[4643] in Depressing_Thoughts
Re: Drivers are human...
rlk@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (rlk@ATHENA.MIT.EDU)
Thu Aug 18 15:33:46 1994
I won't speak for roller blading, but statistically it's extremely rare for
a cyclist to be hit from behind. Most cycling accidents happen during
turning maneuvers of one kind or another, or due to outright improper cyclist
behavior (either running lights or stop signs, or riding the wrong way -- this
does NOT mean riding in the traffic lane, which is not improper behavior).
Riding against traffic means that you have a very fast closing speed with
oncoming vehicles, and they aren't expecting that. You have much less time
to get out of the way, and pedestrians won't be watching for you coming the
wrong way. If motor traffic on Vassar St. is doing 25 MPH, and you're doing
15, the closing speed is 40 MPH if you're going the wrong way, and 10 if
you're going the right way. Makes it a lot easier for people to stay out of
each others' way.
