How to properly choose bicycle panniers?

 

When we enter a higher level of cycling tourism, we also want to increase comfort while riding. One of the pieces of equipment that have a significant impact on this aspect of the journey is bicycle panniers. How to choose the right model? Here are some tips to help you make the right choice.

 

On a trip or to the city?

The first thing we should determine is the purpose of the pannier. Another pannier will work in the city, where it will be used to transport a laptop and documents or other small items. Such a model does not have to offer a lot of space. Its appearance and modern design will be much more important. Yet another bicycle panniers will prove themselves during a bicycle trip. The one that we want to take on a distant journey must have more specialized parameters. A suitable model, intended for cycling tourism, should be, above all, waterproof.

 

Bicycle pannier capacity

The pannier that we will have with us when moving around the city does not have to be large. Bicycle panniers with a total capacity of 30 liters will be optimal. A long trip on a two-wheeler requires us to take more things, which is associated with the need to increase the luggage space. The minimum capacity of panniers, in this case, is 50 liters. Currently, there are many models with much larger dimensions on the market, but the Ortlieb brand remains unsurpassed in this competition, which was one of the first to introduce panniers with a total capacity of 70 liters! However, if we no longer have smaller panniers and we do not want to buy another set, we can always buy additional pockets and bags.

 

Where to install bicycle bags?

Where we install our panniers is important. The appropriate distribution of the weight of the luggage contributes to the optimal balance of the bike. Which, in turn, translates into its maneuverability and safety while driving. For this reason, with heavier luggage, you should consider having two sets of panniers - one for the front and one for the back of the bike. A load on the rear wheel only could lead to its overload and damage. To avoid serious complications on the route, even at the planning stage, we should pay special attention to weight distribution.

 

Watertightness and durability of the bicycle pannier

The best models are sewn from durable and damage-resistant materials, such as Cordura or polyester. In both cases, the manufacturers additionally coat the fabrics with a PVC layer, which guarantees complete waterproofing. This effect is further enhanced by the use of glued seam technology. The method of closing the pannier also affects its water resistance. Proven and at the same time, the most popular closing systems are hood and roll-up. Both solutions allow easy access to the contents and guarantee full waterproofness. If our choice is a model that meets all the above-mentioned requirements, we will be 100% sure that our equipment will not get wet. This is all the more important because water-soaked equipment noticeably increases its weight,

 

What else should you pay attention to?

Another point to keep in mind when choosing the right model is how to assemble and disassemble it. The best bicycle panniers have mounting systems refined in every detail, even the smallest ones, and enable the pannier to be attached with one movement. In addition, our pannier should have reflective tape elements that will increase visibility on the trail during cloudy days or when it gets dark. Many benefits also come from having models equipped with transport handles, allowing you to easily transport the pannier after the ride. A long journey increases the number of essentials, which in turn also increases the volume of luggage. In such a situation, the presence of compression belts, which will reduce its volume, may prove invaluable.

 

Extra space - bicycle bags

A great alternative to another, large panniers are bicycle bags, which are perfect as a kind of "hand luggage". The most popular models are mounted on the steering wheel. The handlebar bag allows quick and direct access to the essentials. Inside such a bag you will find accessories such as a phone, camera, power bank, wallet, first aid kit ... that is, everything that is most important during a trip and that it is always good to have at your fingertips. In addition, a map holder can be mounted on the flap of the bicycle bag, which will serve as waterproof navigation. Of course, on the tourist market, there are also other, equally practical models, e.g. mounted on a frame or placed under the saddle.

 

How to pack the equipment?

In the case of the simplest solution, i.e. a set of panniers mounted on the rear part of the bike, the matter is very simple. You just need to remember the appropriate division of equipment into categories. One pannier should contain only things such as clothing, cosmetics, and a towel. The best solution will also be to put a light sweatshirt or a raincoat on the top so that in case of bad weather you can quickly use the additional cover. The second sajwa should be used as a place to store camping equipment - snacks, freeze-dried food, burner, and tourist dishes. If you are also planning to sleep in the wild, it is worth having a transport bag to protect the tent, sleeping bags, and mats against rain.

Are you going by bike or scooter? Backpacks with LED signal lights

 

Many people daily use their bicycles or electric scooter to go to work or study. And it is that in recent years, we have seen how urban mobility has been changing. More and more people prefer to use this type of transport and leave their car parked, as well as not having to use public transport.

