Originally Posted by JumboRider
Ok guys and girls,
I am going to commute to work but my wife has grown worried about me after reading these forums. It seems like everyone is getting run over etc. What I would like is for everyone that has not had an incident to post in this thread.
Reply if you have never had an physical altercation with a vehicle.
Let me know how many close calls you have had.
Let me know how many times 'stuff' has been thrown at you from cagers.
Thanks, and remember, I am trying to ease her fears.
I have commuted nearly every day for 3.5 years. My commute is 8.5 miles each way through poor urban neighborhoods in Cleveland.
I have never had an accident involving another vehicle, I have dropped the bike at low speeds a couple times on snow and ice.
Excluding Halloween I have only had stuff thrown at me a couple of times. Both missed. I suggest getting home before dark on Halloween.
I have had two close calls where aggressive drivers have either hit my mirror or caused me to put my hand on their hood to maintain balance. I have had to do an emergency stop three times when a vehicle pulled out infront of me and once when a goose decided to confront me on the path. In all cases I easily stopped in time.
I don't consider my commute to be any more dangerous riding than it would be driving. I am much more aware of my surroundings and able to avoid problems before they happen. I do realize that if I am in an accident I am more likely to be injured than if I drove but I don't think the danger is much worse. The biggest factor is how you ride. Following the rules of the road and taking you place on the road is much safer than running lights, riding the wrong way or hugging the curb.
Craig