Sunday, 10 July 2011

Road Hazards

(This article was originally published in my sports page column Self-Propelled
in the July 10 to 16, 2011 issue of the Baguio Chronicle
--- a weekly newspaper based in Baguio City, Philippines.)

There are a lot of obstructions on the road waiting a cyclist. It is therefore very important to remain constantly watchful for these hazards and to be ready to stop or take evasive actions in time.

Holes in the pavement can be large enough to badly damage a wheel or to swallow it so deeply that you and the bike are pitched forward into the road ahead. Gratings and expansion joints in bridges have slits running parallel to the roadway that are wide enough for your bike wheels to disappear into, although a car tire can pass over them without much trouble.

When crossing bumps (known in the Philippines as “humps”) that are not large enough to require a stop, slow down, stand on the pedals and hold the handle bars loosely. The two ends of the bike then rise up separately, each pivoting on the other wheel. As the front wheel hits the hump, instead of having part of your weight pressing down on the handlebars which are pushed up rapidly, your weight rest on the pedals and cranks, and your mass is lifted a lesser distance around the pivot of the rear wheel. (The frame of the bike acts as a lever, lifting your body on the fulcrum of the rear axle. Your weight on the pedals is closer to the fulcrum and does not have to be moved as far.)

The same thing happens when the rear wheel hits the hump. Rising up fro the saddle and holding the bike loosely as it crosses the hump thus eliminates the impact on your hands and posterior and reduces stress on the bike.

Oil patches are also potential dangers. They are worse when they get wet. A light rain causes the road become very slick. This is very true after a long dry period. The water forms a suspension with the oil that has gradually collected on the pavement. Take extra care in this kind of situation.

As with traffic problems, the most important habit to develop in avoiding road hazards is to be alert at what is going on around you. If you remain constantly aware of what is behind you, then you know at all times whether it is safe to swing into the main roadway to dodge obstacles.

Hazards can be anticipated even they are seen. Exhaust coming out of tailpipe of a car on the curbside is a good warning that the driver is about to pull out while a head visible in the window or a rearview/side mirror of a parked car is a warning to watch out for an opening door. A large piece of glass typically is surrounded by many smaller bits and so on.

If you are aware of hazards in your community, point them out to the appropriate officials, noting that they can sued for any injuries resulting from such dangerous situations. If you receive cold shoulders, you may document your warnings through a letter and have it formally “RECEIVED”.

Wet weather impairs traction, braking and visibility, both for the bicyclist and for other vehicles sharing the road. The risk of an accident is dramatically increased in wet conditions.

Under these conditions, the stopping power of your brakes (as well as the brakes of other vehicles on the road) is reduced and your tires do not grip nearly as well. This makes it harder to control speed and easier to lose control. To make sure you can slow down and stop safely in wet conditions, ride more slowly and apply your brakes earlier and more gradually than you would under normal, dry conditions.

Riding a bicycle at night is many times more dangerous than riding during the day. This will be your Self-Propelled’s topic in our next issue. Until then and have a safe ride all the time by putting on that cycling helmet each time get on your bike. Remember: YOU CAN BEAT THE EAGG WITHOUT BREAKING THE SHELL.* (SP7)

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