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Road Safety - Cycling

Michael McMahon said:
Hi. I'm just inquiring about cycling and road safety.

Should cyclists travel against traffic? This would allow cyclists to see oncoming cars. They'd have a better chance of dodging any close vehicles. Any collision with a fast car, whether from behind or head-on, would be very dangerous. So we must choose the optimal one for avoiding the collision in the first place, rather than slightly reducing the impact of a potential collision.
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Cyclists should travel with the direction of traffic when riding on the road. Modern LED lights are small enough to have them on at all times to make yourself more visible to traffic. Always wear a helmet, despite sweaty helmet hair.

Many cyclcists have mini (go-pro) cameras to record the misdeeds of cars for evidence in accidents.
 
Lisa said:
Cyclists should travel with the direction of traffic when riding on the road. Modern LED lights are small enough to have them on at all times to make yourself more visible to traffic. Always wear a helmet, despite sweaty helmet hair.

Many cyclcists have mini (go-pro) cameras to record the misdeeds of cars for evidence in accidents.
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Being subjected to oncoming traffic in the opposite lane forces you to drive better simply because you’re under threat. Yet what if a driver intends to commit vehicular homicide? Then we’d be forced to implement more road barriers. After all every footpath is a potential danger for serial killing vehicle homicide.


Jarhead (2005) - Training Death Scene
 
I took no chances and crawled prone to observe the cliff face:
E7B99085-71E5-4DAA-8B58-540B0664541D.jpeg
South Kilkee, Co. Clare
 
I live in Florida the number one state for bike accidents caused by rushing, distracted or drunk drivers.

I'm an avid biker clocking in tens of thousands of miles over the years with some close calls.

Pay attention and know the road your biking on ..some roads are inherently dangerous and need to be avoided.

The idea that bikers have as much right to the roads is bullshit, it will get you killed.
 
gboisjo said:
The idea that bikers have as much right to the roads is bullshit, it will get you killed.
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A motorbike can travel on the middle lines to bypass cars in traffic. Likewise a bike could get away with travelling on road centre if there are a lot of busy junctions.
 
On a very straight and narrow road where there are few cars then a pedestrian could almost swap to the opposite side whenever a car approaches.
 
Michael McMahon said:
A motorbike can travel on the middle lines to bypass cars in traffic. Likewise a bike could get away with travelling on road centre if there are a lot of busy junctions.
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I don't know how people drive in Ireland but here in Florida there are a lot of reckless, angry motorist.

Not listening to what the state says about bikers rights on road will keep you alive.

No second chance when a car smashes into a bike or motorcycle, your dead.
 
An example of where walking with incoming traffic on the opposite side of the road is relevant would be when you were walking downhill where you don’t know if cars are coming behind the hill but you see no cars ahead of you. So different fields of view around bends might see you swap sides intermittently if you were cycling.
 
Michael McMahon said:
An example of where walking with incoming traffic on the opposite side of the road is relevant would be when you were walking downhill where you don’t know if cars are coming behind the hill but you see no cars ahead of you. So different fields of view around bends might see you swap sides intermittently if you were cycling.
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If the road is bending, it is not going to be safe to cross the road in a spot where cars cannot see you and do not expect you to cross.

Pedestrians should not walk on roads, they should stick to sidewalks. Cyclists should always ride on the road with the regular flow of traffic. That's basic safety.
 
Bodi said:
Every time I see a cyclist riding in traffic like that I think... dang, they have "the right" to do that... but gosh darn if that guy ain't a ****ing moron for doing it. And when I see a body bag covering a guy that did that I think... what the hell did that moron expect would happen by riding in his little Tour de France outfit among 2,000 lb cars?
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This is why I fully support bicycle lanes. Initially I thought they were a waste, but in areas with a lot of bicycle traffic they are a good thing.
 
Visbek said:
Pedestrians should not walk on roads, they should stick to sidewalks. Cyclists should always ride on the road with the regular flow of traffic. That's basic safety.
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If sidewalks are free of people walking, I bike on them.

I live in Southwest Florida, number one state in bicycle deaths by cars.

All the claims that bicyclist have regarding rights to the road doesn't mean shit if you get run down.

Remain vigilant and super aware when biking, cars and trucks are not your friends.
 
Michael McMahon said:
Hi. I'm just inquiring about cycling and road safety.

Should cyclists travel against traffic? This would allow cyclists to see oncoming cars. They'd have a better chance of dodging any close vehicles. Any collision with a fast car, whether from behind or head-on, would be very dangerous. So we must choose the optimal one for avoiding the collision in the first place, rather than slightly reducing the impact of a potential collision.
Click to expand...

The reason bicycles ride with the traffic is because if you get hit from behind the impact speed is less than it would be if you were hit head on. In a head on crash if a car is doing 50 mph and the bike is doing 20 mph the impact speed is 70 mph. If you are hit from behind the impact speed is 30 mph.
 
it's just me said:
The reason bicycles ride with the traffic is because if you get hit from behind the impact speed is less than it would be if you were hit head on. In a head on crash if a car is doing 50 mph and the bike is doing 20 mph the impact speed is 70 mph. If you are hit from behind the impact speed is 30 mph.
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Either way it’s bad news for the bicycle rider.
 
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