According to Vice News, bicycle-related deaths are up 25% across the U.S. since 2010. The numbers are staggering and, while it’s great that many cities are attempting to make it safer for cyclists, the numbers still aren’t where they need to be. This is causing many people, including myself, to consider other places to ride.
I’m definitely not alone in this. I’ve heard on many different podcasts how riding on the road feels unsafe at times.
I felt this just the other day. I was sitting at a light waiting for it to turn green. Once it did, I started across only to have a car go by me rather close. It’s as if they simply didn’t care that I was there. A second car starts to come by and, out of nervousness, I swerved to the left and nearly hit the curb. All because some driver was likely too impatient to just wait and get a clear way around me. Nuts!
Much of this has to do with the attitudes of many motorists. Basically, there’s animosity towards cyclists...as if we “own the road”. We don’t...but neither do motorists. We share the road. As such, we have to look after one another.
In the meantime, many are looking into the gravel scene as an alternative. Personally, I’ve found this to be a nice outlet for riding as well. Fortunately, there’s plenty of good trails and gravel roads to ride around Dallas. :D
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