Originally Posted by
OddDuck
Just to support what you're saying... we've never had wider or better choices in terms of bikes, gear, tyres and rider training. There is a fair amount of random chance involved in staying alive on the roads, but... BUT... there's a lot that an individual can do to swing the odds in their favour, both to avoid an incident and then to survive it if if does happen *.
Be seen. ATTGATT. Upskill and ride within your skills. Consideration, following distances, stopping distances. Techniques and habits on the road.
A thought I've had recently, after a trip, was that most of my traffic risks happened in unfamiliar cities while trying to navigate, particularly when tired, hot, bothered, and / or in a hurry. The most likely to have an incident areas were 50 and 70 zones. For me at least, the fix is simple - go around, not through. Accomodation on outskirts if possible, with clear routes to and from. That sort of thing. Doesn't cost anything, makes my ride both safer and more fun, probably saves time as well. That's just for me, YMMV.
* one of the selling points for me on my airbag vest was a testimonial from a rider: T-boned at an intersection and thrown across three lanes. His off-road leg armour saved his knee. The vest, with integral back protector, saved the rest of him when he went spine-first into a fire hydrant. Of all the furniture you could hit, a fire hydrant... he had a walk-away. He picked himself up, dusted himself off, and walked away. Well, after a sit-down first. The safety gear does improve and evolve steadily with time, this stuff simply didn't exist for consumers ten-ish years ago but it's around now.
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