Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

I've been bike commuting since 2000 when DaveOS introduced me to it. True I had done the odd cycle commute here and there previous but from 2000 cycling became my main form of commuting

This year 2 people I know have had accidents involving motor vehicles, one was commuting and was riding to a ride. i myself t-boned a car in 2012 and unlike the other 2 got away with it.

Those who know me, may also know the 2 people and I ask not to mention who they are here as I don't want this thread to be a discussion about their incidents

It's just sometimes I think "why bother", does a week go by where you didn't feel unhappy about the actions of other road users?

I'm fortunate in that 50% or more of my route can be on low traffic roads or SUPs if I so choose. I'd say most of the time I'm OK and no drivers have misbehaved.

However, when the Murdoch press shockjocks start mouthing off with their bile I dust the cameras off and start videoing again.

However, since they put bike lanes in my suburb down the main drag, I am subject to harassment at least once a week from drivers unhappy about me declining to ride in the door zone next to parked cars. They don't get it.

Yes, but a week on the train puts me back in the saddle quicktime!

Nup. Mostly because I love to ride. Partly because I'm stubborn and a small part of it is I consider it my duty to sometimes sit at the front of the bus, if that's not offensive.

Mike, everyone has to wrestle with the pros and cons.

I would not worry so much about what's happened to other people (are you really going to give up driving because of your state road toll?), but an assessment of your own risk factors (route, frequency, etc).

No one likes giving up something they love, but you may decide to do just that.

You do sound conflicted, and a tentative cyclist is inviting error, so another option is to take a holiday from commuting and only go back when confidence returns.

I'm recovering from an accident at the moment (t-boned a van that turned in front of me), and have been pondering over the same question. My commute is 70-90% shared path. My conclusion echos Thomas' above, that in spite of my heightened awareness of the risks and just how vulnerable cyclists are, I'm itching to get off the bus and on to the bike as soon as my knee and ribs let me.

clackers wrote:I would not worry so much about what's happened to other people (are you really going to give up driving because of your state road toll?), but an assessment of your own risk factors (route, frequency, etc).

This.

I was getting very aggravated with the frequency of morons per mile. Fortunately I managed to find a better route where the measure changed to morons per month. Perversely this involved avoiding the "quiet back streets" which were frequented by rat runners & sticking to the busier roads where I was faster than the cars. A change of commuting time might also help.

Apart from anything else a change of commute might freshen you up

Never give up! This is something you do for yourself. Don't let others get to you.

The road rage and close calls won't stop just because you're in a car...

Yes, occasionally I do, but public transport is far more dangerous long term I reckon (exercise, germs, mental health...).

I almost sold everything after the 2 car collision late last year. I had a week off to clear my head, revised my route and was back to it.

Every week some moron blows past me close enough to elicit a few curses. I've also had a couple of workmates get knocked off in the past few years. Despite the annoyances, it's not enough to stop me. Commuting is the only opportunity I get for regular exercise and some rare thinking time by myself. It also wakes me up for the day, rather than sending me into a soporific stupor that either getting the bus or driving does. The benefits outweigh the risks in my book.

mikesbytes wrote:It's just sometimes I think "why bother", does a week go by where you didn't feel unhappy about the actions of other road users?

Most days are great. Some days just suck. Last week I had four idiot drivers in a few hundred metres doing stupid things. However, they were just annoying really and didn't put any other road user at risk. That's the worst thing that happens on my commute. I have many weeks where I don't see a single irresponsible driver and then days where I see four in a row. Even the worst days don't make me think about giving up. The worst I have had on my commute to work is a transperth bus failing to give way at the stop sign. I was expecting it so it wasn't an issue, just an annoyance. I have had worse things happen in my car and driving isn't an option for me where I work. My other choice is train, bus and compared to riding on the road, that can be truly terrifying. I have been at greater personal risk on the train or bus than cycling.

Nope, I couldn't bear the thought of not riding to work. I catch the bus every now and again just to remind myself how awful it is travelling any other way.

Did this morning with cats and dogs were coming down - then rode anyway. the options I had were two different bikes.

If I could I would...and this is after coming close to death as a result of cycle commuting.

The way I look at is this...if it is your time to go you will, so why not enjoy what you do as much as you can while you can. Yes the way you approach it may differ as a result but still cycle commute. I would be more cautious and may take the time to smell the roses whilst commuting but I would still claim the lane and be confident that way.

I wouldn't say I lack confidence, more that I desire hassle free commuting

mikesbytes wrote:I wouldn't say I lack confidence, more that I desire hassle free commuting

Sounds like you need to work from home...

mikesbytes wrote:...more that I desire hassle free commuting

Don't we all?

Thing is, unless your place of employment is inside your mailbox, it's not gonna happen. See Rangersacs post, sums it up nicely IMO.

I might take a few days break when the dodgy knees complain too loud or outside considerations mean there's not enough time to spare but I'll always come back to my bike.

Here is a story from the USA accident to James Cracknel. He was apparently lit up like a Xmas tree, and still was struck by a truck. Just starting to get back to his life.
I must say I am planning my rides with as little danger to myself as possible.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... d-him.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Every now and then, usually in Melbourne winter, I stop riding for about a week. After about four days I feel out of sorts and grumpier than usual and I start riding again.

It appears I am happier being unhappy on a bike on wet murky roads muttering and swearing to myself. (have you ever listened to your mumbling on the bike cam)
Bizarre.

I know a little lady that if she gets upset just mouths at the aggressor.... "Forty four fat frogs"....They seem to get the point and she doesn't get upset.

yep, i'm a retired commuter these days. the combination of time (adds 3hrs to my day), fatigue (100km round trip is hard to keep more than a few days a week), safety (the only practical route is via motorways) and inconvenience (no showers at work made getting clean a major hassle).

the safety thing was probably the largest factor for me - you get hit by a car doing 110 that's pretty much it.

I'm currently planning a comeback though - i'm building a cross/commuter bike that i can take on the train and ride along the cyclepaths to the office. that should solve most of my issues with my current commute, but still keep me riding and out of the car plus it will give me some more free time on the train.

Every so often when I have a crash I consider it, I hadn't crashed in a while and then I crashed on a training ride. Considered giving it up then saw a pink bike and bought that and back on again.

I have a pretty safe commute to work, only about 3km of road and the rest is bike path.

Mike didn't you just have a little girl?

Parker wrote:Mike didn't you just have a little girl?

yes, check my FB https://www.facebook.com/mikesbytes

mikesbytes wrote:

Parker wrote:Mike didn't you just have a little girl?

yes, check my FB https://www.facebook.com/mikesbytes

I thought so, is she part of the reason why you're re-thinking it?