Cycling is not dangerous



Google seems to back that up too:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages


--
www.ozcableguy.com
www.oztechnologies.com
"EuanB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> 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.
 
Google seems to back that up too:

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages

http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages


--
www.ozcableguy.com
www.oztechnologies.com
"EuanB" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

> 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.
 
OzCableguy wrote:
> Google seems to back that up too:
>
> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
>
> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages
>


Uh huh...

Results 1 - 10 of about 2,530,000 for pedestrian+killed.

So being a pedestrian is more dangerous than cycling.
Of course, so is being some other things:

Results 1 - 10 of about 2,610,000 for duck+killed. (0.27 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 2,330,000 for "dead man"+killed. (0.41 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 5,300,000 for fool+killed. (0.41 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 570,000 for martian+killed. (0.22 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 3,470,000 for celebrity+killed. (0.28 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 747,000 for plank+killed. (0.24 seconds)

So after that research, I think it's clear than it's relatively safe to
be a cyclist ;)
 
OzCableguy wrote:
> Google seems to back that up too:
>
> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
>
> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages
>


Uh huh...

Results 1 - 10 of about 2,530,000 for pedestrian+killed.

So being a pedestrian is more dangerous than cycling.
Of course, so is being some other things:

Results 1 - 10 of about 2,610,000 for duck+killed. (0.27 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 2,330,000 for "dead man"+killed. (0.41 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 5,300,000 for fool+killed. (0.41 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 570,000 for martian+killed. (0.22 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 3,470,000 for celebrity+killed. (0.28 seconds)
Results 1 - 10 of about 747,000 for plank+killed. (0.24 seconds)

So after that research, I think it's clear than it's relatively safe to
be a cyclist ;)
 
On 2005-11-02, Tamyka Bell (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> OzCableguy wrote:
>>
>> Google seems to back that up too:
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages

>
> Nice idea, except it would include such phrases as "driver killed a
> pedestrian/dog/roo", which has nothing to do with how many drivers are
> killed.


Yes, but the first search results would have included all those loony
left wing terrorist cyclists who always go running over poor little
old ladies &c.

--
TimC
"I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There's a
knob called `brightness', but it doesn't work." -- Gallagher
 
On 2005-11-02, Tamyka Bell (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> OzCableguy wrote:
>>
>> Google seems to back that up too:
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages

>
> Nice idea, except it would include such phrases as "driver killed a
> pedestrian/dog/roo", which has nothing to do with how many drivers are
> killed.


Yes, but the first search results would have included all those loony
left wing terrorist cyclists who always go running over poor little
old ladies &c.

--
TimC
"I wish there was a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence. There's a
knob called `brightness', but it doesn't work." -- Gallagher
 
GPLama said:
On a similar note, when I was 'back home' a few weeks ago, a few rellys knew
I rode up from where we were staying.. someone mentioned not seeing me out
on the main highway at 8am hoping to get there by mid afternoon.. (side
note: it was only 85kms).. my aunt then said 'well if you saw him, you
should have ran him off the road'.. and they all laughed..
...
Riding home the next day, I was thinking of what I should have said...
Next time I'm driving a truck, and I see you driving a car,
I'll try to run you off the road.

OR

So should I try your children/husband/... off the road
next time I see them?

OR

If you want to run someone off the road, try doing it
to a really big truck. That way it will be you and your
family that get injured or killed.

Some TAC advertisements down here made the point that it
is not some nameless person who gets hurt, it's your family
member or friend. Interesting comment from your aunt :-(
 
GPLama said:
On a similar note, when I was 'back home' a few weeks ago, a few rellys knew
I rode up from where we were staying.. someone mentioned not seeing me out
on the main highway at 8am hoping to get there by mid afternoon.. (side
note: it was only 85kms).. my aunt then said 'well if you saw him, you
should have ran him off the road'.. and they all laughed..
...
Riding home the next day, I was thinking of what I should have said...
Next time I'm driving a truck, and I see you driving a car,
I'll try to run you off the road.

