A bit unnerved
09-11-15, 11:39 AM
#26
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Each year approximately 34,000 people in the U.S. die from secondhand smoke. Does this mean I should become a hermit for fear that my next whiff of someone's cigarette could send me to the grave? Or perhaps I should invest in those surgical masks we so frequently see our friends in Asia wearing. And so much for my annual Vegas trips... can't walk into a casino without being greeted by a wall of carcinogens.
My suggestion:
Ride your bike. Pay attention. Don't be stupid.
09-11-15, 11:44 AM
#27
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OP you are way out of line in both your attitude and the reasoning behind your arguments. First off everyone is trying to help. There is no reason for you to tell folks that they have to respond only along the lines that you expected.
Secondly, it is irrelevant what the differences are between pure automobile accident survival and bike-car accident survival are. What matters is the overall per capita statistics of cyclist deaths or serious injuries compared to the same for auto drivers and passengers. That is a composite of the chance of the accident in the first place AND the survival rate.
Secondly, it is irrelevant what the differences are between pure automobile accident survival and bike-car accident survival are. What matters is the overall per capita statistics of cyclist deaths or serious injuries compared to the same for auto drivers and passengers. That is a composite of the chance of the accident in the first place AND the survival rate.
09-11-15, 11:45 AM
#28
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I'm not the one telling a guy that he's stupid for being scared to ride a bike now or for not being scared to drive a car, when in fact, nothing remotely similar was even said.
09-11-15, 11:49 AM
#29
I know. Hence the "irrationally". Much of the premise of this thread falls into the irrational category.
09-11-15, 11:53 AM
#30
pan y agua
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So riding a bike in traffic (particularly if you obey the rules of the road, don't ride drunk, and aren't a ninja salmon) the risk is just not that high compared to driving.
And factor in the health benefits, and the mortality risk swings way in favor of cycling.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-11-15, 11:54 AM
#32
Of course it is. The point is you're looking at an accident involving a person doing an activity that you do. As a result of that accident you feel nervous doing the same activity. Whether that activity is driving a car, a bike or walking down the street the logic holds that it's ridiculous to be nervous doing something on the basis of someone in close proximity to you suffering an accident. The comparative risk of death in the various activities is meaningless to the the point that it's stupid to feel more at risk solely on the basis of another person's accident. I doubt you'll understand what I'm saying so I'll just leave you as I found you.
09-11-15, 11:55 AM
#33
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I've had a Lezyne Zecto Drive Taillight for several months now and really like it. Really nice build quality but not super expensive although not super cheap either ($25-30). It has 6 different modes, ranging 2 hrs 45 mins to 7 hrs and has a good battery indicator showing more levels than most so more useful.
Like you I wanted more lights to be more visible, especially since I've started doing more rides at night so I bought a Axiom Pulse 60 Taillight. I've only used it on a few rides but it is very nice and brighter. It has a quick release strap for seatposts and you can adjust the up/down angle so the light is actually pointing back. It was actually about the same price as the Lezyne ($25-30). It has 5 different modes, ranging from 2 1/2 hrs to 7 hrs.
Hope all that helps narrow the search down for a taillight!
Like you I wanted more lights to be more visible, especially since I've started doing more rides at night so I bought a Axiom Pulse 60 Taillight. I've only used it on a few rides but it is very nice and brighter. It has a quick release strap for seatposts and you can adjust the up/down angle so the light is actually pointing back. It was actually about the same price as the Lezyne ($25-30). It has 5 different modes, ranging from 2 1/2 hrs to 7 hrs.
Hope all that helps narrow the search down for a taillight!
09-11-15, 12:00 PM
#35
pan y agua
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Additionally, the point about you don't quit driving is to point out the fallacy in most people's risk balancing. You're currently overestimating the risk because of an ad hoc personal experience.
And paradoxically, the fact that cycling fatalities are pretty rare is what makes hearing of one startling.
38,000 people die in car accidents every year. It's so common it gets very little attention, and we don't perceive it as a substantial risk.
700 cyclists die in vehicle accidents every year. They are relatively rare and thus get more attention, (particularly on BF) and we give them undue weight in our risk balancing.
And paradoxically, the fact that cycling fatalities are pretty rare is what makes hearing of one startling.
38,000 people die in car accidents every year. It's so common it gets very little attention, and we don't perceive it as a substantial risk.
700 cyclists die in vehicle accidents every year. They are relatively rare and thus get more attention, (particularly on BF) and we give them undue weight in our risk balancing.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-11-15, 12:03 PM
#36
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Of course it is. The point is you're looking at an accident involving a person doing an activity that you do. As a result of that accident you feel nervous doing the same activity. Whether that activity is driving a car, a bike or walking down the street the logic holds that it's ridiculous to be nervous doing something on the basis of someone in close proximity to you suffering an accident. The comparative risk of death in the various activities is meaningless to the the point that it's stupid to feel more at risk solely on the basis of another person's accident. I doubt you'll understand what I'm saying so I'll just leave you as I found you.
I'm sorry it's so unfathomable to you guys that someone hearing of a bad situation might cause the risks of the activity to be a little more conscious in their mind, at least for a day or so.
