I am 70: Cycled from childhood: Am a motorcyclist: A car driver: Drove commercial vehicles for work purposes. I've never been a perfect road user on any of those transport modes, so have to accept that people make poor decisions and mistakes. Where do I feel least safe? Cycling on the road. On a motorcycle I can accelerate away from bullying/distracted/careless/thoughtless/dangerous etc, etc, drivers. In a car I have a metal cage to afford me some protection. On a bicycle I am completely at the mercy of the road infrastructure, the road surface, the weather conditions and, of course, roads full of generally poorly skilled drivers. However, unlike on my motorcycle, I haven't been knocked off a bicycle - yet!

@andrewnorris5415

Ай бұрын

That's the issue. Get knocked off with no gear on, and it often is worse. Low sample size, like you say, it could just be a matter of time. I used to drive too fast as a young man. Now I see how bad it was. The law could have been more strict with fines and police about. Now it is even easier with all the cameras but they are still not strict. Too many people drive, and the government pleases voters, not doing what is right.

@user-rf9me7xm1w

Ай бұрын

Yes Guzz, that’s exactly my situation. I’ve had loads more near misses on my cycle than on my motorcycle. I’m convinced that keeping up with the traffic speed is much safer than being overtaken by distracted drivers. Although, when riding my motorcycle I’m always expecting car drivers to do stupid things. Ride safe.

Twice, if I hadn't been wearing a helmet, I would either be brain dead, or dead. I love cycling, averaging about 12,000 kilometers per year. I follow the road rules and enjoy being on my bike. oh, and I am 66 years old. There are inconsiderate car drivers, and inconsiderate cyclists. The only difference is car drivers are surrounded by metal, and cyclists usually only lycra. People just need to be aware.

@andrewnorris5415

Ай бұрын

Yes, and 2 tonnes etc causes a lot of harm. We really need more cycle paths inc in rural areas. There's so much room along side the road at the side of a field. But not enough money. Too much money for endless wars. Or even right through a field. A lot of the old train tracks we cycle on do that. And the farmers can be given crossing points where we stop and give way if needed. Cycle paths are way cheaper to make than roads which have to stand busy traffic and HGVs.

@eternaloptimist2840

Ай бұрын

You have no way of knowing what would have happened if you hadn't worn a helmet. You might have ridden slower or chosen another route, drivers might have given you more room, just because your helmet gets damaged that doesn't mean your head would be seriously injured, helmets can even cause injury ... stop stating unfounded opinion as fact (doctors and crash investigators are bad about this too.)

I do 10k miles per year on a bike and I have very few issues. The occasional close pass but in 30 years not had any real issues. I trained to be a bikeability instructor and although I had 20 years of experience I learned a hell of a lot from doing the course. I can highly recommend it to anyone because it teaches you strategies to control your space and use the roads effectively.

@bikeman123

Ай бұрын

Where are you? It seems pretty extraordinary that you don't experience close passes yet everyone else does. Maybe you just don't notice because you are desensitised to them.

Started racing competively in 1973 and finished 1991 and have enough "incidents" to fill a book. I would say that cycling in the Uk is dangerous; lack of segregation, distracted or aggressive drivers, sunken ironworks, poor surface and weighted road laws. However, being on a bike is still my favourite pastime and I would recommend it to everyone, but learn to ride properly, defensively, use flashing LEDs and don't wear black, it just gives them an excuse. (Most of which you covered).👍

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Thanks, Joe. Couldn't agree more. We love riding our bikes despite all of these challenges and manage them as best we can. Racing is a whole other world (and not one I know) with I imagine such a fine margin of error and massive consequences to any mistakes. Appreciate the comment and happy cycling!

Good video, I'd argue that a life of inactivity is waaay more dangerous than any danger experienced on the road. Having said that the move of the law towards protecting vulnerable road users is a very good one. On the helmet issue, you are making a judgement purely for yourself, no one else is involved in any way. Personally anything that helps to prevent my head or face contacting the tarmac is a good thing. It's the same reason I always wear gloves.

Having lights on the bike should be a priority, especially when riding in bad weather. I have mine on all the time and wear a helmet, its saved me when flying over the handlebars.

It would be interesting to see the fatality statistics for cars/bike ratio. At 62 I’ve gotten back into riding after a 40 year lapse and really loving road riding around the New Forest but have to say it’s a constant worry that I hope doesn’t convince me that the odds aren’t worth the pleasure it brings. Seriously considering getting a gravel bike and just use the multitude of tracks nearby but I really do enjoy the road. Sad that we have to say keep safe in this wonderful hobby of ours. Thank you for posting this.

