A couple recent threads are making me wonder something. I’ve read your horrible stories abt careless/young drivers and don’t doubt them one bit, but it seems to me that the worst cycling accident stories come from men.
Do men innately have more of a need for the “go fast” no matter who’s on the road? I live and often ride in Manhattan and have had a few close calls, but only when I was not giving 100% of my focus to the drivers here - many of whom (especially cab drivers) hate cyclists. More times than I can count, I’ve seen men race to beat traffic lights, or turning cars and I cannot say that I’ve ever seen a woman doing this sort of thing (but I’m sure it happens).
I’ve always wondered why more men aren’t more careful on the road…I’m new to triathlon and obviously I don’t speak for every woman cyclist, but it seems to me that your safety would be the most important thing.
I’m not sure if men are more careless, but I’ve definitely noticed in races, where the men start behind the women, Vineman for example, they don’t say anything and just come flying past. That was a bit unnerving. During a race I always tell people when I’m coming around on the left and I always look behind me before passing, but I fear for some of the newer triathlete’s that don’t look back, pull out and smash right into some dude who’s just cruising by without saying anything. scary!!
first, i’d echo the others and say that there are definitely more male cyclists (and drivers) on the road.
in my experience, men - both cyclists and drivers - tend to be more aggressive, and women - again, both in cars and on bikes - tend to be more tentative. and actually, i can’t say one is more dangerous than the other. that is, shooting for a yellow light is risky, but in crowded streets, so is lingering between lanes or not picking/sticking to lines.
noob411 you are thinking what I am thinking (?). Statistics. The number of men on the road vs the number of women. That’s all. Not sure if it’s a question of caution. Most of the men I ride with are VERY mindful/caution oriented.
noob411 you are thinking what I am thinking (?). Statistics. The number of men on the road vs the number of women.
Yes. More men cycling = more men are more likely to be involved in accidents when compared to women. I’m sure there isn’t an accurate registry for these types of things, but it would be interesting to see a breakdown by sex.
About that race etiquit. The reason someone wouldnt yell “on your left” during a race, i sbecause there is enough room on the left and that maybe if they are passing more than enough people, 50 “on your lefts” would become tiring and effect performance. Why would someone swerve that much to hit someone far on the left passing?
Oh no Don’t worry Noob! Get out there, stay alert, be cautious and build your confidence. Confidence and safety go hand in hand and confidence built from riding can produce great dividends. On a good week I’ll ride more miles than drive, see more things from the vantage point of my bike than I do from the couch (well, I don’t have a couch…but if I did) and I do much of my socializing with other cyclists. I am aware that there will always be a degree of risk when I get out the door and onto my bike. I do what I can to minimize it (risk) and leave the rest to cosmic circumstance. I can’t help it…I’d be sad if I couldn’t ride. Good luck Noob!
P.S.Avoid watching any movies that kjsmitty posts. That should help.
Ooooh cool. This should be an interesting development for you! I’m remembering my first group ride:) Ask lots of questions and watch. Be a roadie sponge and master all of the good stuff they teach you! Ok…I’ll quit it with the thread hijacking now. Keep me posted on how this goes for you!
all the guys I’ve had pass me on the left do not pass that wide!! And I should add I’m a VERY slow swimmer, so the majority of my races are spent repeating, “on your left” once on the bike. I must add I usually only say this when the person I’m passing looks like a potential harm. So, maybe all the boys think I look like a good cyclist so they don’t say anything!?
Hubby came back last night from his ride, complaining about how he nearly wiped out on a descent because he wasn’t familiar with the road and misjudged the sharpness of a curve. He seemed sort of excited though, because he said he was going really fast at the time. So yeah, I think as a general rule, men like to go faster than women and that can sometimes take priority over good sense. I do tell him, though, that if he kills himself doing something stupid, I will put the following on his grave marker: “He died because he was a dumbass.” I also tell him he’s welcome to do the same to me if I do something stupid to cause an untimely exit from this earth.
P.S. This is not intended in any way as a critique on recent tragedies. The speed thing with guys usually just results in more road rash. I’m a firm believer that we’re in need of public service announcements educating drivers on their relationship with cyclists.
If you mean flaunting the rules of the road and the traffic laws, I’d vote for the men doing it more (based on my own experiences with groups that I ride with).
I went on a metric centry ride a couple weeks ago. There were about 200 cyclists. I was passed by a lot of people and I passed a lot of people. I didn’t hear a single “on your left” the entire ride, nor did I say it. I usually only say it when someone is clogging the road or swirving all over the place.
That might be one explanation… as long as you are talking about the apparent predominance of aggressive behavior in men vs. women.
Although there are certainly exceptions to the rule in both camps…
I think a case could be made that there are at least some circumstances where the (statistical) man’s propensity to just GO helps them get out of a situation where a (statistical) woman might hesitate and find herself in a crash. These are, however, probably (a) rare instances and (b) GROSS statistical generalizations.
Speaking for me only here but I’m a speed junkie and a woman. I feel it’s my reward for climbing. BUT I’m always extra cautious on a “new” descent. Also, I’m painfully aware while going down even a familiar hill at 47mph that meeting with another object could drastically change my life. I used to think it was a buzz kill but now think it is a healthy fear.
Don’t worry Noob! Get out there, stay alert, be cautious and build your confidence. Confidence and safety go hand in hand and confidence built from riding can produce great dividends. On a good week I’ll ride more miles than drive, see more things from the vantage point of my bike than I do from the couch (well, I don’t have a couch…but if I did) and I do much of my socializing with other cyclists. I am aware that there will always be a degree of risk when I get out the door and onto my bike. I do what I can to minimize it (risk) and leave the rest to cosmic circumstance. I can’t help it…I’d be sad if I couldn’t ride. Good luck Noob!