Every time we get on our bikes, we are playing a game of Russian Roulette. We take care to maintain our machines, to make sure they are in perfect running order, we look after our bodies to maximise our performance, and we, hopefully, abide by the rules of the road to keep ourselves safe from the dangers of other road users. But ultimately, our lives are in the hands of fate, destiny, or even other people. Ours is a sport fraught with danger, and every now and then, and increasingly all too often, we are reminded of the thin black line between life and death.
Such a reminder came today with the news that yet another Pro Cyclist, Kristof Goddaert, lost their life when going about their everyday job. Maybe we are less at risk in our own day-to-day lives than these athletes, but we shouldn’t take with a grain of salt the dangers that are inherent any and every time we cover ourselves with a thin shield of lycra, mount an 8kg piece of plastic, alloy and rubber, then surround ourselves with tonnes of fast-moving metal often operated by less-than-accommodating drivers. We should regard every motorist with caution, never knowing if they themselves are a cycle-aware operator or one of the increasingly common outspoken anti-cyclists that seem to crawl out of the woodwork to vent their disdain for us every time an online article regarding any aspect of sharing the road appears. Make no bones about it, there is a lot of contempt and anger towards cyclists from many drivers.
There’s only so much we can do to minimise our risk of not returning from a ride. Wearing a YJA is not going to help. Having a foam lid half-encasing our craniums will only do so much (let’s not get into a helmet debate here though). Not putting ourselves into a dangerous situation by flouting road rules, running red lights or riding erratically in traffic should be a no-brainer. Yet just by joining the arterial flow of cars, buses and trucks we put ourselves at the bottom of the transport food chain, and like a hyena in a lion-filled savannah, we need to be alert and aware of our surroundings and regard everyone around us a potential predator.
We’ve lost many of our own, and it’s often I think about our community friend @itburns when I kit up. Every time I read about another cyclist tragically killed, the reality of the dangers of our passion hits home, again, hard. Having met Kristof on KT12, when he gave up his time to talk to us before Paris-Roubaix, answering our questions, humouring us as he prepared for one of his most important days at work of the year, it feels that little bit more personal, even though our worlds were so far removed from each other. And now, he is removed from our world completely, a victim of bad luck, a tragic accident of circumstances that we might never consider could happen to us. Which only serves to remind us that it can.
Be careful out there, friends.
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I'm surprised at the different driving habits of motorists in different regions of a small state, Connecticut. Rode for many years in the eastern/southeastern part of the state. Many great backroads and the motorists seemed a bit more laid back and tolerant than where I'm living now in Branford. These shoreline motorists have places to go and don't get in the way! It's only been a few months and I'm longing for better weather and road conditiions to do more exploring, but it's a hassle to get away from traffic to get to better riding. But people all over the world manage to ride, I'll get this figured out.
@TommyTubolare
'something bad' doesn't just happen. The law was about creating a situation in which the risk is more evenly distributed. A cyclist does not want to get hit by a car. And if you place the burden of proof at the car, the car will not want to hit a cyclist as well.
@RVester
Dude the law also says to ride 40 km/h in some zones/areas but nobody fucking does so until the law actually slows the car down to 40 km/h for everybody you know where you can stick that law of yours.
Very sad story indeed and it shows how we're one distracted driver away from disaster. Sometimes though, luck can shine on us just as well. Back in the toe clip days, I had to tighten one strap and did it while my foot was on the downward portion of the pedal stroke. As I was thinking I was being stupid for doing it that way, I felt the wind from a passing extended mirror that people use when towing trailers. It passed exactly where my head would have been had I not been reaching down so far.
Stupid lucky for sure, but I expect everyone to be out to kill me now, and I see no protective quality to the white line on the road.
Nice piece and some touching comments. I relish the tone and the attitude of the Keepers of the Cog. I regularly insist to my VMH that this site is a Global Source for Good. Still... in light of events like deaths of Amy Gillett and Kristof Goddart, I wonder if Rule # 66 and "Wearing a YJA is not going to help" really are defensible. Not sure. Just asking.
@PeakInTwoYears I go to my LBS in autumn when it's darker and try them.
@TK
By all means go YJA. Last night I had the following on: Tights with reflective tape across the calf. A "winter" helmet with reflective tape on the back. My jacket had white sleeves with some reflcctive stuff on the upper arms. Three different blinking red lights behind (two on the stays, one on the seat post) two blinking white lights at the front. All removable in seconds. It was getting dark by the time I got home, but not totally dark. I was on familiar roads.
In short, given how effective and cheap led lights are these days and how easy they are to attach/remove, there's no excuse for Velominati to ride in the dark in the dark. Was I guily of overkill? I don't think so. I think drivers truly appreciate being able to see you. Merckx knows I've seen enough folks riding at night in dark clothing with no lights. If they get hit, I'm not sure you can truly blame the driver as you have to take some responsibility for your safety.
Lights and night go together like Velominati and the rules. No compromise ! Drivers and cell phones or lap top for that matter just don't work .
First post, but been reading for a while.. you know. I rode a motor bike for many years as a youth and it teaches you to ride very defensively. Last accident on the mbike (only one so far on the bicycle) I had eye contact with the driver, then she pulled out in front of me anyway. Agree with starclimber, I think you have to ride assuming anyone else on the road can do anything stupid and unexpected at anytime, and when we're tired is when concentration and vigilance lapses. Stay safe out there boys and girls.