tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post2536158307671267840..comments2024-02-27T01:52:06.519-08:00Comments on Kent's Bike Blog: Life'll Kill YaKent Petersonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12906603746565831689noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-29580735873076124932023-07-07T09:02:10.036-07:002023-07-07T09:02:10.036-07:00Nice Content! Thanks for sharing.Nice Content! Thanks for sharing.UsefulEssentialOilshttps://usefulessentialoils.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-50531676467076678712010-11-03T18:47:46.647-07:002010-11-03T18:47:46.647-07:00I was hit by a car whose driver was looking the ot...I was hit by a car whose driver was looking the other way. I did nothing wrong, but 19 months later, I am still struggling with my battered body.<br /><br />The driver felt terrible and was very frightened, but she has gone on with her life, while I'm tying to get patched back together.<br /><br />I have been all over the world on bicycle tours, but I will never ride on a main thoroughfare again. My attorney wants me to see a psychologist, but I don't agree. I think I am being prudent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-39842900862962325232010-11-03T11:49:29.438-07:002010-11-03T11:49:29.438-07:00Well said. I have been in two accidents in the las...Well said. I have been in two accidents in the last 2.5 years. both on the same section of road I justify my insanity by arguing that 2 times out of lets say 1000 rides on this route is a "reasonable" risk. Yea its dangerous, but we have no guarantees that we will survive crossing the street. as a pedestrian.my chariot wheelshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04565183542263618761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-61969266049860188872010-11-03T10:12:27.210-07:002010-11-03T10:12:27.210-07:00Per hour of travel, a bicycle has half the death r...Per hour of travel, a bicycle has half the death rate compared to travelling in a private automobile in the U.S.A.Mike Schwabhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00257851165430493151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-802991987348535892010-11-02T09:51:08.240-07:002010-11-02T09:51:08.240-07:00This from Whizzer's link above...
"I am s...This from Whizzer's link above...<br />"I am sick and tired of sharing the stinking road with bicycles. You do not belong on roads. You should only be allowed to ride in parks and on sidewalks. Period. Today, while commuting to work in my car a bike pulled in front of me. I was reading my paper and drinking my coffee, and did not see him until it was almost too late. I spilled my coffee on my new blue shirt, and ruined my paper. I draw a line today. I am sick of you suckers being on MY road. Get off!"<br /><br />Which makes me wonder... is the site serious or satire? The rest appears to be serious. I was thinking the quoted post was too stupid for words... but there it was.Scott McElhineyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17265080182141272152noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-27648183823102718272010-11-01T16:41:57.453-07:002010-11-01T16:41:57.453-07:00Heck of a lot higher risk being seriously overweig...Heck of a lot higher risk being seriously overweight than riding a bike as well.<br /><br />Great article.dotcommiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01341160668830537331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-7531918254671693362010-10-31T00:30:45.342-07:002010-10-31T00:30:45.342-07:00My company makes bicycles in Portland OR, the firs...My company makes bicycles in Portland OR, the first major city to be designated a Platinum-level bicycle friendly community. My seven employees and I all love bikes and we all commute by bike year 'round. Each is scrupulous about safety, wearing helmets, reflective clothing, using lights and respecting the rules of the road, none rides a fixie or other trendy, but dangerous rig.<br />But each evening, I feel like a commander in a war zone, sending out my night patrols and hoping they live through it, because each of my employees has been hit by cars, 3 of them more than once and 2 of them seriously. I ride less than they do, but I've had two aggressive drivers try to scare me off the road by driving within inches. <br />There are comments here like 'life is dangerous', etc., but I call nonsense. I am over 50 years old and I don't know a single person who's ever been injured commuting in a car.<br />Bicycling in traffic is dangerous, period, and that's in bike-friendly Portland. I also lived in Amsterdam, where cycling wasn't dangerous, but Portland and the rest of the country have a long way to go before we reach that state of grace. <br />In the meantime, I am very disturbed by the danger of bike commuting, and the likelihood of attending an employee's funeral. I love bikes, I love riding, I embrace commuting and sell bikes to do it on. But if I had my way, I would force my employees to drive cars for their own safety and my peace of mind.Kennyboyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12387235619654155706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-6525093835220597212010-10-26T12:51:24.485-07:002010-10-26T12:51:24.485-07:00Thanks for the post KentThanks for the post KentDarrinhttp://bicyclehound.