Just an adult, I don’t care so much

[Bonzothechippy]

In working in Reading/Caversham. I’m constructing some timber roofs. There is a small roundabout opposite me. All day long the horns going, maybe every 10-15 minutes. Big tipper lorry’s use that junction all day long, one blew his tyre yesterday, mounting the kerb. And that was a big bang! They mount the kerb onto the path to get the turn, even when I’m walking on the path.
Often I see this guy on his bike, he’s doing nothing wrong, but my heart sinks as he has a two year old girl on a rear seat. It’s not his riding that worries me, it’s the heavy traffic that worries me. I’ve seen two accidents involving toddlers in the past and believe me, once you’ve seen it you can never un-see it.
Really it’s none of my business, but I just fear for the child’s safety.
Just as bad are the mothers on their phones and the toddlers on a scooter 100 yards in front of mum, going down hill next to a busy road. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s fun, but I just feel it’s not worth the risk some adults take.

 

[Bristolian]

I discovered years ago that if you worry about "what if's" then you'll drive yourself mad. Man on bike and mum with toddler will not thank you for pointing out the dangers in what they do.

 

[All uphill]

In working in Reading/Caversham. I’m constructing some timber roofs. There is a small roundabout opposite me. All day long the horns going, maybe every 10-15 minutes. Big tipper lorry’s use that junction all day long, one blew his tyre yesterday, mounting the kerb. And that was a big bang! They mount the kerb onto the path to get the turn, even when I’m walking on the path.
Often I see this guy on his bike, he’s doing nothing wrong, but my heart sinks as he has a two year old girl on a rear seat. It’s not his riding that worries me, it’s the heavy traffic that worries me. I’ve seen two accidents involving toddlers in the past and believe me, once you’ve seen it you can never un-see it.
Really it’s none of my business, but I just fear for the child’s safety.
Just as bad are the mothers on their phones and the toddlers on a scooter 100 yards in front of mum, going down hill next to a busy road. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s fun, but I just feel it’s not worth the risk some adults take.

And they're looking up at you thinking

"What if they fall?"

 

[blackrat]

I discovered years ago that if you worry about "what if's" then you'll drive yourself mad. Man on bike and mum with toddler will not thank you for pointing out the dangers in what they do.

So very true. As long as you do what is right, the world will roll on regardless without your worrying about it.

 

[Ian H]

Traffic does look more alarming if viewed from a height. It feels very different when you're in amongst it.

 

[Bonzothechippy]

And they're looking up at you thinking

"What if they fall?"

Maybe, but I’m protected from falling via a birdcage scaffold within a few feet. No protection on a bicycle from a vehicle. Just natural to worry, if I didn’t, then I’d be unhappy with myself for not caring.

 

[Bonzothechippy]

I discovered years ago that if you worry about "what if's" then you'll drive yourself mad. Man on bike and mum with toddler will not thank you for pointing out the dangers in what they do.

They would tell me to mind my own business. I think, if an adult got knocked off, that’s one unlucky accident, it happens. The guy riding the bike was doing nothing wrong, it’s the traffic rushing around that’s the danger. Just last week I was signaling right in my big red van at that roundabout. some guy wasn’t going to give way until the last second when he was half way across the roundabout. Had that been a bike, I’m sure he would have took them clean out.
With out a doubt, the best way to get around a congested town like reading is by bike. Just not with a toddler on the back.

 

[Drago]

Maybe, but I’m protected from falling via a birdcage scaffold within a few feet. No protection on a bicycle from a vehicle. Just natural to worry, if I didn’t, then I’d be unhappy with myself for not caring.

You're more likely to die while walking than when cycling.

Will you be able to walk back to your van without worrying unduly?

 

[Bonzothechippy]

Even walking back to my van you got to have your wits about you, the lorry’s mount the pavement. I think the problem is, it’s an area built by the victorians for the Victorians, with the horse and carts. Now we have big eight wheeler tipper lorry’s using it, and lots of them because there is a tip a Mile up the road.
What you can’t see is behind the gable I’m on, there is resident parking. It forces the traffic coming from the left to be on the wrong side of the road by three feet. The tippers coming down the hill have to mount the path to miss the traffic to their right.

 

[blackrat]

In working in Reading/Caversham. I’m constructing some timber roofs. There is a small roundabout opposite me. All day long the horns going, maybe every 10-15 minutes. Big tipper lorry’s use that junction all day long, one blew his tyre yesterday, mounting the kerb. And that was a big bang! They mount the kerb onto the path to get the turn, even when I’m walking on the path.
Often I see this guy on his bike, he’s doing nothing wrong, but my heart sinks as he has a two year old girl on a rear seat. It’s not his riding that worries me, it’s the heavy traffic that worries me. I’ve seen two accidents involving toddlers in the past and believe me, once you’ve seen it you can never un-see it.
Really it’s none of my business, but I just fear for the child’s safety.
Just as bad are the mothers on their phones and the toddlers on a scooter 100 yards in front of mum, going down hill next to a busy road. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s fun, but I just feel it’s not worth the risk some adults take.

I am curious you are building the roof timbers rather than using preformed trusses, is this a standard means of building roofs where you are?

 

[Jameshow]

I am curious you are building the roof timbers rather than using preformed trusses, is this a standard means of building roofs where you are?

It's a cut roof so probably putting dormers in?

 

[Bonzothechippy]

I am curious you are building the roof timbers rather than using preformed trusses, is this a standard means of building roofs where you are?

This development is different than the normal. The area is Caversham near Reading uk. The design really needs hand cut, as it’s all open for living space on the inside. The pitches are all different on all sides. Looks rather cool. Has barrel dormers etc. the locals love it. Off topic but some more pictures.

 

[Bonzothechippy]

It's a cut roof so probably putting dormers in?

Lots of them 😂

 

[oldandslow]

It's a difficult one. I've ridden in Caversham and found it fine, but that's been on a Saturday. The great thing about heavy traffic is that motor vehicles can't speed - and often, can't even move - so some dangers are actually reduced, although riding in it is not a lot of fun.

But the quickest way to an early grave is generally to give up cycling and travel by car, because the health benefits, in life expectancy terms, outweigh the risks by many times (about 20 seems to be the nearest you'll get to a consensus). So, whilst cycling is not without risks, not-cycling is far, far riskier - at least if you do no other significant exercise.

 

[blackrat]

This development is different than the normal. The area is Caversham near Reading uk. The design really needs hand cut, as it’s all open for living space on the inside. The pitches are all different on all sides. Looks rather cool. Has barrel dormers etc. the locals love it. Off topic but some more pictures.

Great workmanship, you should be proud of your skill and yourself.
🪜🪚🔨📐📏