View Poll Results: How were you hit?
Haven't Been Hit
30
32.97%
Right Hook
13
14.29%
Left Hook
8
8.79%
Doored
4
4.40%
Rear-Ended
13
14.29%
Head On
6
6.59%
Run Into Parked/Stopped Car
9
9.89%
Broadsided
22
24.18%
Cut Off (then you Broadside the vehicle)
19
20.88%
Other
14
15.38%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 91. You may not vote on this poll
Bike Vs Motor Vehicle... How many of you have been hit?
11-30-11, 12:26 AM
#51
24-Speed Machine
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Wash. Grove, MD
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The risks as defined in a&s are so exagerated as to lead one to believe that the benefits could in no way be high enough. If we're honest, really, we'll say yes, sometimes things happen, but sometimes things happen in every activity. Cycling, if we're honest, has very few injuries compared to a trememdous physical and mental health benefit. What I read here isn't honesty about the frequency of injuries while cycling, it's a gross over-estimate. And that, my friend, is far more damaging to cycling as a whole than being honest and saying that injuries are few, and most get through their cycling lives with nothing more than maybe a skinned knee, if that.
11-30-11, 03:44 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa/St. Pete, Florida
Posts: 9,352
Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Mountain (Stolen); Giant Seek 2 (Stolen); Diamondback Ascent mid 1980 - 1997
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Do you really think that we should "gloss over" as it were the negatives? Do you think that people shouldn't be told about the dangers and negatives to driving a car?
11-30-11, 03:48 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa/St. Pete, Florida
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Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Mountain (Stolen); Giant Seek 2 (Stolen); Diamondback Ascent mid 1980 - 1997
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I disagree. If we lie about the very real risks, when we are found out (which we will be) our credibility is shot and we will not have any impact at all thereafter. I want people to come in with their eyes open. I believe those who understand the risks are more likely to appreciate how magnificent the benefits are and will be more likely to stay with this wonderful activity.
It is best to be honest and give a person considering riding for transportation as much information as possible so that they can make an informed decision as to whether it is or isn't for them.
11-30-11, 03:54 AM
#54
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Tampa/St. Pete, Florida
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Bikes: Specialized Hardrock Mountain (Stolen); Giant Seek 2 (Stolen); Diamondback Ascent mid 1980 - 1997
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I see the complaints in a&s a bit differently. It appears to me that the cyclists who discuss their unfortunate encounters with scofflaw motorists are complaining about events that should never happen, so they are indignant about the fact that these things have happened to them. Of course there's a bit of hyperbole, but that is because we, mostly, understand cycling to be inherently safe and it really upsets us when some arrogant and/or underskilled motorist undermines that outlook.
At least we can agree that, all things considered, it is better/healthier to sit on a saddle than to sit on a couch.
At least we can agree that, all things considered, it is better/healthier to sit on a saddle than to sit on a couch.
Agree, there's more to cycling than just being able to balance oneself on two wheels, plus being forewarned is forearmed. I've seen many commuter cyclists come and go over the years, I'm sure more would have stayed cycling if they had a better understanding of what to expect and what measures to take in order to make their cycling experience more enjoyable.
11-30-11, 10:40 AM
#55
Godfather of Soul
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Austin, TX
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How, it's just pointing out the legitimate dangers. Thankfully most of us haven't had any crashes either from having cars running into them or them running into cars. Sadly, there are plenty of us who have been hit by cars, usually it's because the driver was inattentive or distracted, or driving aggressively. The same is true for those here who have run into cars. They were riding while not fully paying attention to their surroundings, or were riding recklessly.
Or in some cases both the driver of the car and the bicycle rider were not paying attention to their surroundings or were reckless.
Sadly, the bottom line is that there are dangers out there on the road. Most of them are inattentive, distracted or aggressive drivers. And sadly, there are also plenty of inattentive, distracted and aggressive cyclists on the road as well.
Or in some cases both the driver of the car and the bicycle rider were not paying attention to their surroundings or were reckless.
Sadly, the bottom line is that there are dangers out there on the road. Most of them are inattentive, distracted or aggressive drivers. And sadly, there are also plenty of inattentive, distracted and aggressive cyclists on the road as well.
11-30-11, 11:02 AM
#56
sɹɐʇsɟoןןnɟsʇıbɟɯo
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: seattle, too many links
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hit twice this summer (two months apart (to the day!))
one i assume from behind (missing 30-45min of memory, and no witnesses)
one broadside (missing 10m or so memory, but the guy stayed)
both sent me to the ER, but nothing major
stay safe everyone!
one i assume from behind (missing 30-45min of memory, and no witnesses)
one broadside (missing 10m or so memory, but the guy stayed)
both sent me to the ER, but nothing major
stay safe everyone!
11-30-11, 11:09 AM
#57
Banned
Missing memory is something I wouldn't call minor, too bad that you didn't have forward and rearward pointing cams so you could have increased the odds of reporting the first motorist.
