Mochi, we're a cycling family here, too. I'm of the rail-trail, easy single track, touring variety, but my DH is a hard core roadie, with shaved legs and team jersey. He loves doing those 200 KM ride events. Tim has had two serious accidents. He was hit by a car going 45 mph, when he happened to be riding with police paramedics. He was completely unhurt, unbelievably, but his bike was totaled. For the second, the single bolt in his handlebar assembly (on a $4,000 bike) sheared off while he was cruising at 27mph. Yeah, as the handlebars come off the bike in his hands, like something out of a cartoon, he thinks, "This is gonna hurt." He was riding alone in the country that day, but a rider coming down the road saw it happen, "Dude, that was gnarly!" and stayed with him until a friend arrived. He had horrible road rash, and some deep contusions. His helmet was severely dented, but He recovered fully. I do remember the stiffness and soreness lasting several weeks.
There is great freedom and peace on a bike. I can well understand how upsetting it would be to feel that peace disrupted by an inconsiderate and reckless cyclist. Our ecology and our health would benefit from more people taking to the road on two wheels, instead of four, but we have a long way to go toward creating a safe and relaxed riding environment. I'd like to be a part of the change I want to see, but, even in the Indianapolis suburbs, there are always a couple of rough spots in a suburban ride -- like crossing the Interstate overpasses.
DH is out on a ride now --- we use the Road ID app, which alerts me if he stops moving for more than five minutes, and tracks his location. His doctors have told him that his riding is the sole reason he doesn't need the BP and cholesterol meds his other family members take. The difference in the test results is startling, and a good reminder that cycling can enrich lives in many ways.
