If you want to know more about that Bill Allenbaugh’s crash shown in this video, check these videos: Bill Allenbaugh's crash: Bill's video: ua-cam.com/video/gLtfkJrvxDQ/v-deo.html Jim Nielson's video: ua-cam.com/video/tcFrGid7R3I/v-deo.html
Here in Norway, when a cycle path crosses a road , like at 4:30, the cars have the right of way. They basically use the rule that when a vehicle is coming from a parking spot or sidewalk onto a road, it has to yield for traffic on the road. In theory, they could put up yield signs for the cars, but they never do...not even where the busiest cycle road in all of Oslo crosses this tiny side road leading to a marina parking.
I'm quite jealous... what you recognized as bad drivers is kind behaviour here in Germany. Its seldom a car passed me without me being able to touch it.
Yeah, i can confirm that. If you watch my Video around 4:11 to 5:00 those are typical dangerous situations here around Bremen. ua-cam.com/video/PEgZ-KjZ7hQ/v-deo.html
Same Here in Germany Wiesbaden, they are sometimes so close, that there are only 20 - 30 cm left and do that with high speed so that the wind almost knocks you over.
This video is like a drivers education class in video form. Which I greatly appreciate being able to watch. It prepares me for ways to drive while riding the velomobile. And, what to prepare for when there's times that I'm having to ride in the road. This truly assists me with preperation for when my velomobile arrives.
I'm also from Germany where cars try to squeeze through every space available. Best strategy seems to be riding in the middle of the lane.. Sensible people will overtake you just like another car by switching to the left lane anyway, so there's no need to ride on the far right. And when riding in the middle of the lane, the stupid drivers don't get a chance to try to overtake in the same lane with oncoming traffic. And if they do, you have more space to the right to move out of the way of these idiots. The only downside of riding in the middle of the lane: people use their horns more often, because the cannot overtake and think you're going to slow to ride on the road and you should really be riding in the ditch..
They will try and fight you at the next stop, but that s not as dangerous as overtaking too near. I had to go to the police some time ago because of such things
Nice way to incorporate our videos Saukki, glad you were able to use them. Glad to help get the word out about rumble strips. As a side note, depending on where you are in the US, the double yellow line is for preventing overtaking motor powered vehicles. HPVs and horse-drawn carriages are a bit different, as well as farm equipment. Those you can usually pass on the double yellow if it is safe to do so. I'm amazed at how many times I see people drive behind me slowly, only to pass on a blind curve! Nice 'extra footage'. Rock on!
It is amazing how these folks get so impatient when if they would actually check, the time they would supposedly lose by waiting for a safe overtake really only amounts to a minute or less. Why is a few seconds of their time worth risking someone else's life? Safe riding to you!
First of all -- thank you, Saukki, for another excellent, instructive video! I just need to say something positive about the USA to counter some nonsense I've read in the comment section. Someone wrote below that in the USA "most drivers will pass you within a foot or inches..." which is an absurd generalization. I have been riding my bicycle in Pennsylvania, USA for decades, and my velomobile starting in 2019. Pennsylvania's clearance law is four feet (1.2 meters), which is better than the paltry 3 feet required in most other states (thanks to my friend Joe Stafford who actually wrote the vehicle code update). In my area (Lancaster County) the vast majority of drivers respect that law and show their respect for human life by passing with a 4 foot margin or more, when I ride on roads that are not full of traffic. In the circumstances of busy road/narrow shoulder shown in the video, they would probably behave similarly to Finnish drivers. If I were routinely getting passed by drivers who only yielded by a foot or a few inches, I'd get the hell off the road and take up a safer activity until I can figure out what my problem is. In my experience locally, perhaps one out of 100 drivers is truly horrible and does pass by at two feet or less. These are people who are actively expressing hostility toward cyclists. If you are riding on a road so narrow and crowded that the majority of normal, everyday drivers are streaming past inches away, something is very, very wrong.
A good video Saukki to inform the uninitiated. This is human nature; he with the biggest stick wins. If you were 45 tons of velo that could smash their paradigm, no one would contest you, it's called survival.. but you're around 250 pounds of velo and human, you're not a danger to them. I've seen logging trucks pull out onto a 140kph highway, and everyone slows down, stops, to give way.
This is the reason I don't like cycling in Germany. Some busy roads don't have cycle lanes and cars are allowed to drive 100 kph there. This leads to similar dangerous overtakes and forces me to drive on the often bad shoulders. Luckily I live in the Netherlands. 😉
This is especially useful for me in South Florida, the city with the most rude drivers and the most car crashes and cyclist deaths in the United States. Thanks a lot! I hit subscribed. And if you have to brace stupid drivers and dangerous maneuvers from cars in your area, imagine in mine, where there is a mix of foreigners and I live in the easiest state to get a driver's lisence un the USA.
I wonder if, for commuting style velomobiles, if a semaphore style turn arm that lifts up left or right, especially with LEDs flashing when turn signals are activated; would be enough of a help to increase turning visibility? Like the old Volkswagen Beetles used to have. Yes, they would create 'drag', but when commuting, that should be balanced against visibility in traffic and the 'drag' only occurs during turns on the roadways.
Great channel, I have really enjoyed finding this. I think it's possible that some drivers are likely to treat a velomobile as an object on the road, more like another car because unlike a bicycle they don't see a person on the outside of the vehicle. The de-humanising aspect may make them more likely to treat it as just a parked car or piece of road furniture, so they narrowly miss it rather than leaving safe, respectful space. Not a defense at all, it is just an indication of haw unaware some drivers are when they are on the road.
Your advices are pretty good. ☺ Another aspect is, the video can be helpful to build better trafic ways. Especially the velomobile is fit for higher average speed and long distances. So there will be more need for cycling ways in the countrysite.
That's true. Many people who has seen me riding my commute comment that my velomobile is very visible and easy to spot. But I've also heard few comments saying that for example my lights are not visible enough. Which is weird, because other people say my lights are very visible. Go figure... 🤨
A few points: 1) super cool name and your pronunciation is even more awesome! 2) drivers are inattentive and some simply don’t care about cyclists 3) most drivers in the USA will pass much closer 4) I ride a recumbent trike and I’ve been forced off the road and some ass in a diesel truck also coal rolled
Nice video Saukki. It's scary seeing the sort of thing we put up with everyday day on film. Though, people in the UK are far more aggressive and as someone else has mentioned I regularly get guys close enough to touch :( One thing I'd like to mention is that you indicators are very close together so maybe drivers cannot tell if you intend left or right. Keep up the good work, I'm learning loads!
Great video Saukki! You’re so lucky to have beautiful highways, where you can ride safely, these drivers don’t look to go too fast and there doesn’t seem to be lots of traffic. Love your videos!
Excellent videos Saukki . Wow that wipe out caused by the rumble strips was some scary stuff , glad that they didn't get run over by the truck . So fricken close , holy cow . Anyways , I just discovered your channel . The best part " because i like the accent " is ( Hello I'm Saukki ) . Great vids , keep it up .
Nice video and goon info. Hai Saukki, yes not only your country but any ware there in the country many stupid drivers don't care about it only them salves. I hope in the future all road will make it wider road so we can share together right. Be safe ride Saukki peace love you men.
