Cycling is, umm, safe

[minestrone]

So, uh, how are you going to react the first time you witness a car accident? Or the first time a relative gets hit by a bus while crossing the road? I take it you will then resist your children having a car, or walking anywhere??

Very odd logic.

When are 13 and you go into a ward 2 days after the accident where your Brother is just coming round and all you can see of him is a mouth and his eyes because his full head is in bandage, his full arms and hands are covered in bandage as well it does change your view of cycling.

That is just my view though, just from personal experience.

[d000hg]

It's certainly very sad, but isolated incidents don't prove anything... people get horribly injured doing just about any sport, playing in the garden, or doing any healthily risky childhood activity.

[pzz76077]

My brother nearly killed himself coming off a bike at 40 mph, landed face first on a pile of gravel just after the road had been relayed. Cut his face and hands to hell and spent a week in hospital where it was touch and go if they had to do skin grafts on his face and hands. Scars healed quite well after a couple of years.

To be honest I am not that keen on bikes since that and would resist my children having a bike.

Not looking where you are going on a bike at 40 mph is always going to end in tears IMO. Are you saying that you are blaming the gravel for this accident or the one in control of the bike, your parents or whatever??

PZZ

[minestrone]

Not looking where you are going on a bike at 40 mph is always going to end in tears IMO. Are you saying that you are blaming the gravel for this accident or the one in control of the bike, your parents or whatever??

PZZ

No, the chain slipped off the derailleur when changing gear, popped off and jammed in the rear spokes. Million to one and don't blame anyone. We all used to do these hills at 40+ mph as kids, Lamlash to Brodick or the Whiting Bay To Lamlash. It was just bad luck.

[Cyberman]

No, the chain slipped off the derailleur when changing gear, popped off and jammed in the rear spokes. Million to one and don't blame anyone. We all used to do these hills at 40+ mph as kids, Lamlash to Brodick or the Whiting Bay To Lamlash. It was just bad luck.

Not really bad luck, but reckless. If you do 40mph on a bike you are pretty stupid to think that you won't get hurt badly if you come off it. After all, there is a frequent car safety advert that says you should not drive at more than 20 around schools because any speed over that will probably kill.

[OwlHoot]

Yeah, maybe. In terms of deaths per distance, the space shuttle starts looking good.

In terms of deaths per distance per unit time, being strapped to an ICBM and launched is probably fairly safe.

(although I hasten to add that I haven't attempted any detailed calculations )

[mrdonuts]

the answer is cycle on the pavement, that way if you have an accident YOU most likely wont suffer serious injury

[VectraMan]

If we're counting deaths per distance, then staying at home is infinitely dangerous.

[OwlHoot]

No, the chain slipped off the derailleur when changing gear, popped off and jammed in the rear spokes. Million to one and don't blame anyone. We all used to do these hills at 40+ mph as kids, Lamlash to Brodick or the Whiting Bay To Lamlash. It was just bad luck.

Ah that brings back memories, of a geology field trip to the Isle of Arran back in the 70s.

It's a fantastic place, and geologists come from all over the world to look at the diverse geology from north to south.

[minestrone]

Ah that brings back memories, of a geology field trip to the Isle of Arran back in the 70s.

It's a fantastic place, and geologists come from all over the world to look at the diverse geology from north to south.

Fantastic place as you say, although I grew up in the city I was in Arran for about 20% of my childhood as we had a house there. I am saving up to get a second home there, probably something in Brodick. Been across 3 times in the last year to do some ridge walking and each time I get off the ferry the weather turns and not to keen on going up solo when visibility is about 10 meters. Someone died last time I was there. Last time I was up Goat Fell I looked down on 3 harrier jump jets flying through the valley and they were tiny.