How dangerous are bikes really?? - Page 4 - SV650.org

13-07-05, 08:43 AM

On the other hand, official governement stats say that you are 45 times MORE LIKELY to be KILLED or SERIOUSLY INJURED riding a bike than you are in a car....

But then again - what does the government know!!!

13-07-05, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getyerkneedown

On the other hand, official governement stats say that you are 45 times MORE LIKELY to be KILLED or SERIOUSLY INJURED riding a bike than you are in a car....

But then again - what does the government know!!!

Having been a member of this website for almost two years I am
inclined to think that the government is right. Won't stop me riding
my bike though.

Note that horse riding is even more dangerous (more accidents per
mile travelled than with motorbikes) but many people are prepared to
take the risk. Unfortunately, this risk often involves third
parties: my friend's Alfa Romeo got seriously damaged when an out of
control horse (with rider) ran out of a field and ended up sitting
on his bonnet. And the rider (horse?) wasn't insured! Safety
campaigners really ought to address the matter of horse riding first.

13-07-05, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Professor

Safety
campaigners really ought to address the matter of horse riding first.

Nope, it's cyclists first. A comprehensive test and third party insurance, oh and big fines for jumping red lights.

.

13-07-05, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonboy

Nope, it's cyclists first. A comprehensive test and third party insurance, oh and big fines for jumping red lights.

Surely that should be custodial sentences!

13-07-05, 11:18 AM

Apart from biking I engage in many other dangerous activities, one
of them being ice skating. Had figure skating coaching for two years
when I was a kid. Recently decided to resume skating and finally
bought my first adult figure skates. The amazing thing is that my
new skates came with a health warning: skating, like all sports,
presents risks of injury and falling is common. I guess, the
manufacturer encloses this warning in case someone buys
skates without realising that they may fall over and sues them.

13-07-05, 12:05 PM

The Professor Wrote:-

Quote:

The amazing thing is that my new skates came with a health warning: skating, like all sports, presents risks of injury and falling is common.

My favourite on those lines is the American manufacturer of mountaineering ice axes that was forced into insolvency because they didn't state on their axes that "climbing was dangerous and the axe couldn't gaurentee that the user wouldn't fall off"

We could all save some money, and tidy up the gene pool, by throwing the numpties the brought the case up, and the judge that agreed with them, off the mountain in the first place :

Tris

13-07-05, 12:18 PM

I've had 4 offs...

2 my own fault, over-cooking it on right handers when there was mud on the road, low speed feel off, picked bike up, looked around embaressed

and rode off.

1 while waiting at traffic lights. Just as they turned green the van behind drove into the back of me as he'd turned round to thank another driver for letting him out and had assumed all traffic in front had gone. Nobody could have avoided that - car in front and van behind, not even moving, just one of those things.

Last one was a guy deciding to chop down from the right hand lane to the middle lane while I was next to him at about 70mph. Again, hard to avoid that, even drivers behind said in witness statements that I had no warning, the guy just indicated and swerved into the lane in one instant.

Never had any injuries beyond grazed knees and elbows and bruising and that's healed in a week or two... if you have the right gear you're going to have a good chance, and if you plan your ride well you'll rarely have to rely on the gear.

I'd hazard a guess that most of the bike deaths are down to the ones who can't be bothered to wear proper gear, and/or who put themselves in daft situations - overtaking on blind bends, etc. Put the right gear on, ride sensibly, take more training... with all that, I doubt bike riding is much more dangerous than driving a car.

13-07-05, 02:50 PM

How's your hazard perception - if you can see a potential hazard developing and make a decision on your reaction before you need to act you'll stay upright longer.
Had 4 junction pull outs in the last three weeks, I knew they were going to happen and I had already started my reaction when they did.

Biggest scares - twice on A roads in Wales I had cars pull out to overtake from oncoming traffic AND continue they're overtake causing me to brake hard and swing over to the l/h side of the road - they both waved thanks to me for making room LIKE I HAD ANY CHOICE.

REMEMBER A BIKE ONLY HAS RIGHT OF WAY IF ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVER GIVES IT! NEVER EXPECT IT JUST 'COS THE LAW SAYS ITS YOURS.

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13-07-05, 08:43 AM	#31
Anonymous Guest Posts: n/a	On the other hand, official governement stats say that you are 45 times MORE LIKELY to be KILLED or SERIOUSLY INJURED riding a bike than you are in a car.... But then again - what does the government know!!!

13-07-05, 11:18 AM	#35
Professor Guest Posts: n/a	Apart from biking I engage in many other dangerous activities, one of them being ice skating. Had figure skating coaching for two years when I was a kid. Recently decided to resume skating and finally bought my first adult figure skates. The amazing thing is that my new skates came with a health warning: skating, like all sports, presents risks of injury and falling is common. I guess, the manufacturer encloses this warning in case someone buys skates without realising that they may fall over and sues them.

13-07-05, 12:18 PM	#37
SVeeedy Gonzales Guest Posts: n/a	I've had 4 offs... 2 my own fault, over-cooking it on right handers when there was mud on the road, low speed feel off, picked bike up, looked around embaressed and rode off. 1 while waiting at traffic lights. Just as they turned green the van behind drove into the back of me as he'd turned round to thank another driver for letting him out and had assumed all traffic in front had gone. Nobody could have avoided that - car in front and van behind, not even moving, just one of those things. Last one was a guy deciding to chop down from the right hand lane to the middle lane while I was next to him at about 70mph. Again, hard to avoid that, even drivers behind said in witness statements that I had no warning, the guy just indicated and swerved into the lane in one instant. Never had any injuries beyond grazed knees and elbows and bruising and that's healed in a week or two... if you have the right gear you're going to have a good chance, and if you plan your ride well you'll rarely have to rely on the gear. I'd hazard a guess that most of the bike deaths are down to the ones who can't be bothered to wear proper gear, and/or who put themselves in daft situations - overtaking on blind bends, etc. Put the right gear on, ride sensibly, take more training... with all that, I doubt bike riding is much more dangerous than driving a car.

13-07-05, 02:50 PM	#38
hutchy Guest Posts: n/a	How's your hazard perception - if you can see a potential hazard developing and make a decision on your reaction before you need to act you'll stay upright longer. Had 4 junction pull outs in the last three weeks, I knew they were going to happen and I had already started my reaction when they did. Biggest scares - twice on A roads in Wales I had cars pull out to overtake from oncoming traffic AND continue they're overtake causing me to brake hard and swing over to the l/h side of the road - they both waved thanks to me for making room LIKE I HAD ANY CHOICE. REMEMBER A BIKE ONLY HAS RIGHT OF WAY IF ANOTHER VEHICLE DRIVER GIVES IT! NEVER EXPECT IT JUST 'COS THE LAW SAYS ITS YOURS.