View Poll Results: Most cycling related crashes are caused by...
Traction loss due to surface conditions
15
34.88%
Mechanical difficulties / failure
0
0%
Skill deficiency of rider
15
34.88%
Waving at riders, girls / guys, motorist, bikesnobs, etc...
2
4.65%
Other - explain
11
25.58%
Voters: 43. You may not vote on this poll
the majority of crashes are caused by...
#1
Career Cyclist
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the majority of crashes are caused by...
We're talking non-vehicle related crashes that involve just you, your bike and the ground...
#2
human
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Other: Inattention or lack of concentration.
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when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
when walking, just walk. when sitting, just sit. when riding, just ride. above all, don't wobble.
The Irregular Cycling Club of Montreal
Cycling irregularly since 2002
#3
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Other - caused by third party stupidity
(cars, prams, shopping trolleys etc.) and
trying to avoid em.
Marty
(cars, prams, shopping trolleys etc.) and
trying to avoid em.
Marty
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Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
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Odio la gente, tutti.
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#5
Veni, Vidi, Vomiti
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Finding out that the "gate" in the trail description was actually a cable stretched across a heavily shaded fire road and being unable to complete both a.) stopping (successful) and b.) removing feet from pedals (unsuccessful), falls under which category? Cable only identified within 6' of cable.
#6
A Heart Needs a Home
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Hmph. I've had two such crashes. (The other two were with cars, outside the scope of your poll.)
In one, recently, my tire got caught in a trolley track and I went over. Could be lack of skill, I'll call it loss of traction. After all, whatever the stupid reason, eventually I was falling over sideways -- no traction there!
In the other, long ago, I got distracted momentarily and hit a big hole and went over the bars. Lack of skill? Looking at girls? I don't even remember. I remember that I had no traction as I flew through the air, however.
So I voted "loss of traction."
RichC
In one, recently, my tire got caught in a trolley track and I went over. Could be lack of skill, I'll call it loss of traction. After all, whatever the stupid reason, eventually I was falling over sideways -- no traction there!
In the other, long ago, I got distracted momentarily and hit a big hole and went over the bars. Lack of skill? Looking at girls? I don't even remember. I remember that I had no traction as I flew through the air, however.
So I voted "loss of traction."
RichC
#7
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I'd say rider error, whether distracted or didn't unclip soon enough ... rider error. Yes, definitely rider error.
#8
Clipless Crash Clutz
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Just about every crash I've had is because I couldn't get my feet out of my clips fast enough!
I think I've crashed/fallen about 6 times this season already. Duh!
I think I've crashed/fallen about 6 times this season already. Duh!
#9
riding a Pinarello Prince
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when I think of something else instead of consentrating on my bike riding, then I have a crash
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#10
Gravity Is Yer Friend
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As stated above, lack of concentration or brain fart
Cheers
Cheers
#12
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So far just black ice in terms of actual spills, near misses have mainly been caused by squirrels.
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Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
Currently riding an MTB with a split personality - commuting, touring, riding for the sake of riding, on or off road :)
#14
xc AND road
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More crashes are caused by daddy letting go of the seat after he took the training wheels off than for any other reason.
#16
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The idiot who rides on a vehicle bridge the wrong direction holding a surfboard. Why don't you ask him cuz I don't understand how he's still riding and I manage to cross paths with him all too regularly unfortunately.
Kathy
Kathy
#17
Sumanitu taka owaci
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Good question. Since we are talking about our own experiences, I would have to say, "Skill deficiency of the rider (me.)"
I can link most of the crashes I've ever had to a mistake in my own judgement or to my own inexperience. In other words, I learned something
from them which have helped me to avoid them in the future.
Even bicycle accident statistics seem to support the general conclusion that unskilled and inexperienced riders are involved in the lion's share of accidents.
Then again, you can't be prepared for everything (or avoid everything.) That's probably the biggest lesson I've learned.
I can link most of the crashes I've ever had to a mistake in my own judgement or to my own inexperience. In other words, I learned something
from them which have helped me to avoid them in the future.
Even bicycle accident statistics seem to support the general conclusion that unskilled and inexperienced riders are involved in the lion's share of accidents.
Then again, you can't be prepared for everything (or avoid everything.) That's probably the biggest lesson I've learned.
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No worries
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#18
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In the one or two crashes that I have had where I was all alone on the road, in each case, it was the other guy's fault.
Cheers,
Jamie
Cheers,
Jamie
#19
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I am involved in as many as 15 accidents per week and since I'm a relative newbie, I'd say it's inexperience. Last week alone I was involved in 8 accidents, 3 involving cars, 2 involving shopping carts, 2 more involving other riders and one where I struck a moving train.
At first I thought something was wrong with my bike, like the time I hit the barbed wire fence, but the LBS said it was my fault. Or the time I was going down the street with my head tipped back, putting eye drops in my eyes. Boy, that was a mess.
