Rant about reactions to injuries from bike crashes

[Grits]

I am so tired of the almost smug reactions when people hear that I broke my foot in a bike accident.
That is why I don't ride on the road. It is just too dangerous.
It is a good thing a car wasn't coming.
That's why I stay in spin classes.
I'm too scared to ride on the road. There is too much traffic.

Always accompanied by a shake of the head and disapproving expression.

I am very good at smiling and basically not engaging by agreeing with them.
Yes, it is dangerous on the road. You need to be really careful, but we do have a lot of fun riding together.
Yes, it is a good thing a car wasn't coming. You have to stay very aware of the traffic while you ride.
I do like spin classes. The bikes certainly don't fall over, but I really enjoy being outdoors with friends.
There is traffic on the road. You have to be very aware of it.

Always accompanied by a shake of my head and a smile.

I know so many people who have had to have rotator cuff surgery because of tennis or golf. I know two people seriously injured in golfing accidents (one was pinned between two golf carts and broke both legs, one was pierced through his hand in a freak accident when a club broke while he was swinging). I know people who had to have surgery after missing a step in their house and breaking their foot. I know two people who were walking in their house and had a stress fracture! Countless friend's children who have had sports related injuries.

ANY activity involves risk. I have ridden for over 4 years with no injuries and no injuries in my group. Maybe I'm just overly sensitive to it right now, but I don't hear anyone telling people they should stop any of these other activities or act disapproving about them.

Rant over.

[jessmarimba]

Just remind 'em how dangerous it is to DRIVE on the roads.

[jlnc]

Those don't sound like smug reactions...they sound like people expressing their own inner fears/limitations. When they say those things to you, you don't need to respond at all! Except maybe to say, "yeah, i can't wait to get back on the bike!!"
Speedy recovery!

[Melalvai]

I know exactly how you feel. My daughter's wreck was serious enough that people didn't say that sort of thing...to my face. But I was terribly hurt by the anonymous comments on the news websites.

I am very quick to pull out the statistics of motor vehicle fatalities. Recently a local cyclist was injured very badly when hit by a van. That same week, Missouri highways saw 14 fatalities and every single one died in a motor vehicle. I believe there weren't even any motorcycles. They were all cars, trucks, SUVs. They ranged in age from 16 to 70. Almost half were under 24 years old.

Our metal cages aren't invincible.

[Irulan]

Start mountain biking. :D

[zoom-zoom]

As someone who runs and bikes...runners take FAR more grief from non-runners in the form of "oh, you're going to destroy your knees" (which isn't true--use it or lose it) from the same folks who are on statins. I've gotten relatively few negative comments re: biking.

[Trek420]

Just remind 'em how dangerous it is to DRIVE on the roads.

Just remind them while you take precautions for a calculated risk there is the slow motion crash absolutely guaranteed to happen if they "don't just do something, sit there!!" ;) :D

[marni]

yes, but at least you were out there doing something with your life instead of sitting still and whimpering. I have had two biking accidents involving concussion, broken ribs and a collapsed lung, both caused by drivers, but I accept that as a stated risk, and try to remember always that the cars are bigger than I am. I also assume a risk when I get into the car to drive to the gym. It's all relative to what you want and how you are willin to live.

marni

[Velocivixen]

Maybe you could suggest to them that opening their mouths could be dangerous from here on out! (just kidding) lol. ;)

[OakLeaf]

The interesting thing is that I've gotten exactly zero grief about the wreck I had in December, which I've acknowledged was 98% my fault.

It's all about THEIR not wanting to take responsibility when they're behind the wheel of their two-ton death machines.

[Aggie_Ama]

Start mountain biking. :D

Then they all think you're certifiable but tell you they wish they had your bravery. When I came to work with my lip busted my boss was the only one who asked me, then he could not stop laughing when that Friday I wore a shirt that said "I do my own stunts". Around here they usually want the details but they all seem inspired or envious I ride and race mountain bikes.

BUT I hear less approving comments towards road riding in general. I just chalk it up to people projecting jealousy mostly. Feeling inferior (physically) is what I think is behind it.

