Dear fellow cyclists,

[tynopik]

If you actually have something meaningful to add to the thread I'm all ears but if you just want to shit all over the place kindly fuck off.

ditto

 

[TheSlamma]

Yes, I disagree with you. You clearly know nothing and have no facts yet you continue to spew nonsense.

The 25 Most Common Causes of Death.

http://www.medhelp.org/general-health/articles/The-25-Most-Common-Causes-of-Death/193?page=2

#8: Car accident
Odds of dying: 1 in 272
Car accidents are a major area of concern in the U.S. and teenage drivers are at the root of the problem. In 2009, the CDC reported that 3,000 teens ages 15 to 19 were killed in automobile accidents and 350,000 were treated in emergency rooms because of car accidents. While young people ages 15 to 24 comprise 14 percent of the population, they account for 30 percent of car accidents.

#17: Bicycle accident
Odds of dying: 1 in 4,147
In 2009, 630 bicyclists were killed, and a whopping 51,000 were injured in accidents. Most of these deaths occurred in urban areas, where there are more cars and traffic congestion. The number one thing you can do to reduce your risk? Wear a helmet!

Don't drop facts on people like this, head explosion cleanup is nasty.

 

[tynopik]

Ride a bike. Walk. Take a train.

These aren't cars.

We've just established that bikes are more deadly. Trains don't go everywhere (or practically anywhere). And many places are too far to walk.

 

[tynopik]

Don't drop facts on people like this, head explosion cleanup is nasty.

http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/almanac-safety.html

So cyclists are either 3.4x or 11.5x as likely to die as motorists, per passenger mile.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Deaths by russian roulette are significantly below either of those. I guess that makes it a safe and fun activity?

I recommend you use a semi-automatic.

 

[Phanuel]

We've just established that bikes are more deadly. Trains don't go everywhere (or practically anywhere). And many places are too far to walk.

Once we get rid of the cars, the bikes will be 100% safe. Look at all of the fantastic road infrastructure we'll have ready for them!

 

[tortillasoup]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC7GGrUdJUI

 

[brianmanahan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC7GGrUdJUI

before i watch this... does the dude really headshot himself? for real?

 

[SketchMaster]

before i watch this... does the dude really headshot himself? for real?

Yes.

What does that have to with bikes?!

 

[rh71]

OMG... that's SUCH an inconvenience. WHAH!!! I had to wait a few seconds for a cyclist to clear the bumper of my gigantic SUV. You poor delicate flower... I'm surprised you're not in therapy for the amount of B.S. you have to put up with.

You can say the same thing about every 1st world problem. It's not the same as cars vs. cars, which is what I responded to. They ARE a nuisance, just like rollerbladers on roads would be.

Inconvenience isn't even the biggest issue - it's slowing down everybody else (as courteous as I am on the road) that I have a problem with. Either I do that or I "cut off" the cyclist. Yes, I wish they didn't exist. Cyclists know anything about courtesy or is it them against the world 24/7? When was the last time you even stopped at a stop sign on your bicycle for a car?

 

[Ns1]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SC7GGrUdJUI

before i watch this... does the dude really headshot himself? for real?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...es-fatally-wrong-as-guest-shoots-himself.html

 

[brianmanahan]

oh ok, rubber bullet

still though

 

[cbrunny]

do you disagree that you're far more likely to get killed on a deathcycle than in a car?

What's a death cycle? Sounds neat but deadly. I bet you are more likely to die on a deathcycle BY AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE.

You call tell I'm serious because I used caps.

 

[Phoenix86]

every cycling thread needs a raging moron

and tynopik stepped up in a big way

You say this like there's a limit to just one, but wow, pretty much just one here as far as I can tell.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You can say the same thing about every 1st world problem. It's not the same as cars vs. cars, which is what I responded to. They ARE a nuisance, just like rollerbladers on roads would be.

Inconvenience isn't even the biggest issue - it's slowing down everybody else (as courteous as I am on the road) that I have a problem with. Either I do that or I "cut off" the cyclist. Yes, I wish they didn't exist. Cyclists know anything about courtesy or is it them against the world 24/7? When was the last time you even stopped at a stop sign on your bicycle for a car?

It's funny you say that because when I was commuting regularly by bicycle I found that drivers would yield right of way at a 4 way stop nearly all of the time to me even if they technically had right of way and I had stopped to allow them to go.

If there are no cars around of course I'm not going to come to a complete stop... and if I'm at a light and it isn't on a timer I'm going to run it when traffic permits. I'm not fucking stupid.

 

[Markbnj]

I can relate to this, in a way. I prefer being left alone completely when I'm out running. If someone waves or smiles at me I will absolutely do it back - I'm not a monster. But I do prefer if no one makes any motion that they notice me at all.

I don't think it's surly though. Maybe it is. I don't think I give them irritated glances or whatever though. I'd certainly practice proper trail etiquette regardless however.

As for why, no idea really. Probably because I'm nowhere near as good of a runner as I was when I was 17. Feeling somewhat self-conscious about it. If you can't see me you can't know I'm not good anymore.

I'm sure everyone has their own reasons. I go out in the woods a lot to be alone myself, and am not usually looking for a social encounter (as in never). Most of our trails aren't what you would call heavily used, so it isn't _that_ common to run into someone. When I do I will give them the civilized acknowledgement of their presence, for whatever reason, because I was raised that way I suppose. And I've just noticed what seems to be a change in the level of civility.

 

[mrblotto]

I appreciate your post(s) OP, and also how you manage to 'take the high road' (no pun intended lol).

