Commuting - Is commuting dangerous?

A conversation with another cyclist got me thinking about this question. It seems to me that a lot of riders won't cycle to work because they perceive it to be too dangerous. Maybe they're afraid of the heavier traffic at that time of the day.

Seems to me that once one becomes accustomed to their route, this really won't be that much of a factor anymore (especially if they have the knowledge of back streets that I do). So what's the decision? Is commuting really more dangerous than other forms of cycling (recreational/touring/whatever)? Or is this just an irrational fear based on the idea that cars will run over bikes that are on the road when people are commuting?

I know the route I take very well. I know the dangerous bits - the fun bits - the tricky bits. I know when to start moving across for the next turn. I know when to leave enough room for a car to pass and I know when to take the whole lane.

By commuting regularly I am also more in tune with my bike.

Commuting makes me a safer cyclist in so many ways.

I tend to agree with MediaCreations. One could argue that the more miles you ride, the more you are exposed to traffic dangers, therefore commuting by bike increases danger. But the skills acquired by bike commuting, especially on a familiar route, may actually make you a safer cyclist, since you are more seasoned than some.

Don't forget, if you are a cyclist that doesn't ride your bike to work, you still have to get there somehow, and statistics show that traffic fatalities among drivers are proportionately similar (that's saying a lot, since there are a great number of "cyclists" included in those stats under the age of 12, or that ride with no helmet, etc.) Of course, for many cyclists, bike commuting is not really practical.

Yet, overall, I suppose the "safest" thing would be to never venture out of your home...

The problem is, I don't know the stats comparing accidents and fatalities among commuting cyclists as opposed to non-commuting cyclists. Other variables would have to be considered also, such as age, helmet use, traffic skills, use of proper lights in the dark, wrong-way cycling, etc. I will not vote yet, but since I want to see the results, I will vote, "Cyclists should be shot."

Originally posted by MediaCreations
...Commuting makes me a safer cyclist in so many ways.
I see this every weekend when the weekend set does their thing. The lack of skills is astonishing. Simple things like holding a straight line, they can't seem to do well.

No, we b-c'ers are generally far more "stable" riders.

I voted "Commuting is safer" based solely on my own personal observation.

I have friends that frequent mountain bike trails, they seem to get banged up with regularity. Note that this is nothing very serious, but still they collect scrapes, sprains, and bruises much more often than I do commuting.

The other category of bicyclist that I see sometimes, are kids on BMX bikes. These kids (most without helmets) are bouncing, jumping, and spinning over ramps, stairs, and curbs with what appears to be great recklessness. I have never seen one of these guys seriously hurt, but it looks like this would happen quite alot while they learn these stunts.

Cycling around a track on a fixed speed is probably safer than commuting.

Slowly pedaling up to the corner store (1/4 mile away) on the sidewalk is probably safer than commuting.

I think people's perception of safety can be skewed. I don't know this for a fact, but I would bet that you are safer on a bicycle in traffic than in your own bathroom or kitchen.

regards
Dan

Commuting is definitly more dangerous for the simple reason that I have to deal with commuters. Heck driving in commuter traffic is more dangerous (though I have never commuted by car, just done regular driving in commuter traffic).

Commuters tend to do whatever they can to save that one second or get by that one extra car becasue they know that they will be completely stuck in traffic later on and want to save as much time as they can to avoid wasting it. The result is less patients towards both other drivers and cyclists.

Also, should you pick the evening commute, people can be stressed from the day's work and this can lead to even less patients.

Which do you think is more likely to pass you properly and safely person A who has just sat in traffic for 25 minutes, pratically stationary after a "hard" day's work or person B who is on a leisurly drive to say the grocery store on a Saturday mid-morning?

Out in the sticks, here, I would have to say it's safer because of the familiarity. Not just my familiarity with the route: the drivers on the highway I drive are mostly local, and are getting used to me being on the road. :)

Chris,

You ask, "Is bicycle commuting more dangerous than other forms of cycling?"

I would have to ask, "Is bicycle commuting more dangerous than commuting by car?" After all, we all have to get to work somehow.

