Is it worth it, the needless death?

[lendaddy]

I saw recently that roughly 700 Americans are killed while riding bicycles in America each year. Some years have been as high as 1,000! Lets not even talk about the multiples more that are severely injured or permanently maimed.

Is it time that we as Americans wake up to our folly on this and outlaw bicycles?

[Jim Richards]

I think the root cause is those twinky clothes bicyclists wear to pretend they're in the Tour de France. I say we outlaw that clothing!

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

I think the root cause is those twinky clothes bicyclists wear to pretend they're in the Tour de France. I say we outlaw that clothing!

This would be a start maybe. I mean, you know the old racing adage that when you look at the wall you hit the wall. Well, when Stephen or Gary put on that chartreuse nut-hugger unitard are they not drawing the eye of the drivers? Maybe Jim is right, we'll have to dig deeper and research that

[BeyGon]

And NO fat people should ride with those clothes.

[Jim Richards]

I'm working on getting federal funding for this study. No sense letting taxpayer money go to waste.

[deathpunk dan]

In all seriousness, I just ordered this jersey the other day. They also have molson (boring) and schaefer (might order in the future).

Just to let other cyclists know where I'm coming from.

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

And NO fat people should ride with those clothes.

I still think an outright ban is the best bet. Why take the risk?

[Jim Richards]

Please never wear that in Wisconsin. Everybody will stare, salivate, and run into you.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

I still think an outright ban is the best bet. Why take the risk?

Think of the children.

[Danny_Ocean]

I'm surprised the number is that low.

Some "fun facts":

First Car Crash killed a cyclist. The first automobile crash in the United States occurred in New York City in 1896, when a motor vehicle collided with a bicyclist.

U.S. cyclists are three more likely to be killed than German cyclists and six times more than Dutch cyclists, whether compared per-trip or per-distance traveled. (Reuters, Aug. 28, 2003, by Maggie Fox)

Cyclist fatalities occurred more frequently in urban areas (66%), at nonintersection locations (67%), between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. (30%), and during the months of June, July, and August (36%). (NHTSA, 2004)

Riding on the sidewalk is several more times more dangerous than riding in the street. (William Moritz, 1998)

Most deaths on major roads. Fifty-seven percent of bicycle deaths in 1999 occurred on major roads, and 37 percent occurred on local roads.

Streets with bike lanes have a significantly lower crash rate then either major or minor streets without any bicycle facilities (38 and 56% respectively). (William Moritz, 1998)

Four states lead cycling deaths. Four states (California, Florida, New York, and Texas) accounted for 43% of bicycle deaths in 1999.

Many deaths occur at night. In 1999, 39% of deaths on bicycles nationwide occurred between 6 p.m. and midnight.

Deaths per year. 725, 629, 665, 732, and 693 cyclists died per year in 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000 respectively, and were about 89% male. (National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration, and Insurance Institute for Highway Saftey)

An average of 16.5 cyclists per million die every year in the U.S. (For motorists, it's 19.9 motorists per million.) (National Safety Council 1988)

Cyclists are 2% of road deaths & injuries. The 761 cyclists killed in 1996 accounted for 2% of traffic fatalities, and the 59,000 cyclists injured made up 2% of all traffic injuries. (5)

Cycling deaths higher in 70's & 80's. The number of cyclist fatalities in 1996 was 19% lower than the 941 fatalities reported in 1986. The highest number of cyclist fatalities ever recorded was 1,003 in 1975.

Cyclists accounted for 12% of all nonmotorist traffic fatalities in 1996. Pedestrians accounted for 86 percent, and the remaining 2 percent were skateboard riders, roller skaters, etc.

Cyclists killed SINCE 1932. Nearly 44,000 cyclists have died in traffic crashes in the United States since 1932; the first year in which estimates of cyclist fatalities were recorded.

Cyclists killed IN 1932. The 350 cyclists killed in 1932 accounted for 1.3% of the 27,979 persons who died in traffic crashes that year.

Child cyclists killed. Cyclists under age 16 accounted for 24% of all cyclists killed in 2002. (Insurance Institute for Highway Saftey) Cyclists under 16 were 33% of all cyclists killed and 45% of those injured in traffic crashes in 1996. In comparison, cyclists under age 16 accounted for 47 percent of all those killed in 1986.

Average age of killed/injured cyclists. In 1996 the average age of cyclists killed in traffic crashes was 31 years, and the average age of those injured was 23.2 years. In 1986, the average age was 23 years.

One in every 20 bicyclists is injured annually.(Bicycling Magazine 1987)

A bicyclist can expect a minor injury every three years and a more serious one every fifteen. (Bicycle Forum 1978)

Kinds of crashes. Falls account for 59% of all crashes, running into a fixed object 14%, moving motor vehicles were involved in 11%, and another bicycle in 9%. (Moritz, 1998)

[lendaddy]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

Think of the children.

Won't someone?

[Mule]

Originally Posted by lendaddy

I still think an outright ban is the best bet. Why take the risk?

Just say NO!

Libs should be all over this. Remember, even if this is un-proven, what harm can there be in acting like it is!

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

I think the root cause is those twinky clothes bicyclists wear to pretend they're in the Tour de France. I say we outlaw that clothing!

Why the green? Seriously.

[Jim Richards]

good point, Moses.

[the]

Spandex should definitely be banned for anyone with over 30% body fat (which, based on the bikers in my area, seems to be around 50% of the spandau commandos).

[911boost]

If you ride a bike, or have a bike in your household, you NEED to use it to commit suicide. Come on, what are you waiting for?

[Moses]

Originally Posted by the

Spandex should definitely be banned for anyone with over 30% body fat (which, based on the bikers in my area, seems to be around 50% of the spandau commandos).

Doesn't matter if you're in PERFECT shape. Spandex is spandex. It's for girls.

[widgeon13]

Cars are doing the killing, we must ban the car!

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Moses

Doesn't matter if you're in PERFECT shape. Spandex is spandex. It's for girls.

Only if they're hot, and of legal age.

[Jim Richards]

Perhaps what we need is federal regulation for the bicycle manufacturers to force them to install a system of air bags to protect the riders. It's the industry's greed that has led to so many senseless deaths. And the spandex industry's greed for allowing their products to be made for men, and for women's sizes greater than 4. This must be stopped! It's a national tragedy!