 

This has meant that in many of the streets of the main cities, we find more and more people who travel by bicycle or electric scooter. The accidents in which this type of means of transport has been involved have been many in recent years, which has made the DGT is establishing new rules in the use of them.

 

Although some of the causes of these accidents are the recklessness of the drivers themselves, the lack of signage is another major problem. Although on bicycles it is somewhat easier to indicate our maneuvers with the arm, with the scooter it is somewhat more complicated, for that reason, we are going to show below some models of backpacks with LED lights to signal our maneuvers and that other drivers can know what we will do in advance.

 

When buying one of these backpacks with the signaling of maneuvers through LED lights, it is important to take into account several aspects. One of them is its capacity, here we will have to think about our needs, if we are one of those who need to carry many things in our backpack, such as a laptop, work clothes, etc. On the other hand, it is important to check if it has other reflective material elements since this will help us to be much more visible when we are driving at night.

 

Of course, if the fabric is waterproof, we will avoid that any dip while we move, which can wet everything that we carry inside. The capacity of its battery is also another important piece of information since we need sufficient autonomy so that we can signal our maneuvers throughout our journey.

 

Another option to take into account is that it has a remote control, a control that we can attach to the handlebars of our bicycle or scooter and from which we can control each of the signs that appear on the backpack itself. It is also interesting to check the size of the signals, the number of LEDs, etc.

 

Backpacks with LED signage

Backpack with a 35-liter capacity that incorporates a USB charger and is made of high-quality, water-resistant, and highly durable nylon. The built-in battery offers an autonomy of up to 12 hours and offers the possibility of displaying three LED signals to indicate a left turn, right turn, and danger signal when we go by bicycle or scooter. It also has other reflective elements so that we can be seen on the road without any problem.

 

Backpack with an executive design measuring 48 × 38 cm, padded straps for maximum comfort, and a remote control function with built-in control to be placed on the handlebar of the bike or scooter. In this way, from the command itself, we can indicate the signals that will be displayed on the backpack through its panel of LED lights.

Darkness: "50 traffic accidents avoidable"

 

According to the police, up to 50 serious accidents with pedestrians in Salzburg could be avoided every year if people had dressed in lighter colors or even wore a safety vest. Even a small reflector on clothing can be seen from 150 meters away.

 

Seen or not seen - this question can make the difference between life and death on the road in the cold season when the days are short and the nights long. It was not until mid-November that a dark-clad pensioner was overlooked by a moped driver and fatally injured in the process.

 

According to the Salzburg traffic police, between 30 and 50 accidents per year could be avoided with appropriate clothing and behavior that is adapted to the dark. "Serious accidents don't always happen, but there are many near-accidents and evasive maneuvers, which in turn lead to accidents. The decisive factor for me is that these accidents could be avoided very easily if one behaved accordingly," says Friedrich Schmidhuber from the Salzburg traffic police.

 

Dressed in dark: visible up to 25 meters away

According to traffic experts, pedestrians dressed in dark clothes can be seen up to a maximum of 25 meters in time at night. Light-colored clothing or neon colors almost double this distance, but only with reflective material are passers-by up to 140 meters visible.

 

Police: Older people have some catching up to do

While this has worked for young people for years, adults have some catching up to do here. "Older people, in particular, underestimate this risk massively. Also, dark clothing is often worn, which makes the situation even worse," says Schmidhuber. Often pedestrians would not be aware of the fact that outside a local area there is a regulation to use the left side of the street or, if available, the banquet.

 

Tip: light-colored clothing, safety vests, warning tapes

According to the police, it would be easy to be seen by drivers even in the dark. The police recommend consciously wearing light-colored clothing during the dark months and putting reflective safety vests or reflective tapes on the upper arms.

Do you like riding a bike? Remember about safety

 With the increase in temperature and the arrival of sunny days, more and more cyclists appear on the roads of the Ostrów district.

 

The bicycle is an economical means of transport that has a good impact on our health. Due to the spring weather, more cyclists appear on the roads. Therefore, policemen from the KPP Road Traffic Department in Ostrów Mazowiecka, out of concern for the health and life of two-wheelers, started an action plan called My bike, my life, aimed at the safety of cyclists on April 1. Police officers will pay attention to the behavior of cyclists on the road and car drivers towards the drivers of two-wheelers.

