canklecat

That's an understandable position, but my experience differs. By far most of the near misses and actual accidents I've experienced bicycling have been in quiet residential streets. Folks just aren't looking. And there are too many visual distractions: parked cars; homes near curbs (contributing to the claustrophobic feel of some narrow streets); intersections that may be four-way stop signs, may be two-way stops signs with default right-of-way to one street, and in a few instances may be four-way intersections with no stops signs and everybody must be alert.

While I've been honked at and shouted at more often on busier streets, I've had fewer close calls and can think of only one accident when I was nearly doored but only my pedal scraped the side of the door.

Busy city streets may feel more risky, but most drivers are more alert to their surroundings and are actually watching out for others using the street.

I adapt my choices of busy city streets or quieter residential neighborhoods based on my energy level and plain old superstitious intuition. If I feel energetic enough to sprint frequently, I'll ride the city streets because it can shave miles off a long trip (8 miles from my home to downtown, vs 12 miles via quiet roads and the MUP). If my legs are dead or I feel weary I'll ride the side roads.

It also depends on the time of day and day of the week, and just how the traffic "feels". I try to avoid certain specific city streets on Friday afternoons/evenings, especially those along commuter routes. But some of the downtown streets actually feel safer Friday night, because these are more entertainment and cultural venues, not commuter routes for weary, cranky folks at the end of a long work week.

Miele Man

Unfortunately many of us live in areas where ONLY the main roads go where we're wanting to go. Here in town there are three main north-south roads. One of them ends in a maze of side streets and it takes quite some time to get to one of the other main roads. One of those other main roads only goes a bit further before making a 90 degree left turn and ending at the last of the three main roads that's the only one that actualy goes all the way through town. If I only road side streets here my bicycling would be close to zilch as i wouldn't be able to get to any of the supermarkets or other large stores.

Cheers

highrpm

Near me, I've noticed a lot more traffic in the past year or two, since everyone is working again. The traffic, and the increased texting, make me nervous on the streets.


I had enough close calls on the motorcycle to finally sell it last year. No regrets.


I ride my cycle all the time in town but I try to stick to sidewalks.

exmechanic89

^This is my situation as well. Im still riding but I do find the risk discouraging sometimes, especially when you see these occasional stories of a cyclist being killed by someone not paying attention or purposly not taking care around the rider. You wonder sometimes if that next car coming up behind you is gonna be the last one you hear.

rumrunn6

isn't this illegal?

SpeshulEd 

Depends on the state. It's legal in AZ and many people do it, but they tend to not be your typical cyclist.

I've taken to a sidewalk or two on occasion to avoid busy roads, but usually only for a block or so. I couldn't imagine riding on the sidewalk constantly.

RichSPK

My planet. Most of my riding is to get me somewhere, not to ride for it's own sake (though I love to do that). I often have to get somewhere by a specific time, which means I take the most direct route rather than the scenic route.

Also, I'm not convinced that residential roads are so much safer when you have people backing out of hidden driveways, kids and pets running out of yards, and parallel-parked cars opening their doors.

italktocats

i fear the empty roads more than busy ones, those will get you killed witout you having any part in it

Miele Man

It's pretty funny that people talk about all sorts of safety equipment for bicycles but mostly forget to mention a very basic safety item required by all other road vehicles. That basic safety item is a rear view mirror. People sometimes use a bell but most bells are useless in traffic because nobody vcan hear them and they're not loud enough to be recognized as a warning device even if they are heard. A mirror on the other hand allows you to be aware of what's going on behind you whilst still allowing you to see what's going on ahead of you.

I like either a helmet mounted mirror or a mirror mounted on glasses because with those you can scan your right side as well as what's behind you as you negotiate a turn. Nice for keeping track of traffic behind you.

Cheers

ramzilla

I live in the Atlanta area. Something like 1000 people a day have been moving here from somewhere else for the last 30 or 40 years. People drive like they're in the Road Warrior movie. When there's an accident it creates a debris field. It's absolute total insanity. Nobody in their right mind would get anywhere near a main road on a bicycle. Thankfully, we have a pretty well established bike trail system and a few quiet intown neighborhoods where you can ride without fearing for your life. Be good & have fun.

canklecat

Just rode 27 miles Monday afternoon, about half on city streets and bike lanes, about half on the MUP. And, as usual, most of the close calls and near accidents were on the MUP, not the city streets.

exmechanic89

Yeah I realize I need to get a mirror. I've been debating what type to get but I definitely do want to get one.

I-Like-To-Bike

All "close calls" and "near accidents" whether with other bicyclists, pedestrians or moving cars are equal in value when evaluating risk, they are all a big fat zero.