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-8609517079034181292010-10-21T19:35:54.493-07:002010-10-21T19:35:54.493-07:00Everything has a risk factor and sooner or later, ...Everything has a risk factor and sooner or later, you ARE going to die. Getting used to and making peace with this simple fact makes life easier and more enjoyable.<br /><br />I am not unfamiliar with the backboard, but I keep 'em rolling (the bikes have not always been so lucky).kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-80018755519637298342010-10-20T10:55:04.295-07:002010-10-20T10:55:04.295-07:00Some of the best words that I have ever read about...Some of the best words that I have ever read about why we ride. Thank you.Jeffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-26586933565801055822010-10-19T13:47:48.999-07:002010-10-19T13:47:48.999-07:00Amen Kent!Amen Kent!monk3y mikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14814335144217621505noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-41098854644519713732010-10-18T23:09:36.785-07:002010-10-18T23:09:36.785-07:00Heal quickly, Arleigh! Thanks for the great post, ...Heal quickly, Arleigh! Thanks for the great post, Kent.<br /><br />So far, I haven't been badly hurt in a bike-car encounter, but I can understand how the mental trauma would be hard to get over. A couple of months ago, I happened to witness an accident, where a man got pinned by a drunk driver driving full speed into a string of parked cars. I'd been riding my bike, and was sitting outside a cafe drinking coffee when the accident happened. Really sudden, really violent, and definitely reminded me that the same driver could just as easily have rammed me from behind at speed. Haven't taken a ride since when that accident didn't cross my mind at least once. I can only imagine what it's like to ride after actually getting badly hurt by a driver. Seriously, might be worth looking into some short term PTSD counseling.SeattleM+Mnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-2054633240645333252010-10-18T22:23:48.511-07:002010-10-18T22:23:48.511-07:00Great post.
Yes, there is some risk to life on tw...Great post.<br /><br />Yes, there is some risk to life on two wheels. The benefits however, outweigh 'em. Well, I think so anyway.<br /><br />Lucky for me, I have the off the charts safety record concerning bicycles. Someone out there has been taking the hits for me - and for that - I thank you.<br /><br />I have a motorcycle background as well. Lots of risk, talk of risk, minimizing the risk. Even so, the chance of being seriously tagged is there. Yet - people ride.<br /><br />Why? 'cause we have to. It's part of who we are.<br /><br />I ride quite a bit with my 11 year old son - mountain bike and 'cross. He's getting more then fast enough to get hurt - at least banged up a bit. Lucky, nothing yet.<br /><br />As a parent, a different perspective. Of course you wince at the thought of them getting hurt. However, he seems to really enjoy riding and it's great father/son time. I think if you asked him the question - he also would say the occasional injury is worth the overall enjoyment of it all.Dan Ohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15609122101907983132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-15938751789292379372010-10-18T17:48:23.616-07:002010-10-18T17:48:23.616-07:00I am tired of people riding on roads. In fact, si...I am tired of people riding on roads. In fact, sick of it. Stay in parks and on trails only. No more roads for you please.<br /><br />www.tiredofsharing.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00449891473833527728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-28241417243105740592010-10-11T09:03:34.802-07:002010-10-11T09:03:34.802-07:00Kent, you took a really tragic situation that many...Kent, you took a really tragic situation that many people would not ever want to talk about, and put the information out there in a loving and caring way.<br /><br />My prayers go out to Bike Shop Girl, and I hope with time and healing (both physically and mentally) she will be back out on the road.Kenhttp://www.menshealthcures.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-32531702640000418732010-10-10T23:12:15.568-07:002010-10-10T23:12:15.568-07:00"I'd rather be ashes than dust" -- J..."I'd rather be ashes than dust" -- Jack London ... "you only live once" -- Kent Peterson ... Arleigh, Get well both mentally and physically. I've been hit many times and have since become a traffic avoider, but even so, worse accident on the Burke Gilman trail bike on bike the other guy with an I-Pod <br /><br />Wayne MethnerAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-27556523589781848892010-10-09T23:29:07.701-07:002010-10-09T23:29:07.701-07:00Marshal said "Also no matter how you approach...Marshal said "Also no matter how you approach it, in general commuting by bike is dangerous compared to the common available alternatives."<br /><br />From the stats I've seen, I don't think this is true.<br /><br />http://www.bicyclinglife.com/safetyskills/SafetyQuiz.htmMikeOnBikenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-40389480133451444242010-10-09T22:17:23.902-07:002010-10-09T22:17:23.902-07:00I'm typing with one hand because the other is ...I'm typing with one hand because the other is in a cast and sling, having just broken my wrist and a finger - plus chipped 2 teeth and needed stitches to put my lip back together. i'll be seeing a surgeon next week for pins.