This weekend I had the pleasure of being part of my brother-in-law's marraige, and hence met quite a few new people.
Throughout the course of the weekend it became known that I ride to work. Not only that, I ride to work on the roads. The most common reaction was one of surprise, as in why would anyone want to do that? The most common question was isn't it dangerous?
Cycling is not a particularly dangerous activity. It does have its dangers but if you know what you're doing it's as safe, and indeed safer, than any other other form of transport. Why do people assume it's dangerous?
I feel that in some part we've only ourselves to blame. How many of us have vented frustration at the antics of other road users which have `put us in danger?' How many of us come in to work complaining about the hoon who abused us on the road?
How many of us blow out of proportion incidents we suffer? How many of us charcacerise road selfishness as road violence?
Cycling is not dangerous, it's a pleasure. I feel that those of us more concerned about road safety sometimes forget that and communicate negatively about cycling without intending to.
Throughout the course of the weekend it became known that I ride to work. Not only that, I ride to work on the roads. The most common reaction was one of surprise, as in why would anyone want to do that? The most common question was isn't it dangerous?
Cycling is not a particularly dangerous activity. It does have its dangers but if you know what you're doing it's as safe, and indeed safer, than any other other form of transport. Why do people assume it's dangerous?
I feel that in some part we've only ourselves to blame. How many of us have vented frustration at the antics of other road users which have `put us in danger?' How many of us come in to work complaining about the hoon who abused us on the road?
How many of us blow out of proportion incidents we suffer? How many of us charcacerise road selfishness as road violence?
Cycling is not dangerous, it's a pleasure. I feel that those of us more concerned about road safety sometimes forget that and communicate negatively about cycling without intending to.