Scared of dying in Warwickshire

[Thomk]

Hello. Started cycling about 3 weeks ago (although cycled a bit in the distant past) on a second hand Charge Mixer and will soon be commuting 21 miles a day 3 days a week. Am enjoying it a lot although a bit scared of dying. Based in Warwickshire and in my 40s! Moving to a one car household so can't back out now. Cheers for now.

 

[Rebel Ian]

Hello. Started cycling about 3 weeks ago (although cycled a bit in the distant past) on a second hand Charge Mixer and will soon be commuting 21 miles a day 3 days a week. Am enjoying it a lot although a bit scared of dying. Based in Warwickshire and in my 40s! Moving to a one car household so can't back out now. Cheers for now.

Welcome, but scared of dying?! How? Did nobody tell you........CYCLING ISN'T DANGEROUS?!

 

[Saluki]

HI & Welcome

Good luck with your new commute. I am sure that you will soon get into the swing of it.
I would love to cycle to work but my 'works' is only 40' away from my front door. I used to cycle to work though, in Norwich and, after moving, to Stoke on Trent. Have a look at your local bike shops as they often have cycleway maps. You might be able to route yourself to work along designated cycle paths. It certanly helped me when I lived in Stoke.

 

[Red Light]

63 miles a week for say 45 weeks a year makes that about 3,000 miles a year. The risk of being killed cycling in the UK is about once per 50 million miles. Should take you about 17,000 years for that to happen. You can reduce the risk further by reading and following the book Cyclecraft by John Franklin but I would worry about other things. It may not feel it when first starting out but in no way is cycling dangerous and you are significantly reducing your risks of obesity and cardiovascular problems - two of the biggest causes of avoidable premature death.

 

[ClichéGuevara]

In answer to the subject header, moving to another County's one resolution. Anyway, dying can't be that bad, they don't seem in rush to come back and complain about it. Chill, make the most of living and what it feels like to be alive. Carpe diem. before dey carpe you.

 

[byegad]

Also cycling 3k a year will make you fitter and reduce the risk of many diseases.

Ride smart, live longer and healthier.

 

[Thomk]

Thanks for your comments and welcome words. I may have overstated my fear a little. I accept that cycling is a fairly safe mode of transport, it just seems a little more dangerous when you're new and incompetent. I've clocked about 100 miles so far and came off once due to a rubbish decision on my part and new (to me) cleats. Landed in the road embarrassed but happy that a following car didn't crush my head (or ego).

 

[pepecat]

Have to say, the thought of falling off in the path of an oncoming car is what i don't like about cleats...... I've been out wearing cleats once, and very nearly came off in the path of the car behind. I found i was really twitchy, and didn't want to go out cycling again in case i did come off and hurt myself or get hurt. I figure that's not really the point of cycling (to not want to go out), so I put the toe clips back on. Cycling is now enjoyable again!!

Other than that, make yourself prominent on the roads so cars aren't tempted to do risky overtakes and knock you off, and make lots of eye contact with drivers so you know they've seen you. And enjoy!

 

[Davidc]

Cycling 3000 miles a year should decrease your risk of dying.

My thoughts on the key points for staying safe are: Don't undertake especially large vehicles, don't ride in the gutter, be assertive without being either agressive or imprudent, and ride defensively.

As for cleats - if you're not competent and confident with them then use flat pedals (with or without toe clips) for your commute and practice in the park or on paths until you are, but I'm not a good guide on those and don't like them much anyway so I'll shut up!

 

[Red Light]

Thanks for your comments and welcome words. I may have overstated my fear a little. I accept that cycling is a fairly safe mode of transport, it just seems a little more dangerous when you're new and incompetent. I've clocked about 100 miles so far and came off once due to a rubbish decision on my part and new (to me) cleats. Landed in the road embarrassed but happy that a following car didn't crush my head (or ego).

That just supports the general view that its best to practice with clipless pedals away from traffic first. Almost everyone has their clipless moment story from when they first started using them but they quickly become second nature.

 

[Thomk]

I took the view that it would be easier to get used to cleats now rather than get used to flats and then try to change to cleats later. I already feel OK with them and definitely find pedaling more efficient with them. I have bright gear, 2 rear lights, aching thighs and have squirted anti puncture stuff in my tyres ......what else can there possibly be left to consider?

 

[ufkacbln]

Welcome, but scared of dying?! How? Did nobody tell you........CYCLING ISN'T DANGEROUS?!

.. but maybe Warwickshire is?

 

[ufkacbln]

Sorry to be flippant - simply could not resist.

One way is to take your time and use back roads and / or tracks in the first instance, even if it takes longer.

Then as you feel more able and confident move to the main roads.

Commuting is a fluid experience, and the routes are an evolving thing. My route changes with road works, traffic use, school holidays and weather

 

[sheddy]

wear a hi-viz waistcoat (me now runs and hides)

 

[Red Light]

I took the view that it would be easier to get used to cleats now rather than get used to flats and then try to change to cleats later. I already feel OK with them and definitely find pedaling more efficient with them. I have bright gear, 2 rear lights, aching thighs and have squirted anti puncture stuff in my tyres ......what else can there possibly be left to consider?

Read Cyclecraft and/or take some Bikeability training.