Cycling too dangerous for those over fifty?
08-17-11, 06:47 AM
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My issues are that
a) city driving is relatively dangerous for anyone, I'm 51 and have not noticed the diminished capabilities (except cardio) that the doctor is claiming. I recently avoided a couple of collisions by reacting quickly, I had no sense that I would have done any better when I was 30. Would he prefer that bicyclists avoid the city altogether (see comment above regarding cyclist inconveniencing his driving)?
b) unless the route is completely rural, there's a decent likelihood of encountering "city-like" situations with tight roads, parked cars and aggressive drivers turning unpredictably. Should we avoid those, too?
c) who only rides two miles? I commute 32 miles round trip a couple of times a week, not really a walking option. I notice a huge difference in my physical condition when I'm riding regularly vs. other activities. I can still ride pretty hard for reasonable distances, not as fast as when I was younger, but I can just about keep up with a 20mph pace in a group for an hour, and the main obstacle is weight (230lb), not age. It just seems insulting for a doctor to suggest that once you hit 50, you should suddenly be so concerned about your physical and mental skills falling off a cliff that you should "think twice before getting on a bicycle." Thanks, but no thanks!
a) city driving is relatively dangerous for anyone, I'm 51 and have not noticed the diminished capabilities (except cardio) that the doctor is claiming. I recently avoided a couple of collisions by reacting quickly, I had no sense that I would have done any better when I was 30. Would he prefer that bicyclists avoid the city altogether (see comment above regarding cyclist inconveniencing his driving)?
b) unless the route is completely rural, there's a decent likelihood of encountering "city-like" situations with tight roads, parked cars and aggressive drivers turning unpredictably. Should we avoid those, too?
c) who only rides two miles? I commute 32 miles round trip a couple of times a week, not really a walking option. I notice a huge difference in my physical condition when I'm riding regularly vs. other activities. I can still ride pretty hard for reasonable distances, not as fast as when I was younger, but I can just about keep up with a 20mph pace in a group for an hour, and the main obstacle is weight (230lb), not age. It just seems insulting for a doctor to suggest that once you hit 50, you should suddenly be so concerned about your physical and mental skills falling off a cliff that you should "think twice before getting on a bicycle." Thanks, but no thanks!
There is a reason there are no Formula 1 drivers or fighter pilots at 50, because the skills and reflexes simply diminish with time. We may not notice it because of the slow nature of aging, and there might be an exception or two out there, but reflexes do diminish, as does sight, hearing and all the rest of the senses....
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08-17-11, 06:56 AM
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Maybe you guys don't ride in the cities, but for those of us that do, I'd say the doctor has a point.
The biggest obstacle to me getting back on a bike was getting back out into traffic. What I once took for granted, narrow, pot-holed, busy streets, nearly scared the heck out of me now that I am older. Nearly all of my riding is done within inches of parked cars and moving ones. One bad move by me or a driver can spell disaster. It's taken me months to get comfortable out there again, but I'm still not overly confident and I still have my fears on busy streets. I now look 2 or 3 times at a situation I might have flown through in my younger years. Not to mention there is even more traffic out there now, which makes for less patience from drivers.
I know I am not the bike rider I once was, and due to aging, I'm not likely to ever be that confident or good again. If your skill level makes you as good as you were at twenty, then great, but most peoples skills diminish. This report won't stop me, but this doctor does have a valid point IMHO....
The biggest obstacle to me getting back on a bike was getting back out into traffic. What I once took for granted, narrow, pot-holed, busy streets, nearly scared the heck out of me now that I am older. Nearly all of my riding is done within inches of parked cars and moving ones. One bad move by me or a driver can spell disaster. It's taken me months to get comfortable out there again, but I'm still not overly confident and I still have my fears on busy streets. I now look 2 or 3 times at a situation I might have flown through in my younger years. Not to mention there is even more traffic out there now, which makes for less patience from drivers.
I know I am not the bike rider I once was, and due to aging, I'm not likely to ever be that confident or good again. If your skill level makes you as good as you were at twenty, then great, but most peoples skills diminish. This report won't stop me, but this doctor does have a valid point IMHO....
08-17-11, 06:59 AM
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It's obvious the doctor doesn't know anything about cycling, but he does know what he is seeing in his hospital and there is no denying that he is seeing more older people with cycling injuries.