I'm a middle aged, female UK cyclist (I'm on a 25 year old, three speed bike, and firmly a utility cyclist) and I'm never going to feel safe on the roads as they are. I'm aware that the roads are statistically mostly safe, but they are also quite hellish with the attitude of some drivers. There's bits of cycle path that I use that just run out and you're back in with the traffic, and I find it unpleasant, compared to just walking. Until there are segregated cycle paths away from the cars, there won't be an increase in the number of cyclists. The network of cycle paths needs to connect together and feel safe, like that in the Netherlands. I'm not optimistic that it'll happen in the near future, sadly. Thanks for the interesting video.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

I think you're right, Sarah. For years i was of the view that we already had the infrastructure (i.e our roads) and we just needed to persuade more cyclists out onto them (towards a critical mass, no need for segregated infrastructure etc.) and maybe that can be true in certain places but I'm more and more persuaded that good segregated infrastructure is what really transforms a place for cycling. Thanks for the comment and happy peddling!

@Francis-xl2gu

Ай бұрын

Would be interested to hear your opinion on, if you feel more in danger as a women on a bike ??

@sarahs784

Ай бұрын

​@@Francis-xl2gu hi Francis, no, I don't think being a woman makes me feel more in danger when I'm cycling particularly. I suspect that cars might give me a bit more room as I dont look like a "proper" cyclist as I don't wear cycling clothes, just what I'd be wearing for my destination. I also don't wear a helmet as that seemed to encourage cars passing a bit closer, I wonder if drivers think you're safe to hit you if you have a cycling helmet on and don't give as much space?

Watching you cycling in Britain makes cycling in the 5 AM Indiana darkness seem so easy. Thanks for your excellent videos and guitars.

@onemorecyclist

14 күн бұрын

Appreciate you checking out the videos, Frank. Thanks. 🙂

Bike nation is a great book. it really does make a great point on the absolute benefits to health and society compared to the percieved risks of cycling.

@sarahs784

Ай бұрын

I ordered it after reading your comment! Thanks for the recommendation

In the UK? Deadly. In France? A joy. Why? The law. In France if someone hits you they are presumed guilty and must prove the cyclist at fault. In the UK, the complete opposite, Plod have to prove the driver guilty. Good luck with that. Spoken as a retired police officer who cycled all over the world since I was a kid but quit ten years ago when Plod stopped giving a damn.

It's sad that the government have highlighted dangerous cyclists, which I think compared to motorists is a minor issue, it has also enabled the bad drivers to treat cyclists as the enemy. I get close-passed at high speed multiple times on every ride. We mostly now try to ride on gravel, but have to use some roads to get to the gravel. I could never ride without a helmet. I had my own accident (no car) a couple of years ago, slipped on a corner in damp conditions. I went down and my head hit the road at force. My helmet was smashed, but I git up fairly immediately with no head injury. Without the helmet I would have been hospitalised with a fractured skull.

@deanwaller1029

Ай бұрын

It's an easy 'distraction' rather than tackling more serious issues. They know a lot of the public dislikes/hates cyclists so making a fuss of changing the laws, despite the very small number of serious injuries caused by bikes, will get approval.

@deanwaller1029

Ай бұрын

@@elliotwilliams7421 "Overall road safety just isn't a concern for most of you" In 2022 the Department for Transport showed that 85% of the car drivers in GB broke the law by driving faster than the speed limit in 20mph zones. On roads with a 30mph maximum, 50% of car drivers broke the law. So I don't see how motorists are any better. I agree that plenty of cyclists should follow the traffic laws better. I hate seeing other riders run red lights and call it out when I can. But let's not pretend that every cyclist is a danger to themselves and others.

I live in Cypress texas, but last year I did a London to Paris gravel ride. I can definitively say UK drivers do not have a lot of patience. Even crossing over to France they we're far more friendly.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

That's interesting. Never cycled in France but it's on the wish list! Best wishes from over the pond!

@owencarlstrand1945

Ай бұрын

I can agree that France is very much more cycling friendly.

