Most strikes that actually hit people, or anything on the ground for that matter, go from the ground-up. It STARTS with the most attractive conductor on the ground starting to discharge through, lets say, metal golf cleats (which no one wears anymore) on a person while they are holding a metal golf club (which almost no one uses anymore) above the head. So metal cleats, a steel bike, steel wheels and spokes, all are attractive to lightning. Even cars get hit every now and then regardless of rubber tires.

If you are the most attractive conductor around when the atmosphere charges up there is a 100% chance that you are going to get zapped. YOU are the cause of it! Think about that next time you decide to "tough it out" through an electrical storm.


From Wiki: One estimate is that 24,000 people are killed by lightning strikes around the world each year and about 240,000 are injured.