I'm I Becoming Paranoid??
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I'm I Becoming Paranoid??
With the recent news of Shawn Bradley being paralyzed due to his bike accident, it seems we're hearing about more biking accidents than we did just 10 or so years ago. Wondering are there actually more biking accidents occuring, or is it just a function of the 24 hour news cycle that we're living in now? In any case, I'm becoming more paranoid, honestly fearful, when cycling whereas I was never fearful nor paranoid. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Likes For dhender02:
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 2,599
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline mtn.bike
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 427 Post(s)
Liked 699 Times
in
436 Posts
No. Like many things, it's probably not a symptom of bike crashes occurring. It's more likely that we're just hearing about more due to technology and social media. We're hearing more about more things and hearing it sooner than ever before. As a senior, I'm not so certain that this is a good thing.
Likes For freeranger:
#5
I'm good to go!
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 14,985
Bikes: Tarmac Disc Comp Di2 - 2020
Mentioned: 51 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 6193 Post(s)
Liked 4,808 Times
in
3,316 Posts
Most accidents happen within a mile of your home, so why are you at home?
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: In the foothills of Los Angeles County
Posts: 25,284
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 8278 Post(s)
Liked 9,033 Times
in
4,471 Posts
You can look up the stats if you want.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Likes For dhender02:
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
No. Like many things, it's probably not a symptom of bike crashes occurring. It's more likely that we're just hearing about more due to technology and social media. We're hearing more about more things and hearing it sooner than ever before. As a senior, I'm not so certain that this is a good thing.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I'm not concerned. I've never ridden any where near Shawn Bradley's house.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Posts: 1,221
Bikes: '13 Diamondback Hybrid Commuter, '17 Spec Roubaix Di2, '17 Spec Camber 29'er, '19 CDale Topstone Gravel
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 590 Post(s)
Liked 445 Times
in
260 Posts
The per-capita occurrences (not the total occurrences) of bike crashes are what we need to pay attention to, if we want to be properly informed of a perceived upward trend. Simply hearing about "more" incidents, could just be a factor of "more" people riding, therefore more total crashes occurring, or it could be "more" news sources covering "more" of the crashes. Yet I recall reading somewhere in the past year (probably a source linked here at BF) that we now have less per-capita bike crashes/fatalities than ever before. Sorry, no source for that, but it should be easy to find.
Last edited by Riveting; 03-22-21 at 09:05 AM.
#12
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2019
Posts: 22
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 22 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 78 Times
in
27 Posts
Some time ago I read most car trips are less than 3 miles & most accidents were within 1 mile. All I could think was, "Well, Duh. If you never go more than a couple miles that's where the accidents will be."
In other news, no matter where you go, there you are.
In other news, no matter where you go, there you are.
Likes For Rigsson:
#13
Senior Member
Thread Starter
#14
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,528
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3886 Post(s)
Liked 1,938 Times
in
1,383 Posts
No. OTOH as we said in the 60's, if you're not paranoid, you're simply not paying attention.
A total non-sequitur, but that old saying brought it to mind: I you haven't seen the film The Diary of a Teenage Girl, you're missing a huge treat. I think it's the most brilliant piece of writing and film making I've seen in quite a while. It owes a lot to the graphic novel of the same name on which it is based. Enjoy it even more if you have a teenage daughter.
A total non-sequitur, but that old saying brought it to mind: I you haven't seen the film The Diary of a Teenage Girl, you're missing a huge treat. I think it's the most brilliant piece of writing and film making I've seen in quite a while. It owes a lot to the graphic novel of the same name on which it is based. Enjoy it even more if you have a teenage daughter.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: st augustine fl
Posts: 1,003
Bikes: 2017 BMC Roadmachine 01 Enve wheels, Sram red etap,Cinelli Vigorelli single speed, 2009 Cannondale Capo, 2016 trek Domane 6.9, disc and Di2, 2016 Scott Scale 710, 27.5 plus tires and boost rims
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 110 Post(s)
Liked 203 Times
in
81 Posts
With the recent news of Shawn Bradley being paralyzed due to his bike accident, it seems we're hearing about more biking accidents than we did just 10 or so years ago. Wondering are there actually more biking accidents occuring, or is it just a function of the 24 hour news cycle that we're living in now? In any case, I'm becoming more paranoid, honestly fearful, when cycling whereas I was never fearful nor paranoid. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Distracted driving is the wild card that has changed the risk factor in road riding. Over the years I have bicycled on roads from Maine to Florida and always felt relaxed and somewhat safe. I don't feel so safe anymore. It is reasonable to assume many of the drivers approaching you are sharing their limited attention span with at least one electronic device. To believe otherwise may be delusional.