 

The officers remind you of the proper equipment of the two-wheeler and the traffic regulations for cyclists.

 

Before leaving, remember to check the technical condition of the bike, e.g. lighting, brakes, and tire condition. A reflective vest will additionally mark our presence on the road. A cyclist should use a cycle path, and in its absence - on the right side of the road.

 

We should also remember that it is forbidden to drive on the road next to another road user - unless it does not obstruct the traffic of others or endanger the safety of other road users. Moreover, the use of the pavement or footpath by a bicycle rider is allowed only if: an adult takes care of a child under 10 years of age who rides a bicycle, the width of the sidewalk along the road on which vehicle traffic is allowed at a speed greater than 50 km / h is min. 2 m and there is no separate road for bicycles, a bicycle lane or the weather threatens the cyclist's safety on the road (snowfall, wind, downpour, black ice, dense fog) - then the bicycle driver gives way to pedestrians and is particularly careful.

 

Remember that it is forbidden to ride a bicycle: on highways and expressways, after a pedestrian crossing (you need to get off the bike and carry a two-wheeled vehicle), on the road - if there is a designated bicycle path or there is a shoulder, without holding min. 1 hand on the steering wheel and feet on the pedals.

 

Moreover, a person riding a bicycle must not "cling to a vehicle", tow another cyclist or a person on roller skates or a skateboard, transport another person on a single bicycle, talk on the phone, hold it in their hand, ride after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

 

Children up to 7 years of age can be transported in a special seat or a special trailer pulled by a bicycle. Children over 10 years of age can apply for a bicycle card authorizing them to cycle on a public road. Parents who allow their children to cycle on the street without a bicycle license show extreme irresponsibility for their health and even life.

 

Recently, many bicycle paths have been created in Ostrów Mazowiecka. The police remind you that according to the road markings, they are driven on the right-hand side. Remember that if a bicycle path crosses the road, the same rule applies as on a pedestrian crossing, i.e. a cyclist is obliged to stop before entering, and only when he is sure that the car is not approaching can he pass. A cyclist has priority only when he is on the crossing.

 

Let's remember the basic rules of the road - so that each trip ends with a safe return home and nice memories.

Mandatory airbag vest? Spanish motorcyclists don't want airbags

 

We wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. But would you be equally cheerful if it was compulsory to wear an airbag vest?

 

Mandatory vests are trying to push through the Directorate General for Road Traffic in Spain. The initiative is also supported by Asociación Nacional de Empresas del Sector de Dos Ruedas (Anesdor), an association of companies operating in the two-wheeled automotive sector, and even the personal support of Pere Navarro, president of Dorna, the company responsible for the preparation of the World Motorcycle Championship. In short, the matter is serious.  

 

The campaign has also been going on for weeks, accompanied by the hashtag #PonteUnAirbag. The campaign aims to raise the awareness of motorcycle and moped users about the benefits of wearing a vest or an airbag jacket.

 

What arguments do the vest advocates use? Anesdor's Secretary-General José María Riaño stressed the "great importance" of the airbag for motorcyclists "which has great potential to reduce injuries in the event of an accident".

 

Also, studies by Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) have been published, which confirm the effectiveness, in a crash test, of three different types of airbags for motorcyclists. In all three cases, the airbag was deployed before the dummy hit the vehicle (in less than 120 milliseconds).

 

But it is one thing to consciously, freely choose a vest, and another order and regulation, the non-observance of which will result in punishing motorcyclists by law enforcement agencies. In opposition to the narrative of pillow supporters, Asociación Mutua Motera (AMM) - a Spanish organization of motorcyclists, surveyed to investigate the mood of two-wheelers about vests.

 

It turned out that only slightly more than 29% of respondents considered that vests with pillows should be mandatory. As many as 65% of respondents opted for a free choice and do not want any compulsion to wear special clothing. Just over 2.5 thousand people participated in the study. motorcyclists.

 

Why is the campaign and debate about airbags in Spain important to us? Because the solution that will eventually be adopted by the local authorities may result in similar ideas in other EU countries. And yet we know very well how much the government loves regulations, orders, and bans, especially if it can generously impose new penalties on them in the fines of mandates.

