jfry541

I was just curious as to how many of you have had crashes or accidents on tour vs how many commuting. I would imagine that the crashes on tour would be less likely to involve cars. Am I right? More crashes commuting? I feel a lot safer riding on highways than in cities in a bike lane, and I dont even live in a very big city. Just wondering if I am justified in feeling this way.

Machka 

I commuted by bicycle almost every day for about 6 years from about 1999 to 2004, and then occasionally since then, and in all that time I never had any sort of accident/crash.

I have, however, crashed on tours, and during my non-commuting cycling.

So far, in 36 years of cycling, none of my crashes have involved cars. Some have involved other cyclists, and some have involved road conditions, and some have just been me and my bicycle having a bit of a misunderstanding.

Cyclesafe

Regardless, most crashes occur because of rider carelessness. This is even more true when non-rider influences are reduced - like in touring. My crashes have been with other riders, cars, clipping guard rails with panniers etc. - always my fault.

HardyWeinberg

The loudest have the final say,
The wanton win, the rash hold sway,
The realist's rules of order say
The drunken driver has the right of way.

The Kubla Khan can butt in line;
The biggest brute can take what's mine;
When heavyweights break wind, that's fine;
No matter what a judge might say,
The drunken driver has the right of way.

The guiltiest feel free of guilt;
Who care not, bloom; who worry, wilt;
Plans better laid are rarely built
For forethought seldom wins the day;
The drunken driver has the right of way.

The most attentive and unfailing
Carefulness is unavailing
Wheresoever fools are flailing;
Wisdom there is held at bay; The drunken driver has the right of way.

De jure is de facto's slave;
The most foolhardy beat the brave;
Brass routs restraint; low lies high's grave;
When conscience leads you, it's astray;
The drunken driver has the right of way.

It's only the naivest who'll
Deny this, that the reckless rule;
When facing an oncoming fool
The practiced and sagacious say
Watch out — one side — look sharp — gang way.

However much you plan and pray,
Alas, alack, tant pis, oy vey,
Now — heretofore — til Judgment Day,
The drunken driver has the right of way.

Ethan Coen

paul2

Commuting I was doored once. I crashed when my tire got caught in a train track. Once I was squeezed off the road by a truck, and to avoid being hit by it I hit the curb and wet over the handlebars. I was hit bar a car turning across two lanes to get into a donut shop. And hit by a car turning into a gas station without signalling.

I've never had a crash or an accident in 14 years of touring.

TwoShort

I've had a few crashes over the years, and they were all commuting, but that's probably just because I've spent more time on the bike commuting. Notably, they were all solo affairs, no one to blame but myself. Unless you count the guy I was stuck behind who was going really slow until I finally got a chance to pass so I was sprinting, and... [insert ending of any of 4 different crash stories here].

Gordon P

All of my crashes, whether touring or commuting, have involved bridges and slippery surfaces. Only once have I been struck down by a car and it involved a poorly designed bike/bus lane and a bridge!

lobsterclaw

drinking heavily the other night, i somehow managed to hurl myself over the bars in the middle of a deserted street and seriously wreck my arm. now i got a gnarly bruise and my poor sram brifters are scratched. good times.

John Nelson

When touring, you sometimes ride in weather that you might otherwise choose to sit out. The panniers make your bike more vulnerable to the wind. So crashes from wind or rain might be more common. I've been blown off the road on occasion--nothing serious. My serious crashes have involved other bicycles. If you tour solo, you won't have that problem most of the time.

Machka 

Yes, at least 3 of my touring crashes, that I can think of off-hand, have had to do with the panniers either throwing me off balance, or me misjudging their width or something.

Randochap

Most crashes, in whatever capacity, usually involve supassing one's abilities.

gorshkov

I haven't done a lot of touring, but I have not had a crash so far (crosses fingers).

While commuting, I have crashed several times, and two of those involved cars. One was my fault (I didn't stop at a stop sign) and the other occurred because the driver didn't stop at a stop sign, because he was high.

I've also crashed a few times in races, but I do things when racing that I would never consider when commuting or touring.

RayB

No crashes touring, and just 1 accident commuting when I got tboned by a guy rushing to get into traffic from a parking lot.

acantor

I can recall four accidents in forty-six years of cycling:

18 years old: Braked with front and flew over the handlebars. Cause: Excessive speed and lack of experience.

27 years old: Braked while turning, fell, and broke a bone in my hand. Cause: Lack of experience.

49 years old: Forgot to unclip SPD pedal when stopping. Cause: Lack of experience with clip-ins.

49 years old: Same as above!

None of these accidents occurred while touring. None involved cars or other bicycles. Lack of experience was a factor in all. Hopefully, I have enough experience to avoid accidents for the rest of my life!

HardyWeinberg

Yeah I don't think I've repeated any of my accidents but I don't think I've exhausted all the possibilities by a long shot...

mrpincher

Here's my two most memorable. Biking though the waist high autumn grass I caught a single strand of wire that ran 20+ feet between a power pole and a farmers fence. The wire came taught just above the front tire, on the steering tube, it was the supreme Oh sh#^ moment, feet were strapped in. Did a full on face plant into the earth. When I woke I had a nice rash on my right cheek, which finally went away after about 20 years.

And last year on a deserted country road I decided to bike with my elbows on the drop bars with head in palms of hand - oh yeah! - while pedaling. I was really bored and tired. It worked until I lost my balance, or dozed off. I picked myself up from the asphalt and poked a hole in on of my ortlieb pans. That was really one of the more stupid things I've done recently.

acantor

You are right! Yesterday I discovered a new kind of accident waiting to happen.

When riding past parked cars, I have trained myself to look for signs that someone might open a car door or pull out suddenly. I monitor exhaust pipes, tail lights, and rear view mirrors. After decades of doing this, it's almost a reflex.

Yesterday, as I was slowing for a red light, I pulled up next to the passenger side of a stopped car, and the passenger opened the door! I was able to swerve in time to avoid a collision, but it's the first time this has happened to me. From now on, I will be getting into the habit of checking passenger side rear view mirrors, as well. So much to attend to!

Losligato

Makes me think of this youtube video. Surpass away!

mev

No crashes in a lot of years and a lot of miles of touring.

I ride my bike year round including commuting and don't own an automobile. Last "crash" I had there was in 2005 when my bike slid out on ice hidden under a thin layer of new snow. Before I knew it was down, but fortunately it was also quite cold so I was well-padded.

CCrew

I have to respectfully disagree. I commute daily, and have two collisions and many near misses on the board. I am NOT an aggressive or inattentive rider, but I commute in an urban environment (DC) where every driver is looking out for #1 and in a hurry to get where they're going. That and bikes frequently do not get along.

avatarworf

I would have to say that attentiveness - on both the part of the cyclist and motorist - is the most important factor along with traffic density. In 40,000km so far we've been exceedingly lucky, with no serious incidents aside from the odd close call or bit of road rage. I am sure our mirrors and hi-viz clothing help keep us safe. Of course, if you're touring on low-traffic roads that is safer than in a city where there are far more 'missiles' coming your way but then you also have to consider speed and road conditions. There are so many factors it's hard to generalize.