There is a reason there are no Formula 1 drivers or fighter pilots at 50, because the skills and reflexes simply diminish with time. We may not notice it because of the slow nature of aging, and there might be an exception or two out there, but reflexes do diminish, as does sight, hearing and all the rest of the senses....
There is a reason there are no Formula 1 drivers or fighter pilots at 50, because the skills and reflexes simply diminish with time. We may not notice it because of the slow nature of aging, and there might be an exception or two out there, but reflexes do diminish, as does sight, hearing and all the rest of the senses....
Should we all go and sit on the couch? Is that your conclusion?
08-17-11, 07:08 AM
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The doctor said "think twice", he didn't say don't do it. And I am not saying that either.
Anybody on a cycling forum like this is pretty much a hard core cyclist. He knows about bikes and he knows how to ride and he has a keen interest in all aspects of it. But there are way more casual cyclists out there that don't know anything about bikes or riding and really should "think twice" before getting back on a bike at such a late stage and after so many years away. This is not something one should enter into so casually with little knowledge, or yes, they could find themselves in the hospital...
Anybody on a cycling forum like this is pretty much a hard core cyclist. He knows about bikes and he knows how to ride and he has a keen interest in all aspects of it. But there are way more casual cyclists out there that don't know anything about bikes or riding and really should "think twice" before getting back on a bike at such a late stage and after so many years away. This is not something one should enter into so casually with little knowledge, or yes, they could find themselves in the hospital...
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08-17-11, 07:11 AM
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"If you are over 50, think twice before you get on a bicycle..."
Probably what he meant to say was "If you are over 50, think twice before you leave the house because lilfe can kill you".
He actually makes me want to cycle more. Moron.
Probably what he meant to say was "If you are over 50, think twice before you leave the house because lilfe can kill you".
He actually makes me want to cycle more. Moron.
08-17-11, 07:15 AM
#32
You gonna eat that?
An associate of Dr. Thompson, perhaps?
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Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
08-17-11, 07:16 AM
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I'm almost 50 and I'd say cycling is safer for me now than when I was younger . . . I take less risks and I like to think I have a wiser perspective at anticipating what other people on the road may do that is dangerous. Not a week goes by that I don't avoid an accident by riding carefully and defensively.
08-17-11, 07:28 AM
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statistics suck. if you're a doofus you don't belong on a bike on the road.
that said, the doctor has a good warning for older bikers who can't hack the territory. it's not like taking up fly fishing or photography.
that said, the doctor has a good warning for older bikers who can't hack the territory. it's not like taking up fly fishing or photography.
08-17-11, 07:32 AM
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You made my point better than I could!
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08-17-11, 07:56 AM
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Hi,
The doctor's blog entry and rebuttal blog entry (see link in the comments section of the doctor's blog) are worth a blog entry by me later today. The doctor is probably seeing more people over 50 with facial injuries (heck, I am one of those statistics right now from a fall a week and a half ago), but the good doctor draws very faulty logical links to what he see's a the root causes of the increase. Did he ever think that perhaps there are a lot of new (neophyte) riders over 50 in his area? I don't know if this is the case, but if you are a new rider at any age, you put yourself into situations that you would avoid if you were an experienced rider.
I'll stop here for now, but the blog is so full of poor logic and bad data that I'm shocked that some editor on the web site didn't pull it.
The doctor's blog entry and rebuttal blog entry (see link in the comments section of the doctor's blog) are worth a blog entry by me later today. The doctor is probably seeing more people over 50 with facial injuries (heck, I am one of those statistics right now from a fall a week and a half ago), but the good doctor draws very faulty logical links to what he see's a the root causes of the increase. Did he ever think that perhaps there are a lot of new (neophyte) riders over 50 in his area? I don't know if this is the case, but if you are a new rider at any age, you put yourself into situations that you would avoid if you were an experienced rider.
I'll stop here for now, but the blog is so full of poor logic and bad data that I'm shocked that some editor on the web site didn't pull it.
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08-17-11, 08:26 AM
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Of course it IS something one should enter into casually. While there will be a few accidents, the overall population, and the stat's would say most individuals, will be far better off. You need to accept risk to obtain rewards. That relationship is inviolate.
08-17-11, 09:02 AM
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To answer the Doctor. No cycling is not too DANGEROUS for just those of us over 50. I say this as I type one handed due to a broken hand, bruised ribs and 4 stitches in my lip. This from a dangerous curb I ran into Saturday night. The main problem is the enviroment we ride in needs to be adjusted to our sport to make it safer for those of us over 50.