OR

So should I try your children/husband/... off the road
next time I see them?

OR

If you want to run someone off the road, try doing it
to a really big truck. That way it will be you and your
family that get injured or killed.

Some TAC advertisements down here made the point that it
is not some nameless person who gets hurt, it's your family
member or friend. Interesting comment from your aunt :-(
 
> Because it is.
>
> But, it's no more dangerous than driving a car. It's probably less
> dangerous in terms of overall health risks. I don't know the stats.
> There'll be stuff on the BV website about it probably.
>
> Most people don't have a clue about statistics or risk. They watch
> TV shows aimed at idiots (ACA, TT etc), they read the pictures in the
> stun-herald and they don't stop and think much. They're the ones who
> say when you mention you go SCUBA diving that they'd be afraid of being
> eaten by a shark.
>
> I have a new coaching client who is *shitscared* of riding on the road.
> I'm not sure yet how to deal with this aprehension he has. At least
> he's prepared to give it a go though. But, as a road rider I get my
> fair share of close calls (and I choose where I ride pretty carefully!)
> and I can more than understand the perception of danger. It *is*
> dangerous being unarmoured near cars traveling at speed such that if
> they hit you, if you're lucky you get away with major injuries.
>
> The world's full of people who sit on the couch and watch idiot TV,
> buying the image of the car breezing through a country road in the
> adverts, and then sit in their car and watch the traffic jam grow
> around them and whine about how the government should fix the roads and
> make petrol cheaper.
>
> Bugger them, ride yer bike!
>


I was nervous when I started riding, but now I commute to work past the
Victoria Market, across the top end of the CBD along Victoria Pde and then
turn left up High St to Kew. I certainly watch the traffic, but there's no
fear involved. I keep at least a metre from the gutter, exercise a little
give and take with regards to traffic flow and get nearly no aggravation.
I'm reminded of a cute little story I read a while ago about a farmer who
was, for whatever reason, taking his leisure leaning on his gatepost when a
car with a couple in it pulled up and asked for directions to the next town.
Once they'd got the directions, they asked how friendly the people in the
next town were. The farmer asked them how they found the last town in that
respect and it turned out that the reason they were asking was that the
people in the last town were rude, unhelpful and generally horrible. The
farmer shook his head sadly, informed them that the people in the next town
were just as bad and sent them on their way. A bit later, another car pulled
up and asked the same questions (one of those days, I suppose). Again the
farmer asked them what they thought of the people in the last town and their
faces lit up. Oh, the people in the last town were lovely. Helpful,
courteous and remarkably obliging. The farmer smiled and told them that the
people in the next town were every bit as nice. In other words you tend to
get what you expect, by and large. I get the occasional aggressive ********
in a Commodore or obliviously self-centred 4WD driver but for the most part,
I really do enjoy my commute.
 
> Because it is.
>
> But, it's no more dangerous than driving a car. It's probably less
> dangerous in terms of overall health risks. I don't know the stats.
> There'll be stuff on the BV website about it probably.
>
> Most people don't have a clue about statistics or risk. They watch
> TV shows aimed at idiots (ACA, TT etc), they read the pictures in the
> stun-herald and they don't stop and think much. They're the ones who
> say when you mention you go SCUBA diving that they'd be afraid of being
> eaten by a shark.
>
> I have a new coaching client who is *shitscared* of riding on the road.
> I'm not sure yet how to deal with this aprehension he has. At least
> he's prepared to give it a go though. But, as a road rider I get my
> fair share of close calls (and I choose where I ride pretty carefully!)
> and I can more than understand the perception of danger. It *is*
> dangerous being unarmoured near cars traveling at speed such that if
> they hit you, if you're lucky you get away with major injuries.
>
> The world's full of people who sit on the couch and watch idiot TV,
> buying the image of the car breezing through a country road in the
> adverts, and then sit in their car and watch the traffic jam grow
> around them and whine about how the government should fix the roads and
> make petrol cheaper.
>
> Bugger them, ride yer bike!
>


