Doug Kanter wrote:
"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:1OiUf.5483$8G2.4700@trndny01...

Doug Kanter wrote:

"Brian Nystrom" wrote in message
news:7maUf.1345$Qm2.273@trndny03...



I like the bike idea. But, only if roads are REALLY designed to make it
safe to use bikes. One step in that direction would be mandatory annual
driving & vision re-testing for anyone over 50. A few years back, an old
lady here hit two girls who were standing ON THE SIDEWALK. She said she
thought they were garbage cans. As much as I love biking, there aren't
many places I feel safe.

While such incidents make for great headlines, they're not indicative of
the true level of risk involved. On balance, you're probably much safer
riding a bike than you are driving a car. The health benefits of the
exercise far outweigh the risks.


That's just plain silly. If your car's tapped in a minor way by another
car, you may get a dented door or fender. If the same thing happens to
you on a bike, your risk of serious injury is vastly greater. The "if"
factor isn't so remote, either, considering that at least 80-90% of the
drivers on our roads fall into one or more of these categories:

-Clinically dead, but nobody's noticed yet
-Blind
-Drunk
-Too stupid to operate anything more complicated than a spoon
-Talking on the cell phone
-Exhausted

I'd love to see a lot more bikes in use, but until the factors on that
list are dealt with, I want a nice metal box around me.

Over 42,000 people die on the roads every year. Cycling deaths are ~700,
which means 60 times more people die in cars than on bikes. People take
driving for granted, but it's actually one of the most dangerous things we
do regulary, other than taking a shower.

In order to understand risk, you have to examine the data.


About that last line, I was thinking of saying the same thing to you. :-)
Why do you suppose there are less cycling deaths? Hint: It's not because
it's safer. That statistic is as silly as the one the airlines used to spew:
Less accidents per mile flown, blah blah blah.

Believe whatever you want, it doesn't matter to me.