Almost tempted to let this one die, but not quite just yet. A couple more things I want to say:
OK, yes, what gets posted here is more than likely the juicy bits we all know we want to hear and as such is going to tend towards the more dramatic. But from my own experiences as a driver and cyclist, I absolutely believe life on 2 wheels is considerably more dangerous than on 4. Here's a brief reflection of my "moments" as a motorist for 24 (wow!
) YEARS:
- 3 very low speed prangs (none my fault I hasten to add).
- 1 low speed near miss: car pulls out from side road.
- 1 Icy moment: Didn't allow for a thin layer of snow and skidded out from a junction - luckily nothing coming.
- 1 scary moment on a motorway: 3/4 completed an overtake of a lorry (me in middle lane) when the lorry starts indicating and pulling in to my lane. I quickly employ the right foot, check and move to ouside lane.
- 1 very serious near miss: pulling out onto a mini roundabout with the road to my right perfectly clear. I'm moving, but check to my left and see a 40ft artic hurtling towards me. Thankfully I stopped and just gave him enough room to squeeze past. A "sorry" wave from the driver didn't help me get any sleep that night! That was 8 years ago and I still treat mini roundabouts as regular junctions now.
- 1 stupid speeding fine: downhill on an empty dual carriageway, I was photographed doing 82 in a 70 limit. Entirely my fault.
Now my 18 MONTHS as a cyclist averaging (I guess) around 6 journeys a week:
- 3 very dangerous moments where cars have pulled out from side roads. 1 time I had to brake so hard I almost tipped the bike over - rear wheel in the air for what seemed like an eternity.
- 4 skip lorries passing me way too close - enough to feel the suction and definitely very scary.
- Lost count of the times I've been cut up by drivers turning left on a roundabout where I go straight across. It must be in double figures.
- 1 Bus passing way too close - was expecting more than that, but that's all I can remember.
- 1 post office van cutting in close on a left bend while I was also there, forcing me to brake hard.
- 1 jogger crossing in front of me without checking and getting the fright of her life as I swerve to avoid her.
- Many cars passing too close for comfort (sorry - never kept count of these).
- 1 car driver thinking about overtaking me, but changeing their mind - choosing to sit with their nearside bumber level with my backside and clearly too close for comfort as they didn't think they had room to pass. This one was particularly stressful as there was no pathway to escape onto had I felt the need.
And in that same 18 months as a pedestrian:
- Nearly got hit by a banana skin thrown by WVM.
- 50 times (at least) got really annoyed when my boot laces have come undone.
- Almost slipped 3 or 4 times during the winter snow.
I consider myself a very careful road user, no matter what my choice of transport is, but my own personal stats are testament to the vulnerability of the cyclist. Having said that, I believe my own awareness has improved while cycling and a large number of my "moments" were in the earlier months.
What worries me is the numbers in relation to time spent on the road when compared to driving. OK, so most have been pretty undramatic, but I know some time sooner or later I'm going to take a spill, which I'm sure, statistically, is likely to just see me home with the odd cut and bruise. But I don't like the odds when compared to taking the car. BUT, I'm still going to take the bike anyway
As to this not really relating to commuters on bikes, I'm still of the belief it very much does. As I've said before, the commuter is travelling at the busiest time of the day and often on the busiest roads in the area. Many members here are very experienced cyclists and have no problem handling the odd "moment", but many people are giving the bike a "go" because of various reasons: ridiculous petrol prices; fitness; cycling is quicker! These are most likely people that have ridden a bike as a kid, so know how to handle it, but haven't got the skills they might need for a commute. Learning by your mistakes as a cyclist can be much more painful than as a driver.
A casual cyclist will almost certainly know their area well enough to know the busiest roads and the busiest times and quite probably plan their cycle deliberately to avoid them. In fact, they'll probably choose a more scenic route entirely where motorised traffic is not permitted.
Well I think I've said enough on this now, I'm off to bed