Cycling misconceptions

thelawnet

Anyone got any?

I saw this one today:

http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/10025816.Update__Pensioner_injured_in_Didcot_crash_yesterday_has_died/

"A 67-year-old cyclist who was seriously injured in a collision in Didcot died in hospital this afternoon.

The man, from Didcot, was riding a silver racing bicycle when he and a black Renault Megane collided on a roundabout at the junction of Foxhall Road and Broadway, at about 11.35am."

There seems to be a perception that any bicycle with handlebars like this:


is for 'racing'

This is just rubbish. These handlebars are simply more comfortable and more suitable for riding on the roads. They in no way imply that you are racing.

Clearly this bicycle, for example:



is not for racing.

These are arguably 'racing' bars:



but no-one who knew what they were talking about would refer to them as that. Perhaps 'tri bars' (for triathlon). You could say 'the man, from Didcot, was riding a triathlon bike', for example.

But definitely not a 'racing bike'.

Does it matter? Well yes it does, if the deceased had been driving a BMW in collision with a Renault Megane, I doubt his family would be very impressed if it had been described as a 'racing car'. Even though, whereas there's every chance the 67-year-old rider's bike was built for comfort, and not speed, BMWs are ALL built to do speeds double the legal limit, so it's much more legitimate to describe a BMW as a 'racing car' than a sedate bicycle as a 'racing bike'.

JQ.

Personally I don't see the issue. The vast majority of Joe Bloggs public will call a bike with drop handlebars a "racer", I don't believe they associate such a bike as one on which the rider is racing.

To most people a racing car is one used for going as fast as possible, a racing bike is one with dropped handle bars. Same word different meaning.

thelawnet

It's unfortunate, when someone has been killed, to imply any association with racing, which is of course illegal on the public roads, either for bikes or cars.

System

I wonder why the colour of both vehicles need to figure in the report.

Cyclist didn't see car because it was black?
Car driver didn't see cyclist because he was dazzled by the silver bike?

custardy

JQ. wrote: »

Personally I don't see the issue. The vast majority of Joe Bloggs public will call a bike with drop handlebars a "racer", I don't believe they associate such a bike as one on which the rider is racing.

To most people a racing car is one used for going as fast as possible, a racing bike is one with dropped handle bars. Same word different meaning.

yup its only recently that the term 'racer' has been dropped IMO

wealdroam

Do we even know what the handlebars on the poor man's bike looked like?

Thelawnet, are you just assuming the Oxford Times got it wrong?

Just like you seem to be assuming that the guy's bike was probably "built for comfort".

Dave_C_2

My little list of popular misconceptions (myths) all 100% wrong:

• Newspaper reports of cyclist colliding with car, never the other way round.
• All cyclists jump red lights.
• All cyclists must wear hi-viz and helmets by law.
• All cyclists hold up traffic
• Halfords is a good cycle shop

Dave

thelawnet

!!!!!! wrote: »

I wonder why the colour of both vehicles need to figure in the report.

Cyclist didn't see car because it was black?
Car driver didn't see cyclist because he was dazzled by the silver bike?

I guess it would aid any eyewitnesses wanting to report events prior to the incident to the police.

Buellguy

thelawnet wrote: »

I guess it would aid any eyewitnesses wanting to report events prior to the incident to the police.

My thoughts as well, i.e. had either of them been doing anything wrong earlier in the journey that may be seen as contributing to the incident

freakybacon

At work..

"Oi, Bacon! Why are you carrying your bike through the fitting shop?"

"Because lot lot never sweep up and its easier to carry my bike a few yards than spent 15 minutes fixing a puncture- I hope you keep your houses cleaner than that- Kim & Aggie would have a fit!"

Bacon walks into work last night carrying bike, 8.55pm ready to start night shift, dripping sweat after a fast ride:

"Hey freaky- is it cold outside?"

Flicks sweat at fitter "Can't say I noticed , but I aren't soft like you!"