I forgot to write that the reason that I ride on the sidewalk is because I was hit by a car last year before Christmas. I got my arm broken and lots of stitches and cuts and bruises. I was cycling on a quiet road near the school and a guy was driving like a moron and going to fast and hit me.

I am really scared to ride on the road still. Is that dumb ?
When did you guys all start riding on major roads ?


Reece

Reece, I think many of us older people who ride on the road are "scared" but we are experienced riders and drivers and have a good idea of how to handle emergency situations (I hope ).

I suppose most of us started riding on the road as adults.

Fubar you may be able to answer Reece's question. When did you start riding on the road?
What advice can you offer?

Ron

Reese, I started riding on the streets in San Francisco when I was your age. Never had any problems or accidents ...not even close calls. But you have a right to be scared because of your accident. Learn to listen for cars that are behind you; Learn to look over your shoulder to see what the cars are doing, and practice watching the traffic way ahead of you, so you can adjust your own speed and prepare to stop or avoid what might be a dangerous situation. And don't forget to stop at traffic lights. You have to obey the same laws as the people driving cars.

All of these riding skills come with practice, but don't allow fear to stop you from riding your bike. Not all drivers are reckless --but sometimes it seems that way. Many will honk at you; some in anger because they resent bicycles being on the same road and seem to warn you that they are behind you. (They don't want to hit you and are afraid that you don't know they are there. But if you have been using your ears, you will already know where they are.)

Riding on the sidewalk is illegal in many places (Unfortunately many cops don't seem to know this.) and it really isn't as safe for you or the people walking.

Keep riding, and I hope you wear a helmet. They are good protection.

I'm just the opposite. I rode on sidewalks sometimes, until I got hit and realized that it was because the guy who hit me didn't expect me to be in the cross walk. Not to mention that it was illegal for me to ride in the cross walk to begin with.

Yes, riding in the street can get a little scary sometimes, but statistics seem to point to the fact that it is actually safer that riding on the sidewalk. And no, it's not dumb to be scared of riding on the roads, as long as the fear is not overpowering. I think the roads would be a lot safer if people didn't feel so damned indestructible, especially when they are in cars.

andy

I agree with the preceding respondents. Stay alert, ride in the proper position on the street*, be predictable, be visible, and obey traffic regulations. I would also add, agitate for stricter accountability for motorists. Incompetent, aggressive, inebriated, distracted, and otherwise irresponsible motorists are the only significant threat to our safety as legitimate road users. Sidewalk cycling may reduce your chance of being struck from behind, but it will markedly increase your chance of being hit at every intersection or driveway cut, and accidentally riding off the edge of a curb can be fatal.


*Take an Effective Cycling course, or at least read Forester, Franklin, and/or Allen

Visibility is the most important thing. As far as being hit while riding on the road goes, I say you were just unlucky. Your chances of being safe are probably still better there than anywhere else.