Curious so see how you compare to other DC area cyclists? Please take the survey HERE
4:30pm 1/17/12. Update: 72 survey responses so far. Survey software limit is 100 responses – so complete the survey soon!
We pass by other cyclists almost every time we are on our bikes, but we rarely ride with them long enough to establish an understanding of their habits. I’d wager that many of us ride alone or with friends who all ride alike. Maybe you ride tandem, and have come to some kind of team consensus.
Still though, we pass others a lot (or curse those who pass us). We pass silently. Being judged and judging. We ask ourselves – why do they do that?
This weekend as I was riding with a heavily loaded pannier I wondered, does everyone place it towards traffic like me? A few tweets back and forth to other cyclists and a few more cycling mysteries were uncovered. Which foot do you drop when you stop, and how does that relate to your dominant hand? Are you the only person who obeys the rules of the road? Do you signal turns, and how? Given how many mysteries there are, I made a poll to capture the trends among DC area cyclists. I’ll break the results down and post up the results for all to see.
Please take the survey HERE
I’ll keep the survey open until I hit the limit of 100 responses. for about 3-4 weeks from now (mid-February). Send this page along to your friends and ask them to vote as well! Let’s explore our shared culture.
Interesting question about the single pannier. I never gave it any thought. My answer is that it depends on the bike I’m riding. My lock is in the pannier with my work shoes. On weekends I take the shoes out. It goes on the side that gives me the best heel clearance which varies by bike.
That’s the first mention of heel clearance as a determining factor for pannier side choice. Most people say left side (towards traffic) to make the bike wider so cars give more space. I’ve also heard left side because that is non-drive side (which I am only guessing is preferred because you might get greasy when installing/removing pannier?)
I put it on the left to help balance the bike’s weight. Someone told me several years ago that was a good idea. ?
Panniers to the right. I’m right handed, so if I need to reach into them at a stop light, or at some other brief point while riding, it’s easier to twist to the right and use my right hand.