Originally Posted by
pharasz
The two absolute WORST bike accidents I have ever witnessed were on the bike path. In the first case, they had to fly the guy out on a helicopter. In the second case, the guy came around a blind curve at 20 MPH riding on the left side of the bike path. I calmly headed for the grass and braked while he panicked and locked up his front wheel and face planted at 20 MPH. He was carried away on a stretcher. I'm not saying don't take the bike path, I'm just saying that if you do, do not, for one second, do so believing that you are any safer than you are on the road, because you are not. If you take the bike path and relax and feel safe you are in more danger going that extra 2 miles than if you take the shorter route on the road and keep your spidey senses tingling.
I take the bike path when I'd rather see trees and rabbits and not hear traffic noise. But I do so knowing that it is just as dangerous as the road, if not more so.
Yup, the only bicycle accident I have ever witnessed was on a MUP (I am still somewhat new to cycling). A kid, probably 12 or so, was coming down hill and the path curves to the left. He got spooked because he saw another cyclist on his left using the opposite lane, so he steered right and his right handle bar hit the wall (it was under a bridge). He then wiped. He hurt his knee a little, but was okay.
Point being, it may not seem intuitive to think cars are safer than kids, pets, etc, but as I ride more and learn more, the road looks better and better!