I just saw one of the comments on Youtube, saying; cycling with an umbrella is hard. It isn't. As long as you hold the umbrella heading into the wind, you're fine, and seriously, that is not very hard at all. If you can cycle with one hand you can hold an umbrella.
I have a velomobile, but I still ride and upright bike with an umbrella sometimes.
I think it's one of those things that makes sense in context. I'd not seen people riding bikes with umbrellas until I started visiting the Netherlands. When I first saw it it looked to me like something verging on the suicidal. However, like riding along holding huge objects, walking the dog, carrying a passenger etc. it's all part of what is not dangerous in this country.
Also most of the city bikes are equiped with the retro-pedaling brake "Torpedo", which makes the use of both hands to break in wet weather less "essential".
And we do have umbrellas nowadays that automatically adjust themselves to the wind (see www.senzumbrellas.com). :-) Don't know if they really work; mine is an old-fashioned cupola. And a hat is easier.
@ Jonbendtsen: There really is no need to keep both hands on the handlebars, I have a peddle brake, as do most of the other cyclists. I don't think there is one person in the Netherlands who can't cycle with only one (or no) hand(s). \so no need to worry. :)
Cycling with umbrellas! The Daily Mail would have a field day with that one over here in the UK! It's bad enough that we're "cycling iPod zombies", but with an umbrella too?! Phew, people with heart disease all across the country would be working themselves up in a right lather! ;-)
I just saw one of the comments on Youtube, saying; cycling with an umbrella is hard. It isn't. As long as you hold the umbrella heading into the wind, you're fine, and seriously, that is not very hard at all. If you can cycle with one hand you can hold an umbrella.
ReplyDelete@Anneke
ReplyDeleteI would still recommend a real proper rain cover that lets you keep both hands at the handlebar. Or a velomobile.
I have a velomobile, but I still ride and upright bike with an umbrella sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI think it's one of those things that makes sense in context. I'd not seen people riding bikes with umbrellas until I started visiting the Netherlands. When I first saw it it looked to me like something verging on the suicidal. However, like riding along holding huge objects, walking the dog, carrying a passenger etc. it's all part of what is not dangerous in this country.
Also most of the city bikes are equiped with the retro-pedaling brake "Torpedo", which makes the use of both hands to break in wet weather less "essential".
ReplyDeleteAnd we do have umbrellas nowadays that automatically adjust themselves to the wind (see www.senzumbrellas.com). :-)
ReplyDeleteDon't know if they really work; mine is an old-fashioned cupola. And a hat is easier.
@ Jonbendtsen: There really is no need to keep both hands on the handlebars, I have a peddle brake, as do most of the other cyclists. I don't think there is one person in the Netherlands who can't cycle with only one (or no) hand(s). \so no need to worry. :)
ReplyDeleteCycling with umbrellas! The Daily Mail would have a field day with that one over here in the UK! It's bad enough that we're "cycling iPod zombies", but with an umbrella too?! Phew, people with heart disease all across the country would be working themselves up in a right lather! ;-)
ReplyDeleteDOH! i am so used to having 2 handlebar brakes that i forgot about the pedalbrake option.
ReplyDeleteAnd then i do not like turning without both hands at the handlebar. But i might also drive at a different speed ;-)