your done

[drsquirrel0]

Good video, although I was a bit confused at first.

Some points.

1. I think saying nearly 100% cyclists jumping red lights is unfair, I would say it's much less than 20%, even that.

2. Yes, cyclists need to take care of their own safety, but it doesn't mean it is cyclists fault if another vehicle does something improper (either another motorist or cyclist).

I hope that because I cycle and drive (mostly drive currently), that I can be aware of both/all road users.

[socomcorky]

Great video! I have a bunch of videos on my channel and I have so much footage of idiot drivers being reckless. Its lawless out here. I think cyclists get blamed way too much. A lot of drivers are not just careless but completely aggressive. Your video was very informative. Thank you!

[universalcarguy]

@socomcorky well i guess it is motorist fault after all a bike is maybe 80 pounds and 6 feet long and a car weighs 3000 plus pounds and is 6x16 or larger. get what im saying, its easier for you guys to stop and turn than us, and unlike you in a tight spot we cant just pull over and think about it or we will get hit

[galahuth]

very clear very dead on, I have seen all of this in my first three months bicycle commutin and taught myself to deal with them, especially parking lots part. I have been down the busiest roads in my town but nothing is scarier than pulling into the parking lot at my work. . .

[Garloops]

I like your bike paths. Our city uses needed space for planters and curbs that jut out. Great video!

[elgeneralsv]

can you make the info on the video a bit shorter? not sure what others thought I found it alittle to long.

[dregerclock]

I thought your video on bike safety was good. Not perfect but none are. I like the REAL WORLD examples and the basic common sense and accident type warnings. I hope people won't just follow your examples but take what you show as good warnings and read more about bike commuting safety and be aware of things they do that are dangerous. I have commuted by bike and now by recumbent trike and find it is very important to choose a relatively "safe" route and to practice safe methods of riding too!

[ThePhantomChannel]

When making right turns, I usually just take the entire lane and signal with my hands to make it clear to the drivers behind me. They usually wait for me to turn and don't overtake me on the right. I've had a couple motorists honk or yell for slowing them down but at least I'm still alive. :]

[Citadin]

Gj luvmaster, nice rundown.

[dynobreath]

Bicycle lanes are dangerous. In the US cyclist have the same rights as automobiles. I ride in the traffic lane where cars and trucks can see me.

[tpobrien22]

And also, there is no single set of rules to abide by on the road. Traffic speed, lane number/width, bikelane availability, etc, etc, ALL play into riding style and safety.

[tpobrien22]

To all those that must come down on this guy for his riding style: He has made a point of saying that he made these videos to point out his errors, and improve on his riding style and safety, and help others see this to avoid the same.

[bhasty5]

The more we can expose the dangerous and irresponsible behaviour of motorists out there the better. Nice job on getting the video footage and making this video.

[JimexJimex]

ALL right hook close calls in the video is the fault of the cyclist. Passing a motor vehicle by the right inside their blind spot is YOUR fault, not the right-turning motorists' fault: that is called Undertaking in an intersection.

You have to be in Sync in any situation like that. once you are traveling in the same speed as other motorists, they WILL see you.

[downfader2]

Same speed? No not at all - look up bbborp on youtube. That guy can ride faster than most traffic and they "dont see" him.

In the UK if you're travelling down a cyclelane and a car "hooks" you it is the driver's fault as they have effectively crossed a lane without due care and attention.

[MikkoMuhis]

No it's not. It's a motor vehicle driver's fault.

For the car driver it IS determine that when turn to right,you MUST look are there any of light traffic coming from behind and bypassing you or is there any light traffic already on the road and it's determine that the car must give way for light traffic.

That is when you turn on right. And when you turn on left you must also watch for the light traffic from both sides, behind and from forward and you should give a way for them if needed.

[MikkoMuhis]

And car drivers have to turn his or her head so much that he or she is able to see what happens at the blind spot, not only looking from mirrors which causes the black spot.

[drsquirrel0]

Aye I hate this "blind spot" argument, aren't we all taught to LOOK at our blind spot by turning our heads?

This used to be a complaint with just lorry/truck drivers, although these days they have loads of mirrors and blind spot refers to the point that is hidden during turns.

[MikkoMuhis]

I'm not sure did I fully understand your message, but...

