You are, of course, absolutely correct Andrew. When I originally drafted this article I compared the percentage of the population killed while cycling with the percentage of the population that actively cycle. However, after checking my facts before publication, I found the latter percentage (number of people who ride) to be so controversial and hard to pin down that I chose to remove that number as unverifiable. While my intent with removing that information was to preserve accuracy, I overlooked the logical fallacy of my argument without that number present.

To your second point, I personally am not sure that I’ll make the assumption that following all laws actually makes me safer on the road. While I don’t endorse rolling through stop signs and stop lights, there are compelling arguments that it is actually **safer** do that than come to a complete stop. There is also compelling evidence that it is safer to take the lane in situations where a bike lane is crammed up against parked cars instead of remaining within in the bike lane, as certain interpretations of California law would dictate I must.

However, you missed a couple things that I think are important here.

One – You are quoting the percentage out of the whole population that ends up being killed in these accidents. Nowhere near the whole population rides. It is the likelihood of these accidents when riding that is relevant, and that is a major contributor to the fear you cite. False stats aren’t convincing. Stating that a tiny percentage of the human population dies when trying to climb K2 does not make that a safe activity.

Two – You didn’t examine how likely it is for LAW ABIDING cyclists to be injured or killed vs. the more common type, cyclists who constantly break the law, and I do mean constantly. I ride to work most days, and I have NEVER, not once, seen a fellow cyclist who followed all the laws. Not a single time. Drivers are bad, but cyclists are downright scofflaws where I live (south SF bay area).

I believe that for riders that follow the law, and ride smartly and defensively, the risk isn’t high at all.

http://culvercity.patch.com/articles/officials-urge-la-county-drivers-to-share-lanes-with-bicyclists-9c931afb

Most sincerely,
Meghan Sahli-Wells
Culver City Bicycle Coalition Co-founder & Councilwoman

They also have to account for an even worse case — motorists who don’t carry insurance. I don’t know about California, but the figure I’ve heard bandied around here is that 20% of drivers aren’t insured.

Another issue is the pathetically low mandatory insurance requirements. Around here, the state mandated minimum for liability auto insurance is $30k/person $60k/incident. But if there’s a collision and somebody is sent to the hospital, that $30k is often gone *in the first hour*.