However, it usually ends up like this:

There are assholes everywhere, be it cyclists or drivers. I'd much rather have to wait a few seconds vs. living with the trauma of killing someone b/c " I'm in the right".

Someone is obviously vying for self-ownage of the year - 2016 edition. We need a sticky for it already!

 

[IronWing]

If there are no cars around of course I'm not going to come to a complete stop... and if I'm at a light and it isn't on a timer I'm going to run it when traffic permits. I'm not fucking stupid.

I used to bike to school and had a T intersection with a main drag to navigate. The signal had a sensor loop in the pavement. I would wait on the right side of the left turn lane. Courteous drivers would pull up behind me short of the sensor. I would try to wave them forward, pointing at the light and the pavement loop. Most got it and pulled forward but I was amazed at how many people don't have a clue how those signals work.

 

[dank69]

tractors can't keep up with traffic either but they have to drive on the roads

As someone who lives in a farming town, fuck those fucks, too. Driving a tractor on a major artery during rush hour should be a capital offense.

 

[Humpy]

Ha ha. That dude on the right is totally me!

 

[SketchMaster]

This isn't a college admissions, I don't need a personal experience essay

all i need is AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE MORE LIKELY TO GET KILLED

people get worked up all the time for things that increase your risk of cancer by a fraction of a percent, yet i'm being 'hateful' for pointing out how dumb it is to allow cyclists on the roads when the difference is AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE

anyone who supports bikes on the road is the real hateful person, you must love people getting crushed and brains splattered all over the road because there's no other reason to support such an indefensible position. How can you live with knowing all the people you're condemning to death?

Tynopik, I'm writing this in a calm and non-sarcastic manner; so please read it with that in mind.

It's hard for me to understand why you are so against bikes on the road when you've never had a negative encounter with one. People get spun up about a 1% X 10^-4 increase of cancer odds because of media hype, and they did not know about it until it was pointed out (additives in foods, clothing, paints, etc...) so they were directly affected by it. Other than feeling a slight annoyance with the idea of a cyclist on the road, you are not presenting a valid reason to be opposed to it. You are really just getting mad at something because it's there.

On the topic of essays: You really need to do better work in citing facts, as the one website you keep referring to actually makes a case that cars kill more people - cyclist and pedestrians - than any other mode of transportation on the road. By your stance, it could be argued that sidewalks should not be built directly parallel to roads because it just puts people in danger of being hit by a car. Bikes (just like cars) are only a danger when operated by an irresponsible driver, and I'm supportive of correcting that behavior.

Lastly, you imply that I'm forcing people to give up driving and ride a bike. I went back and read all my posts, but could not find a point where I stated that. In fact, it's a contradiction to my frustration with cyclists acting like elitists to all others whom choose not to ride a bike. This is why I referred to you as hateful, you are so full of angry emotion that it's making you write things that are senseless.

I'm sure there is a great many things you are an expert of, and in any other topic you would provide a very constructive opinion to the discussion. This, however, is not that topic.

 

[Phoenix86]

lucid, intelligent, well thought-out objection.

Overruled.

Let me suggest you try this approach instead.

Tynopik, I have neither the time nor the crayons to explain this to you.

 

[tynopik]

It's hard for me to understand why you are so against bikes on the road when you've never had a negative encounter with one.

i never said that

People get spun up about a 1% X 10^-4 increase of cancer odds because of media hype, and they did not know about it until it was pointed out (additives in foods, clothing, paints, etc...) so they were directly affected by it. Other than feeling a slight annoyance with the idea of a cyclist on the road, you are not presenting a valid reason to be opposed to it.

how is public health and safety not a valid reason?

why do we have mandatory seat belt laws? why do we have mandatory helmet laws in many states?

You really need to do better work in citing facts, as the one website you keep referring to actually makes a case that cars kill more people - cyclist and pedestrians - than any other mode of transportation on the road.

It's also used for far, far more often than those other forms of transportation. When 98% of miles on the road are travelled by motor vehicles, obviously most fatalities are going to involve cars.

We're talking about relative risk though. If you have to travel 10 miles, is it safer to travel by car or by bike? This is not even close, the bike is 10x more likely to get you killed going the same distance.

choosing a course of action that's 10x more likely to kill you is usually a bad thing

Bikes (just like cars) are only a danger when operated by an irresponsible driver, and I'm supportive of correcting that behavior.

It does not matter. Maybe in some ideal utopia everyone drives perfectly and bikes and cars co-exist in harmony. In the real world they don't. Until all drivers meet your standard, bikes and cars should not be on the road together.

Lastly, you imply that I'm forcing people to give up driving and ride a bike.

i never said (or implied) that.

 

[JulesMaximus]

We're talking about relative risk though. If you have to travel 10 miles, is it safer to travel by car or by bike? This is not even close, the bike is 10x more likely to get you killed going the same distance.

choosing a course of action that's 10x more likely to kill you is usually a bad thing

I'm curious, whose ass did you pull that "statistic" out of?

Here are 13 things more dangerous than riding a motorcycle. Hint-Bicycling is not on this list.

https://rideapart.com/articles/things-more-dangerous-than-riding-a-motorcycle?page=2

Really, if you're going to just make shit up at least make it plausible...

 

[tynopik]

I'm curious, whose ass did you pull that "statistic" out of?

http://bicycleuniverse.info/transpo/almanac-safety.html

So cyclists are either 3.4x or 11.5x as likely to die as motorists, per passenger mile.

Here are 13 things more dangerous than riding a motorcycle. Hint-Bicycling is not on this list.

no one was talking about motorcycles