[Bluevoss]

Was out with my brother the other evening - he rides, but distance stuff vs. my commuting. He told me that he thinks a lot of what we both do is, in part, because of the dangers motorists provide on our morning ride, that there is a bit of a thrill to it.

I denied this - strongly. In the morning's when I'm gearing up, I listen to the roar of traffic on the nearby artery I've got to cross. And I find myself thinking (like an infantryman in the trenches) "Jezus, don't kill my ass today". I've had some mornings when I almost turned around and went back in to change into my kitted clothing. But I still pressed into it.

But then again, there are those times when someone sees the bike in the office, or hears the snick of its gears as I roll it in or out, and they asked me (in awe) "You ride? To work? Really? Isn't it dangerous?" And I get to do that "Shucks, it's really no danger IF you know what you're doing", the lion-tamer's reply. And I think of when I'm back in the carport, pulling the bags off and feeling good about having run the gauntlet again.

So the question - does the danger posed by cars factor into our street riding?

[rola643]

Originally Posted by Bluevoss

So the question - does the danger posed by cars factor into our street riding?

YES!!!! I plan rides early in the morning and out in the country to avoid as much traffic as possible! I ride with an iPod ( solo rides only, never on a group ride) cuz if death is near I don't wanna hear it coming ( downing flame suit)! Course there are other issues to deal with in the kuntree

[Nigal]

You use an iPod? How irresponsible! LOL!

Traffic poses no more a threat than when I drive. The trick to safety is being seen and being aware of where everyone on the road is. Claim your lane. Have blinkies front and back even daytime. Wear a bright jacket. Use a mirror.

[rola643]

I have just about as much fear of getting getting doored in my little town on Main St. as much or more than anything. As a general rule we don''t have to many issues here. My other major concern is tourist with their 35' diesel pusher RV's pulling cars, boats, etc. They don't or wont move in the summer out by Thousand Trails - Getaways

I do not like or enjoy traffic or ridding in a city environment. That's as much of a product of where I live and how I live as much as anything. I've never lived in a city or even close to one.

[wild]

Down here in the swamp it is Banjo music we fear, that will make you ride faster than a Pit Bull chaseing you. 20 ton 30 ton dumps rool on by, no sholder most give you room. Some times when I crest the hill I think I wonder if that truck comming up sean me befor I get out of site over the hill. Lots of truck trafic around here we have a fue sand washes not many roads.

[SixtyPlus]

LMAO, Wild!! Banjo music is something to fear!!

[photosbymark]

If you don't consider the risks, the risks are managing you not you managing the risks. IF you don't think about it, you are asking for trouble and if it makes you that uncomfortable its something you probably ought to think twice about doing. There are urban areas Id be scared to ride, but rarely would I be overly concerned about riding in the country. Dump trucks are a pain, literally. Not necessarily because they might hit you but the gravel that always seems to find their way off the back hurts like you know what. That is better than garbage trucks. There was a time when a garbage truck considered that everything that blew off was that much they didn't have to unload at the dump. Nothing like seeing a diaper come off the back of the truck.

Wild you worry about banjo music, but it can be worse. Where I come from if you go far enough back you can find banjo music being produce by a banjo player that has had more to drink in the last hour than W.C. Fields could drink in a year. There is banjo music and then there is drunk banjo music.

[ViBiker]

One of the primary factors, under your control, is your speed!
A nice summery of how speed influences, possibility of vehicle interaction, is available -
Bicycle Safety - The Math of Speed!
(% lists too!)

While, some, in that thread, get hung up on some kind of "need" for an all-inclusive "bible" of traffic situations, if you simply follow the basic principles, it is easy to recognize the safety advantages available from the "judicious application of speed!"

It is a wide ranging thread, with nice tips on bicycle safety, bike gear, personal gear ... some humor too!

Like most any thread, there is a bit of ... unreasoning ... "static".

[photosbymark]

Not this again.. Can't you let it go??? Your logic only factor one aspect of a problem, without any consideration for many other situations where the extra speed would be a big negative. Closure rate is not impact and really has very little to do with the crash dynamics once control is lost. Can you maintain control after a car hits your rear wheel? I think the operative phrase would be, "Hey ya'll come look at this." No there is quite a few people that understand the logic is totally flawed from outset. It also assumes that getting passed is a danger, which many would argue with in the first place.

The most important things you can do to improve safety is to 1. be aware of your surroundings 2. wear a helmet. 3 expect the unexpected (such as a car that is supposed to stay stopped pulling out in front of you ) and most importantly 4. use your common sense. Granted common sense ain't so common, and the long I live the more I realize Will was right.

[Crinklecutter]

I personally recognize the danger but as a young cyclist I think danger is cool, I don't commute as such but every day, at least once a day I ride on very busy roads and I enjoy the challenge of moving with the traffic and making moves to reach my destination quicker. I've had a few issues with crashes but not quite life threatening.