Something most don't realize semi truck/lorry drivers live in their mirrors. We are constantly checking them, and are very aware of where the trailer is. However there is a long blind spot on each side, which is why you see us staring out the mirror. That way everything in front and behind has had a chance to pass through it, and we then know what is in the blind spot. Takes a couple of years to get good at it. A good rule of thumb, is too look in the mirrors of the truck, if you can't see the driver, he can't see you.
I dont think those small turning lights (especially against your orange coloured velomobile) can be well seen by drivers. thats pretty dangerous. i know the bike is all about aerodynamics, but for regular comute on those busy streets i really would think about a bigger, better visible solution for myself.
Should replace the orange LEDs by same LEDs with 3-10x higher output. Default Quest turn light is 1W LED if I'm right? Same form factor is available in 3W, 5W... Just replace them and the driver as well.
Hi Saukki, I think overall Finnish drivers are kind of friendly to your vehicle, there's worse examples of driving behaviour elsewhere in Europe I'm afraid. (I have been riding my e-WAW in Belgium for 3 months now and could have been killed several times if I had not been careful myself. :/ Keep it safe, and great channel for velonauts!
This summer I was cycling in Sweden, with my bike and a Croozer Cargo trailer. On my way to Växjö from Kalmar there is no cycle lane on the main roads and there also wasn’t a decent ‘safe’ detour to take as cyclist. So I had to cycle on the main road. I tried to cycle as much to the right as possible, using the shoulder as good as possible with such a big trailer. At some point there was a truck coming from behind me and so I tried to make some more space, I cycled on the shoulder close to the edge with my bike, and thus the trailer was off-roading on 1 side, the other side was just aside of the white line. What did the trucker do? He passed me at the 90km/h he can drive there, without leaving much space and right as he was besides me he honked at me. As a reflex I tried to move more to the right and almost went off the should, which would have led to me falling and possibly the bike or trailer or me would have been struck by the wheels of the trailer... It was a scary moment, and the crazy part is that at the roundabout where Växjö starts, there magically appears a cycle lane, as if they know people cycle that route but they don’t give a fuck about cyclist safety outside of the cities
I'm driving my brand new Waw for two months and I am too afraid to go on such crowded streets in Germany. On my 15km commute there are 1-2 traffic violation everyday which concern my safety. Really scary are the SUVs who are slowly becoming the most predominant cars here in Germany.
I agree. I don't ride a velomobil, just mtb and touring bike with paniers for shopping, but the amount of focus you need to have on innercity roads is unfathomable just to ride from a to b. So i ride where cars cant Go 😉
You should really try the dark yellow path, between assholery and the right line. Leave 1 meter space to the right line. Overtaking drivers have to drive over the middle line and will give you the space, you are looking for.
Weird, here in the US, the amount of room that they are giving you would be applauded considering that you are hugging the right. Here in the US, cyclist groups are trying to get a 3 foot rule for drivers passing... looks like you are getting more than 2 meters even while hugging the right side of the lane. I learned to "take the lane" after multiple times getting hit by driver's including while IN a bike lane. While riding right like you I would get blasts from horns and driver's swerving at me and throwing stuff out their windows at me DAILY. Once I ventured further into the lane (basically just right of center) ALL the anger and close passes just stopped happening. You are correct, drivers are stupid... your only saving grace is how bizarre your velo looks to them. I'd recommend moving further into the lane by about 6 more feet. They aren't willing to just drive over you, but given the choice between the paint on the center line and YOU, they will default toward you way too often when splitting the differance. When you make it obvious that they MUST cross the center line to pass, they plan their passes from way way back. Here it isn't against the law to cross even a double yellow line to pass a cyclist WHEN SAFE. While on a group ride we were on a narrow high speed road with single lane each way and a double yellow line. Idiot in big American SUV roars up behind the group and buzzes us over the line just a hair with oncoming traffic... WITH A BIKE ON THE BACK OF HER VEHICLE. The cop who watched her do it wasn't impressed and as he slowly passed us a few seconds later called out from his car, "I've got this!" and pulled her over and ticketed her for crossing the double yellow line and reckless driving.
I ride a Scorpion Trike with front hood and have a 3 km long straight asphalt road that is leading through a forest on my daily commute. It starts with a roundabout with 30 km/h speed limit, passes a railroad crossing shortly after and then it is 100 km/h until it ends and a T intersection. I can report exactly the same behaviours from the cars. Mostly fine overtakes, but many recklessly into oncoming traffic, over speeding, too close passes. They always have to overtake in the 30 km/h zone before the roundabout when I am going 35 km/h just so that they are most of the times still standing and wating when I'm arriving. Same at the intersection when they overtake on the other lane when they can't see if someone is turning in. People are stupid.
I have a 45 km/h UP-Bike and commute on a big street as you are. I drive a little more to the left, in the middle of the right tire lane. Nearly nobody is overtaken me too close. But if I drive like you do, near to the right side of the street, everybody tries to overtake when it is NOT possible. So you don't have to drive in the middle of the street to stop dangerous overtaking. I'm from Germany. But I think drivers are everywhere the same.
I completely agree. This is what the driving instructors tell you. You don't have to ride too close to the right, a bit of a safety distance is a good idea. If you stick too much to the right, you are provoking overtakes like the ones you are showing.
Very good video! Special de first and last 3 minutes. Very clear an you made your point. Lots of accamples. On camera can be very difficult to see what the distance is. To me there where no close calls. 1 meter between velomobile and car? My every day experiance is a few cm's in stead of meters. I feel the sucking turbulance of a car pasing by. Remember that speeddifferance is a issue. And cardrivers are custom to other cardrivers not bikes or bycicles. Let alone velomobiles. And in your country they expect them to be on the side of the road not on 'there' lane. Can you blame them? In the Netherlands it's no better. We've got lots of cyclepaths. But people react the same and show the same behavior. Not special to velomobiles. To all non-cars. That behavior comes frome bad road design. The are designed for speed, cars, and moving on. You don't have speed, your not a car and you'r an obstacle. The don't want to slow down so the solve the problem as they do. Not always by the book or as you may aspect. In the Netherlands there are some cardrivers (I wanted to write a bad name...) who tell you so that they don't want you in 'there space'. More then once I ended up in de dirt likking my wounds. Even on small roads where cars are not allowed. (to avoid blocked highways). On dayly basis in this time of year when it's dark. Yes, in the Netherlands, bicycle country. But my greatest enemy I fear are...cyclist. Ghostriding, no lights on, overtaking fast (45 km/u) speedpedelacs, old people on e-bikes wobling and finding slow there way. No hearing and no sight around them. Careless children. To mutch bycicles and to little space. Traffic is hell? WE are traffic! WE do it together. Be respectfull and have some pacience. I make mistakes too and I hope I will be forgiven.
i have one concern, and its about velomobile's indicator lights even on some motorcycles at distance, you cant even tell the right from left one, because too little spacing now most velomobiles have a narrow back, at what distance those indicator lights are visible?