As a non-distracted driver I'm often surprised how some pedestrians 'jump' out at me, because drivers mostly focus on staying on the road, lanes, and avoiding other large vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians are not *EXPECTED* to be on the road by drivers. So I avoid riding 'in the way' that a distracted driver might also be cruising with their eyes off the road. That means I prefer trails, slow residential streets, and at least a road with a shoulder. 2 lane roads with no shoulders and high speed vehicles are suicidal. You can wear bright colors and flashing lights to help a little, but the distracted driver, or even non-distracted driver who's mostly concerned about their own vehicle staying in lane and avoiding large vehicles, can still accidentally hit you if you are in a vehicle lane. So the old recommendation "take the lane" is super dangerous IMHO. I'd much rather ride slower on the side walk in those dangerous situations, be polite to the occasional pedestrian, even risk a ticket there (in some areas that ban bicycles on sidewalks) than potentially killed by a large SUV/truck speeding oblivious to non-vehicles.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment. I'm relatively 'happy' riding in traffic and confident riding defensively as needed etc. but as you say there's very little you can do about a driver that just not paying attention whatsoever - probably my biggest concern when I'm on the bike. Stay safe out there and happy cycling!

@eternaloptimist2840

Ай бұрын

You're American, your laws and riding conditions are quite different from cycling in Britain. You also seem to think a bicycle is not a vehicle, and are surprised by other road users doing things that you already know that they sometimes do. Vehicular cycling (taking the lane) is a valuable technique in UK urban conditions, reading the road includes being aware of other road users not in cars and anticipating their actions.

@jayziac

Ай бұрын

@@eternaloptimist2840 I'm American, but also a driver AND cyclist, so I'm very careful driver who respects other road users. This example demonstrates how our eyes and brains filters out extraneous info unconsciously. Search online for the Gorilla and Basketball players video experiment for another example. The whole 'taking the lane' was promoted by a cyclist for many decades, but it is unsafe, and not a replacement for proper biking infrastructure, as many other European cycle friendly countries have shown. The U.S. and U.K. are one of the few that are falling behind in such dedicated infrastructure, and this advice to take the lane is a poor substitute.

Such a beautiful place. Everywhere you look is a painting waiting to be made.

Working as a traffic marshal on busy construction sites taught me a lot about riding safely, as I was constantly talking to drivers, so learned what most annoys them about cyclists, & thus what I should avoid doing myself. For example, the thing the wagon drivers hate most is cyclists sneaking into their blind spot at junctions & traffic lights, as they can run them over without even knowing they're there. Lack of clear communication via hand signals & lack of visibility through dark clothing/lack of lights is another. Also, rudeness & lack of road sense. Knowing the correct hand signals for traffic marshalling is another useful skill, as I can always make intentions clear if right of way is uncertain, plus you'd be surprised how much all drivers appreciate a smile & a thumbs up when giving you right of way. Lastly, wearing an orange long sleeve hi viz vest is a very good idea for commuting or in busy traffic. Reason being on a lot of sites only traffic marshals wear orange, so as to be distinct from ordinary workers wearing yellow. They also wear long sleeves so hand signals are as visible as possible. So, if you are wearing the same, drivers are basically trained to look for you & you will catch their eye more than ordinary.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Interesting re orange hi-vis. I remember years ago reading an article about how commonplace the yellow hi-vis was becoming, to the point that people weren't really registering it any more (than normal clothing). Thanks for the comment and happy cycling.

Nearly 63 ,started wearing a bell make helmet finally realised what crazy people are out there ,keep safe folks.

Good points, well made. I agree regarding Supermarkets. I tend to avoid busy roads like the plague. Maybe get a close pass on a fortnightly basis. Tend to ride more passively now I'm older!

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment, Andy. Maybe I'm way out in a minority here but I'd even pay a nominal fee to have a key/code to a secure Supermarket bike locker area. I'd happily replace the weekly shop with two or three trips a week on the bike w/panniers, especially if there were half decent cycle lanes there and back. Ah well, back to reality! 🙂

I always tread other road users as if they might not have seen me, it's worked ok for me so far.. it's saved me from some bad injuries I'm sure.. at around 11:40 to 11:45 into your video there are some cottages, many years ago on my first ride to Hollingsworth Lake a long the canal in one of these backyards there was a fiberglass head and neck of a Zebra 🦓 looking over the back wall..😂 I'll never forget it.. great videos, cheers 👏

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Cheers, Steve. It's funny what random things you see round these parts! I forget exactly where but last year we were out on the mountain bikes on one of the high lanes and someone had put a T-Rex outside the house, slightly hidden in the trees - proper double take that one. Happy cycling! 🙂

On a decent surfaced road and responsible (car) traffic, cycling is not dangerous at all. On the contrary, it is very good for you healt. The (local) government can help by keeping roads in a reasonable condition, without deep potholes or even creating cycle-lanes along busy roads. Another good thing is to protect the weakest persons in traffic by making cars guilty of all accidents, unless clearly proven different.