Originally posted by LittleBigMan
I would have to ask, "Is bicycle commuting more dangerous than commuting by car?" After all, we all have to get to work somehow.

That is a valid point. I was just referring to the fact that many cyclists I know cite the 'danger' as the reason they don't ride to work. However, you are right, commuting by car is probably at least as dangerous as doing so by bike.

Interesting cross-section of results here. I expected most people to vote for the "it's no different" option.

I voted commuting is actually safer.. You drive out Winchester Road to where I work.. Drivers on this road are nuts !.. Fatality couple times a week.. I percieve I am safer because I am not in the lane where automobiles are.
There is a solid white line hopefully, protecting me from these wacko's. The line should say to motorists - keep out, this side is for bicycles, only... When I drive to work I am really stressed from their crude, erratic behavior. Biking not nearly so much.. Often I get to work relaxed...
However, I know the solid white line is really an imaginery line; but I hope it keeps me safe; compared to the lane changers and speeders.I see to my left..
If we cyclists are not safe in our bike lane; we are equally not safe out there on the highway. Choose your poison..
ps- by way welcome back chris.. Sure your bannig was not intentional...
I also have had problems with my password. Just got a new one.. Old one just suddenly failed to work.. If not biking,then rest of time, would miss this cycling community..

Originally posted by cyclezealot

ps- by way welcome back chris.. Sure your bannig was not intentional...
I also have had problems with my password. Just got a new one.. Old one just suddenly failed to work.. If not biking,then rest of time, would miss this cycling community..

I was never actually banned from this site, I just stopped posting for a while because I was throwing a big tantrum about some of the political flame wars that happened a while back. The site I did get banned from had absolutely nothing to do with cycling.

Originally posted by Chris L
Interesting cross-section of results here. I expected most people to vote for the "it's no different" option.

Chris,

While I'd like to believe that it's less dangerous: you have to caculate in the Eye Dee Ten T factor, as you do in anything. This is the only reason it would balance out.

I've been (by dumbness and work) in the car for 2 weeks. What I notice about car drivers is thier extreme lack of ability to focus. I think it comes from being insulated in a car, you don't hear the noises, feel the road, notice things..

With zombies behind the wheel, our ability to blend in so well (even I have trouble spotting a cyclist when driving, and I look for them), you have a combination, that really, is suprising that it doesn't result in more problems.

Originally posted by William Karsten
With zombies behind the wheel, our ability to blend in so well (even I have trouble spotting a cyclist when driving, and I look for them), you have a combination, that really, is suprising that it doesn't result in more problems.

Perhaps, but then, wouldn't this also be the case with touring, recreational riding or anything else done on the road? And what about the fact that those zombies might start expecting to see that cyclist who rides that route every day? OK, granted, there are more zombies at commuting times, but don't the other factors balance it out?

(If I mistakenly type 'zombiles' one more time, I'm slicing my hands clean off!)

Commuting by bicycle is as safe as the experience and technique of the rider. If you are alert during the commute, cycle defensively and are assertive, then nothing is likely to happen. If you commute in a dream state, then something may happen.

That said, it is not terribly dangerous. One just has to get used to watching all the traffic and learn to be much more aware of what goes on around you than in a car or on less busy roads.

Living is dangerous. Are you going to stop living? Ride your bike, commute, ride for fun, mountain bike, Ride centuries, tour, just ride your bike and have fun.

Commuting will give you most of the miles needed to gain skill that will make you a better and safer rider. Once you are used to a single route you will find that you will no longer have a feeling of doubt in your ride. (although i voted for the last one, because i liked it the most) I feel that it safe if know what you are doing.

Jared

Originally posted by Chris L
OK, granted, there are more zombies at commuting times, but don't the other factors balance it out?

(If I mistakenly type 'zombiles' one more time, I'm slicing my hands clean off!)

I guess Vacation Zombies are out there too, or the folks on long roads that aren't looking out..

It's a wonder that it doesn't happen more, or perhaps I simply worry, or look for the worst in some things.