With the state of medicine today why trust just one doctor, Ask 5 others and they will tell us something different. All cyclist seem to agree that our riding enviroment is too dangerous.
With the state of medicine today why trust just one doctor, Ask 5 others and they will tell us something different. All cyclist seem to agree that our riding enviroment is too dangerous.
08-17-11, 09:08 AM
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I don't think I'd be over-matched by the doctor or many of his patients in any of those btw.
08-17-11, 09:13 AM
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How about cycling has a 77:1 benefit:cost ratio?
https://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c5293.full.pdf
Of course, that doesn't say anything about reduced capacity of cyclists as they top 50 (nor about reduced mental capacity of medical doctors, either!).
https://www.bmj.com/content/341/bmj.c5293.full.pdf
Of course, that doesn't say anything about reduced capacity of cyclists as they top 50 (nor about reduced mental capacity of medical doctors, either!).
08-17-11, 10:03 AM
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A dozen years ago I was honored to attend the graduation of a SEALS class at Coronado. 150+ men started the class, less than 50 finished. They give only one award: "Honor Man". The young man whose mother had invited me to the graduation was the one who received the award. His bunkmate didn't graduate -- he died.
"Forrest" walked up the the lectern and said"
As William Wallace said... well I guess it was Mel Gibson... 'Every man dies. Not every man truly lives.' "
The reaper is waiting for us all. While we're still able, choose life!
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." ~ Helen Keller
"Forrest" walked up the the lectern and said"
As William Wallace said... well I guess it was Mel Gibson... 'Every man dies. Not every man truly lives.' "
The reaper is waiting for us all. While we're still able, choose life!
"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing. Security does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than exposure." ~ Helen Keller
08-17-11, 10:29 AM
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Show me a man who thinks walking is better than cycling and I'll show you a man who never had to pee in a hurry.
08-17-11, 10:42 AM
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You're overthinking it. It's actually
1) I don't like bicycles because sometimes they get in my way when I'm driving, so
2) Nobody should ride bicycles.
1) I don't like bicycles because sometimes they get in my way when I'm driving, so
2) Nobody should ride bicycles.
grrrrr
08-17-11, 11:42 AM
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Most people who inhale dihydrogen-oxide die within seconds or minutes. I try to ingest approximately 3 kcc of it per day, lest I become dihydrogen-oxide deficient. I carry a plastic dispenser full of the stuff on my bike in a specially designed holder mounted on the frame so I can ingest some while I ride.
I actually think the stuff might have addictive properties, with side-effects of withdrawl being headaches, disorientation, hallucinations, and eventually a painful drawn out death. I sometimes go a half a day without, but I always fall off the wagon. I wish they made a 'patch' to help curb my cravings for dihydrogen-oxide.
I actually think the stuff might have addictive properties, with side-effects of withdrawl being headaches, disorientation, hallucinations, and eventually a painful drawn out death. I sometimes go a half a day without, but I always fall off the wagon. I wish they made a 'patch' to help curb my cravings for dihydrogen-oxide.
08-17-11, 12:17 PM
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Most people who inhale dihydrogen-oxide die within seconds or minutes. I try to ingest approximately 3 kcc of it per day, lest I become dihydrogen-oxide deficient. I carry a plastic dispenser full of the stuff on my bike in a specially designed holder mounted on the frame so I can ingest some while I ride.
I actually think the stuff might have addictive properties, with side-effects of withdrawl being headaches, disorientation, hallucinations, and eventually a painful drawn out death. I sometimes go a half a day without, but I always fall off the wagon. I wish they made a 'patch' to help curb my cravings for dihydrogen-oxide.
I actually think the stuff might have addictive properties, with side-effects of withdrawl being headaches, disorientation, hallucinations, and eventually a painful drawn out death. I sometimes go a half a day without, but I always fall off the wagon. I wish they made a 'patch' to help curb my cravings for dihydrogen-oxide.
08-17-11, 12:43 PM
#49
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The article is a typical media piece to fill up the space where advertisers leave room for. Of course, its not well written nor well balanced. Maybe it wasn't intended to be. If the doctor were interviewed, he would simply state that all this was taken out of context.
08-17-11, 01:21 PM
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Please cut the poor doc a break. He may just be preparing the way for his brother's new out-patient angioplasty franchise.
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