Safe Speed Forums

Can I say that the most dangerous thing you will never see me on is a recumbent cycle. I saw one the other day and although it looks relaxed you just cannot be seen!

I got my first good look at one at last and all you could see was the top of his head or the bottom of his feet, pretty much. Wearing a day glow jacket would be worthless because he's, well, recumbent - which is probably why he wasn't wearing one. I was told that they often have a flag, although this guy didn't, but even so isn't it an accident waiting to happen? What if the flag isn't waving in the seeable direction?

Anyone got experience of them here? Maybe I can be convinced that they're okay, although I seriously doubt it. Maybe I don't see many because they're all getting killed.

I'd use one on a track but never on a public road.

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Perhaps this one is a bit more visible than most:

http://www.ice.hpv.co.uk/images/trikes/ ... ield10.htm

However I still think they're like human-powered Sinclair C5s

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"Show me someone who says that they have never exceeded a speed limit, and I'll show you a liar, or a menace." (Austin Williams - Director, Transport Research Group)

Any views expressed in this post are personal opinions and may not represent the views of Safe Speed

Wouldn't you need legs like Tom Platz to power that?

http://www.tomplatz.com/



Showing your age there

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

A friend rode a recumbant for a while. he found it attracted the wrrong type of attention with kids throwing stones etc.

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Speed limit sign radio interview. TV Snap Unhappy
“It has never been the rule in this country – I hope it never will be - that suspected criminal offences must automatically be the subject of prosecution” He added that there should be a prosecution: “wherever it appears that the offence or the circumstances of its commission is or are of such a character that a prosecution in respect thereof is required in the public interest”
This approach has been endorsed by Attorney General ever since 1951. CPS Code

i'd love one.

i'm told that the very fact they're unusual makes them pretty easy to spot.

I find them relaxing I liken it to being in a "pedalo" in calm balmy waters

Do I own one? Er,, yes. Do I ride it to commute.

Don't be silly! My recumbant is reserved solely for lazy rides around the garden and a small cycle track in the locality :lol;

I have me reputation as 'ard cyclist in hi-viz/driver after all My racing bike would never forgive me if I swapped his lean mean for "cardigan and slippers" type machine


But they are fun to ride all the same and some can be very cool dude machines if you wear the right gear and have a cool dude expression on your face here


I have to say thought that the racing versions of these bikes are just

Mine is .. sigh.. a cardigan and slippers type.

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I disagree. I've cycled & also driven behind people on recumbents.

When you're driving up behind them, your eye is drawn to the shape, especially if they have a bendy flag sticking up, and your brain tries to work out WTF it is, as the overall shape doesn't fit into what you'd expect to see on the road.

Personally, I wouldn't ride one, as I'd feel too scared being that close to the ground and the prospect (if it's a trike) of going onto 2 wheels if corning too fast. But that's my personal hangup.

Having said that, they're very fast down a hill (not so fast up though).

Yeah.. but they are cool

I do have one. Wildy reckons my decent one has shades of a "right cool laid back biker"

Suitable for around here? About as useful as riding a Penny Farthing here given the hills (upwards). You always have to go up before you can whizz down them.

I prefer my two wheeled "steed" to be honest.

By the way "Dodo" ... nice to read you here again. I admittedly enjoy my cars and ride my bicycles with enthusiasm . Strange as it seems to some lycra clad types of the ratehr blinkered militant variety if you understand who or what I mean here (and I am not at all suggesting your good self .. but you know of the type I mean - the ones who enforce a certain stereoptype in the same way as Jezza Clarkson enforces a stereotype of "boy racing hoon" if one admits to loving a motor car ) I actively encourage all our kids to ride bikes and get used to riding on the roads with me and my wife from an early age. We had one incident with my niece as a five year old. She nearly got flattened by the "militia" on a pavement which led to her mother getting a bit "wilder" than Wildy as she could not get any action taken against such wanton numptiness on his part. . My niece is now 8 years and cycling on family and some charity rides with us all like an old pro now

But back to the recumbent. My sister was in St Annes when she saw one "take off" on the main shopping street. Jazz tells me she thought this vehicle was just as cool as a go-kart,sold the idea to the kids she teaches as "ace cool" - and now has a "recumbent cycling society" at the school at which she teaches The boys she teaches just love it and her cred has upped in the "ratings" there as a result apparently (Jazz is nicknamed Jazz because she plays in the school's jazz orchestra. )

Lots of ways then that we can get our youngsters into cycling and keep a healthy balanced outlook towards our lovely cars as well

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I'm still unconvinced they are safe, from the visibility angle. The expression goes something like this: I'd rather be a live dork than a dead cool dude. On my regular bike I am erect, no naughty remarks please , and with my hi-viz jacket I can be seen very well.

My concern isn't with the recumbent per se but the motorists who just wouldn't see me. A flag isn't enough IMHO; I'd need something like the baloon in the Nimble advert coloured bright orange. Might slow me down a bit I guess though

I remember following a car the once going really slow and wondering WTF he's up to until the car found room to overtake a recumbent. If he'd been on a normal bike I would have seen him in front of the car. He had a flag but from behind or in front you are looking at the flag frm the wrong angle!

Am I missing something?

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Is it harder work to propel? I always assumed my downward pressure on the pedals was aided by my (not inconsiderable) weight, which would not be working for me on a recumbent.

I suppose you'd be pushing against the seat back to a degree, but surely it's not as powerful an effect?

You've set me thinking: I'm no expert, but on a normal bike you have your weight of course, one leg pushing the other pulling, plus any extra you can use by virtue of pulling with your arms in effect making your body weigh more to your advantage.

On the other hand, if a recumbent allows me to push against something, saving my arms too, I could well believe you have greater force; like doing a squat.

And then there's how much energy you would be wasting by bringing your arms into the equation, energy you could save by using it where you want it. Oh, and being more aerodynamic on the recumbent.

You may have opened an interesting discussion here Johnnytheboy

Hmmm...

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

Sorry!

Whatever extra energy gravity adds when pushing your leg down it takes away when you have to pull that leg back up again...? Maybe.

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Andrew.

Yep. And if you let your body lower as part of the pedal pushing process (as you might if standing on the pedals), that too must be lifted again.

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I've a feeling we will never know the answer until two cyclists' of similar ability on two different types of bike have a race.

Actually, it would probably be dependant on the course.

Hmmm.. I can't think straight. It's my ex-girlfriends birthday today. I dumped her two weeks ago and I'm not sure if I should send a text to say Happy Birthday

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

given that bents hold all the HPV speed records..... i think you have your answer

You're right! I just Googled part of your sentence ed; there's lots of stuff about them.

I didn't consider that your lungs are less restricted too, probably because I've never ridden one. And the hills aren't a problem, from what I've read, but you need to use a lower gear and 'spin'.

It's all good stuff. I'd like to have a go on one now

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The views expressed in this post are personal opinions and do not necessarily represent the views of Safe Speed.
You will be branded a threat to society by going over a speed limit where it is safe to do so, and suffer the consequences of your actions in a way criminals do not, more so than someone who is a real threat to our society.

just need to get rid of those bloody cars