I am partially sighted and I am curious about riding an adult tricycle on city streets to get around.(self.Blind)
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r_12352 points1y ago
I use to do that when I was younger, just around the neighbourhood streats. I did Experience crashing in to things and occasionally people. But since I was younger, people would just let it go and I never caused any serious injury to anyone but perhaps one streat dog and her little puppies once may be. I wouldn't dream of driving a bicycle on actual roads with vehicles. I love cycling, wish if I could get in to blind cycle races and all that, never got an opportunity.
[deleted] [OP]2 points1y ago
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Bsmith07992 points1y ago
I've actively told police (no, they didn't "pull me over" but were dealing with someone who had tried and failed to rip my service dog away from me) that I was "just about to bike home" when it happened. I mentioned my vision as it was relevant to why, while I had no description of the person who did it, I'd chosen instead to film them as they walked away. As that was a more accurate "description" than I would give.
Differences in our situation: ...I personally have a BIKE not a trike ...I live in a relatively rural Maine town, population of 20K. ...I choose to ride on sidewalks, not streets. Where I live, this is legal. ...my vision is 20/200 or slightly worse, been a while since it was checked ...I've ridden a personal max of 14 miles in a day once.
Things to consider:
...Is it legal where you live to ride on sidewalks instead? If so, would that be easier? ...you CAN get a ticket for riding a bike improperly if you aren't following the rules of the road, however I've never actually heard of it happening, they do exist. ... if you use a white cane, consider that some people will tend to be nasty about someone who bikes but still needs a cane; some may accuse you of faking. I use a cane only after dark and occasionally my neighbors, who witness me biking during the day, hassle me. ... if you have a service dog (even if it is for a different condition than vision... mine is PTSD/migraine) plan how you'll bring the dog. Mine loves to run alongside the bike, others may not have the stamina/joints/size for this. If they run alongside the bike on a bike leash, they need to be taught new commands to stay safe (go further to the side to allow someone to pass, turn right, turn left, slowing down, cross the road) if they aren't able to run, you can get a trailer attachment usually they can ride in. ...get a headlight for the bike. They attatch to the handlebars and usually are waterproof and run off rechargeable batteries. Itll help in shady areas or dawn/dusk. ...I've crashed in winter because I can't tell when there's ice on the roads until I skid and slip. Consider if this will be a problem for you. ...sunglasses will slide down if you're sweating, a baseball cap tends to make me sweat more from trapping heat, but a visor cap works well in summer for keeping sun off my eyes AND if debris blows up toward my face, protecting my eyes from it
[deleted] [OP]2 points1y ago
[deleted]
Bsmith07992 points1y ago
Getting turn signals for the trike may be useful too. I have that too 🤣
[deleted] [OP]2 points1y ago
[deleted]
Bsmith07992 points1y ago
Yeah
r_12351 points1y ago
Dabbling in to a bit of fantacy of mine here:
Hmm, I wish if Self driving tech would get safer and efficient and widely adopted quickly, enough so that we blind people can just ride a car without any driver. I would definitely buy such car or vehicle or whatever. Just get in, tell it where to go, and relax. It would open so many dores for us.
I know I know, it's tough, but, I can definitely see something like that possible within next hundred years, if not next few decades. Come On Elon, Or Waimo, or whatever, We are waiting.
dunktheball1 points1y ago
Someone told me I should get one of those, but I dunno.
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