Comments on: Guest Post: Why I Started Riding, By Rachel R

By: Rachel

Rachel — Tue, 05 Jun 2012 02:25:15 +0000

@Fat Cathy,
Yes, part of the reason the numbers are so dramatically different is because no one bicycles. The statistics actually say that per hour, the risk is half that of driving. But it takes longer to bike (usually) so I like to say bicycling is as safe or a little safer than driving.

By: Annoyed

Annoyed — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 20:28:23 +0000

Well aren’t I the A-HOLE?! I admit it. Sorry to EVER doubt you…won’t happen again. I thought you were starting a stage race today. I guess I have my events mixed up. Great work in Zambia sir.

By: Annoyed

Annoyed — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:54:19 +0000

Where’s Fatty been for the last week? Not even a reminder post about the 100 M.O.N.? I know Fatty’s off doing a multi-stage race now but this used to be one of the best post weeks of the year – reading about everyone’s stories. Hopefully there are lots of posts on the way.

Don’t worry! Lots of guest posts, starting tomorrow (And I wasn’t doing a stage race, I was in Zambia with World Bicycle Relief). – FC

By: Skippy

Skippy — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:35:47 +0000

How low was the speed sign , for you to get ticketed for +12mph ?

Dutch Cancer Fund Raiser at L’Alpe d’Huez on Thursday with E25M already raised by 5000 participants !

Shame no team fatty , 6 trips to the top , but it will be my 100MON !

Duplicate comments with one digit ?

By: Skippy

Skippy — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:32:23 +0000

How low was the speed sign for you to get ticketed for +12mph ?

Dutch Cancer Fund Raiser at L’Alpe d’Huez on Thursday with E25M already raised by 5000 participants !

Shame no team fatty , 6 trips to the top , but it will be my 100MON !

By: Claire

Claire — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:52:10 +0000

Fabulous advertising by fatcyclist.com at the Saratoga Springs Tour de Cure. You couldn’t have paid this guy for the advertising he did! Check out fourth bullet… http://blog.timesunion.com/vinoteca/davidson-brothers-best-team-at-tour-de-cure/6358/.

By: Fat Cathy

Fat Cathy — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 14:51:11 +0000

@Rachel, just a question on those statistics you quoted:

“1 in 84 will die in a car wreck.
1 in ~5000 will die in a bike wreck.”

Is that 1 in 5000 number for all people or taken just from those who ride bikes? If for all people, of course the chances of dying in a car wreck than in a bike wreck will be greater – there are far more people riding in cars (virtually everyone) than riding bikes (by comparison almost no one).

Just being a devils advocate here – statistics numbers are tricky things.

And thank you for writing such a nice guest post.

By: Rachel

Rachel — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 11:05:28 +0000

I forgot to mention, we never did get the 2nd car. We’ve managed to pay off all the credit cards and except for student loans we’re debt free. We could not have done that if we’d had a car payment.

I’ve spent a lot on my bike and it hurts to pay $70 for something called an “undershirt” even if it is wool. I keep telling myself “this is cheaper than a car payment”. As for fuel– the first 30 pounds took care of that and I still have a bit left, I could save us more if I burned that because then I wouldn’t be carting it around with me everywhere I went, saving more energy! lol

1 in 5 of us will die of a heart attack.
1 in 84 will die in a car wreck.
1 in ~5000 will die in a bike wreck. Biking decreases the risk of heart attack or car wreck by keeping me out of a car. (Considered per hour of exposure, biking is about the same or a little safer than the car.) So biking is the only logical choice.

But as you say biking isn’t for everyone. I have a friend with 4 kids under 10 yrs. I don’t see how she could bike. On the other hand I’ve read about people with every kind of obstacle you can imagine, missing limbs, blind, parents with small kids, vastly long commutes, who go to great lengths to be able to ride a bike. So I conclude that it’s really about what makes you happy.

There’s nothing wrong with being a fair weather cyclist. Some of my best friends are fair weather cyclists. ;) My daughter claims she’s a fair weather cyclist, but she loves the rain. It’s only the cold & wind she won’t ride in.

By: MattC

MattC — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 04:01:36 +0000

Oh, and I forgot to say GREAT Guest Post Rachel!

By: MattC

MattC — Mon, 04 Jun 2012 04:00:17 +0000

Lots of pro’s & cons. I weighed them, then tried commuting a few years back (when my car was an 85 Monte Carlo SS). It was fun to drive but got horrid mileage…however I go in QUITE EARLY and it’s dark and foggy here typically. AND it turns out there’s LOTS of glass on the shoulder…flatted the first trip in, changing out a tube in the dark and cold is no fun. When I get in I then need a shower (it’s an 18 mile commute w/ a good grade). Can’t carry as much, so have to really plan ahead bringing in clothes n lunches w/ the car. And of course my work didn’t have shower facilities so I needed to go ELSEWHERE for that, consuming even MORE of my time.

THEN I got a diesel VW that gets 50mpg. So much for my desire to commute. I now get to ride entirely for fun. No being late cuz of a flat, or riding home w/ insane winds, rain, etc. Yes, I am a Fair Weather Rider & loving it. Commuting by bike makes sense for a lot of people, but certainly not for everybody…that’s my point…(just took a while to get there).