Hey there @tyme
My preference not to engage on the sidewalk is greater than the fear of being hit on the road. Yet fear is definitely a factor when riding a bicycle on the road. Yesterday, I was only just thinking about getting insurance for my new bike whilst I was flying alongside parked cars and those taking up the lanes. All it takes is for someone’s lapse in awareness when opening a car door and both my bike and I are done. The bike lanes can confuse cars where they meet roundabouts & or intersections, so I generally take up the lane when approaching any turns but do so at my own risk whilst those that forget the rules beep and tell me I am not allowed on the road.
I find rural roads no more dangerous than in town so having second thoughts before engaging on those roads as well. My thoughts towards how and where I will ride, is similar to when thinking about walking outside my front door. I pick back streets and avoid peak times.
I also make sure I have a bike with good suspension, fat tires and semi slick tread which all make for good traveling over a number of different surfaces. Basically allows me to travel from road to footpath and most of what’s in between. MUST HAVE ... mirror .. riding on the road without a mirror = death.
I’m a stickler for the rules, but lately have given up caring because the inconsistency with policing has a negative impact on my psyche. That said, I still ware my helmet when others do not, I keep my bikes speed restricted whilst others fly by pedestrians at break neck speeds, I slow down when approaching others, I do my best to nod when I don’t feel like it, I use my bell but get looked at like I am a goose. I ware these things called cats ears attached to the helmet strapping that stops the gush of wind entering my ears. The only thing I am missing is a bright orange flag and tiny helicopter blades that would complement the cat’s ears on my helmet.
To round it all off – whilst I do not wish harm to others or myself, I don’t care what others think of how I look on my bike ‘while I am riding it.’ Motion is good like that. I am too focused trying to stay alive. I’m learning from scratch again. The world is not what it used to be when I used to fly through the traffic and I am also not as fit as I used to be; far from it.
All that said… cycling on the road is dangerous and I feel for those states that do not allow people to ride on the sidewalk. Yet today that side walk is littered with scooters thrown to the side, taking up space in the middle of the path, people flying by others without a care for the impact they have and looking at those following the rules as if they should not be allowed outside. So for me, I find the sidewalks just as chaotic. I now learn to break rules for my own safety as well as others. I still follow the regulations that give me and others a greater chance of surviving. This is how I travel between the footpath, open spaces and urban roads getting from my house to the beach or whatever tree I can find away from said species. Laughs out loud.
I salute drivers that give way to me and above all do my best not to react to those that wish I was dead. Making it home alive is what I am thankful for. The more my skill and confidence grows the more encouraging people I will see. They are out there, but often I miss them because of how down I have been. It's worth noting I am 2 years on from a road rage incident where a returning Australian soldier with an ABI attacked me with a pickaxe from his trade vehicle. He was later held accountable in court whilst I now avoid driving at all cost. The fact I am on a bicycle giving it a go I credit to the ongoing therapy I have and the fact I want to see my grandson get the assistance he also needs.
If you read this far … I don’t suppose Sane allows members to blog here? Like I saw a blog section but think it’s just for one person? I can’t help but go over three hundred words.
