[DrkAngel]

Originally Posted by BlazingPedals

I'm not arguing for or against speed, but I should point out that your math only allows for hit-from-behind accidents. Only about 1 in 7 are of that type; most are right-hooks, left crosses, or cars coming out of a side street.

Good point! Let's compare:
Biker at 10 mph vs 20 mph in a 30 mph traffic situation.

Per mile - 10 mph biker will be:

1. passed by 4x (times) as many vehicles =
a. 4x the possibility of hit, or swipe x (2x impact speed)
b. 4x the possibility of "right hook" **

2. 2x the volume of oncoming traffic =
a. 2x the possibility of "left cross" **
b. 2x possibility of head on x (.8 impact speed)
(30 + 10 mph vs 30 + 20 mph = 80% impact speed)

3. 2x the volume of cross traffic, sidestreets, driveways etc. =
a. 2x the possibility of cross traffic collision **

Note: Actual percentages listed where available. Other impacts are highly variable due to possible angle and bike into vehicle or vehicle into bike.

** Speed, or severity, of impact will vary, from 50% to 100% (possibly higher).

Best case is 50% impact speed of 10 mph biker into side of stationary vehicle.

Worst case would be, side impact of biker by car, 100% impact speed. Possibility of being "run over" might be 2x, for the 10 mph biker. (Momentum of 20 mph biker is much more likely to carry him past the car = much greater chance of not being under car!)***

(Same direction impact already established at 200% speed-severity.)

*** 20 mph Biker possibility of impact is approx. 25% to 50% that of the 10 mph Biker.
Additionally, 20 mph Biker is 2x as likely to strike the vehicle while the 10 mph Biker is 2x as likely to be struck by vehicle. (Applicable to all, except same direction & head-on!) Possibility of 10 mph Biker going under vehicle is MUCH greater!

The final, measurable, variable might be, "time to see", (tts), the biker. (10 mph biker) While following traffic only has .5x the tts, oncoming traffic has 1.25x the tts, and the cross traffic has 2x the tts.

However ... the additional factor of faster motion being more noticeable, especially in the peripheral vision area, should be added, but, I'm afraid, assigning percentages would be sheer speculation.

(Peripheral vision is much more attuned to detecting motion, as well as light, especially flashing light. Another good reason for a "strobe" headlight, during the day.)

Personally, I believe, faster still looks a whole lot better-safer.

EZip Engineering 101

[DrkAngel]

Originally Posted by DrkAngel

Absolutely the best solution to a rear impact scenario, requires good speed capability, constant awareness, and one piece of specialty equipment.

First you want to be traveling, as closely as possible, to the speed of the approaching vehicle.

Second you must have an awareness as to the velocity, angle, mass and surface composition of the vehicle. Sets of 4 mirrors, or more, recommended, if possible, arrange into a stereoscopic, full 3D configuration.

Thirdly, and most importantly, the one piece of specialty equipment! "Downunder Cyclists", (located, possibly, in Australia?), has begun marketing their "Octopi" line of cyclewear.

Just make sure that you are struck squarely from behind. If you are about to be hit, quickly swerve and position yourself directly towards the center of the vehicle, the car should knock the bicycle from under you and you should roll gracefully onto the hood and, or, windshield, where the Octopi suction cups should keep you safely secured. (Tip: As soon as you get stuck to the vehicle, rip off one, or both, windshield wipers! Some drivers will use them to try to knock you off. You can also beat them on the roof to get the drivers attention, in case he is sleeping, or just doesn't notice you.) Hopefully the car will come to a gentle stop and you can then safely get off. Much safer than rolling down the road at 30 mph or bouncing over the roof and landing, "who knows where"! (Tip: Please do not insult, or anger, the driver! You will probably need their help getting unstuck from the car!)

Warning! Speed is important! 20 mph bike speed is optimal to be hit by a 30 mph car.
Slower can result in fairly severe injuries.
Faster and you might not be bounced onto the top of the car, you might have to jump backwards, timing is critical! Warning! Be careful, some a__hole drivers will approach like they are going to hit you, then ... slow down, just before impact. If not aware you might jump, and miss, ... then where would you be? ... Embarrassing! ... ???

