Advocacy & Safety - What is the biggest threat to you while cycling in traffic?

What is the biggest threat to you while cycling in traffic?

In town I would say cross traffic/inattentive drivers.

Not listed, where I ride its mostly dog and rednecks i.e. people buzzing me at 50+ or throwing crap out the windows.

In town I would say cross traffic/inattentive drivers.

Not listed, where I ride its mostly dog and rednecks i.e. people buzzing me at 50+ or throwing crap out the windows.
People buzzing you at 50+ is listed as "same-direction traffic".

This should be a good one. 4 answers so far... all different!

I can see where you are coming from with your vote for yourself. I guess any sticky situation you get yourself in involving any of the above is a result of you putting yourself there so it makes sense. I voted based on what has caused me the only injuries and truly hazardous situations in my time cycling (all due to mistakes on my part of course). For those who haven't voted, my vote was for rubble/debris/potholes/poor road surface (which I'll include black ice in).

I don't think anyone would dispute that HH is the biggest danger to himself! :lol:

:D
I don't think anyone would dispute that HH is the biggest danger to himself! :lol:

I have to say, it kind of depends. I just stay vigilent and defensive.

Keep the rubber side down...

I can see where you are coming from with your vote for yourself. I guess any sticky situation you get yourself in involving any of the above is a result of you putting yourself there so it makes sense. I voted based on what has caused me the only injuries and truly hazardous situations in my time cycling (all due to mistakes on my part of course). For those who haven't voted, my vote was for rubble/debris/potholes/poor road surface (which I'll include black ice in).
Right. I was just wondering if anyone else looked it at that way.

As I relayed in another thread right before starting this poll, this stems from someone asking me the other day what I felt was my biggest threat when riding in traffic. His eye brows shot up when I answered without hesitation, me.

That, by the way, is also the reason I won't drink and bike...

People buzzing you at 50+ is listed as "same-direction traffic".

I guess I was thinking different levels of same directions traffic. 90% of same direction traffic is not a danger to me, but the people who try to see how close they can get and how fast they can go doing it, they are definitely a danger.

I haven't even ridden a bike in 3-5 years, and when I did I never left my suburb, but I know the biggest threat to me is going to be drivers. Although both times I scratched myself up as a kid were on sidewalks, people in this town have no freaking idea how to drive. I'm beginning to wonder if they even sell cars with turn signals in this town. If I go on any street that isn't cut off from the rest of traffic, I know i'm going to be dealing with idiots.

I almost said drunk drivers (I was hit by one a few years ago), but settled on inattentive drivers.

I voted "you". But does that mean you or does that mean me? Either way. That's my vote.

UM, can i choose several? how 'bout,
Narrow Lanes,.
Inattentive Drivers,
AND intersections?

#1: Other: Aggressive drivers enforcing an imaginary law.
#2: Inattentive drivers.

The only time I have been close to getting into trouble was by my own inattentiveness.

#3: Arrogant cyclists running lights while I have the right of way.

No bike lanes, that's our biggest problem here.
We have only one MUP that is of any use for utility cycling and the roads... well, no one in their right mind would attempt to cycle them, I don't care what size of shotput you are swinging down low.

Same direction traffic who will not yield as you try to switch lanes from far right to a left turn lane.

This should be a good one. 4 answers so far... all different!

People buzzing you at 50+ is listed as "same-direction traffic".

Yeah; and the OP's interpretation of the "results" should be a doozy!:rolleyes:

Especially since the distinct categories are set up to arrive at the predetermined conclusion - My prediction it is - same direction traffic is cited as problem by only a few cyclists.

In fact, all the choices, except perhaps cross traffic, are subsets of same direction traffic in most credible scenarios. Even potholes may cause a threat to cyclists by putting them into a an unexpected situation facing a greater risk from the surprised following traffic.

I hate to sound sexist, but mainly women. And if they're on a cell phone, you may as well pull over and wait until they're gone.

Chip, I could have sworn that the last time I saw your avatar your dog's head was on your body and your head was on the dog. Now it's back to normal. You're freakin' me out, dude.

My own absent-mindedness.

This winter, ice is running a close second.

Robert

The biggest threat to me is the mistaken notion that, for some reason, I don't belong on the road. That and meteorites. :lol:

The biggest threat to me is the mistaken notion that, for some reason, I don't belong on the road. That and meteorites. :lol:

Yes, meteorites!! I've been preaching about the evils of those things for years and no one has listened!!

I'm voting for metorites, stalagmites, and the American Dream Coalition.

the roads... well, no one in their right mind would attempt to cycle them, I don't care what size of shotput you are swinging down low.
As a former resident of metro Detroit, I can testify to that! Driving a car on one is scary enough.

Narrow lanes, debris in the shoulders, and hecklers.

As a former resident of metro Detroit, I can testify to that! Driving a car on one is scary enough.

the funny thing is, after making my comment about no one in their right mind wanting to cycle them, it donned on me that I CYCLE THEM.... guess I'm not in my right mind
no wonder I'm so irate

This winter, ice is running a close second.

Ice is a problem for some, though not something anyone in San Diego would consider. It can hurt to hit the ground because a bicyclist falls due to slippery conditions; but may hurt a lot worse if there is a "threat" of same direction traffic following; or same direction traffic sliding on the same ice into an upright cyclist.

Chip, I could have sworn that the last time I saw your avatar your dog's head was on your body and your head was on the dog. Now it's back to normal. You're freakin' me out, dude.

Falkon has the other avatar, glad we freaked you out, it's what we live for ya know. ;)

Ice is a problem for some, though not something anyone in San Diego would consider. It can hurt to hit the ground because a bicyclist falls due to slippery conditions; but may hurt a lot worse if there is a "threat" of same direction traffic following; or same direction traffic sliding on the same ice into an upright cyclist.