I was nervous when I started riding, but now I commute to work past the
Victoria Market, across the top end of the CBD along Victoria Pde and then
turn left up High St to Kew. I certainly watch the traffic, but there's no
fear involved. I keep at least a metre from the gutter, exercise a little
give and take with regards to traffic flow and get nearly no aggravation.
I'm reminded of a cute little story I read a while ago about a farmer who
was, for whatever reason, taking his leisure leaning on his gatepost when a
car with a couple in it pulled up and asked for directions to the next town.
Once they'd got the directions, they asked how friendly the people in the
next town were. The farmer asked them how they found the last town in that
respect and it turned out that the reason they were asking was that the
people in the last town were rude, unhelpful and generally horrible. The
farmer shook his head sadly, informed them that the people in the next town
were just as bad and sent them on their way. A bit later, another car pulled
up and asked the same questions (one of those days, I suppose). Again the
farmer asked them what they thought of the people in the last town and their
faces lit up. Oh, the people in the last town were lovely. Helpful,
courteous and remarkably obliging. The farmer smiled and told them that the
people in the next town were every bit as nice. In other words you tend to
get what you expect, by and large. I get the occasional aggressive ********
in a Commodore or obliviously self-centred 4WD driver but for the most part,
I really do enjoy my commute.
 
On 2005-11-02, blah (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
>
> OzCableguy wrote:
>> Google seems to back that up too:
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages
>>

>
> Uh huh...
>
> Results 1 - 10 of about 2,530,000 for pedestrian+killed.
>
> So being a pedestrian is more dangerous than cycling.
> Of course, so is being some other things:
>
> Results 1 - 10 of about 2,610,000 for duck+killed. (0.27 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 2,330,000 for "dead man"+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 5,300,000 for fool+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 570,000 for martian+killed. (0.22 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 3,470,000 for celebrity+killed. (0.28 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 747,000 for plank+killed. (0.24 seconds)
>
> So after that research, I think it's clear than it's relatively safe to
> be a cyclist ;)


Safer to be a squid with herpes though:

Results 1 - 10 of about 81,700 for squid herpes. (0.08 seconds)

(It was only a few years ago that there was not a single hit for that
phrase. The times have changed though. Becoming a squid with herpes
is much more a danger now than it was in the past).

--
TimC
 
On 2005-11-02, blah (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
>
> OzCableguy wrote:
>> Google seems to back that up too:
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
>>
>> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
>> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages
>>

>
> Uh huh...
>
> Results 1 - 10 of about 2,530,000 for pedestrian+killed.
>
> So being a pedestrian is more dangerous than cycling.
> Of course, so is being some other things:
>
> Results 1 - 10 of about 2,610,000 for duck+killed. (0.27 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 2,330,000 for "dead man"+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 5,300,000 for fool+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 570,000 for martian+killed. (0.22 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 3,470,000 for celebrity+killed. (0.28 seconds)
> Results 1 - 10 of about 747,000 for plank+killed. (0.24 seconds)
>
> So after that research, I think it's clear than it's relatively safe to
> be a cyclist ;)


Safer to be a squid with herpes though:

Results 1 - 10 of about 81,700 for squid herpes. (0.08 seconds)

(It was only a few years ago that there was not a single hit for that
phrase. The times have changed though. Becoming a squid with herpes
is much more a danger now than it was in the past).

--
TimC
 
TimC wrote:
>
> On 2005-11-02, blah (aka Bruce)
> was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> >
> > OzCableguy wrote:
> >> Google seems to back that up too:
> >>
> >> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
> >> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
> >>
> >> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
> >> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages
> >>

> >
> > Uh huh...
> >
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 2,530,000 for pedestrian+killed.
> >
> > So being a pedestrian is more dangerous than cycling.
> > Of course, so is being some other things:
> >
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 2,610,000 for duck+killed. (0.27 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 2,330,000 for "dead man"+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 5,300,000 for fool+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 570,000 for martian+killed. (0.22 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 3,470,000 for celebrity+killed. (0.28 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 747,000 for plank+killed. (0.24 seconds)
> >
> > So after that research, I think it's clear than it's relatively safe to
> > be a cyclist ;)

>
> Safer to be a squid with herpes though:
>
> Results 1 - 10 of about 81,700 for squid herpes. (0.08 seconds)
>
> (It was only a few years ago that there was not a single hit for that
> phrase. The times have changed though. Becoming a squid with herpes
> is much more a danger now than it was in the past).
>
> --
> TimC


I think you've just identified a new thesis topic... anyone interested
in taking it?