[skhill]

When I hear that sort of remark, I usually respond that while my mother broke her hip making dinner, no one is telling her that cooking is really dangerous and she shouldn't be doing it.

[Susan126]

Start mountain biking. :D

Wouldn't work for me . . . I mountain bike and road bike and so far all my injuries were from mountain biking! lol :D Like the 5 broken ribs, the broken arm, and the bloody knees! But it was all FUN FUN FUN! And I won't stop because I fell off my bike! Although at 57 I've become a lot more cautious. Mountain or road I love to be on my bike outside in the sun and wind and elements. I tried spinning and it was so boring. Scary thoughts do occasionally run through my mind like when I'm screaming down a 10% hill doing 45 mph (this was last Saturday on a group ride)! As I'm going down the hill I think hmmmm I sure hope my tire doesn't blow! But then the thrill takes over and I'm grinning ear to ear! People who shake their heads just don't understand.

[Irulan]

What I meant, was, "you think you get crap from road biking boo boos? Start mountain biking". Nothing like showing off mtb injuries to really freak people out. :)

[Susan126]

I love freakin people out . . . as my kids say . . . I'm nuts for an old person! But I'm enjoying the things I love to do! And I hope to be doing it as long as I can. To each his own. Everyone must follow their own drummer! Life is short and I am in it for the ride of my life! I'm happy for the company of those who share my enthusiasm for life! Now let's go and have some fun girls! :)

[Cynedra]

I can't count the number of times I've tripped and fell and bruised and scraped myself just walking down sidewalks. I've only had one bike accident (so far), which was completely my fault - over the handlebars, etc. Nobody has ever told me to stop walking, but a few were like are you sure you should ride again. I learned something from my bike crash, so that particular type of accident for that reason won't happen again. On the other hand, I'm still likely to trip again at some point.

And how many people hurt themselves getting in and out or taking a shower or a bath. I seriously hope they aren't told not to shower and bath anymore.

[zoom-zoom]

I can't count the number of times I've tripped and fell and bruised and scraped myself just walking down sidewalks. I've only had one bike accident (so far), which was completely my fault - over the handlebars, etc. Nobody has ever told me to stop walking, but a few were like are you sure you should ride again. I learned something from my bike crash, so that particular type of accident for that reason won't happen again. On the other hand, I'm still likely to trip again at some point.

And how many people hurt themselves getting in and out or taking a shower or a bath. I seriously hope they aren't told not to shower and bath anymore.

A few years back my very fit MIL gave herself a grade 3 ankle sprain that required crutches and an aircast...she was just walking along and stepped-off a curb funny.

[PamNY]

I totally get this. I'm a casual biker and never had a serious injury -- but the conversations about what MIGHT happen to me are so annoying.

Also (even funnier) I hear the same thing about toodling along on a Xootr at 5 mph.

[Crankin]

Yeah, I don't get why people do this. I don't tell those who do endurance rides of 500 miles or run 100 miles to stop, just because I might keel over if I did that...
I also chalk it up to jealousy. And yes, the comments get worse as you get older. It was acceptable for me to be at the gym morning noon and night, but as soon as my exercise moved outdoors, the comments started. Thankfully, there's a huge cycling culture around here, so I ignore my mostly unfit friends who say stuff.

[Eden]

On the big list of thing people die from cycling is actually pretty low.....

Heart disease and auto accidents are not, both of which I could suffer from by giving up my bicycle

I wish I could find it, but I recently saw some statistics that supported the fact that cycling is actually less dangerous than driving - it was an hours spent vs risk of death or injury type of statistic and driving came out worse...

Do I still get outraged when a cyclist is hit - sure thing, because I understand how vulnerable we are, and most of those collisions would have been 100% preventable if the motorist had been paying attention and/or not breaking a law.... but then again I'm sure the same is true for auto on auto accidents which occur far more frequently. I really have begun to ask myself why shouldn't I (and everyone else for that matter) be totally outraged every time someone destroys something with a car....