Very sobering conversation I had with my doctor today

[muttonbuster]

Just the other day we had this bit of loveliness happen in my community:



That's on a route I used to ride, ehhh, I'd say roughly every three days for a couple of years. I'll put it this way, you could tell by the level of respect you'd get at the crosswalks there on PCH who was local (extremely cycling friendly community locally), and who was using it to commute through town. Took me about 3 times almost getting mowed down in the crosswalk with a walk sign, to realize that too many drivers aren't local.

It's only about 3 miles down the road from that intersection to my GPs practice where I had an appointment yesterday. I figured since he's been here for decades and still has associations with that hospital, very high chance he was friends with that surgeon. Even though the whole topic of conversation was nagging cycling injuries and idiots who refuse to give themselves a break , and a deal of if you agree no cycling for a week and to ease back in slowly, I'll give you a shot of Decadron; I wanted to wait until the end to say anything and perhaps offer condolences.

He got there first. It just really shook me. He said, "I believe you told me a ways back you won't ride...ummm...(and pointed in the direction of that intersection), right?". I said, yeah absolutely not. I think I'd get more respect riding in the E lane on I5. He just said, "Good, don't, and forgive me but let's change the subject." I'm sure my eyes were between tears and fury too.

 

[rcole_sooner]

Too much rage against cyclists out there. I still ride a bit, but mostly just use roads to get to nearby trails.

I switched to running to avoid having to be on the road. But I ended up getting hit by a car while I was in a cross walk. The driver was not charged with anything, no information taken (cops said she was just an old lady).

I know the cyclists that give us all a bad name. Nothing I can do about them. But it really is not limited to cyclists. I run and can't get past packs of walkers that take up whole sidewalks and won't let anyone by. It is just human behavior to not notice or care that are others around us and we should be sharing this world with each other.

Very frustrating, but I can look for sunny pastures other places, and keep enjoying this wonderful world.

 

[Chont]

Oh wow... absolutely awful. I don't know what's gotten into this world.

 

[Wrighty]

Too much rage against cyclists out there. I still ride a bit, but mostly just use roads to get to nearby trails.

I switched to running to avoid having to be on the road. But I ended up getting hit by a car while I was in a cross walk. The driver was not charged with anything, no information taken (cops said she was just an old lady).

I know the cyclists that give us all a bad name. Nothing I can do about them. But it really is not limited to cyclists. I run and can't get past packs of walkers that take up whole sidewalks and won't let anyone by. It is just human behavior to not notice or care that are others around us and we should be sharing this world with each other.

Very frustrating, but I can look for sunny pastures other places, and keep enjoying this wonderful world.

Nothing I say here is a reflection on this sad case nor the poor guy involved.
Never-the-less, it has to be said that cyclists in the UK would earn a great deal more courtesy and respect if they showed the same to other road users and pedestrians. I am by no means saying all are to blame, but, particularly in London, they ride like idiots,
Red light,one way street and pedestrian crossing rules apply to everyone but them and footpaths are seen as the quickest route from A to B. They literally appear from nowhere and any direction, putting the onus on the vehicle driver or pedestrian to avoid a collision.
I live in the suburbs, though still in a town, and I do see far more decent cycling than bad. Except when I travel on an unlit, single carriageway country lane go and from a hospice I deliver to. Always, yes, always, see (only just see) one or more cyclists dressed in dark clothing with no lights heading for home. If he / she gets injured or killed it would be terrible, but how would the motorist who hit them live with what he’d done, even though he just couldn’t see the victim?

 

[stormsedge]

I was ready to start training on my road bike last year when my neighbor was hit by a car in our neighborhood while running. He was running against traffic like one should and some guy out sightseeing crossed clear over and hit him from behind. Pretty much only been off road on my mountain bike since then. Some folks have lost all situational awareness.

 

[GrooVey]

Wow

 

[StratSounds]

That’s a horrific story. I hope the s.o.b. who did that never walks free another day in his miserable life.