 

Or maybe life and health are more important than our whim? Are you willing to accept the obligation to use airbag jackets and safety vests or not? Just a reasonable argument, please.

ONLY 3 WEEKS LEFT TO BENEFIT FROM THE "BICYCLE BOOST"

 

The reduction of € 50 (excluding taxes) applies to both the replacement of parts and the cost of labor in the network of partner establishments.

 

If you have not yet had your bike repaired thanks to the aid of 50 € (excluding taxes) put in place at the exit of the first confinement, you only have 3 weeks left to benefit from it. This subsidy, called the "bicycle boost", had been extended until March 31, 2021, in a context where the government still wishes to encourage the French to choose the bicycle for their trips.

 

For what repairs?

The reduction applies to both the replacement of parts and the cost of labor in the network of partner establishments. All repair and even self-repair operations in a referenced workshop are eligible as long as they allow your bike to run in complete safety: tire change, brake repair, chain or cable change. derailleur ... The package does not include safety accessories such as locks, reflective vests, or helmets. Regarding lighting, it is eligible only if it is integral with the bike, that is to say, which cannot be removed, such as a dynamo lamp for example.

 

50 € excluding taxes

You can only benefit from this reduction once per bike. Your identity as well as the identification of the bicycle (make, model, marking, serial number, and photo) will be verified. If the repair fee is less than € 50 excluding tax, only the remaining VAT will be charged to you. If the repair flat rate is greater than € 50 excluding tax, a reduction of € 50 will be applied to your invoice.

Giant teddy bears on cars to save lives

 

At a time when car manufacturers are developing more and more semi-autonomous driving systems, American researchers at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have put them to the test. to find out if they help drivers be more vigilant with teddy bears.

 

The latest crash test results from the Institute for Highway Safety show cars are safer than ever thanks to modern technology. Of the 2021 novelties that were tested last month, 49 won the highest "Top Safety Pick +" award in the United States. We're used to seeing cars get sprayed by the IIHS in a crash test, but the organization conducted an unusual safety experiment to test how a Level 2 semi-autonomous driving technology such as the Pilot Tesla's automatic device can affect the driver's awareness and perception of his surroundings.

 

Level 2 systems can control acceleration, braking, steering, and speed in certain scenarios, but they still require the driver to be vigilant and intervene when necessary. With technology taking over the car, some drivers have a harder time concentrating on the road, resulting in several fatal crashes.

 

Further testing?

To check all this out, the IIHS strapped a giant teddy bear clad in a reflective vest (we can't say yellow vest anymore) to the back of a car and compared the reactions of three different groups of drivers to see if they noticed it. Strange as a study on automobile safety. "There are several lab methods to measure situational awareness, but they don't work very well on the road," said Alexandra Mueller, a researcher at IIHS. "The giant teddy bear in the back of the vehicle helps us objectively measure the driver's attention that is relevant to driving and does not interfere with how that person drives normally."

 

To test their attention when using semi-autonomous technology, 31 people drove a 2019 Mercedes-Benz C300-Class for about an hour on a stretch of motorway. A group of drivers regularly using Level 2 drove with semi-autonomous driving assistance enabled. Another group who had little to no experience with these aids also drove with this device on, while another group who were not familiar with the technology drove the Mercedes with the technology turned off.

 

What assessment?

During the ride, a car with the pink teddy bear strapped to the back passed each driver three times and stayed in front for about 30 seconds. The cameras then recorded the reaction of the drivers. Each driver was then asked if he noticed anything unusual. If the answer was yes, they were asked how many times they had seen the bear.

 

The IIHS has found that twice as many people who don't regularly use Level 2 stand-alone technology haven't noticed the bear. In contrast, almost all of the drivers who regularly use the technology and used it during the test saw the bear. This group was also more likely to correctly identify the number of times it appeared.

 

Of course, the test sample was very small, so the study is inconclusive, but the IIHS believes the results show that "partially automated driving systems have the potential to improve situational awareness. drivers" once the driver has become accustomed to the technology. Drivers less experienced in the use of autonomous technology "may have more difficulty in keeping up with what is going on around them when using technology as yet unknown".

