Worried that I am going to crash...

[CrackPuffin]

So I have started commuting to work between 3-5 days a week. My bike ride is around 12.2 miles each way and to be honest I really enjoy it.

After reading some of the beginner posts I am a little worried that I am going to crash. Both being crashed into by a car and crashing into a car.

Is there any advice to cover myself financially and mental in preparation for this? I kind of feel it is like a puncture, it may happen, but if your prepared then you will be fine. So what can I do in regards to crashes?

My bike isn't the worlds best, but it is good enough for me. Trek FX 7.3 2013 model. I love it and I can hit some good speeds when I want too

 

[Spinney]

Remember that bad news sells...

Apart from threads like 'Your ride today', people are much more likely to post on here if they have had an incident than if they have had a pleasant, incident-free ride. The last 'off' I had was a gentle slide to the ground due to a patch of ice, no other vehicles involved, and no damage other than a slightly tender elbow and a dent in my self esteem.

The main thing you could do is to join the CTC (if it's still called that - someone will correct me!), when you get free legal help to make claims if you do have an accident. But I believe you can even join after an accident and still get the cover.

 

[vickster]

Other options exist from British Cycling, Wiggle and the London Cycling Campaign (who offer third party cover for £9.50)

Accidents serious enough to warrant cover are pretty rare but they do happen. I personally think it's worth the outlay (Most policies cost £30-50 a year). Third party will not only cover you crashing into a car or other vehicle but more importantly into a pedestrian who could be hurt and sue.

You might also have cover through your home insurance legal cover. And make sure your bike is insured (home insurance is usually cheaper than a specific policy)

Also get a copy of Cyclecraft by John Franklin and have a read about how to ride safely but assertively. Preparing yourself mentally is hard, best not to think too much about it, but ride as best you can

 

[mjr]

Is there any advice to cover myself financially and mental in preparation for this?

Financially - I posted a link to a recent one of the many insurance discussions when you asked a few minutes earlier. https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/what-insurance-do-i-need.198093/

Mentally - forget it IMO. It's rare. Very rare. If you cycle ordinarily (not racing or ninja or anything like that), then I feel you crash cycling much less than fall while walking.

My last total "off" was over a year ago (I ride daily) and the one before that was probably twenty years before. I've had quite a few silly minor shunts, mostly self-inflicted (heck, I ran myself over three times in a year! ), but so far I've suffered more damage walking outside in winter, let alone all walking.

I kind of feel it is like a puncture, it may happen, but if your prepared then you will be fine. So what can I do in regards to crashes?

I think much like punctures, you can minimise your risk: consciously avoid the biggest cyclist-avoidable crash causes (being doored - ride "a door and a bit more" away - and failing to give-way when you should); generally don't ride like a nobber (duh!); learn emergency turns and other coping strategies like those in cyclecraft; look at www.cyclestreets.net/collisions/ and see if you can avoid any crash hotspots on your routes; join your local cycling campaign to push for remedial measures or cycle-bypasses.

I'm not sure you can prepare completely, but if you crash, just get back on the bike when you and it are fit. So far, I've crashed far enough away from home I've not really had a choice but to get straight back on

 

[growingvegetables]

.... I am a little worried that I am going to crash ....

- Bad news, yes - you may indeed crash.

- Good news? Took me 50 years riding (the last 15 or so at 5-6000 miles a years) to have my first! And it was a random dog in a park - I landed in soft, wet, muddy grass.

Don't worry about it. Get the miles in to build up your confidence - choose your routes, and develop the skills of "taking your space".

 

[Tin Pot]

I don't know how covered I am, I have house insurance and BTF membership, what's the point worrying?

Insurance is gambling. It's gambling where you bet against yourself. Insurers, like casinos, make sure the odds are always against you - otherwise they'd be losing money.

 

[Dirk]

If you ride with the thought that you might have a crash; you may well end up having one. Confidence and attitude have a huge bearing on most outcomes in life.
As Henry Ford once said - 'If you think you can; or think you can't - you're probably correct.'

 

[steveindenmark]

Covering yourself mentally is easy........slow down.

If you want to go fast buy a motorbike

 

[Sara_H]

- Bad news, yes - you may indeed crash.

- Good news? Took me 50 years riding (the last 15 or so at 5-6000 miles a years) to have my first! And it was a random dog in a park - I landed in soft, wet, muddy grass.

Don't worry about it. Get the miles in to build up your confidence - choose your routes, and develop the skills of "taking your space".

True dat - 20 years here before I had a crash, and an unusual one in that it was a deliberate road rage assault. Had a couple of small car crahes in tha time. Puts it in perspective when you think of it like that.

 

[ufkacbln]

Don't be put off....

The problem is a forum like this is that it is constructive and helpful

Hence when somebody does have an accident they pot on here for advice, to let off steam or simply for reassurance they did the right thing


However no-one posts (or very rarely) that they had an uneventful commute without incident, no rain and a tail wind all the way... and I think we would soon overload poor Shaun's servers if we did


As above it is perspective, crashes are few and far between

 

[sidevalve]

You are going to die eventually - do you worry about that ? Check out the statistics of people injured in accidents in the home [and yes even putting on their socks !!] as opposed to cycle accidents and you might feel a little safer [although you may never go home or put on a pair of socks again]. Think ahead and DON'T rely on anybody else or assume anything - it's not being afraid it's just simple self preservation - take responsibility for your OWN safety and yes give way if you have to - being 'in the right' is great but no comfort in A&E. Firm but careful is the phrase I'd use and it will keep you alive and well for years

 

[vickster]

If you want to go fast buy a motorbike

That doesn't seem like the best advice for someone worried about crashing on a pushbike

 

[steveindenmark]

That doesn't seem like the best advice for someone worried about crashing on a pushbike

You dont feel much when you crash on a motorbike. You can guess how I know

 

[vickster]

Certainly not if dead

 

[Zeffer]

My view has been similar to the above really. I love cycling so I can either avoid something I love just in case or get on with it. I may have an accident on the bike, but I may have an accident in the car, walking, shower etc.! I try not to take risks but I can't live my life in fear.