Wathcing your blind spot is not only for lorry/truck drivers, it's atleast for passenger cars. I never drived a truck so I can't say how well you could see out from there but I am driving a passenger car and yeah, there is blind spots.

If I look my left mirror I see whats behind me on left side but I can't see whats next to me on the left side where mirror won't show unless I turn my head a little bit behind.

[MikkoMuhis]

And the same thing on right.

When I look at my right mirror I am able to see behind with the line of my car but I am unable to see what happens on the other side of that line unless I turn around me head and watch are there coming any light traffic like bicyclers which woulb bypass me when I am turning to the right.

[MikkoMuhis]

All these wathcing mirrors, turning head to see what happening at blind spots etc. has been teached at driving shcool.

[drsquirrel0]

You're already describing what I mean (I agree with you)

Everyone says, watch out for the blind spot, or someones excuse is "you were in my blind spot".

People assume a blind spot is where a driver cannot see, it's a mainly what they cannot see in the mirror, and it's not a point that a driver cannot see no matter what. If they turn to look, there is no (or very very little) blind spot.

[drsquirrel0]

Lorries mostly have mirrors to cover these since they are longer and it's easier for the driver to see 3 mirrors than look around at 3 points separately.

Manoeuvring a lorry (turning) causes real blind spots though, but we all know not to turn down an articulated vehicle anyway. Cars have little manoeuvring blind spots as we can see out the back.

The only real blind spot for a lorry is behind between the mirrors... you can usually see if they have a reversing camera too.

[trikebum]

You look like an accident looking for a place to happen and your vid proves it.

[LEXPIX]

Good video and footage.

[Pscyclepath]

The dude would do better, and be a whole lot safer if he didn't ride the wrong way against traffic, weave between cars, and generally follow the standard traffic rules. The same rules that he chides motorists about not following apply to him, too.

[RecumbentReCycler]

I've had quite a few close calls myself. I average around 15 mph on long hilly rides, and around 20 mph when I just need to ride a few miles.  I try to keep as far to the right as I feel I can safely travel, never ride against traffic, and have 7 headlights and 4 taillights, as well as reflectors and a bright yellow jacket. I've been cut off multiple times by people who turn in front of or into me without using their turn signals. Scary, especially when I'm moving fast.

[RecumbentReCycler]

In 2001 I took a shortcut while riding at night and ran into unmarked triple strand concertina wire. I only had 1 headlight then, and it wasn't bright. After 45 stitches, I decided I wanted better illumination ahead of me when riding at night. My worst accident last year was when I was passing traffic that was on my left and parked cars on my right. A vehicle pulled into my path to parallel park. I had nowhere to go, so I hit my brakes hard and flipped, missing a vehicle by about an inch.

[ddallass]

Oh please! I have ridden my bicycle 13,000 miles in the greater Dallas area over the past three years and I have been right hooked zero times.

I attribute this to lane position. I NEVER ride near the curb if a motorist is allowed to turn right. (That would include all driveways) Cowering near the curb is inviting trouble. As this video shows.

[luvmastertx]

The League of American Bicyclist interpretation of the law is so extreme that it creates polarization even in the bicycle community. How are you ever going to get motorist to understand with attitudes like these.

[gualganus]

The LAB neither makes nor enforced law. Your comment regarding their "interpretation" is perplexing. They are proponents of bike lanes and, as such, like you, advocate riding in or near the gutter in a timid fashion - shunning those big, mean, nasty cars.

[luvmastertx]

The law says that when moving slower than traffic a bicyclist is to ride as close as is practical to the right curb. Unless, certain unsafe situations exists. You seem to believe it is always unsafe next to the curb and therefore you always have the right to take command of the lane. I on the other hand try to do what I believe is safest for me personally. I am not willing to trust my safety to motorist who run into each other all the time.

[gualganus]

No and this is a common misconception.

The UVC states that bicycles are to ride as close to the right as practicable. The definitions of practical and practicable are very different. One is somewhat on par with possible (practical), while the other has to do with safety and road conditions (practicable; eg. lane width, lighting, surface conditions and the like.)

Furthermore, the law states that the FTR rule applies only to lanes wider than 14 feet.

[ddallass]

I get the motorist to understand by riding my bicycle as any other vehicle on the road. When a car approaches from behind and I am traveling in the lane where his left tire is, he immediately understands that he has three choices: he can slow down behind me, he can merge or pass me if it is safe to do so, or he can choose to run me down.

