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Are gas prices fueling your pain? - READ ONLY

10042 messages,  Last post on Jul 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM

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What is this discussion about? Fuel Efficiency (MPG)


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#8186 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [gagrice] by imidazol97
Jun 03, 2008 (6:36 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 03, 2008 6:21 am)

Imagine the thrill for some of those 3-abreast rides who believe the cars have to put up with them blocking the whole lane...
 
In past years people put speakers behind their grill. Imagine a speaker that starts playing loud screeching of tires like a car coming up behind them too fast and is trying to stop and sliding into them!
 
I notice in the picture posted of the bicycles being hit by the car that one of the helmets is flying through the air--it came off!!!
#8187 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [imidazol97] by ny540i6
Jun 03, 2008 (6:41 am)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Jun 03, 2008 6:36 am)

I notice in the picture posted of the bicycles being hit by the car that one of the helmets is flying through the air--it came off!!!
 
Hey.... if someone getting hit by a car gives some vicarious thrill, enjoy.... I don't get it, but it is still a free country.
#8188 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [gagrice] by larsb
Jun 03, 2008 (6:47 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 03, 2008 6:21 am)

Gary says, "It should keep those that ride bikes alert to people that have no control of their cars. Same as a driver slamming into a crowd."
 
Gary, you have a penchant for posting things that have only a peripheral meaning for the subject at hand and saying, "see, see, there there, see, see !!!!"
 
You know how many times "people who have no control of their cars" slam into crowds of bikers? Probably about once every five hundred billion bike miles or so.
 
Anyone riding a bike for a commute (have they a lick of common sense) knows that cars are their most critical danger. That's why I ride almost exclusively on the sidewalk.
 
Remember though: The levels of bikers getting killed by cars is far far less per capita than people dying in car wrecks. It is still far safer to ride a bike than to drive a car.
 
You don't need to post snap shots of the bikers hogging the road. They know they have the right of way over cars and take advantage of it. Most of them who habitually do that are fools. But they make up a very small portion of bike riders who commute on their bikes.
 
Riding for your commute is different for most people than riding for pleasure.
#8189 of 10042
Re: California consumed 4.5% less gasoline [mattandi] by gagrice
Jun 03, 2008 (6:50 am)

Replying to: mattandi (Jun 03, 2008 6:29 am)

The reason they take notice is because there is a resultant X.X% decrease in tax revenues
 
That is exactly correct.
 
I imagine Ahnold is getting a bit anxious with the sales of so many econoboxes. He not only loses the higher sales tax revenue from the SUVs not being purchased. He is losing 46 cents per gallon. That can be a lot when you go from a 15 MPG SUV to a 30 MPG Civic. Not to mention the 50% less sales tax. That could be as much as $2000 per vehicle sale. Then the license fee each year will be less on the smaller car. Yet the road usage and congestion is the same. I guess he will have to dig into his deep pockets and make up the shortfall.
#8190 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [ny540i6] by imidazol97
Jun 03, 2008 (6:52 am)

Replying to: ny540i6 (Jun 03, 2008 6:41 am)

>if someone getting hit by a car gives some vicarious thrill, enjoy
 
I'm not sure about the meaning of your post so I'll assume it's positive since I personally don't get a thrill. My concern is that helmets aren't supposed to come off!
I know of several people through the decades killed either running or riding their bikes along roads without trails or sidewalks.
 
I watched a car run into a group of pedestrians of about 30 walking across a 4-lane street near University of Cincinnati campus. The impact was lower than 35 but he hit a few of the nursing class girls. This was before cell phones. I drove up the road looking for a phone and a Cincy policeman was at the intersection. I told him and he looked at me like he didn't believe me that there was an accident down the hill in front to of the hospital.
#8191 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [gagrice] by mattandi
Jun 03, 2008 (6:58 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 03, 2008 6:21 am)

Your playing a little fear mongering. We could find examples of tragic events to show that just about any activity is dangerous. I am pretty sure those UNC students didn't think simply hanging out at The Pit was dangerous a couple of years ago.
 
The mere presence of the bicycles, or even the car for that matter, is not what brought about this horrific event. It was the behavior of that driver.
 
Follow the laws, employ safe practices, maybe sprinkle in a little common courtesy (even if it, gasp, inconveniences you a little) and bicycles on the streets are no more dangerous than cars. 'Tis unfortunate that courtesy is becoming somewhat less common.
#8192 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [larsb] by gagrice
Jun 03, 2008 (6:59 am)

Replying to: larsb (Jun 03, 2008 6:47 am)

You know how many times "people who have no control of their cars" slam into crowds of bikers? Probably about once every five hundred billion bike miles or so.
 
I am not sure of your motive in posting all these made up statistics. Do you have any links that would back up your statements. You ride on the sidewalk which would be my choice if their is not a dedicated bike trail. I have personally seen as many accidents with bicycles and motorcycles as I have auto accidents.

In 1999, there were 750 bicycling fatalities and 51,000 bicycling injuries resulting from traffic crashes in the United States. While these numbers continue to decrease from year to year, bicyclist fatalities still account for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities as well as 2 percent of all traffic injuries.

 
http://www.massbike.org/info/statistics.htm
 
I seriously doubt that bicycling amounts to 2% of the miles driven in the USA. Which will prove that riding a bicycle on a road that is primarily used by cars to more dangerous than being in a car. You usually get your facts closer to accurate than this post.
#8193 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [imidazol97] by ny540i6
Jun 03, 2008 (7:02 am)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Jun 03, 2008 6:52 am)

OK, then I apologize - I misinterpreted your intent.
#8194 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [imidazol97] by mattandi
Jun 03, 2008 (7:08 am)

Replying to: imidazol97 (Jun 03, 2008 6:52 am)

My concern is that helmets aren't supposed to come off!
 
Valid concern, but that does appear to be a rather severe impact. Not sure any helmet is designed to withstand that force.
#8195 of 10042
Re: For you all that thinking biking is safe.. [mattandi] by gagrice
Jun 03, 2008 (7:12 am)

Replying to: mattandi (Jun 03, 2008 6:58 am)

Your playing a little fear mongering.
 
You are right I am. I always am on the side of caution. You cannot be too careful riding a bike. Think about this. What if the EPA decided to force the bike manufacturers to make a bicycle as safe as they do cars? Why do I need airbags surrounding me in a car and nothing to protect me except a plastic helmet when riding a bike, sharing the same road?

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