Is biking too dangerous?

Originally Posted by jacksuzukisv650

bikings only dangerous if you make it dangerous !

Really? So if I decide not to make it dangerous, I'll be invulnerable to attack from side-road pull-out-in-front-you cagers? And I can't get hit from behind whilst waiting at a red light?
(Playing Devil's Advocate).

Of course there are dangers that no amount of riding skill or caution can account for, assuming you wish to use the public road rather than wheel your bike along the footpath.

Originally Posted by thulfi

If I said that to my dad, he'd say I'm both accepting the risk and inviting a disaster, lol!..

I wouldn't quite say biking invites disaster. But there's certainly some people out there doing various activities wherby they are probably accepting the risks, but also inviting disaster...('cough cough smoking cigarettes')!

Smoking cigarettes isnt inviting disaster its all unfounded conspiracys

Originally Posted by thulfi

Most my riding however is done in central London - rarely go more than 30 tbh, but with just the sheer amount of potential hazards around me, sometimes I do think the protection of a cage in these situations would be better for me.!

Defo in Central London you'd be safer in a car, but you'd loose more time in your very short life sitting in traffic!

Regards danger on the bike though, have you ever found statistics for sub 30mph crashes on motorbikes in London, vs sub 30mph crashes for cyclists?

I'm convinced cycling in London is more dangerous than motorbiking, mostly 'cos pedestrians don't hear you and then you have a battery torch for a headlight, skinny tyres, weaker brakes, less protection from helmet and clothing, and you get stuck in the melee of traffic after a stop, rather than getting clear out in front of it.

If you cycle into London your applauded by the public for keeping fit and helping the environment, if you use a motorbike your an anti-social maniac with a death wish.

[yorkie_chris]

Originally Posted by sinbad

account for, assuming you wish to use the public road rather than wheel your bike along the footpath.

A hernia can kill you know.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

I'm convinced cycling in London is more dangerous than motorbiking, mostly 'cos pedestrians don't hear you and then you have a battery torch for a headlight, skinny tyres, weaker brakes, less protection from helmet and clothing, and you get stuck in the melee of traffic after a stop, rather than getting clear out in front of it.

Spot on mate, without a doubt...not to mention the fact that its easier to throttle your way out of a potential situation than cycle your way out.

Cyclists in London are the worst. They use the roads, but don't abide by the laws. I almost took one out on a roundabout, cos she didn't bother looking to her right, seeing me coming down. They also hit red lights like there's no tomorrow as well.

Heck even my gf said she's more comfy with my being on a bike than a bicycle in central (this being from a gf very anti-bikes)!

Originally Posted by thulfi

what if you make it safe, and some drunk loon in a cage makes it dangerous?

Originally Posted by sinbad

Really? So if I decide not to make it dangerous, I'll be invulnerable to attack from side-road pull-out-in-front-you cagers? And I can't get hit from behind whilst waiting at a red light?
(Playing Devil's Advocate)

But we are talking about how dangerous motorbikes are in comparison to anything else you may choose to do in life. Both of these accidents can happen on a bicycle just the same.

Motorbiking isn't any more dangerous than many other pastimes, unless you make it dangerous. The point I am trying to make (and of course you don't have to agree with it) is that motorbikes don't deserve the dangerous image that they have, their image is disproportionate to the reality, it's certain riders that deserve the dangerous image.

Originally Posted by BanditPat

Smoking cigarettes isnt inviting disaster its all unfounded conspiracys

Unfounded conspiracies??...more like Strong Evidence

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

A hernia can kill you know.

Good point, I also read in the paper this week that 3 people were killed by stampeding cattle last month. Not sure if they were pushing motorcycles at the time, I'll check.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

The point I am trying to make (and of course you don't have to agree with it) is that motorbikes don't deserve the dangerous image that they have, their image is disproportionate to the reality, it's certain riders that deserve the dangerous image.

Defo a disproportionate image. Heck if you compare peoples views on scooters or bikes, they'll tell you worse things about a bike. I know what I feel safer on!

If cars were illegal, and we all rode bikes, people wouldn't think twice about getting on bikes. Look at places like vietnam - do all those men and women perceive bikes as people here do. Don't think so!

[Mej]

i stopped riding for four years when a good mate of mine died in a bike crash, sh*t me up a bit. but i couldnt stay away and he would have called me a pussy if i had, just for that reason.

Life is too short, so i try to enjoy it while i can!