JoeyBike

Not that this phenom is anything new on A&S but 5 of the top 8 threads involve a cyclist getting hozed in traffic.
Some here say cycling is no more of a risk than sleeping in your bed.
I checked the Indoor and Stationary Cycling forum on BF (https://www.bikeforums.net/indoor-st...cycling-forum/) and I can't seem to find even ONE instance of a cyclist being run over by a car inside their homes.

Anyone here ever heard of such a thing? I ride a trainer every day (nearly) and I can literally keep my eyes closed the entire workout. Should I be paying better attention? Lights and neon kit? Thoughts?

Polaris OBark

The "death from acute boredom" statistic for indoor training attracts less news coverage.

Polaris OBark

But we did have one story about someone riding himself to death (via heart attack) on an indoor trainer.

MVTee

Never heard of a fatality but i'd imagine stationary bikes hurt 1000s of people of a day, these things are magnets for stubbing toes or bumping body parts into when you're trying to pick something up thats fallen around them. Joking aside i'm surprised there arent more fatality posts in A&S given what seems to be the mindset of many bike riders combined w/ motorists + cel phones.

tomato coupe

I'd be willing to bet there's been at least one case where a person has been hit by their spouse while riding a trainer in the garage.

Polaris OBark

We're talking accidents, here, not pre-meditated homicides.

JoeyBike

zandoval 

I keep wondering how we did it before...

No helmet
No rear view mirror
No bike lanes
No GPS
No cameras
No reflective tape
No lights other than that strap on bugger with two C size batteries and a PR-4 bulb

I am certainly proof that God is looking after me... I am grateful...

Polaris OBark

The global population was at least a factor of 2 smaller back then. Huge FUVs and pickups did not dominate our roads. Cell phones and text messages didn't exist. People had some sense of community spirit, which made splattering a cyclist at the side of the road to pick up a sack of deep-fried mars bars less acceptable.

Iride01 

You didn't see the huge family sedans and station wagons that we rode around in during the 50's and 60's did you?

But I will agree that population plays a part in the issue. Though it might not be quite the issue of the OP.

I can remember back in the 70's if I went up hwy 49 from Hattiesburg to Jackson MS, that if you could look ahead and see more than two or three cars within a quarter mile of you that it was considered a lot of traffic. Now you are lucky to have more than 3 car lengths between you and the next car for any amount of time.

genejockey 

Well, to be fair, a lot of people did die, but there were also a lot fewer cars on the road BITD.

veganbikes

I ordered the Sport Wagon with the optional Rally Fun Pack.

JW Fas

Basically this. The average vehicle weight has only crept up a couple hundred pounds since 1975, but modern vehicles have more sound-absorbing insulation, sit higher off the ground (higher percentages of trucks and SUVs), and come with distracting infotainment systems. Drivers literally hear, feel, and see the road less than they did decades ago.

Daniel4

Well, if you want, I can highlight another trend by posting daily deaths of pedestrians and motorists and their passengers.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/injured-pedestrians-barrie-alleged-drunk-driver-1.6672059
Driver charged with Drunk Driving, not for hitting pedestrians.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/pedestrian-struck-mississauga-1.6671799
Driver stayed at the scene. No charges reported in article.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fatal-crash-highway-427-snow-wind-1.6670436

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/brampton-two-pedestrians-hit-1.6666021

And that's only around Toronto.

JoeyBike

It's a dangerous world out there on the highway. Taking that serious will make you a better driver, cyclist, and pedestrian. Willful ignorance will win you a better chance at **!BLAMO!**

JoeyBike

Y'all got this all wrong. Mount a laptop on your trainer and watch "adult entertainment" while riding. The workout time will just melt away and your wife wins big after your ride. Keep the heart rate monitor on and post all that $h!t on STRAVA! Get creative people! Life's short!

Troul 

Lack of smart devices, help of basic car features/options compared to todays vehicles, have a lot more drivers out & about now.

FBinNY 

Actually, despite over 200k lifetime road miles, many in the dense metro NY area, the only biking injury* I've ever suffered was while riding indoors.

Crashed while riding rollers and broke my big toe against the rail.


* road rash doesn't count as an injury.

debade

I expect most, but not all stationary bicycle deaths and injuries occur when the stationary bicycle rider is driving to an exercise facility. Perhaps a statistic the OP would like to add to his research.

instead of working on eliminating a healthy approach to living, let’s work on making it safer.

rumrunn6

well, how about, without the internet, we never heard about all the deaths & injuries. I too rode w/o a helmet & 1 time had a car drive into me, well I hopped off the bike before he crushed it, so for that one, I didn't need a helmet, I guess

JoeyBike

^^THIS is my point whenever I post in A&S.

It is very difficult to change the world. As H.D. Thoreau wrote: "...it [is] labor enough to subdue and cultivate a few cubic feet of flesh." ** Meaning, it's hard enough just take care of yourself much less inherited problems.

That said, ADMIT to ourselves that road cycling in traffic exposes us to real hazards due to our mismatch in speed, size, visibility, and vulnerability. Then take action to become as visible, predictable, skilled, and yes, even AVOID certain roads at certain times. Come to admit that just because it is legal, and within our rights under law, doesn't mean it's safe and we should do it. Even the pros get hozed out there occasionally. The weak, slow, inattentive, self-righteous, unskilled cyclist living in denial have the best chance of getting weeded out of the gene pool. Don't be that cyclist. Any infrastructure improvements are just gravy. We still need be skilled and awake 100% of the ride. Just ask the mom who just got killed in a bike lane by a right-hook.
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I-Like-To-Bike

Also without the easy access to social media sites where Fearmongors of all stripes broadcast their prophets of doom rants to receptive devotees (as well as opponents) of their message, and where both types can troll the Internet seeking any and all factoids, news clips and hyperbolic nonsense that fit (or can be wordsmithed to fit) their version of truth and reality.

rumrunn6

yup

Schweinhund

Cops too. I rolled a stop sign in my neighborhood and then rolled up into my yard. a few seconds later a cop rolls up behind me with the lights on.
My neighbor walks up and he makes a comment about her, I told him "She's in her yard' He's confused until he saw my license and the address on it. He tells her she can't be in her yard. She doesn't move.
Then he starts in on me for rolling a stop sign, "You didn't even look" I retorted with, "You're the distracted driver, I ride in silence. No radio, no doors or windows, no engine" You roll with your windows up, you can't hear ****"
By this time the whole 'hood" is outside and he's feeling nervous, cops don't like to be watched, lol.
He gives me a warning...

Skippabrazi

Agreed