Commuting - Are you afraid of an accident?

Just like the title says. Tell the truth, we all know what the real deal is!

Someone said, "Courage is not the lack of fear, it's facing fear an conquering it." Someone also said, "What the h*ll?"

Personally, I think rush hour traffic is at least less likely to have any drunks. Plus, I think lots of people already know me (another good reason to be friendly--it comes back to you by the
regular car commuters.)

I am not afraid of an accident. That does not mean I think I won't have one. It just means I don't spend my time fearing it. As a long-time road-user (27 years) I had to conquer fear long ago. I also had to learn to survive by predicting potentially dangerous situations.

In summary, I learned not to be afraid through all my previous experience as a car-driver. If that didn't kill me, I must know a thing or two!

I think I have a 'healthy' fear of accidents.

I have enough fear to be on guard whenever I'm out on the bike but not so much to stop me from enjoying the ride.

I have learnt that motorists, pedestrians and even other cyclists are unpredictable. (I'm sure that I am too at times.) Therefore, I'm always keeping an eye out for any possibilities that may unfold.

Fear has no place in cycling (nor anything in fact). It only hinders awareness, and somewhat ironically, increases your chances of having an 'accident'.

It's only pain, it can't hurt You.

Originally posted by MediaCreations
I think I have a 'healthy' fear of accidents.

I have enough fear to be on guard whenever I'm out on the bike but not so much to stop me from enjoying the ride.
I wouldn't call that fear. The desire to not crash is not the same as fear of crashing.


Originally posted by MediaCreations
I have learnt that motorists, pedestrians and even other cyclists are unpredictable. (I'm sure that I am too at times.) Therefore, I'm always keeping an eye out for any possibilities that may unfold.
The very epitomy of an aware cyclist, not a fearful, even moderately fearful one.

I'm not afraid (actually I rarely think about it) but I guess that could be attributed to my young "I'm invincable" attitude.

I try to stay really aware of all traffic that is around me, and I try to anticipate what a driver might do. I also wear bright clothes and always try to be predictabe.

When I first started cycling I was nervous getting on roads with major traffic, but now it's like second nature to me.

be safe out there guys :)

Im not paranoid. They really are out to get me.

I'm struggling more with fear that people will argue that my osteopenia means I shouldn't do anything that carries the risk of falling. That was a large part of my stalling going to see a MD after my last crash, I was afraid of being told not to ride while my elbow healed. Fortunately, for mild radial head fractures, casts are avoided and PT is the usual treatment. Next fall I might not be so lucky. The reason to fear a fall or an accident is that it means you might not be able to ride.

A cop once told me that there is no such thing as an accident. I think his point was that something has to happen to trigger a situation. After awhile you learn to spot the little things that can potentially trigger a bad situation. A crash won't always result but the little things are worth spotting. Signal light violations, eratic lane changes, speeding, cel phones and burnt out headlights are just a few I habitually take not of and avoid those vehicles.

I couldn't say I fear having an accident, but I expect to have at least a minor one at some unknown time in the future (hopefully I'll be proved wrong ;)).

Richard

Hi,

I can't say that I'm "afraid" of an accident, but that I EXPECT to have one caused by other vehicles, and it's MY job to take the necessary counter-measures required to be able to AVOID such a thing occuring.

That having been said, it's not always possible (got cut off on 30. April 2002 with resulting concussion & broken left clavicle & trashed bike) through no legal fault of my own.

I was quite worried that somehow I had not taken care of business (viz. not accomplished an optimal outcome of the unavoidable accident) but I was gratified to hear from witnesses that I was quite a pretty sight as I ducked and rolled. Had I not been wearing a helmet, (or gloves for that matter) I probably would have had at *least* a skull fracture, if not a neck fracture.

The good news is that three people I know and care about now have purchased or are wearing their helmets. Granted, they aren't traveling the speeds that I usually travel (40-50 kmh on the flats) but it's good to know that they are protected.

Be careful out there.
tt

Originally posted by MadCat
cell phones !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mostly cell phones if you ask me!

We have recently changed our terminology in EMS. A Motor Vehicle Accident has been replaced with the term Motor Vehicle Crash.

Accident would mean there was no reason for occurance. Most crashes have a reason, and usually it is preventable.

Originally posted by IowaParamedic
We have recently changed our terminology in EMS. A Motor Vehicle Accident has been replaced with the term Motor Vehicle Crash.

Accident would mean there was no reason for occurance. Most crashes have a reason, and usually it is preventable.

That is encouraging. Words to matter! I have always hated the term, "accident," when globally applied to traffic collisions.

I only am afraid now when a car acts like it is actually out to get me. When they yell but don't pass I get nervous. Or I am in the lane and they are behind in a large pickup truck right on my wheel and they are yelling and cursing at me.

