Is Biking More Dangerous than Driving?

In the vast universe of the mobile human, there is that never-ending question of where to go. People are always on the move and it is just a question of “how am I going to get there?” The introduction of the car has made things a lot easier and, truth be told, the majority prefer it. With a recent upsurge of the bicycle, however, whether it is due to health, rising gas prices or just plain convenience, you’ve got more people riding bikes.  

So that brings us to the topic of this post: is biking more dangerous than driving?

The answer depends on one factor alone: stupidity.

Now, stupidity can be attributed to both cyclist and driver. Of course, being biased, I’ve seen more stupid drivers than I have stupid cyclists but there is enough blame to throw around. I can count the number of times I’ve seen stupid cyclists on one hand. The number of times I’ve seen stupid drivers, however, needs more than all my fingers and toes put together.

So let’s make a checklist of what can prevent those items that cause stupidity.

For the cyclist:

1. If you are on your bike in an urban area, never use your earphones. If you can’t hear a car honk at you, you might as well just lie on the ground and let someone run you over.
2. Riding in a peloton is going to prove itself difficult if you want to go single file. However, if you’ve got a small group or are riding alone, why the hell are you all the way in the middle of the road, near the lane divider?  
3. Learn your turn signals for biking. If people don’t know where you are going, you are asking for an accident.
4. Follow the rules for driving when out on the road. If you understand the rules, you can predict what drivers will do.

For the driver:

1. Just because a bike is “slower” does not mean that you should do an overtake within ten yards of your turn. I’ve seen bikers do 30 mph on training sessions. At that speed on a corner, the biker will become one with your vehicle.
2. Pranks on bikers are never cool. Pranks may include (but are not limited to) throwing fireworks, drive-by back-slapping (I’ve seen people do it with door mats), driving past at speed during a rainy day through a water-logged street, name-calling and forcing a biker off the road, among other activities.
3. Driving on a street with cars doesn’t mean that traffic is limited to cars. I’ve ridden by stopped traffic and there are cars that still do not see me in broad daylight.
4. Watching “Fast & Furious” does not make you a licensed stunt driver. So don’t drive like one. Trying to beat a red light can only get you so far. And you may hit one of us.
5.  I understand that some places don’t have bike lanes but it doesn’t mean you have to snuggle up right next to a cyclist. Flying by with only a four-inch berth between you and the cyclist may cause an accident, especially if it is someone who is not used to being that close to a faster-moving object. A slipstream can definitely cause handlebars to wobble, especially if the biker has only one hand on the bar.

At the end of the day, it’s all about being smart. Bikers: wear a helmet. Drivers: bikers are people and they can be the kid from down the street to a retired investment banker. Just because they are wearing a jersey and skin-tight shorts does not mean they are of ill repute.  

Bikers Riding into the Sunset (Photos by Fumiko)