Perspective on Cycling Safety

[Mr. Bloom]

In the six years I've worked there, I know of exactly one person in the whole hospital who was injured on his bike.

Don't let yourself be ruled by fear.

Here!!!! Here!!! That's outstanding!

Here is an interesting link to consider:

http://www.nsc.org/lrs/statinfo/odds_dying.jpg

<ramblings>
I am interested in risk analysis

Ty, that's an oustanding chart! Let me offer an example of what a difference perspective makes:

Among other things, I'm responsible for Risk Management for a bank.

In general, a bank will have losses...for a well run bank, those losses are about .2%/year (not 2%, .2%!). In other words, we are right 99.98% of the time.

If that kind of accuracy doesn't give you a sense of invincibility, nothing would!!

So, why do we always look at the .2% and ask ourselves why we didn't do better????? Hmmm...

[OakLeaf]

Okay, sometimes it's hard for me to stop when I'm talking about safety...

on a motorcycle, visibility has Nothing To Do With It. On a bicycle, visibility is Very Important.

There's a large segment of soccer moms who literally wouldn't see a semi before they turn left in front of it. They do, and when that happens, *they're* the ones who die, and nobody gets to hear the sob story about how they didn't see the semi. It's just a convenient excuse when the vehicle you flatten is smaller than your own. On motorcycles, we have a saying that the 10% of car drivers who can see you are AIMING FOR YOU. Go back to what I said about "last clear chance."

On a bicycle, you're occupying the same lane as motor vehicles, and maybe you're going as fast as they are, but more likely (depending on the road and your fitness level) you're doing 15-35% of their speed. They *need* to see you in order to give you room. On a motorcycle, nobody should be giving you room, you should be going *faster* than the car traffic.

Bottom line, it's really, completely, different.

[smilingcat]

Here!!!! Here!!! That's outstanding!



Ty, that's an oustanding chart! Let me offer an example of what a difference perspective makes:

Among other things, I'm responsible for Risk Management for a bank.

In general, a bank will have losses...for a well run bank, those losses are about .2%/year (not 2%, .2%!). In other words, we are right 99.98% of the time.

If that kind of accuracy doesn't give you a sense of invincibility, nothing would!!

So, why do we always look at the .2% and ask ourselves why we didn't do better????? Hmmm...

The last 0.2%/yr... perhaps its the law of diminishing return? Sometimes, this is seen as evil e.g. car's can be built so you can survive a 200MPH crash. race cars do it. but a regular car, you don't have a chance. It's matter of how much effort we want to put in. It's money thing

And yes I also liked the chart. Just one thing though. Legal execution at 1 in 60,000? is sad...

back to bike safety:

If you didn't get enough sleep, don't ride.
If you are really exhausted don't start a ride.
If you need to take a phone call, STOP!!

and all the other usual rules.

Lack of sleep was a major factor in serious wrecks I've seen firsthand. My riding partner drifted and crashed into a back of parked truck with camper. We had increased our speed to around 24MPH when it happened. destroyed his frame and broke his nose.

Another was my serious wreck. I sort of remember not having had enough sleep the night before.

and on and on...

The three rules I just posted are often ignored or not listed. And it is so important to be alert when you are on your bike.

Be safe,
Smilingcat