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The streets are the most dangerous place you’ll ever be. The chances of getting killed in a traffic accident are greater than almost anything you’ll experience in your entire lifetime. If you’re in a car, the simplest precaution you can take to survive is to wear your seatbelt. But on a bicycle, you might as well be naked, helmet or not. The only things that will keep you alive in traffic are your skills, your awareness of your environment, and always having a tremendous respect for the danger involved. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to scare you away from riding your bicycle on the streets, but knowledge is power, and the skills are what will keep you alive so that you can continue to have fun riding bikes. Don’t think that wearing a helmet is all you need to stay alive; you want to avoid accidents, not just survive them.
Read the whole article from issue #9.
“The chances of getting killed in a traffic accident are greater than almost anything you’ll experience in your entire lifetime.”
A bit dramatic wouldn’t you say. I’m sure it was planted as a “hook”, but I’m not taking the bait.
Worse than streets: parking lots. Watch the same lousy drivers drive backwards.
Tom, I think the author is right. You’ve got a better chance of getting killed in an a automobile related accident than getting murdered, getting hit by lightning, etc.
Tis cool to be putting each article from your ‘zine here a bit at a time, so weuns can comment on the lot. Hope to see them all before youze get on with the next issue.
According to the World Health Organization, for 2001, causes of death in developed nations in order… Heart disease, stroke, COPD, lower respiratory infection, lung cancer, car accidents. Car accident is arguably the only one of those that is an event action rather than a long term disease state, making it the most common cause of death besides chronic disease. I looked it up before I ran that line in the magazine.
Your chances of being killed in a car accident really are greater than most anything else you’ll experience in your lifetime.
“The chances of getting killed in a traffic accident are greater than almost anything you’ll experience in your entire lifetime.”
Isn’t going to New Orleans more dangerous than riding in traffic?
Whilst all vehicle collisions are the six highest cause of death, I think that in almost every place that there are records kept, you are far more likely to die if you are in a car, than if you are riding a bike. Adding to this the decreased morbidity and mortality (from cardiovascular disease) associated with riding a bike makes cyclists likely to live longer than non- cyclists.
Advice about riding in traffic is great.
A little less scaremongering, though, please.
great article that – in my opinion – tells it like it is.
when i am riding in amongst vehicles i assume that each and every one of them will try and kill me if they get the chance, which keeps me vigilant and super-aware of the dummies drinking coffee, putting on lipstick etc while driving.
Well John, as a bike messenger in New Orleans, I commend you on your thoughtful and well-informed comment about my city. Please do stay away from New Orleans (here be dragons).
You should republish this.. over and over again, in every major city’s free independent weekly papers as a public service. Seriously. Great list.
I live in Philadelphia. I ride everyday, and everywhere for years now. This is an amazing biking city and it is really growing in popularity. All good things, but I cannot tell you how many newbie riders I see doing the dumbest things.
It really is the most dangerous thing anyone can regularly do within legal limits. One lapse in attention or judgement and you’re on your’re way to the ER.
Love the recommendation about check, double check, confirm, and the suggestion to ride aggressive. It works.
I’d add two things though. First, if you have two lanes, ride between cars rather than on the far right or left between parked and moving vehicles. That’s the way to get doored. Plus drivers seem to always give more space between lanes of moving traffic than the parked cars. Don’t know why, but there’s room in the middle. Of course you gotta bwe aware of lane jumpers, but that’s usually easier to see than the flying door!
Second, DON’T RIDE ON THE SIDEWALKS!! They are for pedestrians. Exception: You are within a block or so or your destination, then coast. Go slow or walk it. Keep in mind that you are in the wrong when riding on a sidewalk.