Normal cars doing normal things... Not afraid anymore.

I really hate it when someone in a car talking on their cell phone does something erratic forcing me to take evasive action while I am trying to talk on MY cell phone. It's just so discourteous.

A healthy fear of accidents keeps you more alert. I loved the answer of a British Tornado bomber pilot when asked during Desert Storm if he was scared on missions. His typically British understated reply was something like "Well, it does rather cause one focus one's concentration, don't you know."

MediaCreations, I just noticed your signature. You're almost as wacky as that LittleBigMan character!
Regards,
Raymond

Originally posted by RainmanP
MediaCreations, I just noticed your signature. You're almost as wacky as that LittleBigMan character!
Regards,
Raymond
Thank you. I regard that as a great compliment.:D

I'm not affraid of an accident, I do have a tremendous respect for anything larger than me on the road, I watch for opening doors, I make eye contact with drivers at intersections and ride where I should ride on the road. I'm an aggressive city rider, I take my place in the lane and go at least as fast as the cars in town. I make sure that I am visible with blinking rear lights (2) and bright colored clothing. I have logged many, many miles accident free but I know that it can happen, I stay alert and give myself all of the help I can to stay accident free. I never have confrontations with motorist, I know that I cannot win a road rage battle, so I suck it up and move on. I know that I am the overall winner because I'm riding a bike, I'm fit enough to do it and rugged enough to deal with the environment. I know the steel box drivers really want to be like me although they will never admit it.

The only crash that I've had in my 1.5 years of cycling was when I was riding on wet pavement and did not take that into consideration when taking a corner on a downhill. My wheels lost traction and my old steel-framed Peugeot dragged me across the road (toe clips.) I thank God there were no cars coming (I had looked first before taking the corner!) because by the time I untangled my feet from the clips and got up, I would have been smashed by any on-coming vehicles. I had to live with a bad road rash on my right hip and leg for several weeks. I have a nice scar to remind me of my ignorance to rain and road traction.

I have no fear as of yet of colliding with a vehicle, I guess it's the one thing I haven't spent too much time dwelling upon. Each time I go out riding, I remind myself of my two sons and my wife who need me to come back in one piece. It makes me more alert of the traffic around me and reminds me not to take unnecessary risks while riding.

Now, I am afraid of "toppling" at an intersection. I have not mastered clipless pedals yet and have toppled twice when coming to a stop. If I do this in heavy traffic, someone may run me over!

Otherwise... life is full of risks... the benefits of cycling far outway any general risks of crashing!

Ride like the wind!

well, hard question...

i am definitely EXTREMELY aware and cautious when i ride. there are dangers always around and if i rode my bike like most people drive their cars (obey the laws and just drive defensively) i'd have about 1 crash per month i think...

that said, i have only had 2 crashes with cars and 2 crashes with pedestrians and all were over 10 years when i was a new cyclist and rode my bike like i had learned to drive a car... (plus, once i was riding in all black at night with no lights and no reflectors, so i had the 'right-of-way' but i wasn't visible and a car did a u-turn from the right lane next to me -- now i wouldn't ride in black or w/o lights or reflectors and if i did, i would be riding so cautiously...)

i don't ride in fear and i have little worry of the car from behind (the classic beginner fear). i wear bright colors almost all the time, reflective gear and lights at night (i have reflectors on my helmet, my frame, my rack, ma backpack, etc) plus a rear small blinking light on my helmet that i have even if i'm on a training ride on the MTB or road-race bike w/o all the weighty gear...

but i do especially fear/watch for the motorist turning in front of me... with the skills i have learned through the years and so many near-misses, i have become really good at expecting what will happen and taking action soas to avoid an 'accident'

i'm currently in German and as i've said in other posts before, i really hate the German bike paths which are OBLIGATORY and very unsafe next to the pedestrian sidewalks and i'm constantly switching from riding on the unsafe but legal bike path to the street where i fell much safer, but get honked and yelled at and 'instructed' by motorists...

likewise, now for the times when i do drive a car i am so much more aware and safe than i used to be as a normal driver.

i think every driver should be required to be a cyclist for at least 1 year just to learn to be a better car driver - nothing makes one learn better than to see up-close the dangers and risks of driving - maybe they'd also find out what they're missing by not cycling everywhere!

Originally posted by Aerow
Now, I am afraid of "toppling" at an intersection. I have not mastered clipless pedals yet and have toppled twice when coming to a stop. If I do this in heavy traffic, someone may run me over!



I think everyone who has ever switched from clips and straps to clipless has had the stupid fall at zero mph. It is just one of those things that is a given. I've sure had my share of those. One time I unclipped the wrong side to stop and leaned my bike the way I usually do. The fall must have taken a whole 5 seconds to complete. In front of an audience, of coarse.