09-11-15, 12:06 PM
#37
pan y agua
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Im not an idiot and understood all this before I even posted here. Hence the reason I have still been riding my bike rather than putting it on Craigslist on a whim.
I'm sorry it's so unfathomable to you guys that someone hearing of a bad situation might cause the risks of the activity to be a little more conscious in their mind, at least for a day or so.
I'm sorry it's so unfathomable to you guys that someone hearing of a bad situation might cause the risks of the activity to be a little more conscious in their mind, at least for a day or so.
Where I and I think others are coming from is trying to keep things in perspective.
Over the years there has been a lot of fear mongering on BF. Because a great percentage of Bike fatalities anywhere in the US, and to a lesser degree the World, get discussed here, there's a tendency to believe cyclists are dropping like flies and to distort the risks involved.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
09-11-15, 12:09 PM
#38
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I for one, didn't mean to imply that you're an idiot. And it's perfectly understandable that your personal experience can affect you.
Where I and I think others are coming from is trying to keep things in perspective.
Over the years there has been a lot of fear mongering on BF. Because a great percentage of Bike fatalities anywhere in the US, and to a lesser degree the World, get discussed here, there's a tendency to believe cyclists are dropping like flies and to distort the risks involved.
Where I and I think others are coming from is trying to keep things in perspective.
Over the years there has been a lot of fear mongering on BF. Because a great percentage of Bike fatalities anywhere in the US, and to a lesser degree the World, get discussed here, there's a tendency to believe cyclists are dropping like flies and to distort the risks involved.
09-11-15, 12:33 PM
#39
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If I may interrupt for a moment...
On the other side of the coin, a bicyclist was killed in my town this week. She was in the left lane of a divided highway, 6:30am, no lights, no reflectors, no reflective clothing, no helmet.(not that a helmet would have made a difference). She was right where the speed limit goes from 45-50mph. The first vehicle that hit her, a pickup, never saw her until contact. It knocked her across the center turn lane and an oncoming car hit her again.
She was dead at the scene. The Fire Dept had to come wash down the road.
It's not always the motorists fault.
She was riding a bike (her only mode of transportation) to a job 10 miles away she had just gotten. Single mom, she left two small children behind.
Very sad but being unsafe on a bike will get you killed. The poor folks that hit her will have to live with it.
edit to add: Yes, it IS a bit unnerving to get these "wake up" calls as to the dynamics involved in a bike/car collision. The cyclist will lose every time. Comparing it to automobile fatalities or statistical analysis is irrelevant IMO. A cyclist gets killed, even if being unsafe, and it drives home just how vulnerable we are out there.
On the other side of the coin, a bicyclist was killed in my town this week. She was in the left lane of a divided highway, 6:30am, no lights, no reflectors, no reflective clothing, no helmet.(not that a helmet would have made a difference). She was right where the speed limit goes from 45-50mph. The first vehicle that hit her, a pickup, never saw her until contact. It knocked her across the center turn lane and an oncoming car hit her again.
She was dead at the scene. The Fire Dept had to come wash down the road.
It's not always the motorists fault.
She was riding a bike (her only mode of transportation) to a job 10 miles away she had just gotten. Single mom, she left two small children behind.
Very sad but being unsafe on a bike will get you killed. The poor folks that hit her will have to live with it.
edit to add: Yes, it IS a bit unnerving to get these "wake up" calls as to the dynamics involved in a bike/car collision. The cyclist will lose every time. Comparing it to automobile fatalities or statistical analysis is irrelevant IMO. A cyclist gets killed, even if being unsafe, and it drives home just how vulnerable we are out there.
Last edited by WNCGoater; 09-11-15 at 12:37 PM.
09-11-15, 12:38 PM
#40
glorified 5954
09-11-15, 12:40 PM
#42
glorified 5954
09-11-15, 01:09 PM
#44
regarding the comparison of stopping driving your car because of a car accident, to this...
when I explained why the comparison was valid.
09-11-15, 01:20 PM
#45
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And the comparison still is apples to oranges. Apples to apples would be car wrecks resulting in death vs bike wrecks with cars resulting in death. Not just straight bike vs car wreck deaths in America.
I totally understand this risks of having a wreck in the first place is very low...but if it DOES happen, you're screwed.
09-11-15, 01:28 PM
#47
09-11-15, 01:43 PM
#48
09-11-15, 02:18 PM
#49
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Riding some residential roads first thing in the morning. Driver couldn't see me and I was struck. It was an accident, and he stuck around until the ambulance took me away, but it was still his fault and he was cited (he owned up to fault as well). I broke a collarbone along with some other medical trauma. Carbon fiber bike looked okay on the surface, but it was shot. I feel bad for the driver... I can't imagine how I'd feel if I ever struck a cyclist.
09-11-15, 07:11 PM
#50
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That cyclist was hit from behind by a Nissan Titan pickup. No real details, but the cyclist was wearing a helmet and a reflective vest and had a light on his bike. Listed in serious condition. Charges are pending on the driver of the truck. The area where he was struck does have a wide shoulder, I have ridden there before and there is plenty of room to be out of the flow of traffic. Like I said, I haven't seen any details so who knows what really happened.
