Is biking worth it?

Jennifer wrote on one of my earlier posts: "Cycling is perfectly safe. Driving is dangerous."

So last night, Chris and I were debating that assertion.

Is biking worth the risks? he asked.

Earlier that day, I had watched a video, in which a roommate of Clinton Miceli, the cyclist recently killed in traffic, admitted that although he had been planning to start commuting by bike, he would now reconsider.

Maybe when a cyclist death touches your own family, it stops being worth the risk, I ventured.

And immediately, I took it back.

After all, people are gravely injured and die in cars every blessed day of the week, and that doesn't lead their families to stop driving. As a nation, we are willing to tolerate over 40 thousand human deaths annually for the convenience of driving. Car occupant deaths are so commonplace that they have stopped being newsworthy. Driving is not controversial in  our society, and, sadly, neither are those deaths.

Perhaps because urban cycling can stir up controversy, cyclists deaths end up in the news. But even though bikers look so heartbreakingly vulnerable next to an SUV, cyclist deaths are extremely rare.

So, is biking worth the risks?

Something to think about.

Comments

[Peter Wang]

Cycling is damn well worth it. I have a relative who just had obesity surgery. He's bugged me about bike safety. Unfortunately, he's eating food like baby food now. Luckily, his diabetes has abated.

Nothing like a bike ride followed by gyros, Chicago style hot dog, fries, Chicago pizza, beer, etc.

Damn, I miss Chicago! But not in January.

Peter
Houston, TX
Born & raised in Chicago

[Adam Turetzky]

You can say this about anything actually. People always get on me about my helmetless motorcycle and bike riding. Is it safer? Maybe. Will it save your life? Sometimes, not always. Life is full of risks. Nothing is safe. Do people jog with a helmet and kneepads? No. Why not? How about shower with a helmet? The #1 source of fatal head injuries is the shower. You're risking certain death every time you step into one. Does that make showering worth the risk?

It's risky just waking up and getting out of bed. There's nothing we can do about it. Cause even staying in bed has it's risks.

[Justyna]

I think I agree with you. You may find me questioning your helmetless riding, but that's probably because we tend to blame whatever is unfamiliar to us. Urban bicycling is unfamiliar to many people. The times in my life when I've gotten hurt, I was doing perfectly ordinary things that turned dangerous through some bizarre twist.

[Georgio]

I really think Biking is worth it. I am pretty new to City Cycling but I've always enjoyed riding. I admit, sometimes I get a little nervous riding around the city streets because there are so many cars out there with people that truly believe that bikes don't belong on the streets. I try to just wear my helmet, be really careful and ride along the lake front whenever possible. I started riding in the city this April and have lost a good 20lbs from just going a few times a week. I really enjoy it but I do wish there were more awareness out there for drivers.
Georgio