Thanks for the video fella and yes fully concur with your thoughts on this topic. What troubles me is that there appears to be a a growing culture war between cyclists and motorists/pedestrians, not helped by some sections of the media. I fully accept that there are irresponsible cyclists out there but they do seem to be attracting a disproportionate level of attention. All this leads to a very negative perception of cyclists which I have experienced while out on the road. On top of all of that we now now have bike-jacking gangs operating in my neck of the woods. Thankfully the number of incidents is low but one incident is one too many. Sadly it does compel you to avoid certain areas. It is just another reason to put folk off from getting out and about on a bike. That said we will carry on flying the flag. 👍🏼

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Thanks, Sheetal. Really resonate with what you've said here. The media/social media certainly isn't a calming voice and i suppose confrontations, aggravation and near misses caught on camera get plenty of clicks etc. You're right about the bike-jacking phenomena too. The standard bike parking posts just don't cut it these days in a city like Manchester (for example). Appreciate the comment and happy cycling!

@arp_909

Ай бұрын

It’s pretty annoying that irresponsible drivers are not recognised isn’t it. The vast majority just have no patience, they have to get past you asap without regard to your safety. Really winds me up tbh

Was knocked off deliberately 28 years ago on a quiet country lane in a hit and run, brocked cheek bone and life changing permanent head injury, back then most roads felt safe enough as they were quieter and drivers generally ok..... Now riads are terrible and drivers far far worse generally with zero patience, I still cycle but off road with occasional road when required to get from one track to the next part and even in those small 100 m dashes i get cars hastling me and doing stupid dangerous things sometimes. Its like a war has been declared on cyclists .. I dtive a car and ride a motorbike and appreciate the nuisance that a bike causes but peoples lives are at stake, i wish everyone would just chill out a bit and play nice. I know a lot of cyclists and they all say the same thing, they do not feel safe on roads and so either given up or taken to off road like me. Cycling for fun this is fine but i cycle to get around too ivstead of second car and it becomes impossible to get where i need to go often without road riding , And then there is the problem of where to safely leave a bike where it wont get stolen....

I imagine those stata vary significantly from country to country.

Interesting stats. Im 100% with u in i don't worry about the dangers as experienced enough now, but im ALWAYS on alert and expecting the worst. Sounds negative snd that don't enjoy it, i do, but prevention is better thsn cure😊

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Definitely. Just last week i had a really silly close pass, probably less than a foot from my elbow when the muppet squeezed past me. If I'd caught the driver further up the road we'd have definitely had words on that one (which if anyone knows me would know is not really my style). But i dare say the heart rate didn't even register it. Scary how it just becomes par for the course. Most drivers are really good in my view/experience - and better than previos years - but 'most' still means high alert as you say. 🙂

@marktownend3782

Ай бұрын

@@onemorecyclist yes good point re par for the course. I just shake my head and carry on

The supermarket problem is alleviated for me due to my brompton folding up and becoming a trolley. This is half the reason I bought a folding bike, but it shouldn’t be that way especially because I want a cargo bike to do larger loads and truely replace my car for big weekly grocery runs.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Funnily enough I'm looking at folding bikes at the moment for work trips (for example walked about 4 miles today to and between tram/train connections to get to a meeting and a folding bike would have been so useful). How does your brompton work as a trolley? You can balance a basket on it and wheel round? Have exactly the same idea re cargo bike. 🙂

@Francis-xl2gu

Ай бұрын

@@onemorecyclist I bought a mini Q Rack for my brompton with easy wheels extender, works well as a shopping trolley

I have had one emergency room visit and one hospital stay due to my own lack of attention, in 52 years of daily cycling, including criteriums, touring and commuting. In Massachsetts, Texas, Indiana, Arizona and Florida. I was the unsafe one, and at fault.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Ditto on my own experience being the unsafe one. Thankfully the only time I've come off a bike (a BMX, 37 years ago!) was after jumping over two friends using a couple of crates and some planks of wood from the local waste ground. Likelihood of a crash was 100% but I did it anyway (ah, idiocy of youth etc.!). 🙂

You mentioned about the wearing of helmets. For me, it's simple. Wear one or you will wish you had when a serious accident happens. I hit black ice on my bike a couple of years ago and I hit my head on the kerb and thankfully I was wearing a helmet. That surely must have saved my life. I think it should be law to wear one, just as you need one for motorcycling.

