Is Cycling On Public Roads Like Putting Your Life In The Hands Of Fools?

[sandyRoe]

This young couple died when the driver of a truck reached down to retrieve his hat from the floor of his lorry and he swerved into them.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/british-cycling-couple-die-thailand-crash-092211536.html

[ummmm]

I wouldn't risk it.

[Baldric]

Too risky!
Used to do it, but not any more.

[ludwig]

Not just cycling, driving too. He could have gone on to the other side of the road and hit another vehicle head on.

There are alot of fools out there, and just being on the road is a dangerous business. Especially so if you're on a bike.

[paddywak]

It doesn't matter how careful or good you are every time you go on the road, on a bike or in a car you are always vulnerable to the idiot coming along the road.

[sandyRoe]

That's true, Ludwig. But somehow you seem more vulnerable on a bike. If I cycle now it's on a tow path near where i live.

[weecalf]

This indeed is a very sad case witch was avoidable .The point you made about cyclist putting their lives in danger is valid yes but the arrogance of cyclist we encounter as motorists also endanger lives .I dont know the law but is cycling two abrest on main road a safe way to cycle which we encounter almost every weekend .

[ludwig]

Good idea Sandy, as long as you don't shout 'get out of the way!' to any walkers you're coming up behind.
A cyclist did that to an acquaintance of mine on a public footpath and the crap beaten out of him and his spokes bent as a result.

[parkie]

Very sad Sandy. Talk about 'your life in their hands'.

[MadMen]

I never ever cycle on the roads, and always use the pavements. If someone is walking ahead of me, I'll just go round them. I'd much rather some old codger have a go at me and tell me I shouldn't be on the pavement, than get mowed down by a car!

[AB Editor]

Yes, but then, lots of "public" situations are like this.

Went out for my first ride of the year this past weekend (adverse to cold and rain as I am). Apparently it was the time for everyone else to do the same - the roads were swarming with cyclists.

There's been a notable uptick in the number of cyclists out on the roads since the Olympics - I wonder if this will see more considerate driving from those in cars, or just serve to push those who seem to get needlessly wound up by cyclists over the edge?

[AB Editor]

"Good idea Sandy, as long as you don't shout 'get out of the way!' to any walkers you're coming up behind.

A cyclist did that to an acquaintance of mine on a public footpath and the crap beaten out of him and his spokes bent as a result."

You sound like you have very violent acquaintances. Would he have moved if it was a bell ringing?

[ludwig]

^ Yes, he is a bit of a nutter. Note the word acquaintance rather than friend.
I do think he would have moved if he'd heard a bell though. It was the arrogant demand shouted at him on a FOOTpath that triggered his nutter tendencies to kick in.

[douglas9401]

One man's "needlessly wound up" is another man's "justifiable ire at holier than thou 'we're saving the planet maaaan', clueless twonks doing as they please and expecting everyone else to anticipate their breathtking stupidity".

Or have I got that wrong?

[aelmpvw]

have broken both collar bones going over the handlebars in different accidents thanks to careless drivers ... i'm lucky to be alive

[ummmm]

I was knocked off my bike by a van driver opening his door. Luckily nothing was coming the other way!

[mccfluff]

we had a cyclist weave his way in and out of the traffic on a very busy roundabout in the middle of the retails park at 5.00pm, no lights and no indication on his part, how the hell he didn't get run over I'll never know and there are cycle paths on the pavements around the retail park....

[bednobs]

re tow paths: I LIKE it when cyclists shout at you - we take our 3 dogs along the tow path, one of whom really REALLY likes the taste of bikes and cyclists. My husband is partially deaf so can't necessarily hear cyclists coming up behind him and the first he knows about it is when the dog starts going crazy and trying to push the cycle in the canal. A shout or a bell is just the ticket to give him warning to get the little bugger out of the way

[sandyRoe]

I think after reading some of these posts I should get my exercise bike out from under all the junk its holding and do any further cycling in the parlour. :-)

[bednobs]

aww don't worry sandy, my dog won't push you in - we have a massive sea between us

[Baldric]

Sounds as if you don't control your dog properly bednobs,

/// one of whom really REALLY likes the taste of bikes and cyclists.///

If it has bitten a cyclist you're lucky it hasn't been put down.