Bike armor when commuting

[kafka-cloud]

Hello,

I am curious to see if people use body armor when simply commuting to work. My wife is pretty stressed about my ebiking to work.. she is a doctor who has seen many bicycle accidents, mostly cars...

I am wondering if anyone had accidents either falling from the bike or with a car?

WHat is your normal protective gear?

I realise that my ebike is a 70 pds+ vehicule compare to my less then 20 pound bike, and because of additional weight and placement of weight on the bike, their could be more risk of accidents and if I hit something their is more inertia pushing me.

What are your thought. I also do not want a helmet vs not debate...

Cheers

 

[nuevomexicano]

I don't wear much while on a bicycle, but motorcycling minimums for me could be applicable for you if you're not pedaling much. That means armored jacket, helmet, glasses, long pants and gloves. If its hot you can't beat an armored mesh jacket. Gloves have gotten a lot better in the last few years as well. Kevlar and other anti abrasion features are very affordable. Thrifty motorcyclists know to check out the closeouts and bargain bin section of newenough.com. Its hard to beat their $39.99 armored mesh jackets.

 

[amberwolf]

On my regular upright bike (DayGlo Avenger) I typically want to wear gloves, elbow/knee/shin pads in addition to my usual helmet. Crashing or even just skidding out on that one sucks, like most uprights. Doesn't matter how slow or fast, I tend to get hurt in just about any type of crash on it, from the height and from the entanglement with it as we go down.

But on my semi-recumbent CrazyBIke2, I've never had a crash in it other than sliding out sideways, which I can essentially just stand up off of as it does it, or hold on till it stops. The wide seat frame (as wide as I am) plus the handlebars and the cargo pods (or rails when they're not mounted) tend to keep all my bits off the road until the very end of the slide. So all I wear on that is my full-face MC helmet in anythign except intolerably hot weather (which would be for about three to five months in summer here), and a regular 3/4 helmet in the hot weather.

Hitting something head-on even at lower speeds probably wouldn't be so easy on me or the bike, but I've yet to test that theory.

 

[Lessss]

Where is the day glow orange Lance?

 

[tritonwow]

I had thought of what armor to wear as I normally ride a motorcycle. I ended up using just a full face helmet and gloves but was always concerned about the collar bones. Well, I hit a curb at a glancing blow last year (wearing just the helmet/gloves, riding a Dimondback MTB ), highsided, and broke my clavicle AND scapula. After a bit of research and the way the collar bone was broken, it seems I may have snapped the clavicle with the lower edge of my helmet. A chest protector might have lessened the damage but I'm not sure.

Anyhow, I'm back to being able to ride again so, as goofy as a chest rig may look AND as hot as it would be, I'm looking more at using a chest/shoulder protector. Too many chances of people pulling out in front of you and going over the bars.

Triton

 

[aaronski]

Mesh spine protector/ chest guard and full face helmet in winter or on 72v bikes for me. But I'm tearing through San Francisco in traffic...

Been over the bars a couple times last year. Nothing but some scrapes, and somehow I always land on my feet.

 

[MattyCiii]

Riding my not-yet-electric-assist bicycle this winter, I wore a full face (modular) motorcycle helmet and an armored motorcycle jacket.

I really took a shine to that helmet, I'll miss it as it gets too hot to wear (>45deg f). Perviously on the really cold days it was balaclava, ski goggles and bike helmet. The MCycle helmet did all that in one, plus was a great mount for light and helmet cam.

The armored jacket will too be missed. My shoulder still pops from a hard fall I took last July. I thought about getting a mesh jacket for summer, but it will probably be too hot/heavy for a pedal powered only bike. So in the DIY spirit of ES, I bought a couple "compression fit" Nike/Under Armor long sleeved shirts and have modified them with shoulder and elbow pockets to hold the MCycle jacket armor (it's pretty high end armor). Have not had the change to test in the heat yet, but it seems to work fine so far as for fit & finish. Pain in the @$$ to sew though. And I'll need like 3 more for the summer, unless I want to do a wash every day.

