Commuting...
Guest
Posts: n/a
Commuting...
This morning I saw a terrible accident on the news where bike met the the back of a Mini Van. The bike ended up under the van and the rider was over 15 ft away and did not make it
This was just before I was leaving thehouse on the bike this morning. Definately keeps the reality fresh in your mind.
Each year as the mornings warm up (California may have nice days but we can have some dang cold nights and mornings in the winter) I consider whether I'm going to do more commuting by bike. It would save me a ton of money in gas.
The thing is most of the folks I know that have had accidents has always been during a commute. Not that folks don't have accidents at other times just happens to be thelast severalI have heard about.
Basically I always commute on Fridays during the Spring and Summer if it is good weather because the traffic is usually lighter. This week it was Wed., Thurs, and I'll commute tomorrow onthe bike too)
I did not by the bike specifically for commuting. It's really my toy, but I can't just let $20k sit all the time. And the pretty sunshine calls to me
I don't ride on the commute if it is too cold or raining (Getting caught in rain not withstanding)...I may not be a "real biker" because of that, but then I did not buy a bike to torture myself and I have another mode of transportation available.
What are your thoughts on commuting daily? Too Dangerous?
EDIT: BTW, I only commute 18 miles on the freeway, but I go over what can sometimes be a very windy pass in 5 lanes of traffic whilting down to 3 and the end of the HOV lane...Seems that everyone jams up the hill but slows down on the down hill side...go figure!
I have already been nearly side-swiped or run off the road twice and rear-ended once in my cage over the last year.
This was just before I was leaving thehouse on the bike this morning. Definately keeps the reality fresh in your mind.
Each year as the mornings warm up (California may have nice days but we can have some dang cold nights and mornings in the winter) I consider whether I'm going to do more commuting by bike. It would save me a ton of money in gas.
The thing is most of the folks I know that have had accidents has always been during a commute. Not that folks don't have accidents at other times just happens to be thelast severalI have heard about.
Basically I always commute on Fridays during the Spring and Summer if it is good weather because the traffic is usually lighter. This week it was Wed., Thurs, and I'll commute tomorrow onthe bike too)
I did not by the bike specifically for commuting. It's really my toy, but I can't just let $20k sit all the time. And the pretty sunshine calls to me
I don't ride on the commute if it is too cold or raining (Getting caught in rain not withstanding)...I may not be a "real biker" because of that, but then I did not buy a bike to torture myself and I have another mode of transportation available.What are your thoughts on commuting daily? Too Dangerous?
EDIT: BTW, I only commute 18 miles on the freeway, but I go over what can sometimes be a very windy pass in 5 lanes of traffic whilting down to 3 and the end of the HOV lane...Seems that everyone jams up the hill but slows down on the down hill side...go figure!
I have already been nearly side-swiped or run off the road twice and rear-ended once in my cage over the last year.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 8
From: Dogtown, Oakland, CA
RE: Commuting...
well, im on the other end of the scale, so forgive my bias.
i commute every day, regardless of weather. "winter" isnt really too bad here in the sf bay area anyway, but it gets frosty (literally, there can be frost on the ground, therefore 32 deg F and below), sleet, lots of rain, and chilly air.
the thing is, riding is the best way for me to get to work. my commute takes me over a very congested bridge, that has a horrendous toll backup, and thru two urban centers. this aint no sunday putt.
being on a motorcycle gets me past the tolls in the HOV lane, which in addition to saving $4, also saves me the sometimes HOUR plus backup. i just ride past all that noise.
lanesplitting gets me thru the inevitable traffic on the bridge, freeway, and cities.
laslty parking in SF is terrible for cars, but easy for motorycles, and for my current offfice, FREE.
my bikes are not toys, they my main transportation. and apart from the convenience, savings, and time saved (i prob save 40 minuted to an hour each way), i just love to ride. its fun. sitting in a car (or suv, or truck or whatever) just makes me frustrated that i am stuck.
i like commuting on my bike. everyday.