 

[NeilK]

Sadly in the UK anti cycling prejudice tends to be promoted by the less savoury elements of our charming press to their "readers". I used to ride everywhere and race back in the day. I wouldn't go anywhere near the road these days, it's just too dangerous, there is next to no regulation, few police and the conduct of road users is getting progressively worse across all modes of transport. Off road and Zwift is where I ride now.

 

[caryflyboy]

Sounds like the not caring attitude is now everywhere, not just in my area of Illinois, which is the Chicago metro area, in Cook county.

Yesterday some moron shot 3 dogs because they allegedly were off leash with their owner and walked close to him and SNIFFED him, and were not at all aggressive.

the cook county states attorney would not approve charges because the dogs owner did not have them on a leash and the shooter said he was in fear. umm, sniffing non aggressive dogs are not a reason to shoot them, and he should be charged, especially since one dog died and the other needs emergency surgery.

 

[Sarnodude]

I want to start cycling in my local area, since we have bike paths along our streets.
Having said all that, the drivers in my area do not obey traffic rules, and they wander all over the road.. I don't want to become roadkill.

 

[tery]

I don't let my kids ride their bicycle in the street.

 

[guitarface]

Don’t get hit by cars and stabbed is excellent medical advice. Both things are terrible for your health.

 

[rgbedard]

I left the roads 25 years ago, after being hit by motor vehicles for the THIRD time, always the motorists fault. The last time I was hit, I had head trauma and had to relearn how to read, just when I was accepted to University.

I spent major portions of my life using a bicycle for transportation, so maybe I was exposed more than most. But the last time I was hit was the most serious. I was hospitalized, had lasting affects from the head injury, lost teeth and later spent $50k having my mouth repaired. The driver was not even ticketed.

I still try to avoid the road. Drivers are more aware of cyclists than they were 25 years ago, but that's not always a good thing; drivers are also a lot angrier and more self-entitled.

 

[FuncleManson]

As a full-time pedestrian, I see the all the issues with bad/oblivious/inattentive (on their phones) drivers, but let's be clear, this wasn't an accident caused by someone who's just a bad driver.

 

[touch of gray]

Too much rage against cyclists out there. I still ride a bit, but mostly just use roads to get to nearby trails.

I switched to running to avoid having to be on the road. But I ended up getting hit by a car while I was in a cross walk. The driver was not charged with anything, no information taken (cops said she was just an old lady).

I know the cyclists that give us all a bad name. Nothing I can do about them. But it really is not limited to cyclists. I run and can't get past packs of walkers that take up whole sidewalks and won't let anyone by. It is just human behavior to not notice or care that are others around us and we should be sharing this world with each other.

Very frustrating, but I can look for sunny pastures other places, and keep enjoying this wonderful world.

I have had to do the same thing. The world has become a horrible place. Here is a man who has devoted his life to saving others only to be murdered because he rode a bicycle? My heart goes out to his friends and loved ones.

 

[PeteGeordie]

Sadly in the UK anti cycling prejudice tends to be promoted by the less savoury elements of our charming press to their "readers". I used to ride everywhere and race back in the day. I wouldn't go anywhere near the road these days, it's just too dangerous, there is next to no regulation, few police and the conduct of road users is getting progressively worse across all modes of transport. Off road and Zwift is where I ride now.

Same here. I absolutely loved Covid lockdown as I could go out riding, b*gger all cars on the road. Haven't ridden since restrictions were lifted.

 

[Seamus OReally]

A friend was riding in the Berkeley hills when a guy on a motorcycle passed him and hit him in the back of the head with some implement or club or something. Messed him up for months. No reason, other than anger at the monied folks who live up there.

 

[AntStrat]

Like one of the interviewees said there's a lot of rage in the world.

 

[Impulsive guppy]

That’s sad. I love riding and have for years.
Just fat tire curb jumping type of riding.
It feels like flying at times.

I cut through parks, alleyways, parking lots and side streets a lot .

 

[bbarott]

Oh wow... absolutely awful. I don't know what's gotten into this world.

It's more about what's left it. Civilization. It was always a really close run thing.