 

[dogman dan]

The first layer of protection is between the ears. I simply won't cross cars in front of them, etc. Routes are less traveled back streets, bike paths, and when on a bike lane no car ever passes me I don't look at to see if it's on the road, and wil clear me.

In summer, I'm pretty underdressed. Just helmet and gloves for protective gear. I'm not too afraid of road rash, it heals. But you have to protect your noggin with some kind of helmet. I have lots of yellow t shirts, that may help if a driver is looking up instead of at his texting.

 

[kafka-cloud]

Well,

I am looking at what others are doing. Being a father and soon to be of a second, I want to protect myself to be reasonable and be there for the family.

I do ride bikepaths most of the way, there is a couple of streets were I don<t have a choice but to be in dowtown trafic.

 

[Ykick]

I want to protect myself to be reasonable and be there for the family.

Enroll in motorcycle safety course or at least some form of professional driver training! The "mental" aspect of operating in traffic is so much more important than any gear you can ever wear. And with m/c training you'll also receive a healthy dose of information about what's best to wear and why.

It will also make you a better/safer driver for whatever vehicle you operate and you can confidently pass that information along to your children who will someday soon need to know this information. Hell, simply walking in congested areas can be difficult to make good judgements about what you should do in certain situations. So why not take the guesswork out of the equation and learn from professionals how to properly evaluate your best defensive positions and options in traffic?

I earn my living using my fingers so you'll "rarely" see me riding without gloves.

 

[Ypedal]

In addition to all above..

GET A BRIGHT HEADLIGHT !!! use it even in daytime, it helps alot.... a 900 lumen LED does the job nicely !

 

[Lessss]

There was a British experiment using Bright forward facing lights to render a tank invisible.

 

[nuevomexicano]

Where is the day glow orange Lance?

I've seen a lot of discussion of the safest colors on the scooter and motorcycle forums I frequent. Color is all about standing out against the riding environment. Day glo yellow, orange or green certainly show up, but you're going to really be noticeable if you wear a vibrant pink.

Of course the tutu and teddy bear are optional, but this is a kick-ass rider worth emulating in my opinion.

 

[Ypedal]

camera does not do it justice but in plain daylight it's not blinding like at night, just makes you very visible..

 

[chroot]

You could get FOX armored what Hyena wore it. Here the picture.

http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&...=UTF-8&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1280&bih=933

 

[bluegoatwoods]

For me, a half helmet, knee and elbow pads, safety glasses and footwear that covers the ankles.

I don't always wear all of this stuff either, for that matter. Just putting it on and taking it off gets to be a big production. But I wear it more than half of the time.

My helmets are of the skate board type. More rounded than streamlined and with relatively few breather holes. I''ve attached bills to both, to keep the sun out of my eyes. The winter helmet is black with the holes sealed. Very warm. The summer helmet is white. It gives enough shade, and reflection, to keep my brain from getting cooked. Safety vests year 'round. Bright yellow in summer. Above, say, 85 degrees nothing underneath. Surprisingly comfortable. Good Sun reflection, good ventilation.

If I were riding in one of the truly big cities I imagine I'd wear this stuff (and more) 100%. But my roads are a bit less crowded than that, so I can sometimes skimp. But I also ride more carefully.

One other safety feature that I consider mandatory at any time: two good mirrors. And I make sure to use them. It's pretty rare for a car to sneak up on me.

 

[Dave Sloan]

I definitely would go with the leather gloves and a good helmet. Do not wear anything that would make you stick to the pavement or bush if you come off the bike. This allows you to remain in control through the avoidance of a crash. I would add a leather sole pair of shoes as they are very helpful if the tire or wheel separate from the frame. Handlebars tend to get the most damage and inflict the most damage. Arrange everything on the bars so that when they come back you do not get any imprints.