I had a close call with a land rover coming very fast around a blind corner a couple of weeks ago. I am far more cautious on small country lanes now.

@zopEnglandzip

Ай бұрын

I don't know, expensive 4x4's seem to be an indicator of a driver's lack of care for others.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Yes, if i haven't got a line of sight I'm leaning towards assuming there's a vehicle round every corner. Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!

@eternaloptimist2840

Ай бұрын

Always look for escape routes, assume a hazard is around every bend - you're usually better off eating hedge than Range Rover. But don't let it spoil your ride, it's just a useful technique for reducing potential risks.

Firstly kudos for heading out in the rain! Being a mostly fair weather cyclist in wet occasionally but generally won't start a ride if wet from outset. As for dangers, I've had so many close passes from motorists that these days I record my rides and send in any dangerous driving etc in to Operation Snap. I live in a quiet rural/coastal area(Pembrokeshire) yet just about every ride I encounter someone driving far too closely to me as a vunerable road user. I try to ride on the quieter backroads as these have less traffic and are nicer to ride on. However, it's often on these roads I get issues. By far some of the worst are tractor drivers some of whom just won't slow down or move over at all and I've had instances where I've had to literally dive into a hedge to avoid being crushed. I'm not sure I agree 100% on infrastructure, obviously if there were safe bike lanes which covered the entire UK that would be great but it's not going to happen. I've cycled quite a lot over in Mallorca and there are 1000s of cyclists on roads there every day and it's extremely rare to get an issue with motorists so I think it's a mindset thing not infrastructure. As for helmet, I always wear one because well why not. It has saved me once when I had a low speed off and banged my head. Without helmet I'd definitely been injured. One point, I always wear gloves as your hands are usually first point of contact if you do come off and losing skin off hands is very unpleasant. I will say some cyclists don't help themselves with way they go about riding. Jumping lights, riding 4 abreast so cars can't overtake etc only antagonises and perpetuates myth about "lycra louts".

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment and these really good points. The Mallorca example perhaps shows that a 'critical mass' does have an effect. It's a bit of a horrible chicken and egg situation in many UK areas; people won't come out more on bikes till there's a critical mass and the roads are safer, and the roads won't get to that point without people coming out. I think the segregated/infrastructure option can break that stalemate (if it were ever properly adopted/funded, which admittedly feels like a bit if a pipe dream at the moment). I find it quite frustrating at times to think about all the missed opportunities for more cycling (especially of the non-enthusiast variety) and all the associated benefits that would bring.

@eternaloptimist2840

Ай бұрын

Helmets - why not? Well, research has shown motorists leave less room for helmeted cyclists as they're perceived to be less vulnerable. Cyclists have the same subconscious hazard perception distortion - they take more risks when they feel protected.

If you want to get close passed come to Soham in Cambridgeshire

Ridden on UK roads 60 yrs few minor accidents by silly drivers 12 yes in Spain and France no incidents to report why because European drivers have so much more tollerence and patience towards cyclists.Still riding on my S WORKS at 72yrs I do worry when back on UK roads everyone seems in a mad rush.

I got an incredibly bright and obnoxious red light for the back that has made a difference with blind corners and such and just generally people giving me more space. It’s basically a red camera flash going off at 450 lumen over and over. More or less impossible to miss me.

@pedallinraw

Ай бұрын

You’ll like Niteflix red zone then,I’ve the 600 and the 1000 Lumen,Hope district 3 is good although quite a large light by the current standard 👍🏻

I couldn't agree more about segregation and also about the useless providion of safe parking for cyclists at supermarkets. Its pathetic and all supermarkets are equally useless. I 16:10 park my bike right outsidec and ignore the provided spaces which seem to have been purposefully designed to make bike thieves have an easier time.

People getting on an airliner are not issued helmets or parachutes. But in the Air Force we sure wore them when flying. In the English countryside you don't really need a helmet unless you're drinking Guiness at every stop. But if you were racing those very same roads, a helmet would be wise. Cheers.

@onemorecyclist

14 күн бұрын

Yes, any kind of speed and the lid comes out for me. Guiness at every stop, now there's a thought!

starts at 7:17

Looks like you guys are having the hottest summer on record.😄

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Proper scorchio this year! :)

Personally I dont think segregation is the answer. Like everyone else I want to make progress without stopping at every side road, driveway and wandering dog walker. A better solution is to make roads a sufficent width so that cyclists can share them without drivers getting impatient and close passing.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Appreciate the comment, happy cycling!

