Every time we get on our bikes, we are playing a game of Russian Roulette. We take care to maintain our machines, to make sure they are in perfect running order, we look after our bodies to maximise our performance, and we, hopefully, abide by the rules of the road to keep ourselves safe from the dangers of other road users. But ultimately, our lives are in the hands of fate, destiny, or even other people. Ours is a sport fraught with danger, and every now and then, and increasingly all too often, we are reminded of the thin black line between life and death.
Such a reminder came today with the news that yet another Pro Cyclist, Kristof Goddaert, lost their life when going about their everyday job. Maybe we are less at risk in our own day-to-day lives than these athletes, but we shouldn’t take with a grain of salt the dangers that are inherent any and every time we cover ourselves with a thin shield of lycra, mount an 8kg piece of plastic, alloy and rubber, then surround ourselves with tonnes of fast-moving metal often operated by less-than-accommodating drivers. We should regard every motorist with caution, never knowing if they themselves are a cycle-aware operator or one of the increasingly common outspoken anti-cyclists that seem to crawl out of the woodwork to vent their disdain for us every time an online article regarding any aspect of sharing the road appears. Make no bones about it, there is a lot of contempt and anger towards cyclists from many drivers.
There’s only so much we can do to minimise our risk of not returning from a ride. Wearing a YJA is not going to help. Having a foam lid half-encasing our craniums will only do so much (let’s not get into a helmet debate here though). Not putting ourselves into a dangerous situation by flouting road rules, running red lights or riding erratically in traffic should be a no-brainer. Yet just by joining the arterial flow of cars, buses and trucks we put ourselves at the bottom of the transport food chain, and like a hyena in a lion-filled savannah, we need to be alert and aware of our surroundings and regard everyone around us a potential predator.
We’ve lost many of our own, and it’s often I think about our community friend @itburns when I kit up. Every time I read about another cyclist tragically killed, the reality of the dangers of our passion hits home, again, hard. Having met Kristof on KT12, when he gave up his time to talk to us before Paris-Roubaix, answering our questions, humouring us as he prepared for one of his most important days at work of the year, it feels that little bit more personal, even though our worlds were so far removed from each other. And now, he is removed from our world completely, a victim of bad luck, a tragic accident of circumstances that we might never consider could happen to us. Which only serves to remind us that it can.
Be careful out there, friends.
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So, my approach with a mirror and lots of flashing lights is not so uncool then ?
@TK
I think it was a Bristol Uni study? YJA will give you 6 cm extra room from passing motorists, but only when it included the word POLICE across the back. Safest way to ride a bike? Long blonde hair, dress, town bike, with a basket on the front! Most dangerous? As a cyclist rather than someone who merely rides a bike.
@Ken Ho
Who knows?
The Who
Sympathies to the Goddaert family. It was the Bath Uni study and since I'm not ready to wear a wig or a YJA that serves only to indicate that I might be cycling to work at a construction site, I try to exercise as much caution as possible especially in urban areas where traffic is greater. We must remember that we share the road with sometimes reluctant partners. Don't knowingly put yourself in harm's way...and you still may not be safe.
38:38
@andrew
Hummer went to the wall during the GFC... unless someone has resurrected it.
Don't know about passing a law that makes the driver automatically at fault but they are trialling a law here in Queensland, Aus that requires a one meter gap when cars overtake bikes. Fine is massive too, about $4000 if I remember correctly. BIG uproar about it be none of the objectors had any real reason why it shouldn't be made law. Best they could come up with was "it's unenforceable". If that's they case, why resist it???? They are partially right in that it likely will only be applied after an incident. Regardless, since the debate started months ago on this and a raft of other laws cars have been giving me more clearance than I have ever had. Law or no law it has at least bought awareness. There are actually a lot of folks that believe the laws are already in place. They aren't just a trial in Brisbane of one of the laws.
@unversio
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@ChrissyOne
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@Mikael Liddy
You know, my Father in-law is a Fire Chief (or was). He told me something that confimed my perspective on hi-vis colours. He drives/rides in a massive, chrome and red brick shaped truck. It has flashing headlights, strobing blue's and reds on all sides along with 120db sirens. 99% of drivers have no idea this things is bearing down on them until it's within a few meters and the sirens have made it past the sound deadening and music. Drivers pull out in front of him, sometimes he sits on their tail sounding the horn until they wake up and move out the way.
Now, when I was tought to drive I was told to check my mirrors every 30 sec (which is probably too long). When I was taught to ride a motorcycle I was taught to be scanning 360° around me at all times not just looking for cars but any hazard. Dogs, Pot holes, birds, you name it. Clearly no one is doing this riding in their cocoon (car) and no bright yellow jact is going to make a lick of difference. If they are not actively looking for a cyclist, the will simply not see one. Fact.
I believe everyone should be made to ride a motorcycle for 12 months before they get a car licence and that licence re-testing should be every years. I am convinced it would revolutionise the roads. I am a miner, and every 12 months I have to go and get my safety inducation re-done. Same shit every year. CPR, Danger Tags, all basic but always drummed into you. Drivers get a licence at 17, and that's it, for life!! Something is wrong there.