Oon ohitellut sua moneen kertaa 8 tiellä ja vinkkinä voin sanoa että kannattaa harkita takavalojen tehojen lisäämistä. Pimeässä näkyy kohtuullisesti mutta hämärässä vähän kehnommin. Moni noista ohittajista on pitkä matkalaisia ja vauhti sokeita. Ja harvalla on omakohtasta pyöräily kokemusta valta/kantatiellä pyöräily
Hi Saukki, I recently found your channel and I really enjoy your informative videos. Regarding this video: Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you breaking the law by not driving in the designate cycle path? If your vehicle is too wide or unstable for certain road, then it's your responsibility to find safer vehicles or safer roads. By riding slowly -- relative to oncoming traffic, you are not only putting yourself in danger, but you also encourage other road users to take unsafe actions, as you have shown in this video pretty well. This is taught in the UK when you are getting your driver's license. Personally, when I'm behind a cyclist where they shouldn't be at all or if they are allowed to be in the road by they are significantly slower than the rest of the road traffic -- both similar to your situation, I will need to slow down, turn my hazard lights on and on roads similar to the ones in your video, sometimes it takes a good 2-3 minutes of driving at 20 MPH on a 50/60 MPH road with 5-10 other cars stacked behind me, until I can safely overtake the cyclist. I'm not saying all drivers are good and safe drivers, but don't you think what you are complaining about is caused in the first place because you riding your velomobile somewhere you shouldn't?
There’s no cycle path on that road, so I’m allowed to ride on the road. According to law I should be riding on the shoulder of the road, but because of the reasons explained in the video, I choose to ride on the lane. There are also other vehicles slower than me often driving on the road, like tractors or other heavy machinery, so slow moving vehicles should’t be a problem around here.
Hey Saukki, I am quite happy if they give me a 1 meter gap. Most do :-). My problem on the way home is that there are not many velomobiles in the UK at present, and I think only 1 on the Isle of Wight. Plenty of WTF moments, driving past s l o w l y with a phone camera in the passenger window! As I start work at 05.00 I can go in on the road when it is clear. On the way home I use the cycle track: A lot 'lumpier' but flatter. However, horses mostly don't trust that a big YELLOW Quattrovelo will not try to eat them, plus lots of folks being walked by their dogs ask what the devil it is, so it can take a bit longer. I now have a leaflet with web-links printed on it so I can pass that out to the really interested ones! Only 2 bad bits on my home run: A 1 mile stretch on the road, mostly up-slope, so no fast riding, with a number of bends. I usually pull over at least once to clear the tail back, and then the last half mile up-hill to get home. Not much traffic there, but hard peddling just when you begin to relax :-(. I think my commute is easier than yours Saukki, even if it has more hills! (Plus, with 4 wheels, I can ride over the white line with less of a problem. Thank you Allert Jacobs!)
That flip with the White Quest was very nasty. I was scared he would be crushed. I hope he was OK. On my Moulton; the chain flipped off the front ring at speed. It ended up under my rear wheel. It was like riding on ice. I was almost thrown from the bike; but somehow stayed upright.
@@brighton_dude The individuals that drive cars and any other gas powered vehicle just seem to have less concern for others, bicyclist's do it to. If you care for your safety you'll be the one in the know how and if something happens you'll be the individual in the right of each situation.
I live in Tucson, Arizona and most drivers are pretty good when they pass. I don't have a velomobile, but on my recumbent bike and my recumbent trike I don't often feel nervous. Though, there are always those small percentage who are just oblivious.
Well, I live in France and the common overtake is like at 9'33'', maybe a little bit further. Drivers who change lane are pretty rare and maybe half of them don't care if there is oncoming traffic. I'd like to drive in the conditions you have - although there are still people doing stupid things, as you say, they are mostly respectful, that's nice :)
i ride in the usa , when you ride on the right most part of the lane , you are depending on motorists to do the right thing , its like gambling with your safety , you must make up their minds for them to do this will take guts and trust in the technique, TAKE THE LANE let them see that you are in the lane so they will either have to slow down , or pass you in the other lane , when a car driver gets behind you and runs up on you he will have to slow down then you can move over and let him pass , he will be traveling at a slower speed so if when the car passes it wont matter so much if the car is closer to you , but if you are always in the right side of the lane , cars coming up on you think they have enough room , the room you left them and they will pass you at speed , sometimes too close ! look up savvy cycling website it has the technique on their site
Tiiän yhen Kokkola-Kalajoki väliä päivittäin autolla kulkeneen todenneen, että kasitiellä ohittelevilla on joko 1) kova kiire tuonpuoleiseen tai 2) laite, jolla näkee mäen taakse.
I often find it too much work to cut out all of the situations but I did it already a few times. These are three situations that i captured: ua-cam.com/video/v5Bti6Wrjmc/v-deo.html (stupid overtakes) , ua-cam.com/video/nyTYoQlm1lI/v-deo.html (driver cuts the bend) and last but not least, a near death situation I'm affraid: ua-cam.com/video/xiklh2cQvHc/v-deo.html
the position you take on the lane encourages them to overtake , in belgium you are obligated to leave 1.5m between your car and a bicycle ( a lot of them think it means you leave 1.5m for a cyclist) . if i dont want them to overtake i ride the same position as a motorcycle .
I think in Finland the law is to leave sufficent space between a car and a cyclist. So there’s no any definitive distance, everyone can dicide themselves what is sufficent distance.
To be honest, you can create a more dangerous situation by doing that. I you ride in the middle and don't leave room to overtake, a car will ride right behind you. A second car will wonder why the car is driving that slow and maybe will overtake the car aggresively. I theres upcoming traffic ahead, the overtaking car will be forced to push you off the road. So I prefer them to pass, instead of staying at my tail :)
So is what you’re saying is that drivers of automobiles should slow down to 15-20mph bc you feel unsafe? In the USA if you’re going 10mph slower than the posted speed limit, a police officer can and will give you a ticket for driving too slowly. Are you willing to pay that person’s ticket to accommodate you?
Usually 40 to over 50 km/h. In summer I’m faster, but when the weather gets colder in the autumn, the speed is going to drop. Lately I have barely been able to go 40 km/h. The winter is coming.
Lol, I was going to say that in Russia that would be a generous amount of space you were complaining about, but looks like I am not alone. Well, still, how about overtakes when a guy from the other side of the road overtakes another vehicle and passes you very close, assuming you will stick to the road shoulder?
With a normal pushbike i have had 270 vehicle done a hit a run but i haven't been hit by a vehicle when riding my velomobile its the safest bike on the road
It’s not that people don’t care, they simply can’t see you. It’s hard enough to see cyclists who are sitting upright on a bike, but most people look straight ahead on the road. Drivers have to look down to see you. Please don’t get me wrong, as I do have an eBike and am looking into a Velomobile.
Dear Saukki, I have to say that this video of yours made me smile (sadly)... If you come to Italy you can just swap the numbers of stupid drivers vs nice drivers. The ones that you call "close overtakes" are more or less the rule here, I saw cars passing much closer in my rides. Honestly, riding the pedal car (I assume it's the same with velomobiles) things are a bit different, probably because I seem to come from Mars thus attracting a lot of attention. But on two wheels I have the feeling of being a "barely visible target", no matter if I have lights or not. Lately I'm experimenting a side swerved flag, so to take more than the room I would take (still below the top limit according to the law) and "invite" car drivers both to stay far and to put more attention to my presence. You may check a video of mine about it here, if interested: ua-cam.com/video/vBvZH_ZMhFg/v-deo.html Though, a friend of mine pointed out that it may be interpreted like a defiance against car drivers... this would explain why one (idiot) driver out of some hundreds seems to peel my flag on purpose, even when the road is free; however if he hits the flag only I would still be safe, and in the end he would keep the same distance as many other drivers would if I hadn't that flag. I'd like to have opinions about this, it may be the egg of Columbus or the highway to hell at the same time!
