Ride with or against traffic flow? Which is safer and why?

[JGR]

You're missing the point and by a mile and unless one day you have someone like YOUR CHILD that gets whacked by a car/truck/taxi from behind, only then will you realize that things might not work how you thought they did. My questions and concerns are valid, as valid as your comment to "then drive your car" may be. And as for oncoming cyclists, why would you assume that I'd somehow react differently to moving over to let him/them by? Yes because that's what I or anyone that respects others while commuting on the road would do and I sure as hell wouldn't have a problem moving over for another cyclist.

It might be safer (not saying it is) going in the opposite direction but it would make it more dangerous for the people going in the right direction.

[Capricorn]

riding against the traffic is not going to save you either. car speed + bike speed = speed of impact so 100km+40km = 140km against 100km-40km=60km

 

Safer would be to take the ipod out of your ears, stop cycling abreast and avoid single carriage ways in rush hour traffic. Obviously, this will reduce your risk, but there will always be an idiot in a car on your unlucky day. But then they may also be lightening as well.

 

took teh words outta my mouth. someone that actually understands the implications of stupidity. +rep

[Witkop]

Psychologists have found that people tend to discount danger when their is an illusion that your behaviour can influence random acts.

 

In this case cycling towards a fast moving car (60km/hr), that is under dubious control, will not give me enough time to evade danger. The split second between OMF and impact will be so short that it is academic, furthermore this time will be reduced as I will be moving towards the vehicle. In the end the cyclist will not be able to react fast enough even if he sees the car careening towards him/herself.

 

Cycling in the same direction as the vehicle will ensure that I do not see my murderer, but may ensure that he sees me and may give him enough time to avoid me, as I will be traveling in the same direction and therefore his relative speed to me will be less than in the previous case. That one second may actually save my life. Secondly, as I have wheels and are moving n the same direction, if my wheels are not caught under the vehicle I may get away with an acceleration or"bump" instead of a "Splat". (changing direction is a bastard especially if you have to stop and reverse)

 

But obviously people prefer to see the gillotine blade drop, gives them a sense of control in their death,

[Skubarra]

It might be safer (not saying it is) going in the opposite direction but it would make it more dangerous for the people going in the right direction.

 

Yes forgetting about legalities, in theory if its legal to cycle against the traffic would it be illegal to cycle in the same direction as the traffic? And if is legal to do both who would have right of way when 2 cyclists approach each other in the yellow lane? Or even worse, what about numerous cyclists going different directions in the same yellow lane

 

For me it makes some intuitive sense why cycling against the traffic would be seen as safer in the sense that you can see danger approaching, but you are maybe solving one problem by creating 20 new problems

Edited November 15, 2013 by Skubarra

[TopFuel]

It's unsafe and its illegal, I don't get the argument here.

[Grebel]

Asking questions such as these, it is probably safer for the OP to stay indoors.

 

Sell your bike Claude. Go buy some golf clubs. Tiger Woods Golf on XBox.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Grebel

[GaryvdM]

Ok, next topic: Helmets (/me runs and ducks...)

[Witkop]

Ok, next topic: Helmets (/me runs and ducks...)

 

Driving a car without a helmet is about as dangerous as cycling without an helmet. However motorists feel invulnerable in their cages, wheras cyclists feel vulnerable.

[Grebel]

Driving a car without a helmet is about as dangerous as cycling without an helmet. However motorists feel invulnerable in their cages, wheras cyclists feel vulnerable.

 

You're a bit late. Everyone's headed towards the door. If you gonna start a fight, do it early so that everybody can at least get a swing in.

[Master-Yoda]

So here is the problem with you. Screw the law and I will do what I want. And that right there is the problem with this country. The law applies to everyone but me. It also applies to all the idiots who try and get their speeding fines overturned because of some problem they have. Maybe for just one second if everyone tried to obey the law for a day it might have a ripple effect and we may get back to some sort of respect for each other. Until that day the situation will not improve.

Can you please post the link to the thread where I try to convince anyone to disobey the law? Stop being delusional and read to understand what others are saying, it'll give you a better understanding of the topic on-hand..

[Vetseun]

I have no faith riding anywhere near traffic, its become too dangerous

[Master-Yoda]

Dude, it was VERY convenient of you to post it where you did. In future, post it in your OP as background info, a little context, if you will. Nobody here knows you, and by extension, nobody here would have remembered your post from "a few weeks back" on a different thread. To use that as a reference point and to infer that all people responding to this thread should by definition KNOW this piece of information, is, frankly, amazingly naive not to mention stupid.

 

Further - you are asking people who ride bicycles themselves, and left out a crucial piece of information in your attempt to elicit a response from said group. The information concerned is pivotal in determining not only where you cycle "against traffic" (ie: on the pavement / hard shoulder - OFF the road) but also why you are doing it.

 

Even further - you are attempting to justify your illegal actions by asking others opinions on whether it is "safe" or not.

 

The short answer is, no - it is not safe. Just as it is not safe to ride a scooter or moto against traffic, whilst on the road. Further to that, it is illegal, as we (cyclists) are classified as vehicles. Vehicles are required to follow the law of the road in its entirety. That includes the allowance to ride in the yellow lane on a single carriageway road when there are faster vehicles passing you by.

 

It is also unsafe for various other reasons, as highlighted previously by other posters. These include:

 

- inability to pass other law abiding cyclists / pedestrians except by forcing them / you further into te face of oncoming traffic

- rendering yourself invisible to drivers who are turning into side-roads, or entering main / side roads from a stop street / yield sign (they do not expect you to be there therefore do not look for you)

- effect of a moving car in times of collission (additive effect given that the 2 vehicles have an inherently different mass)

- IT IS ILLEGAL.

 

Now, please - stop your trolling and carry on your crusade in your own time, please. Despite professing that you "moderated" numerous forums in your time, you cease to realise that it is you, yourself, that is causign trouble by attempting to justify a transgression of the law of the road. Thereby further endangering us, as cyclists, and further damaging our reputation with fellow road users.

 

What are you on about? I asked a question, I didn't say that I was riding against traffic so don't assume that I am! And what the hell is wrong with me adding more insight to back my comments and or statements? I obviously needed to explain where I'm coming from and now all that you can do is to hold onto that little point and call it a "convenience".., grow up.

[Master-Yoda]

It might be safer (not saying it is) going in the opposite direction but it would make it more dangerous for the people going in the right direction.

I respect your comments and partially agree with you, would be nice to have more guys like you that actually know how to put their thoughts across without insulting others..

 

+1

[Guest JPC]

I have the solution.. Buy a Mountain Bike, and get dirty! No worries as to which way you are facing....

[Capricorn]

Asking questions such as these, it is probably safer for the OP to stay indoors.

 

Sell your bike Claude. Go buy some golf clubs. Tiger Woods Golf on XBox.

 

http://25.media.tumblr.com/1171975114553d7723e9c26808c0833d/tumblr_mosxwt78Ic1sppmago1_250.gif

[The Anteater]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjI8AxZnrx8

Makes me think of this...

http://nateaton.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/smite.jpg