Feel safer on my bike than in a car

[Welsh wheels]

I rarely travel by car, but yesterday I did a fairly long journey as a passenger in a car. I felt like it was more dangerous than cycling, and wished I was on my bike. Cycling to me feels safer because you're travelling at slower speeds, cars around you are usually travelling at slower speeds than around other cars and you're not enclosed in a big metal box that can catch fire. Probably not the most rational of thoughts but I definitely prefer cycling.

 

[ufkacbln]

It is also do do with "Control"

When I am on the bike or driving, the decisions are mine

When someone else is driving, it is often a case of the other person being slower to brake, not taking the same path through an obstruction, not giving way

There are a few drivers I am comfortable with, but equally there are some I will not get back in the car with!

 

[Welsh wheels]

It is also do do with "Control"

When I am on the bike or driving, the decisions are mine

When someone else is driving, it is often a case of the other person being slower to brake, not taking the same path through an obstruction, not giving way

There are a few drivers I am comfortable with, but equally there are some I will not get back in the car with!

Yes, I think it was also to do with me not being in control!

 

[gbb]

It's a bit irrational tbf, millions of journeys carried out daily in cars end without incident and yet...my daughter in law has just passed her test so we've been talking a lot lately about drivers, driving, situations, how to avoid problems etc etc...and it seems to me the standard of driving is generally worse now than its ever been, impatience, speeding, lane hogging, poor positioning, lack of signalling, a whole bucket load of examples pop up almost daily if you're driving out there.

I realise I've contradicted myself in a way but the message to my DIL is go steady, observation observation observation and concentration ...those should help keep you out of trouble.

 

[Welsh wheels]

It's a bit irrational tbf, millions of journeys carried out daily in cars end without incident and yet...my daughter in law has just passed her test so we've been talking a lot lately about drivers, driving, situations, how to avoid problems etc etc...and it seems to me the standard of driving is generally worse now than its ever been, impatience, speeding, lane hogging, poor positioning, lack of signalling, a whole bucket load of examples pop up almost daily if you're driving out there.

I realise I've contradicted myself in a way but the message to my DIL is go steady, observation observation observation and concentration ...those should help keep you out of trouble.

It seems to me that if things go wrong, the potential for serious injury is as high as in a cycling accident, if not higher.

 

[ColinJ]

Cycling to me feels safer because you're travelling at slower speeds, cars around you are usually travelling at slower speeds than around other cars

I must move to South Wales then ... round here some drivers drive as if the cyclist were not actually there - passing within inches at 40+ mph. I had one go past so close and so fast that the air turbulence created blew me onto the grass verge.

It seems to me that if things go wrong, the potential for serious injury is as high as in a cycling accident, if not higher.

Eh? A car hitting a cyclist is probably going to cause a lot of damage to the cyclist. I saw the aftermath of a head-on impact between 2 cars the other day and both drivers were protected by their cars' crumple zones and airbags. The cars get seriously injured, but often the drivers themselves get away with it.

 

[Globalti]

This is like people who say they fear an air crash. Your chances of being injured in a car crash are extremely slim as so much safety is engineered into modern cars. But hit anything while cycling at any speed and you could be killed by an unlucky blow to the head.

 

[screenman]

I rarely travel by car, but yesterday I did a fairly long journey as a passenger in a car. I felt like it was more dangerous than cycling, and wished I was on my bike. Cycling to me feels safer because you're travelling at slower speeds, cars around you are usually travelling at slower speeds than around other cars and you're not enclosed in a big metal box that can catch fire. Probably not the most rational of thoughts but I definitely prefer cycling.

Do you feel the same when you are driving, or just as a passenger.

 

[Welsh wheels]

Do you feel the same when you are driving, or just as a passenger.

Never driven, but imagine I would feel more in control.

 

[screenman]

Never driven, but imagine I would feel more in control.

Got you, I was looking for that answer off of you the other day.

 

[Dan B]

I get this too, even when driving: on a bike I am more manoeuvrable, have better visibility (no stupid a-pillars), can hear what's going on around me and know exactly how big my vehicle is. Also my speed is related directly to how much effort I'm putting in. In a car I'm divorced from all of that

Objectively I know it's rubbish, but perceptions of risk are weird

 

[ColinJ]

It isn't the risk of YOU crashing that you need to worry about, it is what damage some inattentive and/or psychotic driver might cause when THEY crash their car into you!

 

[captain nemo1701]

I am fond of reminding my non cycling work colleagues that I don't mind the rain as I have waterproofs and a lot of people seem to get cut out of cars when they crash. That metal shell can easily become a prison.

 

[screenman]

I am fond of reminding my non cycling work colleagues that I don't mind the rain as I have waterproofs and a lot of people seem to get cut out of cars when they crash. That metal shell can easily become a prison.

A lot get cut out with minor injuries, that metal cage can also protect you. I would much rather be hit by another car when in one than hit by one when on my bike.

 

[captain nemo1701]

Bikes are smaller than cars and so harder to hit. Plus, very maneuverable, much more than a car.