I have visited Italy once. I can say the traffic was bit different compared to this 😂 A flag pointing to the side is actually a great idea. Put a light or reflector at the end of the flagpole to make your appear to be wider. In case someone still wants to overtake too close, put something sharp at the end of the pole to scratch the paint of that car going too close 😅
@@TheVelomobileChannel Yeah I thought about putting a rusty nail besides the flag, but then I thought that it would have been too dangerous for cyclists overtaking me or coming by the opposite side on cycle lanes... But adding a reflector or a light is a good idea, I'll do it! 👍🏻 Thanks for your reply!
The reason he lost control from his video. He didn’t see the rumble strip till last second and made a sudden tight turn maneuver to avoid it causing the flip.
Would you rather have the drivers not cross the yellow line and get too close to you? The drivers are damned if they do and damned if they don’t. They’re passing you in the safest manner to keep from hitting you
Apart from the really dangerous lost traction example, I feel that not a lot of "bad driving" was done. The thing is: EITHER you drive in the middle, and cars understand they can only overtake when there is NO oncoming traffic, OR you drive on the side (like you do), basically hinting to cars "It's OK if you overtake me (even with oncoming traffic". You are communicating this very clearly, whether you know it or not. Now you are merely complaining about cars wrongly assessing your "hinting" of driving along the side. For the future, if you are very much against cars overtaking you, ride on the middle of the lane, and when there are no oncoming cars, move a little to the side (still not fully to the line) to correctly "hint" they can pass you: You might get more frustrated drivers, but at least, you will not be "hinting" wrongly anymore.
I had an *Ambulance* pass me closely today in my velomobile. No emergency, they were just driving around. They even swerved towards me as they passed. Utter assholes.
3:38 not only crossing the line, but also, i hate those impatient drivers (i'm both a driver and amateur cycliste) who act rash like this like how much seconds did he gain, he also have to slow to go into that pass, so he barely gained 2seconds while risking an accident hitting the semi-truck if the semi didnt leave much space some stupid drivers overtake take you then turn right which means they can cause an accident by bumping them from behind because they think they are the fastest thing on the road
It seem that people don't have any idea how velomobiles handle. Those close overtakes are because people think that these are stable machines to drive just like cars.
always puzzles me when any kind of biker endangers his own safety so that cars can pass them ... after thousands of kms the golden rule is bike at least one meter away from the curb or parked cars...
2:53 🤔 I was thinking of buying a Velomobil but seeing this .... if I don’t find an affordable 4 wheeled velomobil , it’s a bicycle. Looks way to unsafe for my taste
You can always try to find out if it’s possible to find a route which doesn’t include highways. I ride this route, because it’s the fastest. I could choose another route which doesn’t include highways.
Music in this video is made by my friend. Check out the soundtrack: Through the Void by The Mercurial Sense Of Beatitude Composed and recorded by Jukka-Pekka Vuolle ua-cam.com/channels/SsFxwsuIrabkRMR3LNfhVw.html Listen here: ua-cam.com/video/6GbbmF6ziis/v-deo.html Falling Leaves Instrumental by The Mercurial Sense Of Beatitude Composed and recorded by Jukka-Pekka Vuolle ua-cam.com/channels/SsFxwsuIrabkRMR3LNfhVw.html Listen here: ua-cam.com/video/P5JyVZhu2Kk/v-deo.html open.spotify.com/album/65GZAil4RF89aY4MRs8egO?si=9xFZh3deSh6Eefqz5M7hOQ
I would have to say, those who are rude or do not give the space needed, do not ride bikes. Some of these jerks will blow their horn as a means to show their displeasure.
I don't think I would risk driving at dusk or at night in that velomobile. Drivers would have no idea what you were or how fast you were travelling. You're putting your life at risk.
It upsets me how people have no respect for cyclists. Here in the United States it's like you aren't even American if you don't drive a car and blaze around everywhere as fast as you can. And drivers seem to think that they get bonus points if they hit a cyclist on the way. I've had people yell at me to get off of the road. But the law, which as drivers they should know and it disturbs me how they don't, says that I have to ride in the road. But with the kind of drivers around here, I may be stupid but I'm not suicidal.
I dont think its been possible to discriminate between good and bad drivers since at least 1990. And every year it gets harder to tell. But then again, as most humans are car drivrs, or would be if given the opportunity, i just extend my indiscrimination to all humans.
I am a cyclist myself so I have a lot of sympathy for you. Here are a few suggestions to make you and the other cars you are sharing the road with more safe. Put an electric motor in your Velomobile so you can ride at the same speed as traffic is flowing. This way cars won't need to pass you at all. I know you are riding to get a workout but you don't have to use the electric motor and batteries when riding on slower roads and bike paths. The extra weight and effort should make up for the shorter ride time. I have seen setups were you still have to pedal to control your speed so it isn't a free ride. Next I get bigger and better turn signals and lights so cars can better see you and know what you are intending to do when you make a turn.
If you want to know more about that Bill Allenbaugh’s crash shown in this video, check these videos:
Bill Allenbaugh's crash:
Bill's video: ua-cam.com/video/gLtfkJrvxDQ/v-deo.html
Jim Nielson's video: ua-cam.com/video/tcFrGid7R3I/v-deo.html
Thanks Saukki. Good video too, your commentating is pretty funny too lol.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!aaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Video has been removed :(
Great content! Do you ever feel like cars/trucks don't see you since the velomobile is so low? Or is that not a problem in reality?
that bumpstrip rearwheel traction loss was scary as hell
Here in Norway, when a cycle path crosses a road , like at 4:30, the cars have the right of way. They basically use the rule that when a vehicle is coming from a parking spot or sidewalk onto a road, it has to yield for traffic on the road. In theory, they could put up yield signs for the cars, but they never do...not even where the busiest cycle road in all of Oslo crosses this tiny side road leading to a marina parking.
I'm quite jealous... what you recognized as bad drivers is kind behaviour here in Germany. Its seldom a car passed me without me being able to touch it.
Yeah, i can confirm that. If you watch my Video around 4:11 to 5:00 those are typical dangerous situations here around Bremen. ua-cam.com/video/PEgZ-KjZ7hQ/v-deo.html
@@heizeveit1756 Same here, in Germany (also Bremen) people just dont see an issue with forcing you into the gutter
Same Here in Germany Wiesbaden, they are sometimes so close, that there are only 20 - 30 cm left and do that with high speed so that the wind almost knocks you over.
@@yvesvogelfrei453 oh yeah the drag of the wind. People can really underestimate this one...
Really? You ride on German roads with a lot of Dutch drivers? :O
This video is like a drivers education class in video form. Which I greatly appreciate being able to watch. It prepares me for ways to drive while riding the velomobile. And, what to prepare for when there's times that I'm having to ride in the road.
This truly assists me with preperation for when my velomobile arrives.
I'm also from Germany where cars try to squeeze through every space available. Best strategy seems to be riding in the middle of the lane.. Sensible people will overtake you just like another car by switching to the left lane anyway, so there's no need to ride on the far right. And when riding in the middle of the lane, the stupid drivers don't get a chance to try to overtake in the same lane with oncoming traffic.
And if they do, you have more space to the right to move out of the way of these idiots.
The only downside of riding in the middle of the lane: people use their horns more often, because the cannot overtake and think you're going to slow to ride on the road and you should really be riding in the ditch..
