Commuting using main roads and Exhausts

[Harinosho]

Hi Bikehub

 

Im new to the biking scene, Starting biking to work when I moved closer and figured using a car is a waste of petrol and being stuck in traffic more than actually being on the move. 

 

I am enjoying the ride to work and back, good 5K's to and from (10 in total) the only concern I have is when I get on the main roads is the car fumes.They're pretty bad and especially in regard to old cars.

 

I try and keep to the side roads, but in certain spots i cannot avoid this and now I feel like maybe it would start affecting my lungs. I did a search for masks, but I cannot seem to find anything local. 

 

Can anyone help my out with this or am I being a bit too paranoid with breathing some of this stuff in?

 

 

 

 

[Shebeen]

well it can be worse - http://c8.alamy.com/comp/F5PY7J/japanese-woman-wearing-face-mask-F5PY7J.jpg

 

i don't think it's too bad if exposure is for a short while and you learn to hold breather when a real guzzlers spurts past. otherwise, get a buff, and just slip it over for the hectic sections.

[Pure Savage]

I have not had any issue to be honest. But in the built up cities around the world I see people using masks all the time. So their is probably merit in the idea.

[Paddaman]

You are a bit paranoid.  Consider that your car does not have air filters on its fan intake (but maybe on the air con), if you are sitting in a car in the congestion or cycling through it, you still get to breath all that pollution in. 

 You are already reducing your contact with pollution by avoiding the main congestion areas, so you are probably better off already.

 

For masks try chain reaction cycles.  Failing that ride with a buff over your face or buy surgical masks at dischem if you are still worried.

[Harinosho]

Thanks for all the responses, I think I'll take a look at getting a Buff like Paddaman mentions just to ease my mind a little.

 

Glad I found this space, seems pretty nice

[Prince]

Thanks for all the responses, I think I'll take a look at getting a Buff like Paddaman mentions just to ease my mind a little.

 

Glad I found this space, seems pretty nice

 

Its only Tuesday   

[Cyclewizz]

Thanks for all the responses, I think I'll take a look at getting a Buff like Paddaman mentions just to ease my mind a little.

 

Glad I found this space, seems pretty nice

 

Welcome to the hub

 

You can get Buff copies at a fraction of the price but if it needs to be branded then go with the Buff.

 

Come back on Friday.....

[Oufy MTB (Roadie)]

The Diesel fumes coming out of the buses just makes me want to vomit. At the same time, standing next to them when I'm cold is actually lekker, you can feel the warmth coming from the engine

[droo]

Take up smoking. The car fumes will then become a secondary concern.

 

In all seriousness though, I doubt you'll be getting much more exposure riding than you would in a car, and the exercise component should help clear out whatever gunk is being deposited in there from day to day urban life.

[bj horn]

Last week I saw a guy in Albert Rd, Woodstock riding with a mask and another riding with a buff in peak hour traffic

[Harinosho]

Its only Tuesday 

 

 

Welcome to the hub

 

You can get Buff copies at a fraction of the price but if it needs to be branded then go with the Buff.

 

Come back on Friday.....

 

What happens on Friday?

[Flemish Lion]

CT folk commenting on this - all bad fumes get blown away there in mili-seconds

 

Your only concern would be to inhale fumes DEEPLY (like during a hard interval) so I try avoid that.

 

I don't see the need to restrict your inhaling while riding by wearing a mask... you can't avoid all what's bad for you anyway... try minimize but a mask would drive me nuts!

 

Just enjoy riding your bike

[worriesnot]

What happens on Friday?

Free popcorn

[Bateleur1]

CT folk commenting on this - all bad fumes get blown away there in mili-seconds

 

Your only concern would be to inhale fumes DEEPLY (like during a hard interval) so I try avoid that.

 

I don't see the need to restrict your inhaling while riding by wearing a mask... you can't avoid all what's bad for you anyway... try minimize but a mask would drive me nuts!

 

Just enjoy riding your bike

 

This ^^^^

[ChrisF]

I regularly do a 5km commute.

 

I typically try to stay off the main roads - not for fumes, but to stay safe as far as possible ....

 

 

I have not had any issues with fumes.

[Paddaman]

I regularly do a 5km commute.

 

I typically try to stay off the main roads - not for fumes, but to stay safe as far as possible ....

 

 

I have not had any issues with fumes.

I am not afraid of the main roads.. A stationary car cannot hurt you.  It is the moving cars that do the real damage.  Grannies jumping stop streets, stressed mothers turning into driveways without looking....(all of this happens on the back routes)