Do you go on your bike when the roads are covered with thin snow ?

[PaulSB]

A local news report at 19.00 brought this thread to mind. NW ambulance service broadcast an appeal at 7.00pm this evening. Please only call 999 in a life threatening situation. 100 ambulances are queuing at various A&E departments and 600 people are awaiting an ambulance to attend their own 999 call.

I know of two recreational cyclists who went out at the weekend; one spent 7 hours in A&E and the other broke a hip.

If cycling is your only possible form of transport I can understand riding. If the ride is for any form of recreational use then I'd suggest the rider is a part of the problem and has given no thought to the potential consequences of a selfish action and attitude.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

If cycling is your only possible form of transport I can understand riding. If the ride is for any form of recreational use then I'd suggest the rider is a part of the problem and has given no thought to the potential consequences of a selfish action and attitude.

I do hope you have the exact same attitude for drivers and walkers.

Personally I had a very pleasurable and very safe ride for purely recreational purposes this morning. Certainly safer than driving or walking.

 

[oldwheels]

On four wheels, assuming you're not going like a twat, if you skid a bit at modest speed, then nothing much happens. On two wheels, if you you skid a bit, then you are more than like on your arse. If ridden my motorcycle in snow maybe 3 times, and it was exceedingly unpleasant and dangerous though I got away with it. Push bike likewise though did come off on sheet ice - which I'd seen so was unhurt. Car - use a bit of sense and slow down, maybe slow down a lot, and it's really not big deal

Where I live you have very little leeway and if you skid in a car as some did this morning you end up off road upside down. One gritting lorry went into a ditch this morning to add to the troubles.

 

[PaulSB]

I do hope you have the exact same attitude for drivers and walkers.

Personally I had a very pleasurable and very safe ride for purely recreational purposes this morning. Certainly safer than driving or walking.

Yes, I would say so. Generally main roads are safe for cars in the current conditions so I don't see a problem this week. If by walking you mean heading off on to the moors, hills etc, which is my idea of walking, then I would say no, stay at home.

As for cycling the riding I do is for pleasure, the roads I use aren't even close to fit for riding at present.

We were due at a social event this evening, organised by our walking group, but we've stayed home.

I've cancelled a social event I was hosting this coming Thursday because I consider the ½ mile access road too risky at present to ask people to walk or drive on. I practice what I preach.

It's your choice but in my view a selfish one.

 

[Fastpedaller]

It's how I get to work, go shopping, visit family, so yes I do.

Do you drive a car in snow? Risky...

Yes, risky - but not as risky as a bike. You can't fall off a car!

 

[roubaixtuesday]

It's your choice but in my view a selfish one.

Enjoy the view from atop that fine horse of yours.

I'll enjoy the frozen countryside. On my bike, and on foot too.

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Mountain rescue winter advice: "enjoy your time in the hills but stay safe!"

 

[roubaixtuesday]

Yes, risky - but not as risky as a bike. You can't fall off a car!

No. But you can skid into someone else and will cause far more damage than if you were on a bike.

 

[Vantage]

A local news report at 19.00 brought this thread to mind. NW ambulance service broadcast an appeal at 7.00pm this evening. Please only call 999 in a life threatening situation. 100 ambulances are queuing at various A&E departments and 600 people are awaiting an ambulance to attend their own 999 call.

I know of two recreational cyclists who went out at the weekend; one spent 7 hours in A&E and the other broke a hip.

If cycling is your only possible form of transport I can understand riding. If the ride is for any form of recreational use then I'd suggest the rider is a part of the problem and has given no thought to the potential consequences of a selfish action and attitude.

I have to disagree strongly on this. How many of those ambulances where called unnecessarily? How many of those 600 people have an actual need for an ambulance?
Of the necessary needs for ambulances, how many cases are the result of pure stupidity? Anger? Impatience? Drink? Other people's actions? Unrelated in any way to the weather conditions or travelling in it?
I know there are some pretty simple minded muppets out there putting themselves at risk but that doesn't mean we all are. Some of us have a clue as to the situations we put ourselves into and take the necessary precautions to minimise risk.
Just because Tim can't ride a bike in a straight line doesn't mean Tom can't.

 

[HLaB]

Do you go on your bike when the roads are covered with thin snow ?​

Depends where it is. Back home (Scotland) I've cycled lots of times in the snow but down here (East England) I wouldn't go out if its anywhere near zero; the roads just aren't treated well. One consolation components last longer down here.

 

[PaulSB]

I have to disagree strongly on this. How many of those ambulances where called unnecessarily? How many of those 600 people have an actual need for an ambulance?
Of the necessary needs for ambulances, how many cases are the result of pure stupidity? Anger? Impatience? Drink? Other people's actions? Unrelated in any way to the weather conditions or travelling in it?
I know there are some pretty simple minded muppets out there putting themselves at risk but that doesn't mean we all are. Some of us have a clue as to the situations we put ourselves into and take the necessary precautions to minimise risk.
Just because Tim can't ride a bike in a straight line doesn't mean Tom can't.

And once you've minimised the risk, fallen off, broken a hip who are you going to call?

As for all the ambulance needs you list. I agree but I can only report what the NW ambulance service requested.

 

[PaulSB]

Enjoy the view from atop that fine horse of yours.

I'll enjoy the frozen countryside. On my bike, and on foot too.

View attachment 670920

I'll ask you the same question. If things go wrong who are you going to call?

 

[Vantage]

And once you've minimised the risk, fallen off, broken a hip who are you going to call?

If I thought like that I'd never get out of bed.
There's risk in everything you do. How much risk to take is up to the individual. How much is too much varies wildly from one extreme to another. It isn't up to you or I to decide what that level is and certainly no one has any right to label someone else as being selfish because they have a different view of how much is too much.
I'll continue to ride my bike in whatever conditions I see fit until I see myself as a risk or several other people point it out. I'll not be judged on it either.

 

[freiston]

Cycling on a busy city road when you could travel more safely in a bus or car? It's totally irresponsible behaviour if you cycle instead of taking the bus or the car in a city - that makes you part of the problem and you have given no thought to the potential consequences of a selfish action and attitude. Same goes for people who dare to leave the safety of their homes for anything recreational - there's just no need for it and it creates unnecessary risk.

 

[Vantage]

Same goes for people who dare to leave the safety of their homes for anything recreational - there's just no need for it and it creates unnecessary risk.

Can't even do that. The risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke from a lack of exercise etc etc.
Damned if we do. Damned if we don't.
I might just get myself cryogenically frozen.
Feck. Risk of hypothermia when it's defrost time.