Patrick Turner wrote:

But once you ride only on dedicated off road cycle paths, then the
risk plummets,

How so? The majority of cycle accidents don't involve another vehicle.
Roadways are filled with very predictable motor vehicle traffic, not those
wildly unpredictable pedestrians and dogs.

If Oppie was a young fella of 25 now, would he be seen on the roads?

Of course he would, what a silly question.

I guess the expectancy is another silly statistical peice of BS
because the expectancy of life falls as you mount a bike, and then
rises when you get off.

The exact opposite is true. The increase in life expectancy through improved
health far outweighs the risks of riding.

Theo