#bikenite

@spacehobo @ascentale @pete @bikenite

Isn't that part of the beauty of the bicycle? It can be so many happy things to so many people which aren't mutually exclusive...

Transport
Freedom
Sport
Health
Sustainable
Friend making
Memory generating

...and, perhaps expensive. Insert most passions and the joke still works e.g. guitars.

#Cycling #BikeNite #BikeTooter

@ascentale
@pete @bikenite
And to finish I have to hear the " be careful" of another cohort of colleagues. Those one have a tendency to speed (junior staff talk about it), use a phone at the wheel, and drive whilst still impaired from their previous night drinking when coming back from team off-site.

Thanks god my partner is understanding but I know that deep down she is worried. So I text her anytime I stop so she can be reassured

#BikeNite

@ascentale @pete @bikenite
Then I have to regularly hear the complaints of my colleague about how bad and dangerous cyclists are. I regularly offer to have a look at my GoPro and their dashcam so we can see where the danger lies. Offer was never taken
#BikeNite

@ascentale
@pete @bikenite
A4: on one hand, some of my family are in total denial. They only see the danger of it and totally full to see the health benefits (I am in good health despite being a desk jockey and health issues in family) They recently offered some financial support so I can buy a car to drive through...... London.
#BikeNite

@jessta @MartyCormack @artemesia @dgodon @spacehobo @ascentale @arnodegroote @bikenite #BikeNite I see your point. Certainly there's some unusually strong focus on helmets specifically for cycling, so I see the argument that it's overemphasized, but I'm not convinced that's the same thing as unwarranted.

I guess my perspective boils down to, I currently have and use a helmet, it's deeply ingrained habit, and I'd prefer to keep it that way as long as it is more likely good for me than bad. I don't have such a system for walking or showering. If I did, and it wasn't a source of friction, I'd probably want to maintain that too. Since getting on my bike already involves unlocking and gearing up, wearing a helmet isn't a source of friction currently, so it makes sense for me.

I also think it makes sense for kids, where presumably the math works out a bit differently, and their parents who want to set a good example. Otherwise, once you're grown up you can make your own decisions.

@MartyCormack @artemesia @dgodon @spacehobo @ascentale @arnodegroote @bikenite #BikeNite my dad keeps a shattered helmet for show-and-tell. Head was unscathed! I figure, as long as I use my head for my job, it's worth the protection for me.

@ascentale @bikenite
#BikeNite A2:
In my own case I:
1) Take at least one photograph per ride and make sure the state of nature/seasons (snow on the ground, green-ness of the grass, spread and color of leaves on trees, sky color etc.) is evident.
2) I use the Merlin app from Cornell U to identify birds from their songs as I ride;
3) I use the Seek app from iNaturalist to identify the plants and flowers I encounter as I ride.

@artemesia @dgodon @spacehobo @ascentale @arnodegroote @bikenite
#BikeNite
And my visit that time to the ER added a tiny bit to that consensus. It was the triage nurse who told me that my helmet, which she removed from my head, probably saved me from serious injury. I won't ever ride without one. But I have a cycling friend who will never wear one, ever.

@MartyCormack @dgodon @spacehobo @ascentale @arnodegroote @bikenite

There is a consensus among ER staff.

Many fediverse instances prohibit posting misinformation that can lead to physical harm. Dumping on bike helmets is an instance of that. #bikenite

@artemesia @dgodon @spacehobo @ascentale @arnodegroote @bikenite
#BikeNite
I really do despise the internet "bike helmet wars."
The ONLY time I ever got into an unfriendly conversation here on the Fediverse is when I imprecisely described the time a helmet almost certainly saved me from serious injury, and then someone grilled me on the details. It is something for which consensus is likely impossible IMHO.

@dgodon @spacehobo @ascentale @arnodegroote @bikenite

There are two types of bicyclists in the world,: those whose helmet saved them from major injury, and the ones who haven't experienced it yet. #bikenite

I enjoy backpacking too, and also do not drive. Haven't been out recently, since my main backpacking buddy moved away. I wonder if there are more people around here who might like to do a backpacking trip by transit?

#BikeNite
@Heyweldon @ascentale @xtaran @bikenite

@gcvsa @bikenite A7. This very much depends on where it's parked and what the area is like of course. In a sorta sketchy area, I think I'd feel ok leaving it locked for an hour or so. I could probably go a few hours and leave it locked but feel uneasy about it.

In the past, I left my bike locked outside overnight (in San Francisco), and I didn't like that much.

I do have a tracker on my bike now, so I can obsessively refresh my phone to alleviate my anxiety

I remember once visiting Cologne and borrowing a friend's bike. It only had a cafe lock (rear wheel) and I asked if it was ok to leave the bike out while we went shopping. The friend I was borrowing the bike from didn't care much for the bike and didn't think anyone would try to take it.

#BikeNite

Here's a Bay Area one that might give you some ideas.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=1QqhlN34LiBV7FQZZh5ZzEl4kzpwLKcE&ll=38.00379231964476%2C-122.73115382719426&z=15

#BikeNite
@Heyweldon @ascentale @xtaran @bikenite