How many ways can I get killed biking into work? Let me count the ways.
1-get hit by a car.
And there you have it. Of course I could have a heart attack or a plane could fall out of the sky, but that's pretty much it. And with my new commute, the likelihood of option #1 above has increased. I've had at least one close call already - and I will freely admit it's my fault.
Here's my commute:
Side streets to a main road that has no bike lane and is a bus commuter line. Some room for a bike. At one point cross this main road to get to the bike path - with and against the light. Get on bike path for very short distance and then get on road for short distance biking against the traffic, and past an off-ramp for a mini-highway. Go under bridge and turn left onto mini highway. Do not take bike path because it's a pain in the beehind (too curvy/sharp turns - slows me down) and bike on road that is listed as 45 mph but people go 60. Space on side of this road for a while and then go over a bridge - no space and cars are exiting to an off ramp as I signal to get over. Bike past another onramp (where I do check and see if cars are coming) and then cross another offramp to get back onto bike path.
On bike path, cross another on-ramp (but this one two lane) and depend on motorists to really stop when they are slowing down, in BOTH lanes. Bike path for a while, cross two more ramps which have stop sign for bikers but that would slow me down. Sidewalk for a little while and bike path (I try to be respectful of walkers - I know I'm the bad one being on the sidewalk). Then cross a main road 99% of the time with the light and ride up a one way street the wrong way (the street my gym is on). Have to stay on sidewalk (tried once being on the road and almost got hit by a car), and cross roads with or without lights (the worst almost being hit was at one intersection where there's a bunch of roads coming together and I don't know the sequence yet and one guy was in a hurry but luckily had had his coffee and was awake).
Arrive at gym.
I think I may need to give someone my login and password to let you know if I get hit by a car and die... Sorry, I'm unlikely to change my ways unless I do get hit by a car.
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12 comments:
This would be why I don't go bike riding in my area during the day. I much prefer to go at night.
WNG - I'm trying to scare myself by writing this, but we'll see. I do wear a helmet! there are people who do similar shit without a helmet!
Womensdaily- yeah, but then you are harder to see. At least they can see me during the day.
One of my friends watched another biker get side swiped by a car a few weeks ago. Wasn't wearing a helmet. She said it was horrifying to watch. Stayed until the rescue squad showed up, but never found out if the other biker was okay.
I'm glad you wear a helmet. I hope you have a rearview mirror for your bike too.
Oh, WNG, don't worry. It sounds worse than it is.
Squirrel, traumatic brain injury is horrible and thus people should always wear a helmet. I'd be perfectly fine (sort of) with being paralyzed, but a traumatic brain injury would be so much harder to deal with. I would never want to witness a horrific bike accident, but I have seen mangled bikes (aftermath), which was no fun to see either.
No, no rear view mirror. Objects are always larger than they appear, and not sure I could get used to that.
If you get hit by a car can I have your lobster?
Nate, if you promise to take care of it and make it jiggle every day. Hopefully this won't mean you'll be driving around in the early morning seeking a bicyclist with amazing red panniers...
Be careful. People suck.
I see bike couriers all day at work. Their job is to ride a bike in and out of traffic and try and do it quickly. I cannot imagine this to be a good way to earn a living mainly because most people are buttfucks and cannot see out their asses.
I always wear a helmet too, and berate at great length those who don't.
Once I started using a mirror, I decided that they're absolutely indispensable. I always feel hypervigilant when I'm on my bike, and the mirror helps a lot with letting me know what's going on without having to constantly swivel my head around.
Get one! Some are straight, not convex, so no distance distortions. Second most important safety device, after the helmet.
When I moved to my current job which is only about 2 miles from home, I planned to cycle to work to get fit. That was over 2 years ago and I've done it 2 or 3 times. Excuses so far...on the nights I go straight to mum's I won't have time to cycle home first, there are lots of months where it's dark when I leave work and there are no lights on the road home, it's rained a lot, there's a big hill between home and work that I have to walk up, I might get a puncture and I've forgotten how to mend one, I'll arrive all red faced and sweaty..what I really need are excuses not to drive to work!
Ohmygosh.....Full body armour would be good.
OMGosh.
k...
Thinkin' it's the 'mom' in me--
Helmet is good.
Body armour would be better?
Yikes....
I have a "share the road with bicycles" bumper sticker on my car. I bicycled to work for years and had close calls, but never got hit by a car before. good luck.
Evile - bike couriers are different. To them the street is like an obstacle course and they want to rule it. And with no helmet.
Squirrel, I'll think about it...
Lily - thanks for visiting! Um, doesn't $4.25 a gallon seem like reason enough?
Mel- I do wear gloves!
Churlita-I should get one of those bumper stickers... I did see one bumper sticker that said 'you look so sexy in that bike helmet'.
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