# A truck just ran over me and my bike **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 1, 2012, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927 "2012-07-01T18:35:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![Frosty\_Camel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c67d28/32.png) [@Frosty\_Camel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosty_Camel)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/181 "2012-07-06T00:51:36Z")
> [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](#): > > [This study [PDF]](http://www.enhancements.org/download/trb/1636-011.PDF) indicates that cycling on the sidewalk results in greater numbers of injuries than road cycling. > > So, according to this study, the lack of cycling skill found more prevalent in sidewalk cyclists means if you aren’t skilled enough to cycle in the road where you belong, you are probably safer on the sidewalk, although you’re probably more likely to experience a fall or injury on the sidewalk than a road cyclist will on the road. > > Maybe the lesson here is to learn how to ride a bike like an adult. So explain to me how its possible that in all the years I was OBEYING the law and riding on the road I had one close call after another. I view riding on the particular stretch of road I’m talking about as suicidal. What made up my mind was getting clipped. I was able to recover so I didn’t fall, but after that I said “to hell with the law” and began riding on the sidewalk. Not a single close call in the four years since then. As far as skill, let me emphasize that I got clipped! By a pickup truck! A pickup truck that was moving at about 60 MPH! I recovered and didn’t fall. I think that says volumes about my cycling skill. Oh, and to me riding like an adult would mean that I’m open minded enough to modify what I believe (you’re supposed to ride on the road) and start doing something else (riding on the sidewalk) when the situation calls for it in order to stay alive and live to cycle another day. Note the I said “When the situation calls for it.” The sidewalk in question is, except a few rare times, unused. There are usually no pedestrians at all. ---
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/182 "2012-07-06T03:24:50Z")
A. You are a more skilled cyclist than most sidewalk cyclists given your experience road cycling. B. You are an outlier. C. The study didn’t count “close calls.” D. All of the above. E. God is your handlebar bitch. ---
**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 8:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/183 "2012-07-06T08:34:35Z")
> [@Frosty\_Camel](#): > > There are many people in this thread that are claiming it’s safer to ride on the road rather than use the sidewalk. Could someone please explain this to me? I ride 30 miles every day. I am well aware and have been for years that it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk in my state. However, my concern when riding is for my personal safety, not what’s legal. It’s not so much about your personal safety but the safety of those you endanger by recklessly cycling on the sidewalk. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/184 "2012-07-06T17:42:04Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Holy crap on a cracker! > > Three posts in a row, with people expressing you can safely ride on a sidewalk if you take special care and accommodate drives and pedestrians. I rarely express this opinion anymore as the board is so rabidly against it. > > Never thought I’d see the day. Colour me impressed. I live in a county which has officially designated some sidewalks as bicycle trails so I share the same opinion as well. ETA: those sidewalks are either asphalt with a yellow center line or extra-wide concrete. ---
**Author:** ![Frosty\_Camel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c67d28/32.png) [@Frosty\_Camel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frosty_Camel)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2012, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/185 "2012-07-06T18:25:46Z")
> [@Floater](#): > > It’s not so much about your personal safety but the safety of those you endanger by recklessly cycling on the sidewalk. I think you missed this part: > [@Frosty\_Camel](#): > > Of course wherever there is an entrance to a business or a side road I will always stop and make absolutely certain it is safe to cross. \*\* Also the sidewalk is mostly unused. In the rare case there is a pedestrian on the sidewalk I will stop and let them pass since they do have the right of way.\*\* ---
**Author:** ![misterW](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f1d935/32.png) [@misterW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/misterW)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2012, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927/186 "2012-07-08T16:01:49Z")
> [@CatherineZeta](#): > > Sorry if I’m being redundant, but riding in the street is MUCH safer because a bike technically speaking is a vehicle- the only difference between a bicycle and say a scooter or a motorcycle is you’re powering it with your legs, not an engine. I’m not saying the best place for bicycles is the sidewalk, but that ^ is a ridiculous statement. It is certainly safer for pedestrians if bikers are on the street, I’ll give you that. But there is no way you are safer with your back to traffic, leaving your safety completely in the hands of drivers who text as they whiz past you with inches to spare. There are some places that are just dangerous to ride a bike. No cars on the sidewalk that I know of. Yes, when you approach driveways and cross streets, you need to be careful, but that is easily done, and in no way compares to the risk you would face on a dangerous street. Again, I’m not saying that people should ride on the sidewalk – I can think of many reasons why that is a bad idea – but to pretend that it is more dangerous to do so as well is a bit much. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-truck-just-ran-over-me-and-my-bike/626927.md?page=9)