<br /><br />This happened yesterday around 5pm. And I'm on this blog today because I can't wait to ride again. I'm not a cycling advocate, and it's something I came by later than most... I ride a bike for the simple pleasure of doing so... and can't imagine how my crash could stop me from getting back on a bike.<br /><br />All the best to your friend, sure she'll feel the same soon.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-12276924991119968762010-10-07T21:38:07.880-07:002010-10-07T21:38:07.880-07:00It’s human nature to question and even perhaps wit...It’s human nature to question and even perhaps withdraw, at least for a time, from participating in an activity that led to an injury. I say let Bike Shop Girl work it out for her self, hopefully she will be back to commuting by bike, but if not it’s her biz and hers alone.<br /><br />Also no matter how you approach it, in general commuting by bike is dangerous compared to the common available alternatives. <br /><br />We can ‘rationalize’ all we want to ease our minds. And we can practice defensive riding to the utmost degree to better the odds. <br /><br />But as long as car’s and bike’s share the same space, commuting by bike will remain comparatively dangerous.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-79338194875661792322010-10-07T21:17:43.080-07:002010-10-07T21:17:43.080-07:00This is my first time to your blog, not my last. ...This is my first time to your blog, not my last. I also blog about biking and would like to post a link to your post. I can relate to what BSG tweeted, I was hit by a car in 1995 and although my injuries weren't serious physically, they were mentally and emotionally. My daughter now 31, still remembers the day of the accident vividly and my shall we say personality swings for weeks and maybe months afterwards.<br /><br />Like you, I had to ride and got back on the bike within 6 weeks. I rode on a trail around a lake for quite a while but gradually ventured back out on the road. I still have my days when something happens and I rethink my decision to bike on the road. We had 3 cyclists killed here in a matter of a few days. I retreated to a paved trail, offroad for a few weeks but then back on the road.<br /><br />I have to ride too. Unless you do ride, I don't think you can understand it. Hope Bike Shop Girl makes a complete recovery and is patient and understanding with what she is feeling. Thanks again for your excellent post.Susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14140467607190978176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-86779811157628767842010-10-07T18:31:13.838-07:002010-10-07T18:31:13.838-07:00As always, wonderfully put.
Having been doored j...As always, wonderfully put. <br /><br />Having been doored just a couple of weeks ago (and I consider myself a very cautious cyclist), I know that if I wasn't so lucky on that occasion, I would have been far worse off. Still riding, just trying to keep safe.jnyyzhttp://jnyyz.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-15573866859826871032010-10-07T12:33:21.813-07:002010-10-07T12:33:21.813-07:00Kent,
Well said. I also have been following @ar...Kent,<br /><br />Well said. I also have been following @arsbars and as you was concerned. I also had my share of close and scary calls. Thanks for articulating my thoughts better than I could ever have.<br /><br />Get Well soon, Arleigh. Lot of love your way!sac cycle chichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04248944047169333081noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-61062454987263808942010-10-07T10:07:50.873-07:002010-10-07T10:07:50.873-07:00Safety is overrated. Life without danger is worth...Safety is overrated. Life without danger is worthless pablum. This does not mean that I have an avid need to seek out danger, but that I acknowledge and accept it as a part of life, in order to manage my realtionship with it. We all choose the life we live and the risks we take. I never really counted, but I know that the number of times I have interacted physically with cars while riding my bike is well into double digits now, and I usually give as good as I get. The one time I was on a horse that fell (on me, natch) I got back on right away. Horses are nice, but bikes are better; as long as I am able, I'll be getting back on. ValAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-25261898453288872352010-10-07T08:24:42.406-07:002010-10-07T08:24:42.406-07:00thanks Kent.thanks Kent.Jim Laudolffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18676999.post-41919443207796391812010-10-07T08:03:44.262-07:002010-10-07T08:03:44.262-07:00Great post and well said!
I was hit by a car an...Great post and well said! <br /><br />I was hit by a car and yes, it was scary, and luckily for me it wasn't too bad. Just took it as a reminder I have to be safer when riding. You can't let fear detract you from what you love doing, you just have to keep going.<br /><br />My heart goes out to Bike Shop Girl and everyone else who is hurt on the road due to the negligence of others.DrewTekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15439147348092186046noreply@blogger.com