Major Bumps

[John Doe Jr]

http://fox17online.com/2016/06/07/multiple-people-dead-after-being-...

[XLFD]

It sure takes a lot of time for the authorities to release any details on this hit and run, other than what they have so far.  A witness interviewed for another news agency only said that the riders were part of a group that regularly rode bicyclists.  This hit and runner deserves the harshest punishment allowable.

[Willy]

It is a very sad and tragic situation but we all know there are reckless, drunk, careless, incompetent and texting drivers out there so why do people insist on putting themselves in harms way by riding tiny vehicles made from tubing where they are completely exposed to crazy drivers? Most people will answer that they have a right to share the road with 3000lb hunks of metal speeding closely beside them. Cars have reinforced enclosed framing, safety glass, soft dashes, seat belts, air bags, etc. while cyclists have little foam helmets. It makes no sense to pursue an activity that's considered to be pleasant but which has a major drawback, It can get you killed.

[XLFD]

Statistically, riding a bicycle in the US is as safe as riding a vehicle.  In annual statistics, when you divide the amount of miles ridden by the amount of fatalities for cars and bicycles, you usually get a number that makes bicyclists about 5 to 7 times that of motorist to get in an accident per mile. 

However if you realize that a car driving on the highway is going nearly 5-7 times as fast, you find that an hour travelled by either means has roughly the same amount of danger involved (Here is a fanciful comparison presented in readable format).  If you are riding just for fun, you can make it even safer by taking routes without much danger at all.

Now granted, a situation that took the life of five cyclists was an anomaly; the driver was either high, suffering road rage, or both in Kalamazoo.  The road itself had plenty of shoulder and all of the nine experienced riders were over 40 years old, the fault lied completely with the driver.

But you need to also consider, before you hang up your bicycle in your garage for good, is that five carpoolers could have been similarly killed if this truck driver had crossed the center line and smacked into them.  Travelling on the road is never completely safe, you have to always face the danger of other drivers doing so irresponsibly. 

What this 'accident' also showed was that the police and media did some serious misinformation from the beginning of this incident, when it was reported as a hit and run, involving children, etc.  The police work for and are paid by the people, they should be open and factual with such information, and the local media should hold their feet to the fire when they don't.

[Willy]

I agree, however, my point is that if an accident occurs a bike will always be the loser and you are right about seeking a safe route. I don't advocate giving up bike riding just that some wisdom must be exhibited when picking a route. That truck driver should be hung for what he did unless he had a medical emergency which caused him to be disoriented.