Don't forget Tonya Harding!

What is the biggest threat to you while cycling in traffic?
*bike lanes
*cross-traffic (intersections)
*drunk drivers
*inattentive drivers
*narrow lanes
*rubble/debris/potholes/poor road surface
*same-direction traffic
*you
Helmet Head, I know you are trying to say that "you" are the most important factor in your own safety. I agree with that.

But "you" doesn't belong on this list, because "you" are not an independent danger apart from the other dangers. Unless one of the other dangers is present, "you" are not a danger (except for just plain falling down, which can be dangerous, but "falling" should have been on the list in that case.)

Every possible danger automatically includes "you" as a factor, but "you" do not power to eliminate all danger when cycling.

It's not an "either/or," it's a "both/and."

Ice is a problem for some, though not something anyone in San Diego would consider. It can hurt to hit the ground because a bicyclist falls due to slippery conditions; but may hurt a lot worse if there is a "threat" of same direction traffic following; or same direction traffic sliding on the same ice into an upright cyclist.

Actually we have had some unusual weather last month... black ice has been reported on bridges. Perhaps you are right that we don't consider it, but the conditions have occured.

oops. I accidentally voted "you" because I thought "you" meant HH.

Actually we have had some unusual weather last month... black ice has been reported on bridges. Perhaps you are right that we don't consider it, but the conditions have occured.

OMG black ice on the bridges!!! Break out the chains and the snow tires!! Alert! Alert! :D

OMG black ice on the bridges!!! Break out the chains and the snow tires!! Alert! Alert! :D

Hey for unsuspecting southern Californians... it was quite a surprise.

My neighbors had water pipes burst... believe me, it was quite a surprise.

I can't vote for you (me actually) as I am always my biggest 'threat', not more or less so when cycling.
So i only looked at what is the greatest external 'threat' while cycling, and that would be cross traffic/intersections.
Al

I voted for myself not to support any lame HH notions, but because I can be quite inattentive and absent-minded (preoccupied is more like it). And every where I go, there I am, so there's no getting around my stupid mistakes.

Nevertheless, I try to compensate for my foibles. I know I am not a multi-tasker so I don't use a cell phone while I drive, or even play the radio very loud. But way too many people out there don't know their own limitations and so I'm at their mercy when I'm sharing the roads with them.

Then there are people who get in the car and it's like Jekyll and Hyde. Those people scare me the most and they ARE a true menace out there. I've had people threaten to kill me while I've been driving my car and while I've been riding my bike. And for what reason? For simply being "in the way" in every case: car or bicycle.

These people -- the multi-taskers and ragers, in my opinion, are the biggest threat to me while cycling in traffic. But I minimize that threat by trying to choose routes that keep me out of their path of destruction and using high-visibility gear. In fact, choosing to ride a bicycle to begin with gets me off their circuit almost completely because I have alternative routes and excellent bike facilities to choose from. More choices than when I drive a car. But those few places where I have to interact with them can be trying and scary. In those cases, my high-visibility gear has to compensate by:

a) showing my presence on this road is intentional,
b) stating I will not be bullied because you will not get to claim you didn't see me after you hit me,
c) being visible enough that there may be witnesses,
d) being visible enough they'll wake up from self-induced phone coma.

Well, I had to say other - which includes

1. Chickens - as bad as squirrels - but might taste better
2. Cows - not only them personally but their by-products
3. Missing roads, missing boards on bridges. You NEVER take your eyes off the road.
4. Tourists if I am on the other side of the mountain.

I picked "you" . I am not sure if that means me or "YOU".At any rate, i accepted that option as ME in the perceptional arena.

I was going to say lack of shoulders; which is the lifeline upon which cyclists depend. Lacking that, though, is the poor quality of many roadways. Potholes, debris, poor surface quality.

roughstuff

My own absent-mindedness.

Bingo!

The purpose of this poll was to bring attention to this point. Only 10% so far answered "you", but that includes Robert.

Ice is a problem for some, though not something anyone in San Diego would consider. It can hurt to hit the ground because a bicyclist falls due to slippery conditions; but may hurt a lot worse if there is a "threat" of same direction traffic following; or same direction traffic sliding on the same ice into an upright cyclist.
Yeah that's it! Blame it all on the ice:D :rolleyes:

I picked "you" . I am not sure if that means me or "YOU".At any rate, i accepted that option as ME in the perceptional arena.
That was the intent.

I suppose I could have clarified that answer as "you - (I, the cyclist, am my own biggest threat)"

Ice is a problem for some, though not something anyone in San Diego would consider. It can hurt to hit the ground because a bicyclist falls due to slippery conditions; but may hurt a lot worse if there is a "threat" of same direction traffic following; or same direction traffic sliding on the same ice into an upright cyclist.
I'm sure I would adjust what I was doing and how in icy conditions, but that goes for driving any vehicle in icy conditions.

Bingo!

The purpose of this poll was to bring attention to this point.
Ya mean the poll's "purpose" wasn't a quest for knowledge and understanding but was posted just for the purpose of one more HH teaching point? I'm shocked, shocked!

Bingo!

The purpose of this poll was to bring attention to this point. Only 10% so far answered "you", but that includes Robert.
"CONGRATULATIONS! Those of you who answered correctly have each won a copy of 'Effective Cycling,' by John Forester."

:)

Considering nothing has ever happened to me. I can't really say. Alright, now that I think of it. One person threw a bottle at me and missed. You need to put a category for evil assaultive types.

That was the intent.

I suppose I could have clarified that answer as "you - (I, the cyclist, am my own biggest threat)"
Alright. I sort of thought maybe there was some sort of deception within that answer:D