They will try and fight you at the next stop, but that s not as dangerous as overtaking too near. I had to go to the police some time ago because of such things
In germany you have a minimum space vron the right site from ~1m for secure.
My favorite non-existing technology is a hologram generator that makes my recumbent look like a wide load truck.
Nice way to incorporate our videos Saukki, glad you were able to use them. Glad to help get the word out about rumble strips.
As a side note, depending on where you are in the US, the double yellow line is for preventing overtaking motor powered vehicles. HPVs and horse-drawn carriages are a bit different, as well as farm equipment. Those you can usually pass on the double yellow if it is safe to do so. I'm amazed at how many times I see people drive behind me slowly, only to pass on a blind curve! Nice 'extra footage'. Rock on!
It is amazing how these folks get so impatient when if they would actually check, the time they would supposedly lose by waiting for a safe overtake really only amounts to a minute or less. Why is a few seconds of their time worth risking someone else's life? Safe riding to you!
Here in france i'm really happy when they left as much room as they do when you complain of the lack of space, i'm really envious.
Same in UK and Hungary as well.
Thanks for the heads up about that rumble strip and what could happen on losing traction, something I shall now be very wary of.
Saukki... Good job with the organization, description, and examples of your velomobile safety concerns.
First of all -- thank you, Saukki, for another excellent, instructive video!
I just need to say something positive about the USA to counter some nonsense I've read in the comment section. Someone wrote below that in the USA "most drivers will pass you within a foot or inches..." which is an absurd generalization.
I have been riding my bicycle in Pennsylvania, USA for decades, and my velomobile starting in 2019. Pennsylvania's clearance law is four feet (1.2 meters), which is better than the paltry 3 feet required in most other states (thanks to my friend Joe Stafford who actually wrote the vehicle code update). In my area (Lancaster County) the vast majority of drivers respect that law and show their respect for human life by passing with a 4 foot margin or more, when I ride on roads that are not full of traffic. In the circumstances of busy road/narrow shoulder shown in the video, they would probably behave similarly to Finnish drivers.
If I were routinely getting passed by drivers who only yielded by a foot or a few inches, I'd get the hell off the road and take up a safer activity until I can figure out what my problem is. In my experience locally, perhaps one out of 100 drivers is truly horrible and does pass by at two feet or less. These are people who are actively expressing hostility toward cyclists. If you are riding on a road so narrow and crowded that the majority of normal, everyday drivers are streaming past inches away, something is very, very wrong.
A good video Saukki to inform the uninitiated. This is human nature; he with the biggest stick wins. If you were 45 tons of velo that could smash their paradigm, no one would contest you, it's called survival.. but you're around 250 pounds of velo and human, you're not a danger to them. I've seen logging trucks pull out onto a 140kph highway, and everyone slows down, stops, to give way.
This is the reason I don't like cycling in Germany. Some busy roads don't have cycle lanes and cars are allowed to drive 100 kph there. This leads to similar dangerous overtakes and forces me to drive on the often bad shoulders. Luckily I live in the Netherlands. 😉
This is especially useful for me in South Florida, the city with the most rude drivers and the most car crashes and cyclist deaths in the United States. Thanks a lot! I hit subscribed.
And if you have to brace stupid drivers and dangerous maneuvers from cars in your area, imagine in mine, where there is a mix of foreigners and I live in the easiest state to get a driver's lisence un the USA.
I live in Taiwan. The drivers where you live are like angels to us.
You know your have shown how safe it is to drive bike in Finland ? Want to move there, immediately..)
I wonder if, for commuting style velomobiles, if a semaphore style turn arm that lifts up left or right, especially with LEDs flashing when turn signals are activated; would be enough of a help to increase turning visibility? Like the old Volkswagen Beetles used to have. Yes, they would create 'drag', but when commuting, that should be balanced against visibility in traffic and the 'drag' only occurs during turns on the roadways.
Great channel, I have really enjoyed finding this.
I think it's possible that some drivers are likely to treat a velomobile as an object on the road, more like another car because unlike a bicycle they don't see a person on the outside of the vehicle. The de-humanising aspect may make them more likely to treat it as just a parked car or piece of road furniture, so they narrowly miss it rather than leaving safe, respectful space.
Not a defense at all, it is just an indication of haw unaware some drivers are when they are on the road.
Using full lane aka being in the center of it will fix most of these problems.
Only if you constantly want to fight people.
Your advices are pretty good. ☺ Another aspect is, the video can be helpful to build better trafic ways. Especially the velomobile is fit for higher average speed and long distances. So there will be more need for cycling ways in the countrysite.
That was a very interesting video thank you. I think an advantage a velomobile has is that it is very visible compared to, say, a regular bicycle.
That's true. Many people who has seen me riding my commute comment that my velomobile is very visible and easy to spot. But I've also heard few comments saying that for example my lights are not visible enough. Which is weird, because other people say my lights are very visible. Go figure... 🤨
A few points:
1) super cool name and your pronunciation is even more awesome!
2) drivers are inattentive and some simply don’t care about cyclists
3) most drivers in the USA will pass much closer
4) I ride a recumbent trike and I’ve been forced off the road and some ass in a diesel truck also coal rolled
Nice video Saukki. It's scary seeing the sort of thing we put up with everyday day on film. Though, people in the UK are far more aggressive and as someone else has mentioned I regularly get guys close enough to touch :( One thing I'd like to mention is that you indicators are very close together so maybe drivers cannot tell if you intend left or right. Keep up the good work, I'm learning loads!
Great video Saukki! You’re so lucky to have beautiful highways, where you can ride safely, these drivers don’t look to go too fast and there doesn’t seem to be lots of traffic. Love your videos!
Excellent videos Saukki . Wow that wipe out caused by the rumble strips was some scary stuff , glad that they didn't get run over by the truck . So fricken close , holy cow .
Anyways , I just discovered your channel . The best part " because i like the accent " is ( Hello I'm Saukki ) .
Great vids , keep it up .
Great video, I learned a lot about safe riding.
Nice video and goon info. Hai Saukki, yes not only your country but any ware there in the country many stupid drivers don't care about it only them salves. I hope in the future all road will make it wider road so we can share together right. Be safe ride Saukki peace love you men.
Scary - I would certainly modify to increase the signal lights size. Thumbs up.
Something most don't realize semi truck/lorry drivers live in their mirrors. We are constantly checking them, and are very aware of where the trailer is. However there is a long blind spot on each side, which is why you see us staring out the mirror. That way everything in front and behind has had a chance to pass through it, and we then know what is in the blind spot. Takes a couple of years to get good at it. A good rule of thumb, is too look in the mirrors of the truck, if you can't see the driver, he can't see you.
And thanks for sharing aware friend video about exciden velo hit the white line.
Thank you: I've learned a lot.
I can only dream of being given 1.5m by vehicles! I just hope they don’t actually clip me.
Great content as usual!
I dont think those small turning lights (especially against your orange coloured velomobile) can be well seen by drivers. thats pretty dangerous. i know the bike is all about aerodynamics, but for regular comute on those busy streets i really would think about a bigger, better visible solution for myself.
Should replace the orange LEDs by same LEDs with 3-10x higher output. Default Quest turn light is 1W LED if I'm right?
Same form factor is available in 3W, 5W... Just replace them and the driver as well.
