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I gave up my car back in June and became a full time cycle commuter. I thought I was doing the right thing and did it for several reasons, one of them being 3 miles from my job, it seemed wasteful to have a car. Now, 5 months later I am thinking I made a mistake and am going to buy another car. My once peaceful commutes have turned into a daily torture fighting traffic and school busses. I can't count the close calls I have had the past two weeks- between speeding motorists- dumb a-s bus drivers and kids who just walk out in front of me and expect me to stop on a dime, I am calling it quits. I have alternate routes that do not go past the two schools on my way, but the surrounding streets are usually full of cars going to or from the school- there is no escape. I am already well known to the local High School for calling to complain about the bus drivers and traffic in front of their buildings. The police just don't want to hear about it unless it involves an accident. If I have an accident, it will be too late for a police report. Anyone with a similar experiance?:mad:

<snip> My once peaceful commutes have turned into a daily torture fighting traffic and school busses. I can't count the close calls I have had the past two weeks- between speeding motorists- dumb a-s bus drivers and kids who just walk out in front of me and expect me to stop on a dime, I am calling it quits... <snip>I have alternate routes that do not go past the two schools on my way, but the surrounding streets are usually full of cars going to or from the school- there is no escape. Are you commuting to the school or just past the school? I have a similar situation, and in fact go directly in front of 4 elementary schools on my route to work. Do you have flexibility in when you can arrive or leave your destination? Typically the traffic around a school is heavy for about 15 minutes prior to the start of the school day, and then drops off dramatically. If you leave a little earlier or later you would probably avoid most of the problems.

Personally, I don't have much trouble with school areas because I'm on a road bike, going nearly 20 mph which is the speed limit for the cars through the school zones anyway.

Ride Safe!

Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of lee way in time. I have to go past the schools, which are both about half way to work. The schools open at 7 am and classes start at 7:45. I have to be at work by 8 am, but the building doesn't open until 7:15 am. So if I get there too early, I have to wait outside until it opens. It isn't bad now, but it will soon be too cold here in Buffalo. I leave home at 7:15 and usally get to the job around 7:30 or so. So it is really hard to avoid the whole mess and make it to work on time. My biggest concern is the approaching winter, snow will make it even more difficult.