BG BAU provides information on correct warning clothing in winter

 

Accident-free work has a lot to do with good visibility. Especially in the dark season, poor visibility, fog, or rain on construction sites make it difficult to recognize people. Luminous and reflective warning clothing provides support. The DIN standard for high-visibility clothing (DIN EN ISO 20471) provides information on how it must be designed and what to watch out for. The trade association for the construction industry (BG BAU) gives advice on the right high-visibility clothing to get through the winter safely and healthily.

 

Contrast and reflection are the two keywords for optimal visibility. The better the clothing can stand out from the background, the more striking the appearance. "Wearing dark clothes at night can have fatal consequences. People are simply swallowed up in the dark," says Bernhard Arenz, head of the main prevention department at BG BAU. This means that road users, for example, can only be recognized by road users in the last few meters. Light-colored clothing can be seen from a distance of up to 40 meters, retro-reflective clothing from a distance of up to 150 meters.

 

In general, warning clothing should be worn wherever it is necessary to recognize people at an early stage. This is especially true when working in the area of ​​public road traffic, on tracks, and of course for all construction sites with construction machinery or vehicle traffic. Employees can easily be overlooked when, for example, wheel loaders, excavators, and cranes are used and the driver's view is restricted. Therefore, the right high-visibility clothing is vital during the day too.

 

Which high visibility clothing is right?

First of all, the hazards at the respective location must be assessed, including the volume of traffic, lighting conditions, and the expected weather during the activity. The procurement of high-visibility clothing should be determined based on the risk assessment. The decisive standard for this is DIN EN ISO 20471. This divides high-visibility clothing into three different performance classes. "The following applies: the greater the risk to employees, the higher the required class. The higher the class, the larger the fluorescent and reflective surfaces," explains Arenz.

 

Class 3 warning clothing is to be used for work in the dark. This means that more than 80cm² of the surface must be covered with fluorescent material, more than 20cm² with reflective material. At the same time, the reflective materials must be processed in such a way that the contour of the person can be recognized from the reflection alone. The minimum requirements of class 3 can also be achieved by clothing combinations (e.g. jacket and trousers) - but only if the high-visibility clothing covers the trunk and has at least either sleeves or long trouser legs with retro-reflective stripes.

 

According to DIN EN ISO 20471, fluorescent surfaces may generally be yellow, orange-red, or red. For employees in certain areas, however, there are restrictions, for example for employees in the garbage collection and road work including road winter service: "According to the administrative regulations for road traffic regulations, they are only allowed to wear fluorescent orange-red or yellow warning clothing. In the guidelines for securing workplaces on roads (RSA), only fluorescent orange-red is permitted," says Arenz.

 

What other differences are there between the performance classes? How is the high visibility clothing properly cared for? How many and which safety vests must be available in vehicles? The BAU Portal, the specialist magazine of BG BAU, provides a current overview and further information on the topic of high-visibility clothing in its current web magazine.

"Be an Example". The National Police Day of Reflectors is behind us

 October 1 is the National Police Day of Reflections, which is part of the informational and educational campaign "Be an Example" - be visible !. That is why, especially on this day, the traffic policemen from the Łęczyca headquarters handed out and encouraged pedestrians to wear reflective elements. All this for the sake of the safety of unprotected road users.

 

From the early hours of the morning, traffic policemen from the Łęczyca headquarters joined the National Police Day of Reflectors. Equipped with reflective bands, they handed them to unprotected road users for the sake of their safety. Each of the passers-by received such an element and a lesson on how to use it properly. The aim of the action is primarily to remind and make pedestrians aware of the need to use reflective elements and to encourage as many "unprotected" elements as possible to use such elements. Police officers emphasized that reflectors should be used not only after dark outside built-up areas but also in built-up areas on unlit or poorly lit sections of roads. Wearing reflectors is of great importance in the fall and winter. Early dusk, dark mornings, mists, rainfall is not conducive to the safety of pedestrians.

 

"A reflective vest with reflective fabric, a key ring, a headband will make a pedestrian moving along a dimly lit road more visible to an oncoming car. This will allow the driver to react earlier and thus avoid a collision. Therefore, we should remember that the worn reflector should be visible to drivers of cars coming from both directions," we read on the KPP website.

 

According to Polish law, every pedestrian walking on the road from dusk to dawn outside the built-up area is obliged to use reflective elements in a way visible to other road users.