I want people to explain why they think TC is not a safe place for bicycles.

[Colin]

I haven't been to a plethora of other towns but i lived in baltimore for about eight months and that shit is unsafe. Got stuck in the rails of the light rail train and jack myself into a intersection infront of a speeding jeep. NOT FUN!

[Tony Domke]

Notice, Rick, that I said a-holes in Jeeps. If you're not an a-hole you're just a guy in a Jeep, and there is no harm in that. :D

[lostgears]

Nice save Tony. I thought I was gonna have to get all FaceBook on you.

I'm thinking on "broadcast" TV they'da even bleeped out the "A" in A-hole.

Find a place yet?

Bill

Tony Domke said:

Notice, Rick, that I said a-holes in Jeeps. If you're not an a-hole you're just a guy in a Jeep, and there is no harm in that. :D

[Regan Teat]

I totally agree with Lance. While I understand the "share the road" philosophy, riders (pedal and motor) will NEVER be totally safe from cars, no matter how observant motorists become. I know there are some dip-shit drivers out there, but is our responsibility as riders to watch out for ourselves. I take full responsibility for my well being and understand the risks EVERY time I get on a bike. For me, that inherent risk is part of why its so much fun to ride :)

I've lived in GR as well, TC is much safer and rider friendly.

Lance P. said:

I think its all about just the way that you ride yourself, be responsible for yourself and know your riding skill and style, and you can ride as safe as you want no matter where you are. Iv ridden in bigger cities and i can easily say i felt just as safe in the bigger city than here in TC. I know my skill and i know when i need hold back and when i can blast through tight situations. Yeah we can be more educated on both sides here but i feel here in TC its going to the way it is now for a long time so we just have to deal with what we got. I think Alien Bikes sums it up pretty good on their home page:

"Cycling isn't as dangerous as most people think, but it can be, particularly if you are stupid. Riding without brakes, or without a helmet doesn't make you stupid any more than riding with a brake and a helmet makes you smart. Use your brain and decide for yourself, but think long and hard about it and don't blame anyone but yourself for the consequences. And always ride smart no matter what your descision. Even if you're stupid like me ;-)"

Yeah, there are stupid drivers out there that need to pay more attention to the people (bikers) around them, but if you ride smart than you can probably out-smart them.

[Devan DePauw]

Hey there! First post. I've gotta agree with those of you who cite personal responsibility for your own welfare. I just recently got a road bike and have rediscovered the fun of riding. I've mostly been on motorcycles for the last decade, which I'm sure we can all agree puts you in a similar danger from cars and the blind and inattentive monsters behind the wheel. I lived down in metro Detroit until a few years ago when we moved up here and that area is a nightmare for personal safety if you're on two wheels of any kind.
Personally, I assume that everyone on the road is out to kill me. I used to get real aggravated when people put my life in danger through their own stupidity. I even chased a few people down for confrontation to relieve the pressure. Nowadays it's nothing personal at all. I don't look at cars as vehicles driven by people anymore. I see them as moving obstacles that usually follow a set of basic rules but are otherwise totally unpredictable.