Large trucks can be very tricky. Most don't have a nice hood to get stuck to.
1. Ideally, you must be going 10 mph slower than the truck.
2. Timing is critical, you must jump straight up just as you are being run over.
3. You must hit the windshield squarely, with enough body, to stick. Grills-radiators don't work well with suction cups!
4. Most important, rip off them wipers! Big trucks might have super duty wipers capable of scraping you off, like a bug!

This is a skill! Like any skill it requires practice. You should have a friend try to run you down, a few times, just so you can get good at being safer.

Oh, ... Make sure you have a good supply of bikes handy.

EZip Engineering 101

P.S. Be prepared for being hit by the, proverbial, "Redneck Pickup". Keep an Armageddon bag handy. Recommend couple bottles of water, sun screen, some granola bars, "Space Blanket" ... anything you might need in case they drive around with you stuck to their hood, for a few days.

Disclaimer:
Before attempting this, you must read, "Epitaphs of the Downunder Cyclists."

EZip Engineering 101

[DrkAngel]

Honestly, ... I worked hard, trying to make sure that, no one, could possibly take this seriously. (Rear Impact Solution). Sorry to say, ... I was wrong!

It is a joke!

EZip Engineering 101

[ViBiker]

Originally Posted by Barmy

the driver who is sleepy and nods off... or one who has to much to drink... or in my case misjudges your speed and cuts a left hand turn in front of you....I woke up in the hospital and spent a couple of days in the "head injury ward"

Possibility of being hit would be lessened by 50% if bike speed is 20 mph, compared to 10 mph. This is based on the simple reasoning that you spend 1/2 the time in the intersection, being a target. Additionally, due to higher speed, taking less time, you will spend 1/2 the time per mile, meaning that you encounter 1/2 the oncoming traffic or, 50% possibility of oncoming traffic interaction, (all types driver), compared to 10 mph biker.

[Industry_Hack]

Giving this thread another chance.

[BeginnerCycling]

Originally Posted by Industry_Hack

Giving this thread another chance.

Nooooooooooooooooo!

[SixtyPlus]

After reading the entire thread, I have to agree - this one should have been left to die a quiet death! No pun intended!!

[ViBiker]

The Math of Speed!
10mph vs 20mph passed by 30mph traffic
In 60mph Traffic
Other traffic - Biker 10 mph vs 20 mph - 30 mph traffic
NPA's
The Solomon Curve
Cocky SOB
Bicycle Safety
Bicycle Accidents - Causes

150lb Biker vs 3000lb Car
Mach1 Bike
Rear Impact Solution!

30mph eZip

[BeginnerCycling]

I'm blaming Hack for stirring this up again!

[ViBiker]

Originally Posted by DrkAngel

I've been doing a lot of hunting for the statistics on types of bicycle vs vehicle accidents. Most striking was that near to 70% were due to improper riding, or equipment!

#1 Highest percentage of accident, per biker, was due to riding at night, or dusk, without lights. (Correction)

#2 Next, most dangerous, was riding on the wrong side of the road. Riding against traffic might seem safer, to the novice biker, but accounted for a high percentage of accidents, as well as a very high percentage of deaths.

#3 Intersections! Definitely very high accident area. Surprisingly, a very large percentage were due to bicyclists using crosswalks! ... ???

#4 Sidewalks ... they might seem the safe place to ride, but most reports, specifically, rate sidewalks as more dangerous than streets. When coupled with crosswalks and driveway exits, sidewalks accounted for more than 50% of all bike accidents.

Yes, I realize that "highest percentage" was awarded to "no lights" as well as "sidewalks", however "no lights" is actually a contributory factor to any "type" of accident, not a "type", in itself.

Lesson learned?

#1 Train the new rider, avoid sidewalks, ride "with traffic", not against it.

#2 Be seen! Headlights & taillights at night. Highly recommend "strobe" headlight during day with flashing taillight, also.

EZip Engineering 101

Found some informative statistics
Compliments of -
City of Toronto
Bicycle/Motor-Vehicle
Collision Study