Month: December 2012
Recently I received my first product to do a review of – the Monkeysee Reflective Harness.
The monkeysee harness is just the type of product anyone can use – whether you’re walking, riding a bike, running or whatever. In my quest to be as visible as possible to drivers when I’m riding the harness works well and is a snap to put on. It also comes in a variety of colors, all of which are reflective.
The harness is extremely lightweight and easily goes over whatever you happen to be wearing. I have a reflective vest and jacket, but I don’t wear them every time I ride. The monkeysee harness is such that I can keep it in my bike trunk or jersey pocket and quickly put it on. This time of year with the gray overcast days, the harness can easily be worn to make you more visible during the day too.
Before I received it I envisioned I would only wear it when biking in the evenings, but I will also wear it when I walk or run at night – or on those overcast days. It’s easy to put on, comfortable (doesn’t bind) and easy to adjust. It comes in small, medium and large and fits true to size.
I see the monkeysee harness as another tool to keep me as safe as possible – remember you can’t be too visible!
Watch this video to see the harness in action. For more information about ordering visit the monkeysee website at: http://www.monkeysee.net.au/ Check out the other products they have available to increase your visibility.
Touching base to let you know I’m around, but busy and also distracted. Distracted with the unimaginable horror that happened in Connecticut last Friday, as I imagine we all are. It is just so overwhelmingly sad.
I’ll be back soon writing about something to do with riding. Still trying to get a few miles so I can get near the goal I set for this year. I won’t make it and it doesn’t matter, but it would be nice just to ride. Maybe tomorrow.
Be well.
This fantastic letter/article is by Rachel Ruhlen, from the Hannibal Courier–Post, Hannibal, MO.
“Dear Santa,
I love to teach people how to bicycle with traffic, because I get satisfaction from empowering individuals. But I could have more impact by educating motorists how to drive with bicyclists. What every bicyclist wants for Christmas is better drivers!
A bicyclist has a lot of motivation to learn how to bike with traffic and avoid drivers’ mistakes. Drivers do not have much motivation to learn how to drive with bicyclists. To reach other drivers, we first have to find their motivation to listen to this message. It’s easy to say “Those crazy cyclists run all the red lights†or “The highway is no place for a bicycle†and avoid the responsibility.
The best way to educate a motorist about how to drive around bicycles is to put the motorist on a bicycle. Bicyclists report being more aware of other bicyclists and pedestrians when they are driving, and most drivers, both those who also bicycle (91%) and those who don’t (80%), believe that bicyclists are better drivers, according to a survey by the Institute of Advanced Motoring.
Another effective way motorists learn to drive with bicyclists is by driving with bicyclists. In areas where bicycling is common, drivers know what to expect. This summer, I biked across Kansas with 800 other bicyclists, and by the time motorists met me, they had already passed hundreds of other cyclists. I was no surprise to them.
If you haven’t ridden a bike in a long time, I encourage you to ride around town. That will help you be a better driver and increase the population of bicycles, which trains other drivers to expect bicycles. You can give cyclists everywhere a little Christmas present by paying attention to these three lessons:
The most dangerous driver to bicyclists is the inattentive driver. Don’t text and drive. Pay attention. Watch for cyclists at intersections, especially when turning. When pulling out of a driveway or parking lot, watch for bicyclists on the sidewalk or going the wrong way, because many bicyclists don’t know that they are safest on the road going the direction of traffic.
The scariest driver to bicyclists is the one who passes too closely. Allow 3 feet or more when passing, and slow down.
Another frightful driver is one who harasses bicyclists, throwing objects, yelling, honking, and other intimidating and behavior. Bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road, including highways. There is no minimum speed limit except on the interstate. Be patient, and wait for a safe opportunity to pass, just as you would for a tractor. Often, the bicyclist will pull over into a driveway or other safe space and allow you to pass.
My present to you is the parking space close to the store that I’m not using because I biked. However, I understand if you choose to park further away because you know the walk across the parking lot is good for your heart. Happy Holidays!â€