When to call it a day?

[Milzy]

Another local accident, this time a lady knocked off her Liv by a lorry. The Lorry didn’t even stop. Air ambulance came. I think she’s stable with a leg injury.
We are just pigeons of the road, I know you can’t live wrapped up in cotton wool but it seems like it’s a matter of time until it’s your turn.
Anyone fancy quitting and hitting the weights room at a gym instead?

 

[SteveH80]

I wouldn't fancy riding through busy city traffic on either a pushbike or a motorbike, you're just too vulnerable and drivers are too easily distracted. My riding is reserved to quiet roads and tracks.

 

[Pblakeney]

Similar could happen tomorrow while in the car.
No point dwelling on it or you'll become housebound, and slip in the shower.

 

[sevenfourate]

I couldn’t bear the thought of indoor exercise. Or getting hit by a car cycling. Combine the two and it’s easy to see why the majority of my exercise is partaken via early rides on less than major roads……

 

[Big John]

Anyone fancy quitting and hitting the weights room at a gym instead?

The thought sometimes crosses my mind. Other than cost and proximity the gym has a lot going for it ....
- warm in the winter and air conned in the summer
- dry when it's chucking it down outside
- sociable environment which I would think is good for mental health
- keeps you fit
- there's a lot of variety in a gym
- meet friends/make new friends there

However, as long as I've still got my cycling mojo (cycled since I was about 6 and I'm now 69) I'll opt for carrying on and hoping for the best. I am fortunate to live right on the edge of a town and on a major flight path out into the countryside. I choose my routes to encounter as little traffic as possible but I've never found a traffic free route yet and it's getting busier. So, I might just change in a few years time. Never say never 🤔

 

[Chief Broom]

I gave up motorcycling because of this feeling [and hospital stays]. Im lucky living in the Highlands where its a damn sight safer but still like to put 'luck' my way. If i lived in a more hazardous area i would do the same and choose time and place to ride with much greater care. Its not paranoia, if having regular near misses then it is indeed only a matter of time.....apologies for being doomy'gloomy but its a fact.

 

[All uphill]

A few stats.

1,300,000 bicycle journeys made in 2024 in the UK.

111 deaths and 4000 reported injuries.

If you take a hard look at your own cycling style, experience, health benefits, attitude to risk, and environment it's not too difficult to draw a reasonable conclusion about whether to continue or not.

In my case the scales are firmly on the 'continue' side. If I started having near misses, or feeling scared that might change

 

[Anthony-C]

I'm incredibly lucky that where I live drivers are courteous. I loved motorcycling and took an advanced course and they used to emphasize that road position is our best way to show intent. So I ride the e-bike as though I'm in the car - when I need 'primary position' it's very primary - with plenty of looking around so others know I'm aware they're behind and will get out of their way ASAP. It's probably down to where I live but so far I've got away with it. If anything cars seem OK with this, hang back and just occasionally flash a thanks when they pass. Dunno how long I'd last in the midlands :-(