Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemi-Cuda
I agree with your examples of boating and dirtbiking being risky, but a lot of that risk is under your own control. Road biking is an entirely different level of risk specifically because most of it is completely out of your control. You could be the best rider in the world, but it doesn't matter when a car swerves into you because the driver is a clueless idiot. I rode when I was younger and would love to again, but with all of the idiot drivers out there I know it's only a matter of time until something bad happens. And I don't think it would be fair to my wife or my kids to put them through that
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I hear ya, but I feel (sorry, I haven't looked at stats) that most bike incidents are due to the rider riding in a unsafe manner in the first place. As soon as you lose that defensive style, and ride like a jackaas that a lot do, your risk probably increases 100x.
I commute to work on a bike via deerfoot and a variety of other roads, and I've certainly have come across some dumb people day to day, but I wouldn't say it was life threatening. If I was speeding however at 40 over the limit on a rice rocket, for sure I'd be a organ donor.
I don't think you necessarily think you have that much more control on a bike vs a boat. On a bike you have external factors such as other cars and wildlife to deal with, but you drive appropriately and you will likely be safe. Same thing for a boat, if you pilot it safely and respect the water, you will be safe as well, but there are external factors such as waves, winds, drunks, and other things that you may never have dealt with.