Hi Saukki, I think overall Finnish drivers are kind of friendly to your vehicle, there's worse examples of driving behaviour elsewhere in Europe I'm afraid. (I have been riding my e-WAW in Belgium for 3 months now and could have been killed several times if I had not been careful myself. :/ Keep it safe, and great channel for velonauts!
This summer I was cycling in Sweden, with my bike and a Croozer Cargo trailer. On my way to Växjö from Kalmar there is no cycle lane on the main roads and there also wasn’t a decent ‘safe’ detour to take as cyclist. So I had to cycle on the main road. I tried to cycle as much to the right as possible, using the shoulder as good as possible with such a big trailer. At some point there was a truck coming from behind me and so I tried to make some more space, I cycled on the shoulder close to the edge with my bike, and thus the trailer was off-roading on 1 side, the other side was just aside of the white line. What did the trucker do? He passed me at the 90km/h he can drive there, without leaving much space and right as he was besides me he honked at me. As a reflex I tried to move more to the right and almost went off the should, which would have led to me falling and possibly the bike or trailer or me would have been struck by the wheels of the trailer... It was a scary moment, and the crazy part is that at the roundabout where Växjö starts, there magically appears a cycle lane, as if they know people cycle that route but they don’t give a fuck about cyclist safety outside of the cities
I'm driving my brand new Waw for two months and I am too afraid to go on such crowded streets in Germany. On my 15km commute there are 1-2 traffic violation everyday which concern my safety. Really scary are the SUVs who are slowly becoming the most predominant cars here in Germany.
I agree. I don't ride a velomobil, just mtb and touring bike with paniers for shopping, but the amount of focus you need to have on innercity roads is unfathomable just to ride from a to b. So i ride where cars cant Go 😉
That white velo velonaut almost rode to heaven’s gate 😱
You should really try the dark yellow path, between assholery and the right line. Leave 1 meter space to the right line. Overtaking drivers have to drive over the middle line and will give you the space, you are looking for.
Unfortunately in Hungary we are happy when we get this much space during an overtake. :(
camera makes it look farther than it is
@@markifi Eastern Europe car drivers are magnitude worse
Weird, here in the US, the amount of room that they are giving you would be applauded considering that you are hugging the right. Here in the US, cyclist groups are trying to get a 3 foot rule for drivers passing... looks like you are getting more than 2 meters even while hugging the right side of the lane. I learned to "take the lane" after multiple times getting hit by driver's including while IN a bike lane. While riding right like you I would get blasts from horns and driver's swerving at me and throwing stuff out their windows at me DAILY. Once I ventured further into the lane (basically just right of center) ALL the anger and close passes just stopped happening. You are correct, drivers are stupid... your only saving grace is how bizarre your velo looks to them. I'd recommend moving further into the lane by about 6 more feet. They aren't willing to just drive over you, but given the choice between the paint on the center line and YOU, they will default toward you way too often when splitting the differance. When you make it obvious that they MUST cross the center line to pass, they plan their passes from way way back. Here it isn't against the law to cross even a double yellow line to pass a cyclist WHEN SAFE. While on a group ride we were on a narrow high speed road with single lane each way and a double yellow line. Idiot in big American SUV roars up behind the group and buzzes us over the line just a hair with oncoming traffic... WITH A BIKE ON THE BACK OF HER VEHICLE. The cop who watched her do it wasn't impressed and as he slowly passed us a few seconds later called out from his car, "I've got this!" and pulled her over and ticketed her for crossing the double yellow line and reckless driving.
I ride a Scorpion Trike with front hood and have a 3 km long straight asphalt road that is leading through a forest on my daily commute. It starts with a roundabout with 30 km/h speed limit, passes a railroad crossing shortly after and then it is 100 km/h until it ends and a T intersection. I can report exactly the same behaviours from the cars. Mostly fine overtakes, but many recklessly into oncoming traffic, over speeding, too close passes.
They always have to overtake in the 30 km/h zone before the roundabout when I am going 35 km/h just so that they are most of the times still standing and wating when I'm arriving. Same at the intersection when they overtake on the other lane when they can't see if someone is turning in.
People are stupid.
I have a 45 km/h UP-Bike and commute on a big street as you are. I drive a little more to the left, in the middle of the right tire lane. Nearly nobody is overtaken me too close. But if I drive like you do, near to the right side of the street, everybody tries to overtake when it is NOT possible. So you don't have to drive in the middle of the street to stop dangerous overtaking. I'm from Germany. But I think drivers are everywhere the same.
I completely agree. This is what the driving instructors tell you. You don't have to ride too close to the right, a bit of a safety distance is a good idea. If you stick too much to the right, you are provoking overtakes like the ones you are showing.
Very good video! Special de first and last 3 minutes. Very clear an you made your point. Lots of accamples. On camera can be very difficult to see what the distance is. To me there where no close calls. 1 meter between velomobile and car? My every day experiance is a few cm's in stead of meters. I feel the sucking turbulance of a car pasing by. Remember that speeddifferance is a issue. And cardrivers are custom to other cardrivers not bikes or bycicles. Let alone velomobiles. And in your country they expect them to be on the side of the road not on 'there' lane. Can you blame them? In the Netherlands it's no better. We've got lots of cyclepaths. But people react the same and show the same behavior. Not special to velomobiles. To all non-cars. That behavior comes frome bad road design. The are designed for speed, cars, and moving on. You don't have speed, your not a car and you'r an obstacle. The don't want to slow down so the solve the problem as they do. Not always by the book or as you may aspect. In the Netherlands there are some cardrivers (I wanted to write a bad name...) who tell you so that they don't want you in 'there space'. More then once I ended up in de dirt likking my wounds. Even on small roads where cars are not allowed. (to avoid blocked highways). On dayly basis in this time of year when it's dark. Yes, in the Netherlands, bicycle country. But my greatest enemy I fear are...cyclist. Ghostriding, no lights on, overtaking fast (45 km/u) speedpedelacs, old people on e-bikes wobling and finding slow there way. No hearing and no sight around them. Careless children. To mutch bycicles and to little space. Traffic is hell? WE are traffic! WE do it together. Be respectfull and have some pacience. I make mistakes too and I hope I will be forgiven.
i have one concern, and its about velomobile's indicator lights
even on some motorcycles at distance, you cant even tell the right from left one, because too little spacing
now most velomobiles have a narrow back, at what distance those indicator lights are visible?
Oon ohitellut sua moneen kertaa 8 tiellä ja vinkkinä voin sanoa että kannattaa harkita takavalojen tehojen lisäämistä. Pimeässä näkyy kohtuullisesti mutta hämärässä vähän kehnommin. Moni noista ohittajista on pitkä matkalaisia ja vauhti sokeita. Ja harvalla on omakohtasta pyöräily kokemusta valta/kantatiellä pyöräily
Et ollut kuitenkaan tähän videolle päässyt? 😄
Hi Saukki, I recently found your channel and I really enjoy your informative videos. Regarding this video: Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't you breaking the law by not driving in the designate cycle path? If your vehicle is too wide or unstable for certain road, then it's your responsibility to find safer vehicles or safer roads. By riding slowly -- relative to oncoming traffic, you are not only putting yourself in danger, but you also encourage other road users to take unsafe actions, as you have shown in this video pretty well. This is taught in the UK when you are getting your driver's license. Personally, when I'm behind a cyclist where they shouldn't be at all or if they are allowed to be in the road by they are significantly slower than the rest of the road traffic -- both similar to your situation, I will need to slow down, turn my hazard lights on and on roads similar to the ones in your video, sometimes it takes a good 2-3 minutes of driving at 20 MPH on a 50/60 MPH road with 5-10 other cars stacked behind me, until I can safely overtake the cyclist. I'm not saying all drivers are good and safe drivers, but don't you think what you are complaining about is caused in the first place because you riding your velomobile somewhere you shouldn't?
