Trikes in traffic?

[n9viw]

I didn't put this in any particular trike model forum because I didn't want to re-post this several times.

My main use for a bike is commuting, but around here, it's a dangerous prospect. The curbs around here are frighteningly unmaintained, riddled with potholes and cracks. I really don't have sidewalks or trails to use, so I'm quite restricted to riding 'in the margin' on the street.

I'd love to have a Streetfox (I like any tadpole, for that matter), but worry that the right wheel would get the crap beat out of it, or that the left wheel would stick out too far into traffic. Does anyone here commute on a trike, either delta or tad? What sort of terrain do you face, what problems do you have? Is a trike in traffic just a bad idea?

[TheKid]

My Streetfox is quite wide, about 40". My old quad was 42" wide. I live in a high traffic area, and so far, with the exception of some a*&holes who don't know that bikers have every right to the road as motorists, I haven't had any problems. I use a flag, and a very bright blinking LED rear light on the left side of the seat as high as possible, up until about a week ago. (I've since installed a light bar that extends as far as the trike is wide.) You might get cussed out by a few idiots, but most drivers think the tadpole is cool. They get a kick out of watching us ride these things, especially if you're able to keep up with traffic. Most times, there's enough room to pass them by in stop and go traffic. Oh, I forgot. Watch out when making turns. A couple of times while I was making a left turn and had to wait for a passing car, the drivers stopped right in front of me to ask where I got that thing. There I was, stuck in the middle of the road. I said "If you get the f%$# out of the way so I don't get killed, I'll tell you."

[Pagan Wizard]

Here are 2 local trails that you can safely ride. I have never rode these trails, I just searched for them, and posted them.

http://www.about-bicycles.com/busse-woods-trail-pics1.htm

http://www.trailville.com/wiki/IL_Des_Plaines_River_Trail

[n9viw]

I've been on both. The Busse Woods loop goes west and south, toward Elk Grove Village and Schaumburg. It's mostly paved, with some excursions on sidewalks or surface street.

The DesPlaines River trail is 98% crushed limestone, with some sparse paved sections. It's impassible in the spring, thanks to the flooding in the river valley... that's not to say I ever let that stop me. ;) It runs predominantly north-south, from the WI state line almost as far as Villa Park... I don't know where it ends anymore. According to maps.google.com, it goes at least as far south as North Ave, but I can't find it past that point.

So, for my commute (Rolling Meadows to Northbrook), Busse Woods would be useless, and the DPRT would only be usable between Euclid and Dundee. The nature break would be nice, but it still leaves me having to deal with crossing I-294 one way or another, which means surface streets.

Add to this the complication that EVERYTHING dealing with the tollway is under construction (Illinois' second of two seasons... under ice, or under construx), and you've got a positively hair-raising ride ahead, dealing with at least one semi-major suburban road and crossing several major ones.

Kid, thanks for the real-world input. It seems to me that if I could keep the front width to 24" or less, I'd be no wider than I personally am (22" across the shoulders), not accounting for elbows sticking out or anything. Also, I don't know if a tad, while more aerodynamic, would be too vulnerable sitting so close to the ground.

Well, only one way to find out, I guess! If I can ever get my Bandito build off the ground, the SF will be next. Perhaps by then I'll be navigating farm roads rather than residential streets!

[TheKid]

Use a tall flag and make a mount for a light that's 2 1/2 - 3' off the ground. From what I've read, most accidents with cars and bikes don't occur from the rear. Most are from someone making a right turn while the biker is trying to cross an intersection. Crossing main roads where there is no traffic light is a problem on busy streets. I had to alter the way I get to place I have to go to so it's easier to cross those busy roads. It takes a few minutes longer, but I get to my destination and not the morgue.

[n9viw]

Yeah, I'd definitely want a flag. I've considered taking a fiberglass whip I nabbed out of someone's trash (probably a former flag from a delta trike or something) and attaching an array of LEDs up and down it, and wiring them to the control board of a flashing rear LED light. I don't know if the lengths of wire would add appreciable resistance to upset the control board, though... remains to be seen.

I've also considered taking the 12v NiMH emergency light battery I got from Jordan Surplus and wiring up a pair of 15W halogen room lights up front for "headlights". I could do worse, seeing as how most halogen lights for bikes eat batteries like I eat corn chips, and LED lights, while they help you BE seen, hardly help you SEE. Yes, a pair of 15W lights will eat a 12V battery in no time, hence my reasoning for getting a 5Ah battery. Heavy, but so am I. ;)

[TheKid]

15w halogens would give enough light for everyone on the road. Now that's safety! I use small wattage hologens, and they light the road up just fine. (Not sure of the wattage, but it's less than 5w) Maybe I'll go the same route as you on the hauler. There's no such thing as too bright a light, unless you aim it directly at the oncoming motorists.

[dharouff]

Here is a source of pricie but light portable battery packs.
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1055

I know flashing is better but if the lights have any power (strobes) the local law folks get upset with flashing red or blue.