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I had a glancing blow at 70 mph with a car doing a similar speed coming the other way. I was in the last mile of a cross country drive and was thinking of getti

I had a glancing blow at 70 mph with a car doing a similar speed coming the other way. I was in the last mile of a cross country drive and was thinking of getting to the pub. It was the bit of road I knew best. I drove a couple of times after that, but the screaming kids in the back of the other car was enough for me. Now I cycle everywhere. Or get the train. I was not prosecuted or anything but I didn't want to almost kill anyone (and their family) ever again. I consider myself lucky. Point being: cycling is good too.

thomastjeffery 9y ago
Not to tell you your reaction is wrong, but it's important to remember that cycling is generally more dangerous, and that while you aren't taking action dangerous to those around you, you are likely taking action that makes everyone around you dangerous to you yourself. Even so, cycling is wonderful. I certainly recommend it.
- megy 9y ago
  It is not more dangerous to other people on the road.
  - thomastjeffery 9y ago
    That's what I said. Danger goes both ways. If you are on a bicycle rather than in a car, you are more susceptible to the danger created by the cars around you. In effect, all of the cars around you are more dangerous than they were before, because there is a cyclist (you) on the road.
    - lsc 9y ago
      right. but... some people feel it is more ethical to take chances with their own lives than with the lives of others.
- Doctor_Fegg 9y ago
  > cycling is generally more dangerous Out of interest, do you have a citation for that in European countries?
- fulafel 9y ago
  Health benefits offset the traffic risks in most studies, see eg. http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4521 http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4521 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/485349 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullar... https://archive.org/details/pubmed-PMC3831097 https://archive.org/details/pubmed-PMC3831097 It's possible that local traffic circumstances invalidate these for many locations, but at least the "generally" part of your claim seems to be reaching too far.
13of40 9y ago
Ironically, I had the same thing happen with cycling (at a lower speed). Got in a bike vs. car accident ten years ago and since then almost never ride on the street, but driving is fine.

thomastjeffery 9y ago

Not to tell you your reaction is wrong, but it's important to remember that cycling is generally more dangerous, and that while you aren't taking action dangerous to those around you, you are likely taking action that makes everyone around you dangerous to you yourself. Even so, cycling is wonderful. I certainly recommend it.

megy 9y ago
It is not more dangerous to other people on the road.
- thomastjeffery 9y ago
  That's what I said. Danger goes both ways. If you are on a bicycle rather than in a car, you are more susceptible to the danger created by the cars around you. In effect, all of the cars around you are more dangerous than they were before, because there is a cyclist (you) on the road.
  - lsc 9y ago
    right. but... some people feel it is more ethical to take chances with their own lives than with the lives of others.
Doctor_Fegg 9y ago
> cycling is generally more dangerous Out of interest, do you have a citation for that in European countries?
fulafel 9y ago
Health benefits offset the traffic risks in most studies, see eg. http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4521 http://www.bmj.com/content/343/bmj.d4521 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/485349 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullar... https://archive.org/details/pubmed-PMC3831097 https://archive.org/details/pubmed-PMC3831097 It's possible that local traffic circumstances invalidate these for many locations, but at least the "generally" part of your claim seems to be reaching too far.

13of40 9y ago

Ironically, I had the same thing happen with cycling (at a lower speed). Got in a bike vs. car accident ten years ago and since then almost never ride on the street, but driving is fine.