Dear car owners ..
- Thread starter britboy4321
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I've recently had a very similiar revelation. And even though I'm buying a new car soon, I'm planning on doing my CBT, A2 and then a Direct Access course and buy myself something like 600cc.
Ant
+1 You can be safe as you like and still die. A lad I went to school with died earlier this year - a guy reversing out of his drive to take his missus to give birth didn't see him.
Messed about with bikes many years ago (Suzuki A100 and Honda CB250N) for a couple of years before getting my car licence. Had some fun out of it, but when I dropped the thing twice in a week on greasy roads that was enough - even now I wouldn't go back on two wheels.
Bottom line, if you're on a bike and some clueless muppet pulls out of a side road, you've probably lost a leg. In a car yes there's still a risk of injury but there's a metal door and (these days) an air bag between you and the muppet.
If you drop the bike and roll into the oncoming lane then you're pretty much done for. The same skid in a car might be recoverable or get enough control to end up on the verge or shoulder. Obviously a head on at 60 MPH is still going to kill you but at low speed in a car the chances of survival are good whereas a 30 tonne artic rolling over you and the bike even at 10 MPH it's bye byes time
Bottom line, if you're on a bike and some clueless muppet pulls out of a side road, you've probably lost a leg. In a car yes there's still a risk of injury but there's a metal door and (these days) an air bag between you and the muppet.
If you drop the bike and roll into the oncoming lane then you're pretty much done for. The same skid in a car might be recoverable or get enough control to end up on the verge or shoulder. Obviously a head on at 60 MPH is still going to kill you but at low speed in a car the chances of survival are good whereas a 30 tonne artic rolling over you and the bike even at 10 MPH it's bye byes time
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Really? It's possible but I think a far more likely outcome is a couple of broken bones and a few weeks recovering. Don't forget a lot of bikers are there through choice and understand the heightened awareness required to spot cars pulling out of drives and side roads. Accidents do happen but any biker who wants to live learns to read situations quickly and act accordingly. I have never met an biker who had a limb amputated as a result of an accident.
Again, possible but not as plausible as you make it out to be. What circumstance would result in a biker sliding across oncoming traffic and would also be completely unavoidable? I can imagine it happening on say ice, or snow, but any sensible biker would see the conditions and act accordingly. 30 tonne arctics don't spend a lot of time driving down housing estates where people pull out of drives or side roads without looking, which is how a lot of accidents occur.
Bottom line, it's more dangerous than driving and it's generally more uncomfortable. Either biking is cheaper or they cost about the same. Biking requires more concentration but the payoff is usually reduced journey time and even taking into account all of the above, biking is much more enjoyable.
Soldato
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It's probably a very good idea in an urban area, but unless I drove to work at 80-90mph, I doubt I'd save more than the couple of minutes I sit at traffic lights in which a bike is able to weave to the front of the queue.
Soldato
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Sorry, was watching south park last night
I like riding a bike, haven't got a cbt or full bike licence. But I've ridden offroad and round carparks, it does make sense but I like to carry passengers, and listen to music. Would like the environmental and financial benefits though.
Riding bikes rules. I had a nasty smash a few years ago and shattered my hip. Gave up on bikes and said never again, a year later I was back on one.
It's all about accepting the risks, being on your guard and expecting the worst. It's hard work, but in my opinion well worth it and the benefits by far outweigh the risks. Glad to hear your loving your new found love for 2 wheels
It's all about accepting the risks, being on your guard and expecting the worst. It's hard work, but in my opinion well worth it and the benefits by far outweigh the risks. Glad to hear your loving your new found love for 2 wheels
Well I work with someone who lost a leg when he dropped the bike and went under a lorry - lucky to be alive as the bike also caught fire.
Have also witnessed a biker lose control with the bike, rider and pillion passenger sliding into oncoming traffic. Luckily car stopped short so when the bike/people hit the front no danger of going under the wheels and mostly bruises and shock - could have been much worse if the traffic was moving.
And while not motorised, but still two wheels I had the particular misfortune a few years ago to observe the aftermath of a skip lorry having run over a cyclist. Not nice.
So while yes accidents can happen whatever mode of transport you're using, but I wouldn't go near two wheels even a pushbike these days.