 

[geetarboy]

Cheepie Schwinn bike helmet, lights always on, and always prepared to take evasive action. Always assume that cars do not see you. Don't ride angry...

 

[dougnutz]

I have to second what most people have said. Defense is the best protection. Next thing is to be highly cautious, assume the cars do not see you. Then be highly visible, Lights, cloths, etc. Protective gear is the last layer of defense.

With that said if you ride with traffic long enough, sooner or later something will happen. For me it was a couple of months ago. A guy left crossed me and sent me over the hood of his car. Most of the impact was with the ground and I had slick cloths on so I slid to a stop rather than stopping abruptly on the pavement. My injuries were about what you would expect from going over the handle bars or hood. Lots of bruises and some minor road rash. I probably would have felt have been better if I had some sort of back protection. Which I may still invest in.

 

[aaronski]

side note: damn near got ran off the road today passing a car on the right as they were turning left. stupid ass turned WIIIDEEE right before the left turn, right as I was passing him.

Lesson learned: they dont' expect bikes to be there, so DON'T BE THERE.

 

[PepperJerome]

I am at the tail end of winter up here in Calgary Alberta and proper studded tires for winter use, I imported a set of Schwalbe Ice Spiker 26x2.35 from Germany and they rock. I went to a 400 lumen light on my head and a 900 lumen on the bike after riding home thru a park I had a deer jump in front of me I barely saw it with my 400 lumen so now the combo 900 and 400 is great, in traffic, I use the flashing mode and everybody sees me. I run a flashy red light on my backpack and one on the bike.

Proper brakes ie disc brakes are almost a must when you are riding an electric assist. Stick to your normal route if possible avoid traffic as much as possible, before you settle on a route try a few to see how much traffic and how much stop and go has to be done.

 

[REdiculous]

I've never worn a helmet or body armor. I wore gloves for a couple years but that was more about comfort than safety. Nobody wore helmets back in the day...just keep your wits about you and you should be fine 99.9% of the time.

 

[Nehmo]

I am at the tail end of winter up here in Calgary Alberta

I want to move up there so bad. I lived in Lethbridge (in southern Alberta, Canada for the untraveled among you) as a kid, and, of course, we went to Calgary from time to time. That was my introduction, and now I'm convinced Calgary, all factors considered, for me, is the best city in the world. But I'm not there. I'm in horrible Kansas City, Kansas.

I went to a 400 lumen light on my head and a 900 lumen on the bike

What kind of lamp do you have that has 900 lumen?

I use the flashing mode and everybody sees me. I run a flashy red light on my backpack and one on the bike.

I realize a flashing light is more visible than a steady-state one, and I recognize crash-avoidance give someone privilege, but a flashing light is obnoxious. Not only do I dislike being obnoxious, but I wonder about the subconscious workings of the car driver's mind. They don't like bikes already because bikes get in the way. Seeing a flashing light gives them an additional reason to get mad. And, over here, there is the problem with the cops. I worry that a flashing light may provoke a cop to harass me. Anything outstanding or non-conformist gets their attention.

I got stopped by a Overland Park, Kansas cop the other day for no reason except "We want to make sure you don't get hit." He (and the one in the other car that came to assist) ran my name, and subjected me to a battery of questions. Then they asked the same questions again trying to find a discrepancy. One thing he said was, "Your light was dangling all over the place." My backpack light does dangle. That was deliberate. But now I've secured it differently because I realize it gets the cops' attention.

 

[ohzee]

Great tips about the body armor. I plan on ridding thru winter so I very well am going to use some of them.
Especially the goggles. I wear a helmet , but with glasses my eyes usually tear up when it's cool or at 25mph or higher
and it makes it a pita to have tears running down my face.

The body armor also is cheaper then Id have expected so I am going to add that to my winter cloths list.

 

[dogman dan]

Sounds like you ran into cops that think only druggies who lost thier licence ride a bike past middle school. Bet they were shocked to be talking to a coherent, intelligent person.