The risk to cyclists from the various cycling scenarios (car free MUP, light motor traffic on street, fast motorized traffic on busy road, etc.) from an actual collision, especially the likely/probable severity of injuries are no where similar or close to being equal.

GerryinHouston

This is an unfounded and ignorant approach to 'risk'. I have worked for years in industry where 'risk assessment' is the basis for most decisions related to safety (i.e. overrides economics). Major companies spend millions of dollars analyzing near misses as a means of better understanding the risks and devising ways to prevent of mitigate the consequences. A near miss is just one circumstance away from becoming an accident and is treated very seriously when the consequences matter (i.e. if the potential outcome is injury or death, and yes, you can get injured or killed riding a bike on the MUP).

wphamilton

I agree. All of the neighborhoods here are designed to prevent through traffic. Those residential roads which do connect from one main road to another, aren't particularly safer IMO than the main roads.

We either ride the roads or not, personal choice. I prefer less traffic to more traffic, but in some locations traffic cannot be avoided if we're using the bike for transportation on the roads. Personally it's been years since I have felt threatened or fearful of traffic.

I-Like-To-Bike

And how "near" is a near miss? Do your "industry experts" consider any and all claims of a "near miss" all of the same risk value, no matter what the industry, no matter what the collision objects/speeds are, and especially no matter what the probable injury or damage consequences/severity level that could be expected?

A worker in the office industry might die from the complications arising from a paper cut, but what industry risk assessment experts considers a so-called near miss from handling paperwork as equal in risk value to a near miss when piloting a commercial airplane?

No competent risk expert considers "near misses" "close calls" or "near accidents" at all without qualifying what "near misses" "close calls" or "near accidents" are or are not, nor considers a so-called ill defined "near miss/close call" as equivalent to an actual event.

Athilda

Amen.

I ride on sidewalks & bike paths almost exclusively. I [I]will not/I] ride next to a high curb. I will ride on roads I know which have wide, open, paved shoulders. I am slowly expanding my bicycling universe but sometimes it is very frustrating.

I want to visit a shrine near me. (BAPS on Route 59 near Streamwood, IL). I can't ride my bike there and I think that's a crying shame. I need to call them today! It isn't their responsibility to fix this, but I wonder if they'd be willing to be part of the solution. I know I am.

CrowSeph

holy words
(do the same as i do , trow the phone away when driving).

GerryinHouston

The answer is no to most of the above. If it were that simplistic there would not be risk analysis. The probability of occurrence is considered just as seriously as the consequences.

Sorry, but I have no time, or the inclination to educate you or anybody else on the subject. You'll have to take my word for it or ignore it. It's just the same to me. The only reason I registered my objection is to underline to the rest of the audience that somebody's uneducated gut feel is not an internetic truth.

This is not acceptable when safety is involved.

tarwheel 

I've been cycling on roads for 40+ years and bike commuting for the past 10 years/ 37,000+ miles. During that time, I've never been hit by a car. My commute route is 32 miles round-trip and includes some busy streets and I ride to work year-round. To be honest, I worry more about traffic accidents when I drive to work. I drive on much busier streets with faster traffic, and many people drive as if they were in a NASCAR race or playing with their cell phones. I've had two incidents while driving where cars in opposing lanes crossed the center line and almost hit me head-on.

However, I don't blame anyone for choosing not to cycle on roads. I have pretty much quit participating in road group rides for similar reasons. Most of my recreational rides now are on greenways and unpaved roads and trails. You still can't let your guard down when riding on trails and greenways. Even though there are no cars, other cyclists, runners, walkers, roller-bladers, etc., can still pose significant hazards if you aren't careful.

When I am bike commuting, I am by myself and in control of the routes I take and my behavior. On group rides, you are only as safe as the worst rider. I have seen more cyclists injured in group rides (from their own actions or other cyclists) than hit by cars. While commuting, I always wear bright clothes, use front and rear lights, and ride defensively. I also seek out routes with the least amount of traffic.

SpeshulEd 

Ride your bike, worry less.

rjmeyer67

Amazon has an air horn that's two pieces. The pumped chamber did in a bottle cage. The flue and button sit on the handlebar. Once expended, repump to pressurize. Looks effective. Saw it on a Bikeman4u YouTube video also.

canklecat

Found it, thanks!

dachshund

I feel the same. I'm gradually crossing routes off my list because of driver behavior. It's too bad the rural areas attract people who dislike cyclists, or maybe the isolation makes them feel it's OK to be rude. Luckily I'm in an area with lots of nice MUP trails, and I can get around the whole area on them. I put my bike in the car to get to my favorite scenic rides.

Gail Cooper

I agree with you, I have a friend who died because of a biking accident he was till young and at the prime of his life, it devastated his family especially his two boys all because of young driver that used his mobile while driving. Using your phone while driving should be penalized.