Commuting into work today, I broke my own rule of never assuming cars will do what you expect them to do.

I approached a red light, passing some cars on their right. The light turned green and I kept going straight, watching for right-turn blinkers. A woman whom I had passed then passed me and hung a right turn in front of me. The ol' Pass n' Turn maneuver! No blinkers either. My front wheel zeroed in on her right-rear quarter panel as I yelled "BLINKERS!". She never heard me though with her windows up and chatting away to the passenger. Nice.

That was a good day to have a front brake on the fixie.

Be careful out there!
HW

Good reminder... and glad you had a brake on that fixie... Without the brake, you hit her, a police officer shows up to write a report (OK, that's far-fetched), and notices no brake and writes you up. I wouldn't ride my fixie without a brake...

with no impact at the end, I mean. I too find myself "just riding" sometimes and not swiveling my head as much as I should. The last few weeks here in Seattle have been dry and sunny, cold but beautiful, and the temptation is strong to cruise along and look places other than the road. I'm so thankful for those helpful twit motorists who keep me on my toes.

Good reminder... and glad you had a brake on that fixie... Without the brake, you hit her, a police officer shows up to write a report (OK, that's far-fetched), and notices no brake and writes you up. I wouldn't ride my fixie without a brake...

:D nmnmnmndm

I agree. A front brake on a fixie is a very good idea. If you don't want to use it often, you don't have to. But it's there for emergencies, like in Hollywood's case.

Does ANYBODY signal anymore? Seems cell phones really have put a damper on the already rare practice of signalling.

Does ANYBODY signal anymore? Seems cell phones really have put a damper on the already rare practice of signalling.
If I based my theory on everyday experience only I would propose that car manufacturer's are no longer putting turn signals on cars.

Does ANYBODY signal anymore? Seems cell phones really have put a damper on the already rare practice of signalling.

I think you're right. More cell phones=less signalling. I guess it would be a little difficult to reach the blinker lever in your Escalade when you've got your cell phone propped between your ear and shoulder and a Six Dollar Pastrami burger in your left hand. I know you've all seen this. I'm super careful riding up the right approaching intersections. It takes you a little longer to get home, but slowing down in those situations is worth it.
Peace,

If I based my theory on everyday experience only I would propose that car manufacturer's are no longer putting turn signals on cars.

Interesting... my wife's no car arrived without an ashtray (fine by us!).

If I based my theory on everyday experience only I would propose that car manufacturer's are no longer putting turn signals on cars.

so true.

I'm super careful riding up the right approaching intersections. It takes you a little longer to get home, but slowing down in those situations is worth it.
Peace,
Wise words.

I especially keep an eye out if there is a gas station at the intersection. Sometimes during bumper to bumper traffic, cars will suddenly bust a right into the station to cut diagonally across to make a right instead of waiting at the intersection.

People don't cross in front of us here in Texas, because we take the entire right lane. We usually just ride out in the country...only bout 4 miles to get out of the city traffic. It goes to show you that you should never let your guard down while doing anything. Thats when you get robbed, mugged, or run over. Be safe out there!

Whatever you say MB1.

a police officer shows up to write a report (OK, that's far-fetched), and notices no brake and writes you up.

I'm not sure if the police would notice the lack of a brake. Many,if not most, beach cruisers have coasters brakes. So unless the police have been educated on fixies, they might just assume it's a coaster brake bike.

However, I do think cops in San Francisco or NYC will know about a brakeless bike though because of the messengers and their high profile there.