Its decision time.

[Venod]

so id be disappointed if they let him get away with a driver awareness course. Adter such an incident at that age they should at the very least be flagging him with the DVLA in order that they can be investigating his fitness to continue driving.

I agree, whilst I have nothing against older drivers ( I am one ) this accident shouldn't have happened with a competent driver, so he needs checking out.

 

[classic33]

I'm another for getting back on the bike. With the proviso that should you feel unsafe when back on it and can't find a way of feeling safe whilst on it, consider another activity you feel happy with.

 

[Sharky]

I've had three spills, causing broken bones, one of which included being air lifted to hospital and numerous other slips and slides. But only one, in 65 yrs (I am 75 now) of cycling involved a motorised vehicle. So the risk of an accident has been very low.

Every time I've had a spill, I've learnt from the experience and this helps to mitigate the risk of similar future accidents.

So I would say, carry on cycling, but choose your routes with discretion.

Speedy recovery.

 

[bikingdad90]

@Venod are there facilities like Dalby Forest (where the gravel championship are getting held on Friday) where you can cycle traffic free, or a local tow path/trail you can follow starting from a car park that avoids roads?
There is a bloke near me who goes up and down the footpath that runs the length of my estate everyday as I don’t think he is wanting to go on the residential roads that lead out onto the country roads.

 

[Venod]

@Venod are there facilities like Dalby Forest (where the gravel championship are getting held on Friday) where you can cycle traffic free, or a local tow path/trail you can follow starting from a car park that avoids roads?
There is a bloke near me who goes up and down the footpath that runs the length of my estate everyday as I don’t think he is wanting to go on the residential roads that lead out onto the country roads.

Yes there are plenty of off road routes roundabout, which are a good alternative, but to ride from home all require short road sections, but it is something to consider, I think my general thoughts of riding in traffic have become more negative recently, I think the standard of driving and drivers attitudes is going downhill, and question my tolerance of this.

 

[Dogtrousers]

Your decision. Take your time. Try things out. You can always change your mind.

Wishing you all the best whatever you decide.

I had a crash, totally my own fault - hit a ginormous pothole that I should have avoided - just before covid that wrecked my bike but only did slight damage to me. I then had a long time off due to lockdown/ injury/ no bike / lots of turbo etc. Tbh I seriously questioned whether I wanted to carry on when I returned to the roads.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Over the years I have chanhed how I ride

and how I drive

I try to predict situation where there is a potential problem and force other people to stay out of places where a problem migth happen

e.g one of the main roads round here has quite a few pedestrian refuges in the middle to make it easier for them to cross
I now tend to "take the lane" approaching them to stop people trying to overtake and then "accidentally" close passing

and I wear more bright clothing so they can;t do the "SMIDSY" thing

I do the same driving - the grand kids laugh at me when I slow down and say I just want that driver to get far away so when he causes a problem we can sit here and laugh at it rather than being part of it
which I think is probably "rather different" to how "some other member of their family" drive!!!


when riding I also take quieter routes - side roads, paths and the like - so I avoid the main roads - which can be quicker anyway - certainly one in Sankey Bridges is far faster and avoid a couple of junctions

This at least makes me feel safer

 

[Dadam]

It's completely your decision and I completely understand whichever it ends up being. My own perception, and it's just perception is that the roads are improving slightly in terms of actual danger. More people seem to be more considerate. The complete idiots are as bad as ever but are in a minority. I've been fortunate to have avoided serious collisions so my take is obviously coloured by that.

I can't and wouldn't presume to tell you what to do, but my advice is just this: you don't have to make a full decision now. You can keep your bike and delay getting back as long as you need to.

Can you, certainly for the time being, just stick to the quieter roads? I'm not familiar with the road in question but judging from google maps I'd certainly be avoiding that roundabout at least for now. It seems there is a segregated (if overgrown) cycle path that bypasses the roundabout and goes next to the station, over the level crossing. Alternatively you could bypass the roundabout by simply using the pavement, walking your bike if necessary. If it takes five minutes more but enables you to keep riding it may be worth it.

 

[figbat]

Don’t overlook or ignore off-road. My wife met a guy last week whilst she was walking the dog. He was winching his way up a local off-road climb to the Ridgeway, on a 30 year old MTB. He stopped for a chat and revealed he was mid-80s and having had both hips replaced was working to recover his fitness.

Off-road doesn’t have to be ‘gnarly’, although it depends on what’s available in your area.

 

[mjr]

Over the years I have chanhed how I ride

and how I drive

I try to predict situation where there is a potential problem and force other people to stay out of places where a problem migth happen

e.g one of the main roads round here has quite a few pedestrian refuges in the middle to make it easier for them to cross
I now tend to "take the lane" approaching them to stop people trying to overtake and then "accidentally" close passing

I agree with this, and the other posts suggesting varying the routes. The cycle crossing to the north of that shoot show roundabout should be a no-brainer because it's strighter so shorter and crosses conflict points at right angles instead of all the scissor conflicts at the roundabouts, but it looks like North Yorks are another type of no-brains and designed it badly with unnecessary slaloms and backwards priorities, then maintained it badly by letting it get overgrown, resulting in cyclists understandably deciding the hazardous roundabout is easier, then you get hurt. It makes me cross! I'd be letting the county councillor know the result of the council's incompetence, if I were @Venod . www.writeToThem.com

and I wear more bright clothing so they can;t do the "SMIDSY" thing

I've seen this suggested a couple of times, but I feel 'dazzle camo' ain't gonna help, especially not with incapable or incompetent drivers who aren't seeing us because they're looking for hard cars that can hurt them, not squishy people who can't.

 

[rockyroller]

I really enjoy riding in forests & on paved bike trails 👍

 

[Vapin' Joe]

The one piece of advice I'd give the OP is to only get back on the bike if your confidence returns, because if you don't feel safe then you won't be.

There are other forms of excercise out there.

 

[DRM]

If cycling gives you joy then keep doing it, perhaps just evaluate risks you are in control of more.

I don't know that roundabout. Some roundabouts do feel more risky than others to me, for example the big one just west of Petersfield that has turnoffs to/from the A3. There were times I thought were best avoided to navigate it, especially when there is a much quieter alternative (Ridge Common Lane and over to Church Lane), albeit slightly longer and hillier.
It doesn't mean I could pass through that roundabout at what I consider a safe time every single time, but it should be safer than being there around rush hour when it's super busy etc.

There are 2 industrial estates near that roundabout, the smaller Bypass Industrial Park & Sherburn Industrial Estate, which is really busy with cars, vans & HGV's, so you can have alot of out of area traffic treating it like a race track.
@Venod I do hope it doesn't put you off, but it's totally understandable if it does, all the best for your recovery

 

[mjr]

There are other forms of excercise out there.

None as much fun, tho'!

 

[Vapin' Joe]

None as much fun, tho'!

It ceases to be fun if you spend your rides worrying about being mown down by a car.