A cyclist's response to Overdrive's attack on cycles

Cycling has a sport has seen a huge spike in interest in recent years

A biker glances behind to see if another vehicle is approaching, keeps a safe distance between them and the vehicle they are overtaking, and swerves back into the inside lane after getting ahead a safe distance. As for mindless swerving across lanes, we don’t zig-zag like a pinball. We’re aware that unpredictable movements on our part can result in collisions. And us bikers are no more than a bug on the windshield when we collide with pretty much any other vehicle. Anytime you are moving above 40 km/hr on a thin contraption with your entire body exposed to hard metal or concrete in event of a collision, it puts your mortality in stark perspective. Cyclists are only too aware of the danger of an accident. The driver behind the wheels can feel secure in the box on four wheels, we can’t.

Who do you think would be a more careful person on the road? One whose life hangs in the balance with nothing between them and gravel or one fortified inside a car?

Also, the cutting across cars and bikes, as if they were stationary or incapable of direction or speed changes, is all a death wish and nothing more. It might be peak hour evening traffic in Mumbai on a weekday and the cars might only be crawling at 18 km/hr, but you clearly underestimate the danger they pose. And because you seem so naive, let me tell you what you are dealing with here.

“It’s dark. You have no lights whatsoever on your pedaller. And though you are big, your black rubber suit and wire like dimensions of your bicycle make it impossible to spot you in the rear view mirror. You also underestimate the reaction time of the tired mind piloting the car – it spots obstacles late and reacts to it with utmost panic. Everything from hard braking to sudden swerving is a product of the above stated panic. And given your 50 km/h speed and your bicycle’s incompetent brakes, any of the above maneuvers will kill you, for sure.”

He makes cyclists sound like ninjas. Dressed in dark clothes from top to bottom to better blend into the darkness. There is a little something called reflectors on bike wheels, they shine thus-glow dark

I wear florescent clothing while riding. Clothes whose brightness just stop short of glowing in the dark. If a driver can’t spot a Christmas tree on two wheels, they ought not to be behind the wheels. Speaking of a tired mind of a driver, one which panics at sudden movements: Who do you think is more tired? The one pedaling away or the one sitting comfortably and pressing pedals?

As for the incompetent brakes, our brakes are so potent that they can bring the bike to a standstill faster than you can sneeze. I’ve toppled over my front wheel when pressing the front brake too hard back when I was getting used to a hybrid from a BMX. Bikers make it a point to brake in anticipation and slow down before they need to stop. And to dress in a manner which makes them visible.