There was the time I tried a short cut and rode right in to someones pool. Just 2 weeks ago I was looking at a girl wearing a bikini on rollerblades and I slammed into a street sign, then I wobbled off and went over the curb and was hit by a motorcycle.
Sometimes accidents are unavoidable, like the time I spilled hot coffee on my crotch when I was riding down that steep slope by my house. Or the time I was trying to pee into a cup when on that group ride, I took out 5 other bikes but hey, I had to pee.
Sometimes it's the weather, there was that time the wind blew me into that telephone pole.
On this mornings ride I forgot to tighten the quick release and did'nt know it until I did a wheelie to impress this hot chick. No matter how many times this happens, it's always wierd watching your front wheel rolling down the road about 60 feet ahead of you...I came down so hard on the forks it knocked the breakfast burrito right out of my hand.
You don't even have to be on your bike to have an accident. Last week on 4 different occasions, my bike came off my bike rack while I was on the freeway. Fortunately I made a quick u-turn and was able to recover the bike on each occasion, although my car got pretty messed up.
Oh! While we're talking safety, take it from me, biking and shaving don't mix. I was peddling along a couple of weeks ago, had just finished brushing my teeth and was shaving when as I was trimming my mustache I ran over a dog which caused me to cut myself. Maybe I'll switch to an electric razor.
I used to sit on my helmet because it seemed to fit nicely over my hard seat, but now I've started wearing it on my head, as a safety precaution, you guys should too.
Anyway, I'm getting better and better.
I live in Southern California and am lookiing for riding buddies, so drop me a line if interested.
....Richard
At first I thought something was wrong with my bike, like the time I hit the barbed wire fence, but the LBS said it was my fault. Or the time I was going down the street with my head tipped back, putting eye drops in my eyes. Boy, that was a mess.
There was the time I tried a short cut and rode right in to someones pool. Just 2 weeks ago I was looking at a girl wearing a bikini on rollerblades and I slammed into a street sign, then I wobbled off and went over the curb and was hit by a motorcycle.
Sometimes accidents are unavoidable, like the time I spilled hot coffee on my crotch when I was riding down that steep slope by my house. Or the time I was trying to pee into a cup when on that group ride, I took out 5 other bikes but hey, I had to pee.
Sometimes it's the weather, there was that time the wind blew me into that telephone pole.
On this mornings ride I forgot to tighten the quick release and did'nt know it until I did a wheelie to impress this hot chick. No matter how many times this happens, it's always wierd watching your front wheel rolling down the road about 60 feet ahead of you...I came down so hard on the forks it knocked the breakfast burrito right out of my hand.
You don't even have to be on your bike to have an accident. Last week on 4 different occasions, my bike came off my bike rack while I was on the freeway. Fortunately I made a quick u-turn and was able to recover the bike on each occasion, although my car got pretty messed up.
Oh! While we're talking safety, take it from me, biking and shaving don't mix. I was peddling along a couple of weeks ago, had just finished brushing my teeth and was shaving when as I was trimming my mustache I ran over a dog which caused me to cut myself. Maybe I'll switch to an electric razor.
I used to sit on my helmet because it seemed to fit nicely over my hard seat, but now I've started wearing it on my head, as a safety precaution, you guys should too.
Anyway, I'm getting better and better.
I live in Southern California and am lookiing for riding buddies, so drop me a line if interested.
....Richard
Last edited by Richard_Rides; 06-24-02 at 03:08 PM.
#22
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My jaw was in the process of dropping into my lap ...and then I read the second paragraph.
Since I suspect there truly are people like this on the streets, I was growing quite concerned!
-Rob (still laughing!)
Since I suspect there truly are people like this on the streets, I was growing quite concerned!
-Rob (still laughing!)
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"Ignorance begets confidence more frequently than does knowledge." -Charles Darwin
https://blog.myspace.com/robcatg
https://therob.wordpress.com
#23
Don't Believe the Hype
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let's just say that when you are on a steep downhill, make sure that both your brakes are working, not just the front one.
#24
Sumanitu taka owaci
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Originally posted by Richard_Rides
I am involved in as many as 15 accidents per week...Last week alone I was involved in 8 accidents, 3 involving cars, 2 involving shopping carts, 2 more involving other riders and one where I struck a moving train.
I live in Southern California and am lookiing for riding buddies, so drop me a line if interested.
....Richard
I am involved in as many as 15 accidents per week...Last week alone I was involved in 8 accidents, 3 involving cars, 2 involving shopping carts, 2 more involving other riders and one where I struck a moving train.
I live in Southern California and am lookiing for riding buddies, so drop me a line if interested.
....Richard
(Are you sure you are not one of those guys from that show where they purposely crash into things, set themselves on fire, etc.?)
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No worries
No worries