I've only had two serious close calls on my commute so far. You have to wonder if it's luck, or just the fact that it's just not that dangerous. Perhaps it's not that dangerous.

Despite the fact that there's more traffic on the street at rush hours, I feel safer on a bike than in a car for the simple fact that over 99% of the other vehicles make it a point to get out of your way. Is it safer than other forms of cycling? I think commuting is far less dangerous than some of the singletracks I've seen. There's my dos pesos.

Originally posted by William Karsten
I've only had two serious close calls on my commute so far. You have to wonder if it's luck, or just the fact that it's just not that dangerous. Perhaps it's not that dangerous.
My experience is much the same. In fact, I've had no contact with any auto nor have I ever been run off the road. I have had "incidences" of course, but nothing I would consider hair raising.

And I bike-commute a WHOLE lot and have been for years.

I agree that it's not that dangerous or at least as dangerous as some would believe.

However, some posters here in BFland have had very traumatic experiences.

I'd like one day to realy understand how our experiences differ so much from theirs.

I agree completely with the post above, also a good knowlege of side streets is key, in Chicago there are busy streets that are a really dangerous, but we are slowly having bike lanes sprout up in more places to ease the tension for both cyclists and motorists.

If someone is interested in trying but is concerned about saftey, try to locate a bicycling map of your area that highlights the suggested routes, and plan from there. Once you're familiar with the roads, you can make adjustments to accomodate your comfort level and riding pace.

Another fun thing is a bike commuter pool. Have a mini critical mass with your fellow biking commuters and ride in a pack, that tends to slow insane motorists down. Saftey and intimidation in numbers.

:thumbup:
try it out!

<=><

My dictionary defines commuting as travelling between two points. This implies that the opposite of commuting cycling is stationary bike cycling. I would have to argue that commuter cycling is definately much safer, because if I had to use a stationary bike, I might literally die of boredom!!!

Before cell phones became popular, rush-hour commuting was the safest form of driving, because the motorists tended to be sober, competent, goal-oriented, and in familiar surroudings. Of course, training and recreational cycling has the major advantage that the rider can select his/her route and timing to maximize personal safety and to avoid air pollution. No matter how competent ("effective") a cyclist you are, negotiating free right turns and merges in 50mph/80kph traffic, with the rising/setting sun in everyone's eyes, is riskier than many other forms of cycling.

Originally posted by John E
No matter how competent ("effective") a cyclist you are, negotiating free right turns and merges in 50mph/80kph traffic, with the rising/setting sun in everyone's eyes, is riskier than many other forms of cycling.
Sounds like a design/education problem to me.

I don't like seeing cyclists marginalized by the "system."

I can answer this for myself, and my answer here is not a statement of statistical fact, only my own limited experience. I answered the poll with an affirmative on the first question. That was the short answer. Here's the long one--bicycle commuting is the most hazardous activity that I have undertaken, based upon my own injury record. In four years of commuting by bicycle, I've ended in the hospital twice.

This is significant because I've previously had careers which involved the following activities:

--Smokejumping.
--US Air Force Master Parachutist (including tree jumping and parascuba jumping).
--40 years of scuba diving.
--Combat air rescue, including helicopter rescue.
--Rescue mountaineering.

None of the above activities/careers ever landed me in the hospital. This is in spite of a lot of exposure. Again, I can speak only from my own experience; some people have died in these activities, and some were hurt pretty badly.

One observation I have is that in most of the above activities, my participation is within a team (sometimes a highly trained team), where planning, training and other measures are used to help assure the team's safety.

Bicycle commuting is an individual activity. There is no team looking after you, no buddy checks (of parachutes, or scuba gear), and while some planning occurs, in is all individual with no influence over the external forces we as bicyclists encounter daily. How often has someone else looked over the mechanical functions of your bicycle before your daily trip? Do we go by checklists to ensure everything is working properly before we go out? Do we strategize about the routes we take to get somewhere? I don't think we do much of these things, which are routinely used to make my other activities listed above less hazardous.

I will still ride to work, but it is with renewed interest in the safety aspects of bicycling that I do so.

John

As the starter of this poll, can I just ask who voted for option 4?