Need a reality check from those who commute on bikes long distances
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Anonymous
Right, because nobody ever dies or is injured or maimed in a car accident. If no one had cars, there would be a lot fewer deaths...deaths from accidents, deaths from obesity etc. Stop being so damn lazy. |
Anonymous
| you know that bikes can chose to follow either car rules or pedestrian rules. Example a bike is allowed to fly down a one way street the wrong way, a mike doesn't have to obey traffic lights. Why don't they make bikers follow the same laws cars do when they are on the road? I dont get it |
Anonymous
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I've seen some bikers who run red lights/stop signs, pick and choose whether to act as a road vehicle or a pedestrian, ride the wrong way, cut in and out of traffic by cars' blind spots... I've also seen bicyclists who don't use headlights/rear lights and reflective gear which makes it impossible to see them in the mornings or evenings. if he is one of those I would be worried.
But at the same time there are drivers in this area who are INSANE. So it could be that too. This article is useful (and a bit funny). How to avoid being hit by cars: http://bicyclesafe.com/ |
Anonymous
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Is your husband that guy who hit my car with his hand when I made a turn in front of him, causing him to slow down slightly? Putting him in absolutely no danger?
If he was, I see why all these accidents happen. |
Anonymous
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I commuted by bike for 6 months. It was primarily on trails but the last 2 miles was on Gallows Rd. I was hit in an intersection. I was also pregnant (first tri). DC area traffic is terrible! People are just not looking for cyclists. On the flip side, there are some insane cyclist. I never act like one because I would rather be safe than fast.
Ultimately, if your husand wants to bike, you have to accept the risk. |
Anonymous
That really is no different then turning out in front of an oncoming car causing them to slow down (or slam on their brakes?). Did you almost have a collision? Slowing down is not a big deal, almost having a collision is. If he was close enough to slap your car, you may have cut in front of him too close. |
Anonymous
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OP, I'm with you, I'd be very concerned. Your DH is in denial, either it's his fault (for not being cautious enough) or if it's true that he's plagued with such bad luck as to have all these accidents, that too is a sign to stop.
DH actually stopped commuting on bike because of the dangers. It was a shame because it's great for fitness, eco-friendly, etc. However, he just didn't pay enough attention and you HAVE TO in this area with the dense population, intense commute, etc. DH had 2 accidents. Technically they were the drivers' faults but they were preventable on his part with proper attention. At least he knew when to call it quits. Actually, one thing that incluenced the timing was a close friend of ours had a traumatic brain injury in a car-bike accident (he was on the bike) that put things into perspective. He makes a concerted effort to go on proper bike trails on weekends for exercise and it's not like commuting, but at least he's in once piece. |
Anonymous
HAHA! Approximately 110 people will die today in a car accident (which is the equavalient of a full plane crashing each day and killing all on board) and on average there are 2.9 million suffer injuries each year. 
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Anonymous
| Let him be. Just insist on 5million dollar life insurance policy that pays for loss of limb(s), eye(s), etc. as well. |
Anonymous
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DH commuted a 15mi roundtrip per day for about 5yrs and we both commuted a 30mi roundtrip a few times per week for another 2 or 3 years. No accidents.
DH has had a few while out on recreational rides, 1 his own fault, one being rear-ended by another cyclist and one due to a car not stopping when DH had the right of way. With as many accidents as your DH has had, I'd say he's an unsafe rider, on a terribly bad commuting route, or both. |
Anonymous
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OP here. I really appreciate a lot of the responses.
I think it is both. I think his route is just awful and he is just not careful enough or paying enough attention. I'm not quite sure how to use all this helpful information, but I'm definitely thankful that I have a sense that his accidents are NOT normal and for whatever reason, we need to address it. I agree with the poster who said he was in denial. I am trying to find a way to get through to him.. denial is not my communication specialty. But I just wanted to be sure that it isn't actually that normal to have all these accidents and that I wasn't overreacting. Because I fully admit that I am terrified for his safety. The last time I was barely in my second trimester when he broke his arm. Now I'm 5 weeks pregnant and he hit the trunk of another car. I just can't take it. Anyway, thanks for giving me a check. I'm glad to know my Spidey senses were right. Hopefully I can figure out a way to sort this out with him. |
Anonymous
| WABA has commuter maps - can you sit down with him and take a look at them to see if you can make his route safer? |
Anonymous
| I agree it is not normal to have so many accidents. One you could understand - anyone can have bad luck. But so many serious accidents - clearly he is not being as safe as he needs to be. |
Anonymous
| The google maps bike route feature isn't perfect, but it can help steer you towards roads with bike lanes that might not add forever to a commute. And you can play around and see how much it's actually adding. Might be a decent way to compromise. |
Anonymous
| I would want to analyse each accident. Hitting the trunk of a car sounds like he might have been at fault (following too close). If he won't even think about the reasons behind the crashes, that's bad. |