[KLizotte]

How is biking in NYC now versus non-Covid times?

[KLizotte]

Thanks y’all. Fortunately Consumer Reports and VA Tech both name the Brontrager Spectra Wavecell as one of their top picks for crash protection (low and high impact). Time will tell if ventilation is an issue but thus far it’s been a great helmet.

[KLizotte]

Mouthport is the Specialized marketing term for the large horizontal opening that goes across the forehead. I think they were the first to produce a helmet with that design. Greatly helps with keeping the head cool but obviously provides less protection for impacts to that area.

[KLizotte]

I hear what you are saying except that in the real world, we often hit our heads on curbs, rocks, tree roots, etc. so we can’t assume the load will be evenly distributed. Plus, in this incident, there was almost no weight inside the helmet which is far different than 100+ lbs hurtling towards the ground. I think the thin walls around the mouthport are to blame.

[KLizotte]

I was able to secure my Exposure light to the helmet without any difficulties but your mileage may vary. I have 30 days to try the helmet out but of course the weather has been so friggin’ cold I haven’t been able to gauge it’s airflow.

[KLizotte]

Yeah, I’m gonna throw the Prevail helmet out after I’ve notified Specialized in case they track these things. My noggin is too important to use a repaired helmet and to worry about $$. I’m just shocked such a small bump could cause it to break so easily. Doesn’t inspire confidence but maybe it was due to UV light exposure breaking down the foam/plastic. Also, I think the mouthport on the Prevail takes a lot of structural integrity away from the front of the helmet. Kinda glad the “accident” happened; it was obviously time for a new helmet!

[KLizotte]

I live at the intersection of 4MR and Walter Reed so I routinely drive, walk, take the bus, and cycle through that intersection. It sucks for everyone. As a non-driver, I regularly avoid crossing Walter Reed (just before the big hill) because drivers are trying to make a left turn there without the advantage of a left turn signal (arghhhhhhhh) and right turn drivers can’t really see cyclists coming from the east at all on the W&OD (requires extraordinarily flexible neck muscles). I wish they had set the lights so that peds/cyclists could cross WR without any driver interference at all.

I regularly take S Arlington Mill Drive when driving so that I can head up Walter Reed before turning on to the slip road. Less chance of hitting a cyclist that way.

In parting, I strongly advise looking very carefully for left turning drivers and if you are heading west on the W&OD, be aware that drivers are not expecting cyclists to suddenly cross in front of them while they make a right hand turn on to Walter Reed. I look as best I can but if someone is doing 15+ mph and is only looking at the walking man sign, the cyclist is gonna hit my car because I won’t have time to stop given the very short sightlines. I can’t crane my neck around enough to fully check if the coast is clear and most folks aren’t even thinking of cyclists.

I hate that intersection; it’s very poorly designed and I don’t want to see any more people get hurt. I see the accidents from my window.

[KLizotte]

I live on that corner. At a minimum, there needs to be a curb bump out to slow the drivers down when making a right hand turn. It’s a dangerous intersection and I’m furious that left hand turn signal still haven’t been installed for north-south traffc. Sigh.

[KLizotte]

I’ve been to one of Bruce Deming’s seminars and it was excellent. So is his book. He has helped a co-worker of mine recover damages when he was hit (broken bones involved).

One of the take aways from Bruce’s seminar was to never, ever say you are okay. You don’t really know for sure. Just say “I don’t know.” You don’t want your words to backfire on you if you do have to sue/file insurance claims, etc.

[KLizotte]

Anybody have first hand knowledge if Ft Myer guards are checking for bike passes nowadays? Just checked their website and was directed to this horribly designed link that says only 1 year or 60 day options are available (the former requiring a sponsor).

https://www.slideshare.net/JBMHH/access-bicyclists-pedestrians2015

You can’t zoom in nor print out the form from this website. It also appears to be dated 2015 and I know I was cutting through the base in 2017 without any special permission (I do have a fed ID though).

What’s the status now?

Thanks!

[KLizotte]

This month the Library of Congress is featuring photos of old. You can see them by going to https://loc.gov and scrolling to the bottom of the page.

[KLizotte]

Me +1 will be there around 6:00. Thanks so much for organizing!

[KLizotte]

Whoa. I would call that a serious crash in my book. Hopefully all heals up quickly and well and that you don’t need any serious dental work. I don’t know that area so can’t offer any advice. Hopefully you will become a safer, better cyclist because of it. I now take wooden boardwalks very seriously after wiping out on one and breaking a bone.

[KLizotte]

And what pray tell is going thru the peds’ minds when they are walking along the side of the PBL when there is a perfectly good sidewalk right there?! “Gee, I should be careful and walk along the side so I don’t get hit by a bike.” Face palm.

[KLizotte]

Thanks for posting this. I’ve never noticed the ground level barrier even though I’ve ridden past a million times. I could easily see myself passing through the gate if it were open. Hopefully this situation will be remedied soon. I suspect a lawsuit will be needed to fix it though as is usually the case.

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