hotbike

“I’ve been riding for decades on the same roads around Richmond and it’s gotten progressively worse,” said Willett, who had ridden with Holland on the road where she was killed. “It’s just not as safe as it used to be.”

Virginia

Milton Keynes

It certainly doesn't help that auto manufacturers are making trucks and SUV's bigger and bigger every year, and everyone's staring at their phones while driving.

Korina

Notice they neglect to mention how many of those nine cyclists died from head injuries. But cudos to the reporter for not using the "a" word.

Steve B.

I’m hoping that the requirement to have lane change warning systems will help alert drivers that they are not paying attention, possibly helping save a few lives of cyclists riding on shoulders. That new technology is a good thing

I-Like-To-Bike

Also neglected to mention how many of the nine fatally injured cyclists suffered only head injuries or any indication, let alone evidence, that a helmet would have made a whit of difference in the outcome.

What is the "a" word?

work4bike

I think a lot of these issues also has to do with simple population growth. The area I live was very unpopulated back in the mid-80's when I started riding, but now all roads seem to be packed. There has been a 30% population increase between 2000 and today.

However, as bad as it is here I can imagine larger cities. In the D.C. area, where my family is from, has grown even more. I'll never complain about my local traffic, because I know just how bad it can get from my occasional visits back home in Maryland.


EDIT: Yes, the issue of today's phones don't help, not just because people have phones, but because they are so capable that just saps people's attention.



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Korina

"Accident". The reporter was responsible and used "crash".

GamblerGORD53

How many were hogging the lane?? That is the question. The writer moans about riding side-by-side.
I ride FRAP 100%, everywhere from sidewalks to double merge lane freeways and 2 lane lesser highways with 14 foot loads going by.
ZERO inconsideration from anybody, except other CYCLISTS. LOL. Most of those have Ebikes.
Quite the opposite actually, drivers are slowing and stopping if I want them to or not.

Calsun

I cannot drive 5 miles from my house and not see motorists weaving from one side of the lane to the other and often crossing over and on to the shoulder. This used to be people lighting a cigarette and zoning out, but now it is people whose attention is focused on their cell phone and not paying attention to what is happening around them. A careless motorist can kill a few bicyclists and not go to jail so not much incentive for people to go hands free with their phones even where it is illegal not to do so.

Chistophe516

FRAP is subjective. While motorists' just want cyclists' out of the way. They(and law enforcement) never consider the rights of the cyclist. Because, 'Practicable' is not up to the motorist, or even law enforcement. Except to follow the rules of the road. Not where the driving public wants' you to ride.

bbbean 

Anecdotes are not data.

JoeyBike

"Rainer emphasized the importance of looking out for one another on the open road."

Right. (Insert flying pig emoji here)

Hondo Gravel

I have seen a sharp decline in road cycling the last few years in my area of the world. Too many distracted drivers even in the boonies.

billew

"Decades" An anecdote is "My helmet saved my life" one time. Decades of experience is data whether it was watched by second year student or not. I have observed the same thing over my decades of riding. I easily remember when people flipping out with road rage was very rare not to mention the cell phones adding to the distractions. The whole attitude of "everyone is in my way" instead of other people are going somewhere too. This self centered me me me crap is what has changed things.

Paul Barnard

Anecdotes can absolutely have scientific value and are often the impetus behind what becomes data/science.

jon c. 

OTOH, the quoted text doesn't even really qualify as an anecdote. It's an impression. That things aren't as good as they used to be. Doesn't matter what the topic is, someone will always opine that.

bbbean 

Let me repeat and elaborate. Anecdotes are not data. They are untested, unconfirmed, unreplicated, and are subject to every conceivable form of bias and error.

Anecdotes make for fine conversation. To the extent that casual observation leads someone to form and test a hypothesis, sure, they have value. But they don't prove a point or contradict actual research.

JoeyBike

I've driven around East Texas quite a bit. I've noticed that every rural goat trail has a 70mph speed limit, or higher. Roads that take every ounce of concentration in a SEDAN, much less some distracted driver in a dualie pickup pulling a trailer full of lumber. No thanks. I will not be cycling any of those roads.

Calsun

There was a rapid jump in traffic accidents with the introduction of smartphones and social media. It is rare for me to see anyone using their phone hands free even though that is the law (never enforced by cops). I cannot drive 10 miles without seeing someone going outside their traffic lane and people do not even put the phone down when merging with traffic when entering a freeway and they tend to hold the phone with their left hand and it blocks the side mirror.

I spend more time now riding mountain bikes on trails where there is no auto traffic. I avoid completely the roads around my house as they are not safe for bicyclists with drivers going much too fast around curves and having no concept of total braking distance (time to get the foot on the brake and start apply it to slow the vehicle).

There are stupid cyclists of all ages that do not help. Earlier in the week I was traveling north on Hwy 1 which has the highest traffic volume of any two-lane highway in the United States and there was a bicyclist going along the edge of the fog line and he was wearing a dark gray and navy blue bike jersey. His outfit made him blend into his surroundings.

bikelif3

If people earn their living from violence, they drive violently...