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Ok, and whilst your experiences burn images into your memory and shape your opinions, it's worth keeping in mind the likelihood of them happening, especially with a biker who is switched on and aware. Your comment about pushbikes sums it up. I cycle every day in a city where there are thousands of cyclists, and yet I've never seen anyone go under a skip lorry. I did have the misfortune recently to see the aftermath of a car cut up a cyclist at a crossroads, but I would bet that the cyclist whose bike was 'written off' will get back cycling soon.
Knowing you're a vunerable road user should make you more aware of the situations you might find yourself in, but should not in itself be a reason to give up that mode of transport. I've seen some horrific videos of motorcyclists getting injured and worse, but that wouldn't put me off biking. Don't distort probabilities with anecdotes. Otherwise you could trawl the internet for horror stories of any topic you choose and end up doing nothing. I am fully aware that motorcylists represent a disproportionate number of accidents, and when they are involved in accidents they are disproportionally worse off, but not everyone rides the same, just like not every 17 old crashes their car. I wouldn't recommend a young male driver holds off on driving because they're statistically likely to crash, I'd tell them to take care.
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I think you trivialise the potential danger and consequences.
It isnt just that you could have an accident, it isnt just that you could be injured, its that I believe you have a greater chance of dying in an accident if on a bike that in any other form of road transport.
A death in these circumstances is devastating to the families involved. If you are not yet married your parents, brothers and sisters will bear the brunt. They will not understand why you chose to ride a bike knowing the risks, they will not understand why you threw your one and only life away.
If you are married you risk destroying the family unit you have created. Children growing up without a father, a wife without a partner, all your group dreams and aspirations crushed due to the selfish decision to place riding a bike ahead of your family commitments.
Am I going too far in posting this? I dont think so. My position is as valid as any other posted here and yes, I do have personal experience to draw upon.
I rode a bike when I was younger. My wife also rode bikes when she was younger. She was knocked off hers when a car crossing over an A road hit the side of the bike she was pillion on whilst it was doing 70mph. She has lasting injuries from that, indeed she was very lucky to keep her leg and to be able to walk. She went back to riding bikes for a time afterwards, we rode together after we got married for a few years before we both gave it up. Once we had children it was time to put those things behind us.
My brother also had children, he took up biking later in life. He knew the risks but enjoyed the ride too much to want to give it up. He died in his first bike accident leaving a wife and 3 children, one born after he died. Nothing justifies the risk he chose to take bearing in mind his responsibilities, nothing.
When you weigh up the risks of biking, factor in the result on other people of taking that risk. Life is short and some things just arent worth the risk in my opinion. In todays traffic and weather conditions, biking is one of them.
Soldato
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I've got my car test in ten days, can't wait to get off the bike for the worst of winter (if I pass, fingers crossed), but to be honest my 20 odd mile commute has some fairly heinous traffic at both ends, so I reckon I'll still be riding in a lot of the time. I love my bike to pieces.
Tends to take me about 30 minutes on the bike, same journey in a car takes 40 minutes on an excellent day, approaching an hour most days, and over an hour if you're unlucky (which is often).
Some days though it's just so ****ing cold I'd rather be anywhere than on a bike, and getting knocked off sucks.
As far as the family thing goes, my Dad rides, my Mum's got a bike license, doesn't ride alone but has done thousands of miles around Europe on the back, one of my two sisters rides, her husband rides, all their mates ride, half my parents' mates ride, half of my mates ride motocross... I couldn't get away from it if I tried.
Tends to take me about 30 minutes on the bike, same journey in a car takes 40 minutes on an excellent day, approaching an hour most days, and over an hour if you're unlucky (which is often).
Some days though it's just so ****ing cold I'd rather be anywhere than on a bike, and getting knocked off sucks.
As far as the family thing goes, my Dad rides, my Mum's got a bike license, doesn't ride alone but has done thousands of miles around Europe on the back, one of my two sisters rides, her husband rides, all their mates ride, half my parents' mates ride, half of my mates ride motocross... I couldn't get away from it if I tried.
Yes the risks are huge . But there is no other way to travel to get the freedom and pure joy . Even fast cars just dont cut it .
But yes people will tell you about accidents and i have seen 1-2 friends die but also had friends in cars die .
I have been riding since i was 14 and i have had 3 off's and 2 were my own fault (showing off when younger) None were serious and mostly minor injuries .
But i ALWAYS use the the proper gear all the time . To the shop 1 mile away or 300 mile run i have proper boots/leathers/back protector and a decent helmet. I am super aware and class every car as if its trying to kill me . Yes i have had a few close shaves but my experience training have saved me numerous times .