i commute every day, regardless of weather. "winter" isnt really too bad here in the sf bay area anyway, but it gets frosty (literally, there can be frost on the ground, therefore 32 deg F and below), sleet, lots of rain, and chilly air.
the thing is, riding is the best way for me to get to work. my commute takes me over a very congested bridge, that has a horrendous toll backup, and thru two urban centers. this aint no sunday putt.
being on a motorcycle gets me past the tolls in the HOV lane, which in addition to saving $4, also saves me the sometimes HOUR plus backup. i just ride past all that noise.
lanesplitting gets me thru the inevitable traffic on the bridge, freeway, and cities.
laslty parking in SF is terrible for cars, but easy for motorycles, and for my current offfice, FREE.
my bikes are not toys, they my main transportation. and apart from the convenience, savings, and time saved (i prob save 40 minuted to an hour each way), i just love to ride. its fun. sitting in a car (or suv, or truck or whatever) just makes me frustrated that i am stuck.
i like commuting on my bike. everyday.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 4,022
Likes: 3
From: Hudson Valley- NY
RE: Commuting...
for those of us here in the northeast, commuting this time of year is pretty much a dead issue (it was 11 degrees this morning). As far as Spring and summer are concerned, I'm on the bike as often as possible. My commute from NY into NJ is 145 miles round trip, about an hour and a few minutes each way, depending on traffic. I try to get going early to avoid as much traffic as possible and almost NEVER try to come back upstate after mid afternoon summer fridays, that's when things get pretty heavy. If you sit in bumper to bumper traffic in a car with a/c and a good stereo, it's okay, stuck on a bike that'll just about cook your backside, not much fun.
Once traffic breaks though, the ride home becomes a real joy again, that's when the a/c cages fade in the rear view mirror.
Once traffic breaks though, the ride home becomes a real joy again, that's when the a/c cages fade in the rear view mirror.
Guest
Posts: n/a
RE: Commuting...
I'm thinking I will probably commute more
Now if they would just let me wear jeans all the time....I've pushed it this week....The boss said I was a bad influance on the rest of the folks
That's me a BAD INFLUANCE
Now if they would just let me wear jeans all the time....I've pushed it this week....The boss said I was a bad influance on the rest of the folks
That's me a BAD INFLUANCE
Trending Topics
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
RE: Commuting...
I commute to work every day that the temps are above 30* when I leave for work and there is no current precipitation going on. Here lately, that hasn't been very many mornings, but it is still winter in N. Virginia.
I'll agree with the dangers since I ride into DC city traffic, but as long as I keep my head on a swivel, I'm alright. I have seen a couple of riding friends from work have accidents due to cagers breaking the law, but fortunately at low speeds. No accidents for me yet during my commute, but I've had enough close calls to be scared.
Oh, my commute is 45 miles one way and about 25-30 of that is highway/HOV.
I'll agree with the dangers since I ride into DC city traffic, but as long as I keep my head on a swivel, I'm alright. I have seen a couple of riding friends from work have accidents due to cagers breaking the law, but fortunately at low speeds. No accidents for me yet during my commute, but I've had enough close calls to be scared.
Oh, my commute is 45 miles one way and about 25-30 of that is highway/HOV.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 7,090
Likes: 3,882
From: Murfreesboro , TN
RE: Commuting...
ORIGINAL: Bluerose
I'm thinking I will probably commute more
Now if they would just let me wear jeans all the time....I've pushed it this week....The boss said I was a bad influance on the rest of the folks
That's me a BAD INFLUANCE
I'm thinking I will probably commute more
Now if they would just let me wear jeans all the time....I've pushed it this week....The boss said I was a bad influance on the rest of the folks
That's me a BAD INFLUANCE
Of course, now I work mostly from home, so commuting is more of a non-issue.
When I do go to the office, it's casual for all but sales and management. Some people even wear shorts there! (I won't go that far for work). If my manager happens to be in from Chicago, I'll wear khaki's, but that's about it.