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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
NHTSA's report on 2007 bicyclist (or "pedalcyclist") fatalities is
just out. It shows that cyclist (and pedestrian) fatalities dropped about 10% from 2006 to 2007. Pedestrian fatalities were also down a couple percent. See http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810986.PDF At first glance, this is good news. But I think the main force driving the fatality count may be exposure. IOW, there's a chance that 2007 simply had fewer people riding bikes (or fewer miles ridden) than in 2006. If anyone knows of data confirming or denying this, I'd like to see it. I'm concerned about this because 2008, with its $4/gallon gas prices in America, was noted for a sharp increase in cycling. With lots of inexperienced cyclists hitting the roads, I'm betting the news a year from now will be less pleasant. And I'm betting it will trigger a rise in "Bicycling is Dangerous" nonsense, with calls for more discriminatory laws. (BTW, last I checked, the annual fatality count for cycling was roughly the same as the fatality count for accidentally inhaling poisonous gases.) - Frank Krygowski |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
"Frank Krygowski" (clip) I'm concerned about this because 2008, with its $4/gallon gas prices in America, was noted for a sharp increase in cycling. With lots of inexperienced cyclists hitting the roads, I'm betting the news a year from now will be less pleasant. And I'm betting it will trigger a rise in "Bicycling is Dangerous" nonsense, with calls for more discriminatory laws. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ OTOH, one could argue that each new cyclist, fleeing high gas prices, is one less driver threatening cyclist's safety. I don't think anyone knows which way that would push the statistics. Who switches from driving to riding is certainly not randomly distributed. The people sho leave their cars at home are going to be predominantly the younger, healthier, more alert. This means that the older, slower reacting, drivers will still be out there. I'm 80 years old, and I'm trying to be unbiased. |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message
... "Frank Krygowski" (clip) I'm concerned about this because 2008, with its $4/gallon gas prices in America, was noted for a sharp increase in cycling. With lots of inexperienced cyclists hitting the roads, I'm betting the news a year from now will be less pleasant. And I'm betting it will trigger a rise in "Bicycling is Dangerous" nonsense, with calls for more discriminatory laws. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ OTOH, one could argue that each new cyclist, fleeing high gas prices, is one less driver threatening cyclist's safety. I don't think anyone knows which way that would push the statistics. Who switches from driving to riding is certainly not randomly distributed. The people sho leave their cars at home are going to be predominantly the younger, healthier, more alert. This means that the older, slower reacting, drivers will still be out there. I'm 80 years old, and I'm trying to be unbiased. There's also a "safety in numbers" thing that happens when more people ride bicycles. As bicyclists become the norm rather than the exception, drivers are more likely to drive in a manner that's safer for all. --Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
In article ,
Frank Krygowski writes: I'm concerned about this because 2008, with its $4/gallon gas prices in America, was noted for a sharp increase in cycling. With lots of inexperienced cyclists hitting the roads, I'm betting the news a year from now will be less pleasant. And I'm betting it will trigger a rise in "Bicycling is Dangerous" nonsense, with calls for more discriminatory laws. I've come to the admittedly opinionated conclusion that those who will ride, will. And those who won't, won't. And for the most part, bicyclists are off the law-makers' radar. I'm not worried. (BTW, last I checked, the annual fatality count for cycling was roughly the same as the fatality count for accidentally inhaling poisonous gases.) It seems a fair number of people have carbon monoxided themselves to death. They didn't realize indoor barbeques are not such a very good idea. Neither is running a gas-powered generator indoors when the power goes out during an ice storm. The reduction in bicyclist & pedestrian fatalities seems to be contemporaneous with larger Personally-Owned Vehicles (i.e: SUVs and suchlike) falling out of favour. I haven't yet looked at the document to which you refer, so I don't know if non-fatal injuries are up while the number of incidents remains roughly the same. As for the numbers regarding numbers of cyclists or miles ridden, I know you realize that has to be highly subjective. To the statisticians, a bicycle is a bicycle, whether it's ridden by a gonzo BMXer doing street-style, a hell-bent-for-leather downhill mountain biker, a 5-y.o. kid bursting out of a driveway that's obscured by parked cars, a DUI doing yet another non-recommendable beer run, a newbie messenger out to prove himself, or whomever. Maybe people are just becoming more savvy. That would be nice. cheers, Tom -- Nothing is safe from me. I'm really at: tkeats curlicue vcn dot bc dot ca |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
In article ,
"Leo Lichtman" wrote: "Frank Krygowski" (clip) I'm concerned about this because 2008, with its $4/gallon gas prices in America, was noted for a sharp increase in cycling. With lots of inexperienced cyclists hitting the roads, I'm betting the news a year from now will be less pleasant. And I'm betting it will trigger a rise in "Bicycling is Dangerous" nonsense, with calls for more discriminatory laws. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ OTOH, one could argue that each new cyclist, fleeing high gas prices, is one less driver threatening cyclist's safety. I don't think anyone knows which way that would push the statistics. Yes we do. The fall in the car-driving population from increased cycling is not substantial, even if there's a dramatic increase in the number of cyclists. It's akin to what would happen if 6 million Americans moved to Canada. The roughly-20% increase in Canada's population would be a dramatic change. The roughly-2% decrease in the US population would be a discernable blip. -- Ryan Cousineau http://www.wiredcola.com/ "In other newsgroups, they killfile trolls." "In rec.bicycles.racing, we coach them." |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
"Mike Jacoubowsky" wrote in message ... "Leo Lichtman" wrote in message ... "Frank Krygowski" (clip) I'm concerned about this because 2008, with its $4/gallon gas prices in America, was noted for a sharp increase in cycling. With lots of inexperienced cyclists hitting the roads, I'm betting the news a year from now will be less pleasant. And I'm betting it will trigger a rise in "Bicycling is Dangerous" nonsense, with calls for more discriminatory laws. (clip) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ OTOH, one could argue that each new cyclist, fleeing high gas prices, is one less driver threatening cyclist's safety. I don't think anyone knows which way that would push the statistics. Who switches from driving to riding is certainly not randomly distributed. The people sho leave their cars at home are going to be predominantly the younger, healthier, more alert. This means that the older, slower reacting, drivers will still be out there. I'm 80 years old, and I'm trying to be unbiased. There's also a "safety in numbers" thing that happens when more people ride bicycles. As bicyclists become the norm rather than the exception, drivers are more likely to drive in a manner that's safer for all. --Mike Jacoubowsky Chain Reaction Bicycles www.ChainReaction.com Redwood City & Los Altos, CA USA Or, they may see a "target-rich environment" Never underestimate the power of a drunken redneck (or yuppie) in a pickup truck... Bruce |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