There’s no cycle path on that road, so I’m allowed to ride on the road. According to law I should be riding on the shoulder of the road, but because of the reasons explained in the video, I choose to ride on the lane.
There are also other vehicles slower than me often driving on the road, like tractors or other heavy machinery, so slow moving vehicles should’t be a problem around here.
Hey Saukki,
I am quite happy if they give me a 1 meter gap. Most do :-). My problem on the way home is that there are not many velomobiles in the UK at present, and I think only 1 on the Isle of Wight. Plenty of WTF moments, driving past s l o w l y with a phone camera in the passenger window!
As I start work at 05.00 I can go in on the road when it is clear. On the way home I use the cycle track: A lot 'lumpier' but flatter. However, horses mostly don't trust that a big YELLOW Quattrovelo will not try to eat them, plus lots of folks being walked by their dogs ask what the devil it is, so it can take a bit longer. I now have a leaflet with web-links printed on it so I can pass that out to the really interested ones!
Only 2 bad bits on my home run: A 1 mile stretch on the road, mostly up-slope, so no fast riding, with a number of bends. I usually pull over at least once to clear the tail back, and then the last half mile up-hill to get home. Not much traffic there, but hard peddling just when you begin to relax :-(.
I think my commute is easier than yours Saukki, even if it has more hills! (Plus, with 4 wheels, I can ride over the white line with less of a problem. Thank you Allert Jacobs!)
Quattrovelo would be perfect for my commuting route 😁
That flip with the White Quest was very nasty. I was scared he would be crushed. I hope he was OK.
On my Moulton; the chain flipped off the front ring at speed. It ended up under my rear wheel. It was like riding on ice. I was almost thrown from the bike; but somehow stayed upright.
I'm glad you stayed upright! I have two Moulton bicycles and I absolutely love them.
4:33 "Jumalauta"😂
Hyvä video!
You won’t want to ride in the USA. Out of all my years of riding most drivers will pass you with in a foot or worse inch’s.
1 foot = 30.48 cm. 1 inch = 2.54 cm. Glad to be of assistance! 😀
brighton dude 🙂
@@Eventwow - Those drivers pass too close here in the UK just like in the USA and of course it does not matter the unit of measurement. Keep safe!
@@brighton_dude The individuals that drive cars and any other gas powered vehicle just seem to have less concern for others, bicyclist's do it to. If you care for your safety you'll be the one in the know how and if something happens you'll be the individual in the right of each situation.
I live in Tucson, Arizona and most drivers are pretty good when they pass. I don't have a velomobile, but on my recumbent bike and my recumbent trike I don't often feel nervous. Though, there are always those small percentage who are just oblivious.
Well, I live in France and the common overtake is like at 9'33'', maybe a little bit further. Drivers who change lane are pretty rare and maybe half of them don't care if there is oncoming traffic. I'd like to drive in the conditions you have - although there are still people doing stupid things, as you say, they are mostly respectful, that's nice :)
pg5200 I know California law in the USA is 3 feet passing law for Bicycle
@@Eventwow Wow that's way too little ! In France it's 1.5m (5ft) out of the cities, 1m (3.3 ft) in the cities. I'd say 4 of 5 don't respect.
pg5200 tell me about. I normally get passed by cars with little more then 5-8 inches.
@@Eventwow That(s crazy. I wouldn't ride then, or only in the middle of the lane to stop people to overtake when there's no space for it...
If I had a velomobile, it would look like a christmas tree because of all the lights I would put on it.
I have similar experiences, unfortunately, part of motorists hate all cyclists in Finland. We have to move to Norway, it is a cyclists paradise. ;)
you should get a calendar made up with your photos of your commute throughout the year
i ride in the usa , when you ride on the right most part of the lane , you are depending on motorists to do the right thing , its like gambling with your safety , you must make up their minds for them to do this will take guts and trust in the technique, TAKE THE LANE let them see that you are in the lane so they will either have to slow down , or pass you in the other lane , when a car driver gets behind you and runs up on you he will have to slow down
then you can move over and let him pass , he will be traveling at a slower speed so if when the car passes it wont matter so much if the car is closer to you , but if you are always in the right side of the lane , cars coming up on you think they have enough room , the room you left them and they will pass you at speed , sometimes too close ! look up savvy cycling website it has the technique on their site
Good vids
Tiiän yhen Kokkola-Kalajoki väliä päivittäin autolla kulkeneen todenneen, että kasitiellä ohittelevilla on joko 1) kova kiire tuonpuoleiseen tai 2) laite, jolla näkee mäen taakse.
I often find it too much work to cut out all of the situations but I did it already a few times. These are three situations that i captured: ua-cam.com/video/v5Bti6Wrjmc/v-deo.html (stupid overtakes) , ua-cam.com/video/nyTYoQlm1lI/v-deo.html (driver cuts the bend) and last but not least, a near death situation I'm affraid: ua-cam.com/video/xiklh2cQvHc/v-deo.html
Well, it looks like pickup truck drivers drive similarly the world over.🤷♂️
the position you take on the lane encourages them to overtake , in belgium you are obligated to leave 1.5m between your car and a bicycle ( a lot of them think it means you leave 1.5m for a cyclist) . if i dont want them to overtake i ride the same position as a motorcycle .
I think in Finland the law is to leave sufficent space between a car and a cyclist. So there’s no any definitive distance, everyone can dicide themselves what is sufficent distance.
To be honest, you can create a more dangerous situation by doing that. I you ride in the middle and don't leave room to overtake, a car will ride right behind you. A second car will wonder why the car is driving that slow and maybe will overtake the car aggresively. I theres upcoming traffic ahead, the overtaking car will be forced to push you off the road. So I prefer them to pass, instead of staying at my tail :)
Yannick This is good point! I should have mentioned this in the video. But I always seem to forgot mention some things 😆
So is what you’re saying is that drivers of automobiles should slow down to 15-20mph bc you feel unsafe?
In the USA if you’re going 10mph slower than the posted speed limit, a police officer can and will give you a ticket for driving too slowly.
Are you willing to pay that person’s ticket to accommodate you?
5:06 to avoid such behaviour, it helps to ride in the road (yellow arrow at 1:57). I take the full lane when overtaking is forbidden.
If velomobiles were taller, would they be more visible and safer?
Can they see your rear lights?
What is your usual speed on hwy when most overtaking happens? Wouldn't it safer to go alone at cars' speed using electric assist on your Quest?
Usually 40 to over 50 km/h. In summer I’m faster, but when the weather gets colder in the autumn, the speed is going to drop. Lately I have barely been able to go 40 km/h. The winter is coming.
Lol, I was going to say that in Russia that would be a generous amount of space you were complaining about, but looks like I am not alone. Well, still, how about overtakes when a guy from the other side of the road overtakes another vehicle and passes you very close, assuming you will stick to the road shoulder?
Once I have seen that kind of overtake during my four years of velomobiling. Oncoming car overtaking other oncoming car. That was quite scary shit.
2:46 near death experience right there 😱
What country invented rumble strips?
