Is biking safe?

yup its dangerous wouldn't be as fun with out the risk though would it? in the last 12 months I've came off once slid through some diesel and hit the kerb i blame my self because i was going a fair bit to fast. If you do come off chances are it'll be something little sliding off at about 5mph. IMO its well worth the risk its up to you to decided whether it is for you

I had my off...all my own fault and its because of the way i drove, but that made me sort myself out before i did somthing really stupid.
If you plan ahead and really think about what your doing then you should be fine, and never push yourself into an uncomfortable place otherwise things will start going wrong and you wont know what do to.

Junctions scare me still...some people just dont look like their going to stop!

I suppose it's the old problem of all news is bad news
People aren't going to be posting in droves that absolutley nothing happened to them today so you'll read more about the people that DID have a near miss or not so near than otherwise

I tend to tell all my friends when they ask about biking that everyone comes off eventually it's simply part of the learning process.

True some don't and the off may be something as simple as you get off the bike and forget to put the side stand out or put your foot on a wet manhole cover when you stop and your foot slides out.

There are more ways to come acropper on a bike than in a car due to the fact you are balancing it
That said the advice above is spot on, it's as safe as you make it and if you wear the gear and switch your brain on, you're not much more likely to come to a serious injury on a bike than you are crossing the road or driving a car.

I've got a very bad record (about 1 off every 2 years in 10 years riding, but the last 4 years had been clean until a muppet in a mini litteraly homed in on me, crossed to my side of the road and hit me face on coming the other way down a perfectly empty straight road at 1am)
This has also been my first accident thats left me claiming for an injury and even that I'm told will heal in time (toe and thumb - not life ending!) - and I should even be a few Grand up on that deal! - almost tempted to do it again

[fizzwheel]

Originally Posted by mikky

With regard to road position, are there any threads which show which positions to take up at certain times (e.g. junctions, etc)?

Well they probably are, but lesson 1 of using an internet forum is never believe everything you read

Go and do a bikesafe or join IAM, best way to get advice on this stuff is from the experts, rather than a internet forum.

[dizzyblonde]

Biking is as safe as you make it.

I came off because I was a silly mare, and it was soley my fault, as I threw my bike down the street.

I've not had any bike vs other interface as yet, and hope I never do, but I have had several hairs whisker misses. All in 6 years of riding which I don't think is too bad.

[QUOTE=mikky;2084289]I know... I'm a big girl... <holds onto his blankey>QUOTE]


A quick tip.......... riding would actually be much safer if you let go of your blankey and put 2 hands on the bars

All i'll say is listen to these guys, they are all experienced riders and have helped many people including myself.

Ste.

[STRAMASHER]

It gets safer the more you do...






...if you survive.


More seriously as said, its the internet, nobody posts up the millions of safe miles they have done. No harm in having a think about your riding when somebody posts up the details of their latest spill. Even if its nipping 5mph off your speed or hanging back a little extra from the car infront.

Get out and enjoy yer bike. You never stop learning on the things , part of their addiction I think.

[dizzyblonde]

[QUOTE=Speedy Claire;2084307]

Originally Posted by mikky

I know... I'm a big girl... <holds onto his blankey>QUOTE]


A quick tip.......... riding would actually be much safer if you let go of your blankey and put 2 hands on the bars

ROFL

Mind you some of us girls actually ride better than some of the boys

Make you'reself as visible and as loud as you can..
Get some further training, bikesafe, enhanced rider scheme(ERS) or IAM or something, it can't do you any harm.

High vis vest, white helmet, possibly rim tape(don't shoot me ).

To be fair, I don't wear high vis, I have a matt silver helmet, I don't have rim tape, and have dark/silver leathers. Not a shining (excuse the pun) example of being visible.

Nothing seems to help with some drivers.

Expect the unexpected, watch out for cars changing lanesinto spaces in queues when filtering, watch for women on the school run in large cars, white van men, dodgy overtaking chavs, lorries who squash you, inconsiderate white van men..

Actually, just keep an eye on everyone, and ride like everyone else is an idiot, (Which they usually are)

It's not you you have to look out for, it's everyone else.