I'll still ride the road, I'm loath to leave what I love, but the risk is real and it has, make no mistake, increased over time. This incident, a few miles from my house was years ago but still very fresh in our minds. Empty, rural road, hit and run.
Many , many since.
Mother still seeking answers 6 years after crash killed St. Augustine cyclist Bryan Wrigley - News - The Florida Times-Union - Jacksonville, FL
__________________
"ready to navigate"
"ready to navigate"
Likes For bykemike:
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18410 Post(s)
Liked 15,530 Times
in
7,326 Posts
Tiger Woods got jacked up. You paranoid about driving?
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 39,232
Mentioned: 211 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18410 Post(s)
Liked 15,530 Times
in
7,326 Posts
#18
Grupetto Bob
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seattle-ish
Posts: 6,211
Bikes: Bikey McBike Face
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2579 Post(s)
Liked 5,636 Times
in
2,920 Posts
Many more people bought bikes during the pandemic. More people on bikes increases the likelihood of more accidents, especially if they are novices or very rusty. If you fit into neither category, I would ignore the news.
__________________
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
Road 🚴🏾♂️ & Mountain 🚵🏾♂️
#19
Senior Member
Distracted driving is trending up, speeding is trending up both as a norm and mph over posted, road rage is trending up, running stop signs and stop lights is trending up. Just saw a red light run while driving this evening. This afternoon heard someone burning rubber around our neighborhood of 25 mph. Not just once but for extended period. Hit and runs in general are trending up. Can't forget the right turn/u-turn left turn. I'd be shocked if these don't have an impact on number of bike crashes, I don't know how many non fatal ones even get reported in the news. My perception is law enforcement personnel numbers are down and possibly willingness to engage. As side note, not sure if national or just STL; but the number of expired plates and temp tags is ridiculous. It's not a COVID thing, it's been prevalent for at least 3 - 5 yrs.
Still riding is what I do. I pick my routes carefully, stay vigilant, and hope for the best.
Still riding is what I do. I pick my routes carefully, stay vigilant, and hope for the best.
Last edited by gear64; 03-19-21 at 09:42 PM.
Likes For gear64:
#20
Seat Sniffer
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SoCal
Posts: 5,630
Bikes: Serotta Legend Ti; 2006 Schwinn Fastback Pro and 1996 Colnago Decor Super C96; 2003 Univega Alpina 700; 2000 Schwinn Super Sport
Mentioned: 18 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 945 Post(s)
Liked 1,985 Times
in
569 Posts
Life is and always has been risky. Minimize unnecessary risks and live it to the fullest while you can.
__________________
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
Proud parent of a happy inner child ...
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Posts: 1,680
Mentioned: 9 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 980 Post(s)
Liked 776 Times
in
402 Posts
With the recent news of Shawn Bradley being paralyzed due to his bike accident, it seems we're hearing about more biking accidents than we did just 10 or so years ago. Wondering are there actually more biking accidents occuring, or is it just a function of the 24 hour news cycle that we're living in now? In any case, I'm becoming more paranoid, honestly fearful, when cycling whereas I was never fearful nor paranoid. Is anyone else experiencing this?
Everyone currently on Xanax feels the exact same way.
About everything. Go figure
Likes For downhillmaster:
#22
Senior Member
I would guess that accidents are up because more people are riding bikes and many of them are pandemic newbies. That said, I have become more cautious in recent years. I'm 72 and broke my hip in a bike crash a few years ago. With each passing year the likely consequences of a fall go up and so does my level of caution on turns, downhills, intersections, etc.
Likes For donheff:
#23
Senior Member
Also the talking heads on the news like to report news that scares/panics people. As others have said exercise care and caution, above all pay attention to your surroundings when riding.
#24
On Your Left
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Long Island, New York, USA
Posts: 8,373
Bikes: Trek Emonda SLR, Sram eTap, Zipp 303
Mentioned: 34 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3004 Post(s)
Liked 2,433 Times
in
1,187 Posts
Who told you i'm paranoid? Forget a crash, i'm worried about the NFL satellites reading my mind, 5G and the government putting microchips in the Corona vaccine.
Likes For GlennR:
#25
Senior Member
Thread Starter