Cycling was safe enough when I was a teenager. There were far fewer cars on the road and cyclists weren't routinely insulted and provoked by motorists as they are now. Cyclists were respected and treated as bona fide road users.
A number of things have put me off cycling again. There's the abuse and contempt just mentioned. Why should cyclists have to put up with that?
Then there's the lack of dedicated cycle paths. Mostly you have to cycle on main roads, competing with speeding motorists, massive lorries and parked traders' vans. The risk of an accident is pretty high. For cycling to be totally safe, there would have to be set-apart cycle paths completely separate from roads and vehicles. Unfortunately that would require a lot of spare space next to roads, which in most cases simply doesn't exist. So dicing with death on busy roads it is.
There's also the possibility of theft. The rate of bicycle theft has gone down, but it's still pretty huge - around 150,000 thefts a year in the UK.
If I even float the idea of cycling to Jenny, she says it's far too dangerous and virtually forbids it. I think she's right though, it's very hazardous. I watch wobbling cyclists trying to manoeuvre around heavy traffic and they do look horribly vulnerable. Unlike motorists, they don't have a metal shell around them to provide some protection.
So much as I would love a few energetic cycle rides, I'm not taking it any further.
I used to go quite often with friends, but we have lots of parks nearby with paths specifically for bikers and walkers. I will not ride on the road for the reasons you stated. Unfortunately, I found my knees always hurt afterwards, plus it was a nuisance to get the bike in and out of my car to get to the paths, so I haven’t gone in a few years.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Our local parks don't have specific cycle paths, and the parks aren't that big so going round them wouldn't be much of a ride.
DeleteFrom the age of 13 to 19, I used a bicycle and then moved over to a scooter. I was on scooters and motorcycles till I was into my 30th year when I upgraded to a car. Some years ago I used a stationary cycle for exercise but had to give up on medical advise. I now depend on cars driven by others, taxis and autorickshaws for my commuting.
ReplyDeleteRamana: That's a bit more cycling than I've managed! A shame you can't use the stationery exercise cycle.
DeleteI did love cycling for years and several of my friends biked around Toronto but like you fear (mainly of opening car doors which killed a few in TO) accidents. There are bike lanes here and so many use them but because it's San Francisco hilly it's beyond us elders even if we could.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
www: Indeed, opening car doors are another possible hazard. And yes, cycling is hard work if you live in a hilly area.
DeleteIt's been years since I've had a bicycle and I would love to be able to experience the joys of bike riding again. However, at my age and weight riding from our home on a rural highway would not be wise and going to where there are trails would just be inconvenient.
ReplyDeleteMike: No trails to speak of anywhere near here. Even if there were, no doubt you would have to drive to get to them, which rather defeats the object.
DeleteMaybe your next move will be to bike friendly community like Amsterdam?
ReplyDeleteLinda Sand
Linda: Unfortunately I don't speak the language, which would make life a bit difficult....
DeleteMost people there speak English since they realize most of us don't speak Dutch. :)
DeleteLinda
Linda: I would feel uncomfortable expecting others to speak my language instead of me learning theirs.
DeleteWe have miles and miles of trails for recreational riding, but few designated lanes of bike riders on a daily basis. That latter is so unfortunate.
ReplyDeleteJoanne: The trouble is that roads were never built with cyclists in mind, so provision for cyclists has always been a very inadequate "add-on".
DeleteNah. I gave up cycling when I was 12.
ReplyDeleteSx
Ms Scarlet: Probably about the age I first learnt to cycle - at a hotel in Torquay of all places.
DeleteI had a bike when I was a teenager and liked it. I haven't been on a bike since then.
ReplyDeleteMary: Cycling is certainly a lot more hazardous now than when we were kids.
DeleteHad my first bike when young I rode for a few years. Then many years passed until I rode again at about 40 years age when I bought a used 3 speed, put my young son on the back. He enjoyed and I worked up my distance and endurance losing desired poundage. Helmets hadn't been required or promoted for use then and I shudder now when I think of what could have happened had we fallen. Traffic was present then, but much worse now where I live to a degree I wouldn't do what I did then even with a helmet.
ReplyDeleteJoared: This is the big deterrent that stops many people cycling nowadays - the sheer volume of traffic on the road, including massive juggernauts.
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