living with cars on the road

[Kimmyt]

I think it has to do with our bikes. They see us, riding our complicated shiny hunks of metal on the road, wearing our spandex and bright colors, sunglasses and funny-shaped helmets. They don't relate to us as much as humans. I'm not saying they don't think they're human.

But between a regular person walking, and a cyclist all kitted up, which one is the average driver going to relate to the most?

If they hit a ped, they relate to that person more, can see themselves in the ped's shoes, as it were. With a cyclist, they just see someone doing something they don't understand, and blame the cyclist because obviously it was their fault, doing such a weird and dangerous thing on the roads where they shouldn't be.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Kimmy, I think dogs think of cyclists the exact SAME way that you just described that drivers do.

[mimitabby]

I think it has to do with our bikes. They see us, riding our complicated shiny hunks of metal on the road, wearing our spandex and bright colors, sunglasses and funny-shaped helmets. They don't relate to us as much as humans. I'm not saying they don't think they're human.

But between a regular person walking, and a cyclist all kitted up, which one is the average driver going to relate to the most?

If they hit a ped, they relate to that person more, can see themselves in the ped's shoes, as it were. With a cyclist, they just see someone doing something they don't understand, and blame the cyclist because obviously it was their fault, doing such a weird and dangerous thing on the roads where they shouldn't be.

You are surely right, but still, 10x more pedestrians get killed by the cars who have people in them and who love pedestrians.

[Grog]

But between a regular person walking, and a cyclist all kitted up, which one is the average driver going to relate to the most?

I think you bring an interesting point Kimmy. In general I feel like I get a wider berth when I'm in civil clothing on my big clunky pink bike compared to my road bike.

However, I'm pretty sure that the weight of accidents with roadies in road gear is much less, compared to the number on the road on any given period, than the number of accidents with non-roadies... The stats show that many people get into accidents riding against the traffic, riding on sidewalks, etc. things that few roadies will do compared to the casual riders...

I think it's a good explanation for the abuse we get, but I'm not sure it translates in terms of accidents.

(This being said, I have undergone very little abuse, perhaps in good part because this city - Vancouver BC - has a critical mass of riders.)

[mimitabby]

makes me want to start wearing midriff jerseys so they can see I have skin. (but hey, it's too cold to show skin!)

[missymaya]

Other things to consider when looking at fatality rates: with motorcycles (at least in FL; as for other states I dont know) you are not legally bound to wear a helmet if you're 18+ and have insurance (same with cyclists). I do know that last year's biketoberfest and bikeweek, they saw a dramatic increase in motorcycle fatalities. See a connection here anyone?
Also, based on what Geonz said, autos have gotten quite large. SUV's are huge and from what I see, a lot of women drive these monsters because they feel more protected and safe. Hint: just because its big, doesnt mean your safe. When they're backing out of their driveway and nearly run my a$$ over, its my fault because they couldn't see me. I would think because of the size of these things, the chances of a driver hitting someone would be higher because of the blindspots and the maneuverablity.