I also drive thousands of miles a month in the car plus i used to race (cars) and was a car test driver so i would say i have more experience than the average rider/driver but i never get cocky.. I ride to my limits and never try and keep up with faster riders .
Biking is wonderfull thing but its not for everyone . The risk v reward is just sometimes to high for some people and thats fine . I dont ride in crap weather now . I have no need to . My bike is a toy and i can enjoy it for that but i would sometimes love to be able to commute when sitting on the m25/m1/m4 etc but in my role its not practicle .
I can see both sides of the coin but its not as unsafe as some make out and im glad some are taking there first steps but guys gear and training . You can never do enough and its worth the cost .
Persil
But yes people will tell you about accidents and i have seen 1-2 friends die but also had friends in cars die .
I have been riding since i was 14 and i have had 3 off's and 2 were my own fault (showing off when younger) None were serious and mostly minor injuries .
But i ALWAYS use the the proper gear all the time . To the shop 1 mile away or 300 mile run i have proper boots/leathers/back protector and a decent helmet. I am super aware and class every car as if its trying to kill me . Yes i have had a few close shaves but my experience training have saved me numerous times .
I also drive thousands of miles a month in the car plus i used to race (cars) and was a car test driver so i would say i have more experience than the average rider/driver but i never get cocky.. I ride to my limits and never try and keep up with faster riders .
Biking is wonderfull thing but its not for everyone . The risk v reward is just sometimes to high for some people and thats fine . I dont ride in crap weather now . I have no need to . My bike is a toy and i can enjoy it for that but i would sometimes love to be able to commute when sitting on the m25/m1/m4 etc but in my role its not practicle .
I can see both sides of the coin but its not as unsafe as some make out and im glad some are taking there first steps but guys gear and training . You can never do enough and its worth the cost .
Persil
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Don't agree, but I do respect your opinion. I see your 'life is short' statement differently. You're right, life *is* short, I don't want to live it (however long it ends up being) always wondering 'what if?'. Yeah it's kind of scary, I'm certainly not looking to die but it's just something I've got to do.
I considered a bike for financial benefit. A split second later I came to the quick conclusion that A. it wouldn't save money because I'd still keep my car so I'd be paying for it on top of that and B. My life expectancy would drop dramatically
Car driver ( we have 2 ), Superbike owner, ERD LGV driver and cyclist here. So I think I'm qualified to be subjective on the topic in question.
To the OP, yep it's great, biking. Nice to see another new/recent 2 wheeler being so enthusiastic about their new found interest.
However, that said - My commute in the car takes 40 mins. On the bike it is usually 15 or if traffic is light and I'm in the mood it can be as little as 10 mins.
But...., you think biking is good for your two wheeled fix?. Try cycling.
I've got an RSV Mille sat here that since last year when I first got my road bike on the Cyclescheme, has hardly moved save for weekend rideouts for fun. I used to use it all the time to commute, now even on a warm sunny day I would rather chuck the lycra on and use the Pinarello to cycle in to work which is a 32 mile round trip. Even in the rain and the cold at this time of year there's something addictive about being on the road at 6.00am in the dark and cycling into work as the sun comes up in the morning.
Those who do cycle will understand the draw and addiction it has once the bug bites really deep. Only been doing it for a year and as you see loads of folk on Bikeradar and Cyclechat saying - "I wish I had discovered it sooner!!".
Anyway, I've went kinda off topic here, haven't I?.
To the OP, yep it's great, biking. Nice to see another new/recent 2 wheeler being so enthusiastic about their new found interest.
However, that said - My commute in the car takes 40 mins. On the bike it is usually 15 or if traffic is light and I'm in the mood it can be as little as 10 mins.
But...., you think biking is good for your two wheeled fix?. Try cycling.
I've got an RSV Mille sat here that since last year when I first got my road bike on the Cyclescheme, has hardly moved save for weekend rideouts for fun. I used to use it all the time to commute, now even on a warm sunny day I would rather chuck the lycra on and use the Pinarello to cycle in to work which is a 32 mile round trip. Even in the rain and the cold at this time of year there's something addictive about being on the road at 6.00am in the dark and cycling into work as the sun comes up in the morning.
Those who do cycle will understand the draw and addiction it has once the bug bites really deep. Only been doing it for a year and as you see loads of folk on Bikeradar and Cyclechat saying - "I wish I had discovered it sooner!!".
Anyway, I've went kinda off topic here, haven't I?.