A sobering reminder for all of us.
Stay safe fellow riders
- Thread starter Blasst
- Start date
FlatSix911
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Silicon Valley
Thanks for posting the link... very interesting findings:
I thought the infographics are worth posting on EBR.
Our data also showed a surge of deaths over the summer, with 84 in July—a 25 percent increase from June. Though it’s too early to be certain, the cycling boom that took place after the COVID-19 lockdown orders may have contributed to the summer death rate. From January through November, $4.9 billion worth of bikes were sold in the U.S., according to the NPD Group. In Los Angeles and Houston alone, Strava found approximately a 100 percent increase in cycling trips in both cities in May 2020 compared to May 2019. More cyclists on the road seemed to correlate with more people on bikes being killed by drivers.
Last edited:
mogulskier
Active Member
With California taking the lead here, I am not surprised at all. As both a motorcycle rider and ebike rider, you'll find plenty of both, especially in the mountains, on weekends, but so too during the daily commute. Due to being California and the year long good weather, we ride all year long.
That said, you just cannot predict the behavior of people in cars, and we are in very tight quarters with them. There isn't alot of room for error. I've seen my fair share of close calls and unfortunately, 2 eye witnessed fatalities.
Good read. Thanks for posting.
That said, you just cannot predict the behavior of people in cars, and we are in very tight quarters with them. There isn't alot of room for error. I've seen my fair share of close calls and unfortunately, 2 eye witnessed fatalities.
Good read. Thanks for posting.
B
BarryS
Guest
Nycturne
Member
Ain't that the truth, but I'd argue that the cars just make people more dangerous when they aren't paying attention. On my last ride, I came to a four way stop while two cars were coming the other way to the stop. I yielded to the first, entered the intersection to turn left (crossing the oncoming lane) when I get cut off by the second car driving through the stop behind the first. And the driver of this second car was pissed at me over it. I wish that was a rare occurrence, but it was common behavior at another four-way when I'd leave work. I commuted by car, and still got cut off 3-4 times a week by drivers just riding through the stop behind the car in front of them instead of coming to a stop and yielding right of way on their way out from the campus I worked at.
Seriously, at this point I always assume the other person isn't going to properly yield or handle intersections correctly.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
With the weather variations for state to state, it isn't surprising that those with the most days for suitable riding would have a higher death rate. Population density is also a factor. 10 years ago, it was statistics like this that caused me to give up riding on public roads and transition to trails.
Still, this data is sobering and certainly cause for concern. Thanks for posting.
Still, this data is sobering and certainly cause for concern. Thanks for posting.
Taylor57
Well-Known Member
I went for a ride yesterday in Palm Springs on my usual route. Saturday afternoon, temps around 80 and tourists on rental ebikes and analog bikes. Sh$%show. Many with no helmets and many riding against the traffic like they were pedestrians-with perfectly marked bike lanes on both sides of the street. Between the overflow of cars and bikes, I called it a day early and took another ride later. I am not surprised at the data above.
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
New riders have been a bigger danger than cars in the last year. it used to only be homeless riding bad.
Dallant
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
I‘m totally with you on that. My riding on public roads has been at the minimum I can make it for many years. It was actually my last motorcycle experiences that sealed the deal for me. Drivers with cell phones have made it too high a risk for me to ride on the open road very much.
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