What do you think of a parent who tows a 2-seat bike trailer ( 2 yr + 3 yr kids in it) on a busy road?

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honesty_co

I know of a gentleman who regularly drives his bike on a busy 4-lane road, a road that during most of the times is packed with heavy trucks and 18-wheelers whizzing by at 50 to 60 miles per hour. He says that roads are build for bicycles also and that a bicycle has every right to be on the road, as much as the cars and trucks also. Problem is, it is an old road, and when two transports are side-by-side they are so close they almost touch each other !

Not only that, but he pulls behind him a 2-seater bike trailer, one where his 2 year old son and 3 year old daughter sit, side-by-side. that trailer must be about 4 feet wide, and because of the potholes, he often has to drive not very close to the curb, all the while pedaling at about 5 to 10 miles per hour (crawling, in other words).

My question is this: Do you feel he is risking the life of himself and his kids by riding on such a road? How long do you think he will last?
What is left of a child carrying bike trailer when a 60 ton transport hits the child-trailer at 60 miles per hour?

And what do you think of such a parent who does this?

--

(personally: I own a folding bike, and I ride on the sidewalks (rather slowly also), and when I am within about 30 feet of a pedestrian on the sidewalk, I either stop completely and get off my bike to walk past them, or I simply get totally off the sidewalk to go around him, either on the grass, or onto the road when it is safe to do so (no cars). Sidewalks are for people, so I always get the heck off of them when there are people nearby. However, I'm usually doing only about 5 mph, and sometimes even joggers on the sidewalk pass me by, that is how slow i am on the sidewalks. )

I drive on the sidewalks because I have a relative that died 12 years ago while riding on the road. He had reflectors, helmet, tail light, headlight, bell, everything. He was riding within 24 inches of the curb when he was hit from behind by a car doing 110 in a 50 zone. He was dead before his body even hit the ground, and his body was in multiple pieces when it did hit the ground. Since then, I drive on the sidewalks only, slowly too, so as not to be dangerous to any pedestrians. The roads scare me to death.

Oh yes, I own two cars also, but I like to drive a bike for the exercise, to try to be more healthy, that's all.

Answer
Q. What do you think of a parent who tows a 2-seat bike trailer ?
A. Cool dad!

At least he follows the Law, not like you.

What is driving a motorcycle like on the highway?

James Fran

I'm turning 16 in just a few months so I've become very serious about getting my m1 and then m2 and my motorbike. I am fine to drive her oncity roads and such but my question is what is it like on the highway? It's a Kawasaki ninja 250. I make 4 or 5 annual Ottawa-Toronto trips (400Km each way). How dangerous is this? How comfortable or uncomfortable is this? Any other info is useful. Thanks.

Answer
I have a particular reason I watch the news for motorcyclists who are killed in the US/UK/IE. Approximately 8 people a day are severely injured or outright killed on motorbikes from June 1st to September 1st. That's what I estimate, not a statistic.

Two things to watch for, the two top ways to get yourself killed are, hitting curbs and having cars turn or merge into you.

If you're riding in the evenings and at night curbs are harder to see. On a bike you can't 'correct' like you might in a car and once the mistake is made the outcome is a matter of luck. Even with a helmet, rattling or impacting your brain will leave lifelong effect.

Always assume other drivers DO NOT SEE YOU even if you 'feel' they're looking at you. They don't see motorbikes headlights and signals, they just don't. You have to be defensively ready for every vehicle near your zone.

Lane changers find it hard to see you, until it's too late. Don't stay close in front or behind lorries because cars coming around don't see you at all. Protect your lane, be ready to accelerate out of a zone, always know what your next move will be. Watch what's behind you, especially after sunset where your tail lights blend with tail lights of traffic ahead of you, they can't see your body at all.

The KAW Ninja is not the best choice for traffic and not just because it's under-powered for traffic. I love sport bikes (own a Ducati Monster), however, 'leaning over' is not an ideal traffic position, with a full face helmet, when you have to see every car's movement to be safest. The police will also watch you closely, because they know in traffic it's harder for you to slow down due to downshifting and you're likely to over-accelerate, moving way too fast for conditions and others can't react.

I'm not discouraging you only to point out you have great responsibility to arrive alive when you're on a bike in traffic, whether you're 16 or 60. I've been around the loss of life on bikes and it's a horrible, helpless way to die. We love our sport and our bikes but remember it's a sport 1st and Transportation 2nd. Remember.

I might not have the 'Best Answer' for you but I'm glad you asked this question, shows maturity. You will do fine out there.

Good luck rider.

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Title Post: What do you think of a parent who tows a 2-seat bike trailer ( 2 yr + 3 yr kids in it) on a busy road?
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