[*BCM*] safety zone pole

[Charvak Karpe]

 I thought of the pole thing too--I guess I'm not the only one.  I
envisioned one that can swivel backwards easily so I can squeeze in between
cars, but has a bit more resistance flexing forward.  It could have an
orange flag and zirconium oxide on the tip, protected on the front, but
exposed on the back.  That would only work if it were sold in bulk so that
people would know that it's a bad idea to hit it.

On a separate note, what do people think about the new "no trucks or
buses in left lane" sign on the Longfellow?  Does anyone know why it's
there?  The shoulder (having pictures of bikes doesn't make a shoulder a
bike lane) there is usually covered in salt and debris, leaving little room
for me and a truck in the right lane.  Now, I'm tempted to just ride in the
left lane because the trucks have all moved into my lane.  The DCR has been
doing a decent job sweeping the bridge on a regular basis, since I called
them a few months ago, but it gets dirty in a day.  They also filled in the
various potholes within a few weeks.  Did someone call them to have it done?

Charvak


>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 04:47:00 -0800 (PST)
> From: Jon Ramos <jontramos at yahoo.com>
> Subject: Re: [*BCM*] StreetTalk with Portland's Roger Geller...
> To: Boston Critical Mass <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
> Message-ID: <821296.7895.qm at web50005.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> How about a sign that says "Only pass me if it is SAFE"  I have thought
> about writing that in large letters on my bike bag, but by the time the
> driver is close enough to read it, they are already too close for comfort.
>
> I have also thought about some kind of a pole that extends perpendicular
> off of my bike the left about two feet.  This would prevent a driver from
> passing too close...  It would have to be reflective so that it can be
> easily seen, and also snap away easily in case it does get hit (so that it
> won't take you down with it)  maybe the pole could have a sign on it... hmmm
>
> - Jon
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 4 Mar 2008 09:03:27 -0500
> From: "Basil Sharpe" <bsharpe at redcoatpublishing.com>
> Subject: Re: [*BCM*] StreetTalk with Portland's Roger Geller...
> To: "Boston Critical Mass" <list at bostoncriticalmass.org>
> Message-ID:
>        <DB70CDE45BF3D843AB3C23B35BC0886BB94F59 at CHI.redcoatpublishing.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
>
> Hi Jon,
>
>    I use a pole like you speak of with a flag on the end.   I have a
> Carridice saddle bag where I put all my junk.  This bag straps to the
> saddle bag loops on the saddle/.  The flag pole just fits between the
> saddle loops inside the two saddlebag straps through the loops.  The
> neat thing is that if you do it this way, the flag pole can extend out
> towards the cars who come too close or if you're on a bike path or
> around people it can slide back in out of the way.   I love it and feel
> it does keep the cars just a bit more away from me.   You can find the
> poles and flags on Buggylights.com <http://buggylights.com/>.  I'f you
> don't use a saddlebag,
> hopefully your saddle has saddlebag loops so just strap the pole to
> those.  The pole is fiberglass so it's a bit flexible so it wont take
> you down.  The pole will come too long so just cut it down to where
> you're comfortable with it-mine is maybe 3 feet and the carridice bag is
> maybe 12 or 15 inches wide-so it's a nice set up.  The pole comes with a
> rubber protector on end just past the flag so that if you get too close
> to a car and forget to slide the flag back out of the way you wont
> scratch some guy's dear and precious Lexus.  Hope that helps
>
>
>
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