You could be a driving instructor. You really know the rules and follow them.
you need a flashing light and a boom on the left side with a flashing light at the tip
With a normal pushbike i have had 270 vehicle done a hit a run but i haven't been hit by a vehicle when riding my velomobile its the safest bike on the road
It’s not that people don’t care, they simply can’t see you.
It’s hard enough to see cyclists who are sitting upright on a bike, but most people look straight ahead on the road.
Drivers have to look down to see you.
Please don’t get me wrong, as I do have an eBike and am looking into a Velomobile.
The situations are weird because people are not used to seeing a velomobile so they dont know what to do.
Dear Saukki, I have to say that this video of yours made me smile (sadly)... If you come to Italy you can just swap the numbers of stupid drivers vs nice drivers. The ones that you call "close overtakes" are more or less the rule here, I saw cars passing much closer in my rides. Honestly, riding the pedal car (I assume it's the same with velomobiles) things are a bit different, probably because I seem to come from Mars thus attracting a lot of attention. But on two wheels I have the feeling of being a "barely visible target", no matter if I have lights or not. Lately I'm experimenting a side swerved flag, so to take more than the room I would take (still below the top limit according to the law) and "invite" car drivers both to stay far and to put more attention to my presence. You may check a video of mine about it here, if interested: ua-cam.com/video/vBvZH_ZMhFg/v-deo.html Though, a friend of mine pointed out that it may be interpreted like a defiance against car drivers... this would explain why one (idiot) driver out of some hundreds seems to peel my flag on purpose, even when the road is free; however if he hits the flag only I would still be safe, and in the end he would keep the same distance as many other drivers would if I hadn't that flag. I'd like to have opinions about this, it may be the egg of Columbus or the highway to hell at the same time!
I have visited Italy once. I can say the traffic was bit different compared to this 😂
A flag pointing to the side is actually a great idea. Put a light or reflector at the end of the flagpole to make your appear to be wider. In case someone still wants to overtake too close, put something sharp at the end of the pole to scratch the paint of that car going too close 😅
@@TheVelomobileChannel
Yeah I thought about putting a rusty nail besides the flag, but then I thought that it would have been too dangerous for cyclists overtaking me or coming by the opposite side on cycle lanes... But adding a reflector or a light is a good idea, I'll do it! 👍🏻
Thanks for your reply!
The reason he lost control from his video. He didn’t see the rumble strip till last second and made a sudden tight turn maneuver to avoid it causing the flip.
Would you rather have the drivers not cross the yellow line and get too close to you?
The drivers are damned if they do and damned if they don’t.
They’re passing you in the safest manner to keep from hitting you
Apart from the really dangerous lost traction example, I feel that not a lot of "bad driving" was done. The thing is: EITHER you drive in the middle, and cars understand they can only overtake when there is NO oncoming traffic, OR you drive on the side (like you do), basically hinting to cars "It's OK if you overtake me (even with oncoming traffic". You are communicating this very clearly, whether you know it or not.
Now you are merely complaining about cars wrongly assessing your "hinting" of driving along the side.
For the future, if you are very much against cars overtaking you, ride on the middle of the lane, and when there are no oncoming cars, move a little to the side (still not fully to the line) to correctly "hint" they can pass you: You might get more frustrated drivers, but at least, you will not be "hinting" wrongly anymore.
Hell what Vekehr, I drive rcumbent 2 wheels and I prefer cycling or forest roads rather a few miles detour but safe
I had an *Ambulance* pass me closely today in my velomobile. No emergency, they were just driving around. They even swerved towards me as they passed. Utter assholes.
3:38 not only crossing the line, but also, i hate those impatient drivers (i'm both a driver and amateur cycliste) who act rash like this
like how much seconds did he gain, he also have to slow to go into that pass, so he barely gained 2seconds while risking an accident hitting the semi-truck if the semi didnt leave much space
some stupid drivers overtake take you then turn right which means they can cause an accident by bumping them from behind
because they think they are the fastest thing on the road
It seem that people don't have any idea how velomobiles handle. Those close overtakes are because people think that these are stable machines to drive just like cars.
T
he guy on the bicycle was listening to music (using some bluetooth device). That is why he did not react to the horn.
That’s not an excuse to not look around.
@@TheVelomobileChannel Totally agree with you, i was just remarking how dangerous it is to wear headphones while riding.
They are giving more room than what I normally get...
The most important thing is to educate drivers. Street sings will help but always there are infragrant distracted and intolerant bully drivers.
Cool
always puzzles me when any kind of biker endangers his own safety so that cars can pass them ... after thousands of kms the golden rule is bike at least one meter away from the curb or parked cars...
2:53 🤔 I was thinking of buying a Velomobil but seeing this .... if I don’t find an affordable 4 wheeled velomobil , it’s a bicycle. Looks way to unsafe for my taste
You can always try to find out if it’s possible to find a route which doesn’t include highways. I ride this route, because it’s the fastest. I could choose another route which doesn’t include highways.
allways Nice musik
Music in this video is made by my friend. Check out the soundtrack:
Through the Void by The Mercurial Sense Of Beatitude Composed and recorded by Jukka-Pekka Vuolle ua-cam.com/channels/SsFxwsuIrabkRMR3LNfhVw.html
Listen here: ua-cam.com/video/6GbbmF6ziis/v-deo.html
Falling Leaves Instrumental by The Mercurial Sense Of Beatitude Composed and recorded by Jukka-Pekka Vuolle ua-cam.com/channels/SsFxwsuIrabkRMR3LNfhVw.html
Listen here: ua-cam.com/video/P5JyVZhu2Kk/v-deo.html
open.spotify.com/album/65GZAil4RF89aY4MRs8egO?si=9xFZh3deSh6Eefqz5M7hOQ
I would have to say, those who are rude or do not give the space needed, do not ride bikes. Some of these jerks will blow their horn as a means to show their displeasure.
I don't think I would risk driving at dusk or at night in that velomobile. Drivers would have no idea what you were or how fast you were travelling. You're putting your life at risk.
It upsets me how people have no respect for cyclists. Here in the United States it's like you aren't even American if you don't drive a car and blaze around everywhere as fast as you can. And drivers seem to think that they get bonus points if they hit a cyclist on the way. I've had people yell at me to get off of the road. But the law, which as drivers they should know and it disturbs me how they don't, says that I have to ride in the road. But with the kind of drivers around here, I may be stupid but I'm not suicidal.
13:25 - Looks at empty wrist for watch... :-D
I dont think its been possible to discriminate between good and bad drivers since at least 1990. And every year it gets harder to tell. But then again, as most humans are car drivrs, or would be if given the opportunity, i just extend my indiscrimination to all humans.
I am a cyclist myself so I have a lot of sympathy for you. Here are a few suggestions to make you and the other cars you are sharing the road with more safe. Put an electric motor in your Velomobile so you can ride at the same speed as traffic is flowing. This way cars won't need to pass you at all. I know you are riding to get a workout but you don't have to use the electric motor and batteries when riding on slower roads and bike paths. The extra weight and effort should make up for the shorter ride time. I have seen setups were you still have to pedal to control your speed so it isn't a free ride. Next I get bigger and better turn signals and lights so cars can better see you and know what you are intending to do when you make a turn.
I now know the real reason you got your QV! So you can ride OVER the rumble strip! xD
True! 😉
Finallly, they all look like orange-white coffins.