Theres a big difference between what people say is the reason they don't ride and reality. Comfort and convenience is nearly always the reality if you scratch the surface when chatting to people even if they like to pretend otherwise, many people could easily walk to work yet still drive in a car they can't afford and pay for gym membership that they don't use to make themselves feel healthy and there's a status element in there too. It makes me a little sad hearing you dismiss critical mass because you don't think it can be achieved not because it wouldn't work if it was achieved. Believe, carry on preaching, take the cycling sermon to those who haven't realised its their salvation yet! Attitudes have changed for the better over the years and the recent positive hwc changes will also help.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Thanks, really appreciate this comment. 👍

better to keep riding in the mountain. only under 1% of drivers pass close but it's enough to ruin an activity that's supposed to be carefree and joyful

All drivers are totally blind. I watch them approaching from the rear with my mirrors, I am ready to bail to the right if needed. ( you likely bail to the left ) I hog the road just a little bit as cars approach from the rear and then yield more as they get close. I hog the lane when needed, such as at stoplights when I decide that I don't want a blind person crowding me. I own the road and have a right to be there. I wish there were laws governing phone use. And once we as cyclists lose situational awareness... we might wake up dead. Frank Indiana. USA

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Can you drive and use a phone over there in Indiana, Frank? Woah.

@frankducett9

Ай бұрын

They can and it is dangerous. Makes trails look better every day.

Born-again cyclist seem to have forgotten all the lessons they had learnt as youngsters. These debates, as to whether or not to wear A SAFETY HELMET, seem pointless to me. If you came off your bike, at any speed, and hit your head, it could be fatal. Cycling helmets does make you hot, but it is a minor inconvenience compared to a head injury or worse. FUNDAMENTALLY, CYCLING IS A RECREATIONAL PASTIME, off the beaten track,which should not be mixing with BUSY COMMERCIAL TRANSPORTION !!

@sarahs784

Ай бұрын

I respect your opinion, but I only cycle to get places, and hardly ever for recreation. If cycling as a form of transport were more prevalent, and there was safe, segregated cycle paths, so you're not mixing with the cars, that'd suit me fine. I look enviously at the Netherlands, where this is the case. Safe travels!

Whether a government likes it or not, a cyclist isn't going to go away. I had a close pass the other eve - I could only bless my lucky stars - HARDER sentences, fines, licence marking is needed, lives are far more important than pride a can't be bothered attitude atmosphere in the culture were live amongst...

Individual perception is right to be sure. The reality can be different. But I do think that the collective perception in society can force the erroneous mindset individually that cycling is so dangerous that people shouldn't be doing it at all. Even perfectly healthy fit types of people sometimes shun the idea of it over this. But of course, it's the ordinary healthy, not so fit, and overweight types of people who have the most to gain with it and the most to lose in not taking it back up again. I also feel that bike helmets and the associated messaging, drive the idea of this, that it's always so dangerous, to the point that people get disinclined to do it. Just look at Australia for that. Both when you don't wear one, and when you're dressed less cycling specifically, the message is reversed and cycling is promoted as a rational pursuit, like it's always been and ought to be.

@onemorecyclist

Ай бұрын

Couldn't agree more with this, Derek. There's been some fascinating research on how passing vehicles react to fully 'kitted out' cyclists vs those wearing normal clothing. We definitely need to get (back?) to cycling being regarded as a normal pursuit. Thanks for the comment and happy cycling!

@derekjolly3680

Ай бұрын

@@onemorecyclist A term that's been coming up for years is "Normalized Cycling", where it's no longer perceived as something special which means more people will do it. Like it was with almost every kid at my middle school in the 1970s riding his bike to school. Maybe you can relate there. I'm at my most sport specific riding my road bike, but even there I don't go fully for "the look". I rode all last winter to get in better shape (it worked) but I refuse to wear the special tights. I opt for cycling sweatpants instead. I'd much rather be seen as more of a regular guy riding for the exercise than a totally fashioned up road cyclist clone man. Yes, and about that research, I've seen some of it. One of the big cons for bike helmets(and the outfitting too) is that in theory, drivers will pass you closer with the assumption that you're protected, and that you know better than average for what you're doing on the bike. Also I think that ties into the concept of "Less than Human" for perceptions. Less than human would translate to less concern for running you over.

cant see any problem with safety just got to keep your wits about you..and avoid busy roads ,never worn a helmet ever.