Frank Krygowski wrote:
I'm concerned about this because 2008, with its $4/gallon gas prices in America, was noted for a sharp increase in cycling. With lots of inexperienced cyclists hitting the roads, I'm betting the news a year from now will be less pleasant. And I'm betting it will trigger a rise in "Bicycling is Dangerous" nonsense, with calls for more discriminatory laws. I had read in WSJ article a month ago that most major cities had already surpassed bike fatalities for the previous year, so it seems likely fatalities will be up. Combined with car fatalities likely lowest since mid-60's we have bikes being *very* dangerous indeed!!! Of course now that gas here is back down to $1.60s, the traveling world will self adjust to its natural order of cars everywhere and bikes back on their hooks in the garage. (BTW, last I checked, the annual fatality count for cycling was roughly the same as the fatality count for accidentally inhaling poisonous gases.) Better keep your helmet on! SMH |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
On Dec 14, 7:06*pm, Stephen Harding wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote: (BTW, last I checked, the annual fatality count for cycling was roughly the same as the fatality count for accidentally inhaling poisonous gases.) Better keep your helmet on! I was thinking more of mandatory gas masks. Always! Why, if only _one_ life can be saved ....! - Frank Krygowski |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
Frank Krygowski wrote:
http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810986.PDF (BTW, last I checked, the annual fatality count for cycling was roughly the same as the fatality count for accidentally inhaling poisonous gases.) Better keep your helmet on! I was thinking more of mandatory gas masks. Always! Why, if only _one_ life can be saved ....! There was no listing of causes of death nor whether the listed deaths resulted from collisions of motor vehicles with bicycles. Nowhere in the article did I find what the population of bicyclists was for the listed fatalities. From this article, any number of claims could be supported, especially things that are not part of most state vehicle codes. Typically the following piece in that report rings of emotional thinking: # IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS # All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every # time they ride. A helmet is the single most effective way to # prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash. Bicyclists are # considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same # rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying # traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. # When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction # as traffic. Drivers of motor vehicles need to share the road with # bicyclists. Be courteous – allow at least three feet clearance # when passing a bicyclist on the road, look for cyclists before # opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space, and yield to # cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. Be # especially watchful for cyclists when making turns, either left or # right. # Bicyclists should increase their visibility to drivers by wearing # fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, dawn, and # dusk. To be noticed when riding at night, use a front light and a # red reflector or flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape # or markings on equipment or clothing. Nice pablum at best. I don't understand how such a vapid report gets published. Jobst Brandt |
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NHTSA publishes 2007 bike fatality data
On Dec 14, 10:13*pm, wrote:
Frank Krygowski wrote: *http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/810986.PDF (BTW, last I checked, the annual fatality count for cycling was roughly the same as the fatality count for accidentally inhaling poisonous gases.) Better keep your helmet on! I was thinking more of mandatory gas masks. *Always! *Why, if only _one_ life can be saved ....! There was no listing of causes of death nor whether the listed deaths resulted from collisions of motor vehicles with bicycles. Nowhere in the article did I find what the population of bicyclists was for the listed fatalities. *From this article, any number of claims could be supported, especially things that are not part of most state vehicle codes. *Typically the following piece in that report rings of emotional thinking: # IMPORTANT SAFETY REMINDERS # All bicyclists should wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every # time they ride. *A helmet is the single most effective way to # prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash. *Bicyclists are # considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same # rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying # traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. # When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction # as traffic. *Drivers of motor vehicles need to share the road with # bicyclists. *Be courteous – allow at least three feet clearance # when passing a bicyclist on the road, look for cyclists before # opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space, and yield to # cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals. *Be # especially watchful for cyclists when making turns, either left or # right. # Bicyclists should increase their visibility to drivers by wearing # fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, dawn, and # dusk. *To be noticed when riding at night, use a front light and a # red reflector or flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape # or markings on equipment or clothing. Nice pablum at best. *I don't understand how such a vapid report gets published. It's been published for decades. The format - including the pablum at the end - has been consistent for a long time. It's what that agency (the NHTSA) does. It's quite normal to have agencies keeping track of fatalities, accidents, illnesses, etc. in lots of circumstances. For example, the number of cardiovascular disease fatalities can be found within minutes. Ditto the number of motorists killed per year. My interest is driven by a paradox: Bicycling is not only quite safe, but those who cycle are safer, overall, than those who are sedentary. Yet cycling is portrayed as uniquely dangerous, and that image tends to drive people away from a beneficial - and beautiful - activity. - Frank Krygowski |
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