Is it safe to cycle on the urban roads of Britain?
Cycling seems safe enough apart from the potholes, the danger comes from the motor vehicles.
2006-10-13 03:10:55 · 13 answers · asked by Perseus 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
about 10 years ago i bought a bike to keep fit, the day i got it i rode on a dual carriage way by my house and said never again . i was nearly hit by a few cars and one parked car opened his door and i almost hit that. compare that to when i lived in holland for over a year not long ago i road a bike every day and was never in doubt of my safety. so my advice is if you want to ride a bike is move to holland!!!!!
2006-10-13 03:23:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
No Cycles are inherently unsafe, and unstabe,they operate in a transition zone between straight forward steering and the lean to steer mode and in addition there is a castoring wheel wobble frequency at around 18 mph. Above 20 Mph cycles benefit from the gyroscopic effects which motorcycles enjoy, but these speeds are outside the normal pedal cycle range. There is no danger from Motor vehicles, the manoeverability and braking ability of Bicycles makes them immune from the predations of motor vehicles if ridden sensibly, however the sensible bicycle optimised for transportation appears to have become extinct in favour of hugely inefficient sprung framed machines optimised for riding illegally on pavements and as happened to the chap Iwa following on Monday for riding off the pavement and straight into the side on a passing van.
2016-03-28 07:24:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes,
Unfortunately avoiding the potholes is part of the challenge on urban roads.
I agree with you the biggest danger for cyclists is other traffic, once you abide by the rules of the road yourself and keep your eyes open urban cycling is safe.
2006-10-13 03:27:47 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
How can one possible answer this question. Lots of people sail across the English Channel but is it totally safe to do so? Well it depends. All you can do is make a personal decision. You cannot eliminate risk you can only limit it. Your safety is improved by wearing Hi vizability clothing, take an approved an Urban cycling training course, maintaining your bicycle, remaining vigilant. However if an elderly driver, young driver, drunk driver, parent on school run, criminal, illegal immigrant with no licence, sales rep driving talking on his mobile phone, disqualified driver, young male driver who watches top gear, driver with poor eyesight, people who drive on automatism, international HGV drivers and a host of other potential dangerous drivers, collide with you, then all the safety precautions in the world aren't going to save you from possible serious injury. It comes down your personal choice. Is it worth it? For me it is.
2006-10-13 03:43:54 · answer #4 · answered by powerball 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
As long as you remember you're 'invisible' to most motorists. Wear bright and/or reflective clothing, ride defensively, use good lights after dark and OBEY ROAD REGULATIONS. Nothing pisses off motorists more than the ever-growing number of cyclists that believe a red light means "pedal across as fast as you can".
2006-10-13 03:16:28 · answer #5 · answered by del_icious_manager 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sadly, with today's traffic, I do not believe it is safe to cycle on any roads these days. That's why so many cyclists ride on our pavements - making it awkward for pedestrians.
2006-10-13 03:20:17 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I was keen to take it up but I am too worried that it is unsafe. There are some crazy, rude and impatient motorists. AnnieM must be one of them. She is probably fat, lazy and just jealous of cyclists.
2006-10-13 03:25:45 · answer #7 · answered by K 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
yes i do it a lot so keep on the lift hand side of the road
2006-10-13 03:13:10 · answer #8 · answered by penningtonuk2000 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is, there are cycle routes, just be careful, and make sure you can be seen
2006-10-13 03:22:03 · answer #9 · answered by Denny 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Danger is not from motor vehicles. Cyclists are a pain in the **** and should be made to get insurance.
2006-10-13 03:18:20 · answer #10 · answered by Annie M 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