Tam
 
TimC wrote:
>
> On 2005-11-02, blah (aka Bruce)
> was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> >
> > OzCableguy wrote:
> >> Google seems to back that up too:
> >>
> >> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q=cyclist+killed
> >> Results 1 - 10 of about 415,000 English pages
> >>
> >> http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&safe=off&q=driver+killed
> >> Results 1 - 10 of about 11,000,000 English pages
> >>

> >
> > Uh huh...
> >
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 2,530,000 for pedestrian+killed.
> >
> > So being a pedestrian is more dangerous than cycling.
> > Of course, so is being some other things:
> >
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 2,610,000 for duck+killed. (0.27 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 2,330,000 for "dead man"+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 5,300,000 for fool+killed. (0.41 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 570,000 for martian+killed. (0.22 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 3,470,000 for celebrity+killed. (0.28 seconds)
> > Results 1 - 10 of about 747,000 for plank+killed. (0.24 seconds)
> >
> > So after that research, I think it's clear than it's relatively safe to
> > be a cyclist ;)

>
> Safer to be a squid with herpes though:
>
> Results 1 - 10 of about 81,700 for squid herpes. (0.08 seconds)
>
> (It was only a few years ago that there was not a single hit for that
> phrase. The times have changed though. Becoming a squid with herpes
> is much more a danger now than it was in the past).
>
> --
> TimC


I think you've just identified a new thesis topic... anyone interested
in taking it?

Tam
 
Saying nothing was probably the best response.
Am I allowed to call your aunt a troll?
 
Saying nothing was probably the best response.
Am I allowed to call your aunt a troll?
 
On 02/11/05 at 09:00:53 EuanB somehow managed to type:

<snip>
>
> 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?


Same deal here. Oooohhhh the traffic - isn't it dangerous ? Then they
find out that I jump out of (not even close to ) perfectly good
aircraft. Oooooohhhhh you MUST have a death wish. News time. If I had a
death wish I'd ride my bike up the centre of the freeway going THE
WRONG WAY in peak hour (better if it's wet and visibility is bad) and
for good measure I'd leave my parachute on the ground when I jump.

There'll be lotsa people here who'll automatically assume that
skydiving is bloody dangerous - and they'd be just as wrong as the
people you met. Both activities can be done quite safely provided that
the rules, written AND unwritten are followed and that a bit of common
sense is injected into things.

The "isn't it dangerous" question only comes up because the person
isn't sure of THEIR ability to survive a twice daily ride in peak hour
traffic. (Or a jump from 14k ft.)


--
Humbug
 
On 02/11/05 at 09:00:53 EuanB somehow managed to type:

<snip>
>
> 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?


Same deal here. Oooohhhh the traffic - isn't it dangerous ? Then they
find out that I jump out of (not even close to ) perfectly good
aircraft. Oooooohhhhh you MUST have a death wish. News time. If I had a
death wish I'd ride my bike up the centre of the freeway going THE
WRONG WAY in peak hour (better if it's wet and visibility is bad) and
for good measure I'd leave my parachute on the ground when I jump.

There'll be lotsa people here who'll automatically assume that
skydiving is bloody dangerous - and they'd be just as wrong as the
people you met. Both activities can be done quite safely provided that
the rules, written AND unwritten are followed and that a bit of common
sense is injected into things.

The "isn't it dangerous" question only comes up because the person
isn't sure of THEIR ability to survive a twice daily ride in peak hour
traffic. (Or a jump from 14k ft.)


--
Humbug