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 :-(

 

[pjd57]

When I go out , the bike goes too.
Part of my daily routine.
It might eventually have to change when I'm too old to go out anymore .

 

[Oldhippy]

Absolutely not. I know I must come across as all preacher like but in all my decades of cycling many as sole transport I've come across the odd idiot but refuse to be pushed or scared off the road, or dress up in a myriad of day glo and a multitude of lights. I am confident, polite and ignore the occasional di*khead. It's sad when fellow bike riders even consider giving up and all the more reason to badger advocacy groups and politicians that that a bicycle is a valid form of transport.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

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

No way, I'd still need to go to work, there isn't suitable public transport for me.
Nothing is guaranteed in life, but I minimize risks by picking my route according to the time of day and the day of the week.
I can ride the busiest road at 6am on a Sunday with no worries.
For example, if I leave for work 15 minutes earlier in the mornings my road to work is empty. 15 minutes later WVM is out in droves.

 

[fossyant]

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?

Nope. Got broken badly a few times. Recon every 10 years for me for a big one. Broken spine (bad) and 4 ribs 10 years ago (car) then last year pelvis and hip socket (ice). Still riding.

 

[annedonnelly]

I was hit by another cyclist. On a cycle path. Might have been better to have been on the road. If I'd been hit by a car there's a good chance the police would have been called & I might have got some compensation for my injuries.

 

[fwgx]

I knew a guy on his HGV test had a mini come up his inside as he was indicating to turn left. He ran it over, totalled the car, thankfully didn't kill the driver. Then when it was cleared up continued on with the test and passed as he did nothing wrong.

You have to be very careful around big vehicles, especially at junctions.

The driver in OPs story likely heard, saw and felt nothing, hence driving off

 

[Webbo2]

I have noticed over the last couple of days where I am on the edge of the North York moors and it being a bank holiday weekend. The f&ckwits have come out to play. Yesterday I had someone try to overtake me on a blind bend only for them to have slam the brakes on to avoid a head on collision. Today the roads of back firing hatchbacks.