What he cannot do is dismiss me, or return to a non-driving distraction- like they do for bikers cowering in the gutter.

[gualganus]

The cyclist in this video is an incompetent fear monger. It is difficult to discern whether he is filming most of the footage to make a point or if it is from his actual commute. If the latter, he makes 95% of the mistakes he admonishes the viewer to avoid.

As one example, the stretch of road where he feels compelled to ride against traffic, on the incorrect side of the highway is ridiculous. The better option is to cross to the other side and ride with traffic.

[luvmastertx]

This video is from my real commute. The one I have to ride everyday. Because, I am a commuter I am carring much more wieght than you guys. I am 60 years old I can not peddle as fast. I average around 11 mph. The traffic speeds in the most dangerous stretch is 50 mph. There is no way it is safe to ride in the lane of traffic. You represent the attitude that has made me so angry at the League of American Bicyclist.

[gualganus]

You guys?

I am a bicycle commuter in Dallas. On a daily basis I am carrying two panniers containing food, clothing and repair items.

One's speed has nothing to do with competence. Your video exemplifies poor technique. On numerous occasions you are seen weaving in and out between vehicles; riding on the wrong side of the road; and transitioning between pedestrian and on-road facilities.

When utilized for transportation, bicycles are considered vehicles and should be operated in that manner.

[luvmastertx]

If you believe the speed differential between the bicyclist and the motorist is unimportant in deciding whether to take the lane than you an not a reasonable person.

[gualganus]

I am very reasonable and I have the experience of 16+ years to back me. My commute is regularly on roadways where the differential in speed between me and the surrounding traffic is anywhere from 20kph to 35kph. The difference is, by controlling the lane, the other vehicles are forced to change lanes and pass me as they would any other vehicle. I do not allow motorists to share the lane with me.

[psychedelicfurball]

@gualganus

With all due respect to everyone here, speed matters. For example, I will never be ticketed for riding 20 mph in a 55 mph zone. Why? Because nobody expects a cyclist to reach or maintain a 55 mph pace. My point? Bikes and cars are not equal and should not share the same road system.

The problem is not with drivers or cyclists. Fix the current road system and we'll stop killing each other and fighting about it on YouTube.

[gualganus]

Let me add that I despise the LAB. They do not have the interests of vehicular cyclists at heart. They have become enamored of and firmly entrenched in the facilities camp. Given your attitude about cycling, you ought to be a life member, not a critic.

[luvmastertx]

If you are such an expert in these matters, let's see your videos. You have no videos uploaded under this id "gualganus". I would like to see the conditions in which you commute and watch a master at work. I admit, I am not perfect. I want to see perfection in action.

[gualganus]

I have no desire to make video recordings of my commute. Well, unless you count the set of eight clips entitled "Dallas Run [1-7]", "Lane Control in Dallas: Crossing the Houston St. Viaduct", and "Dallas Run: Lemmon Ave and McKinney Ave" - those all feature me as one of the cyclists (the one with the panniers).

Feel free, anyway, to make a trip to Dallas. I am more than willing to ride with you and instruct you how to properly commute in a vehicular manner.

[CyclistLorax]

The author pretty much sums it up in his own words at 0:28 into the video: "I try to be a safe rider, but Ive crashed my bicycle 8 times in the last 3 years. So I may not be the best example of proper behavior." Yes, I completely agree, and the author's road positioning in this and other videos on this channel are shining examples of what not to do in traffic. I would love to use clips from this channel to show cyclists what behavior to avoid in our traffic skills classroom materials.

[luvmastertx]

Yes! I have made mistakes. All of my mistakes have been my fault. Maybe one day I will be as perfect as you.

[afrisbeetom]

excellent work

[zenfarion]

Good video plenty of good advice. You have to have your wits about you out there.

I too would recommend a really bright front light. I have the minewt x2 dual. Its very expensive but very bright. I get a less people pulling out on me when I've got that on, especially at night. I think they might think I'm on a motorbike or something.

[ProfesseurX]

Nice video and discussion of the different types of bicycle/motor vehicle accidents

[austincyclist]

Great job on the video..

[5thavenuephotos]

You might invest in a couple of bright stobe lights. They have new LED's that are cheap.

[luvmastertx]

I have two front white blinkies plus one steady white. They still don't see you.