(2) Risk Types:

Risks cyclists- Penny-Farthing as well as standard bicycles– face can be broadly categorized into (2) types:

Static Risks: Due to their predictable nature, most static risks can be mitigated successfully with Risk Avoidance planning. A deep pothole doesn’t move an it’s in the same place every ride . We can check the weather before cycling to avoid dangerous conditions. We know rush hour & the school runs happens the same times each day. Predictable, known risks need not be a threat to safety and are easily avoidable with Risk Avoidance Planning. So really it’s the 2nd category we’ll discuss in detail: “Dyamic” risks.

Dynamic Risks: Variable, risks other people & creatures subject us to which we cannot control. These can be a threat to life and difficult or impossible to hedge against with even the best Risk Avoidance planning. Although pedestrians & joggers move, by observing sidewalks these are- generally– easily avoidable. That leaves Animals & Motorists as the most serious dynamic risks to any cyclist- Penny-Farthing or otherwise. I divide “Motorists” into (3) sub categories: Maniacs, Aggressive & Inattentive Drivers.

1. Animals

Urban Areas: When cycling in urban areas, remain vigilant for cats, unleashed dogs and foxes. Scan for creatures as you would walkers, joggers, wheelchair user, the blind & vehicles. Unleashed dogs can chase after a cyclist and cause you to wreck by either fouling you directly or distracting you while cycling to escape it.  Also, what appears to be an “unleashed” dog in low light conditions might have a lead you can’t see stretched across the road or path!

Greenfield Areas: Assume the presence of unseen creatures such as foxes, badgers & deer and moderate your speed and be ready to brake or halt completely.  I captured the below video freewheeling down a steep hill on my pegs at sunset in some greenfield area near Bishop’s Stortford. A Muntjac deer is running- quite fast- parallel to the road I’m cycling down. By riding on my pegs my braking is more effective and the PF is more balanced. I applied some brake in case it did something random and crossed the road in front of me. Wild creatures tend to be more active at sunrise and sunset, so be extra vigilant cycling during these hours. And while you’re scanning for animals, you still need to look for debris on the road ahead; greenfield areas are favoured by fly-tippers due to the absence of cameras & witnesses.

2. Motorists

Drivers operating their vehicles according to the Highway Code in a predictable, rational manner are NOT a risk. However, drivers who are aggressive or inattentive ARE an unpredictable, dynamic risk and both are equally deadly; the only thing that differentiates them is intent to injure or kill the cyclist.

Dangerous Driver Types:

Maniacs

These people aren’t “motorists“, they’re “murderists” and they view driving as a competition rather than a means of transport. Anything can trigger these nutters. They have personality disorders and their behaviour can escalate to criminality, using their vehicle as a weapon. Maniac motorists have an infinite capacity for rationalizing their bad behaviour and always form the view that their victim “deserved it”. These are a tiny minority of road users, but I’ve run into a few of these maniacs both of whom sped-up to beat me to a roundabout. Maniacs are out to “win” and both capable & prepared to kill cyclists. Since maniac drivers are criminally minded and calculating, the presence of a cycle cam might deter them. However, if blinded by rage, either they will not remark the camera or if they do, they might proceed with an attack notwithstanding.

The below video shows a driver seconds from his destination- Grange Paddocks Gym– who’s willing to cut a roundabout to beat a 9′ high PF cyclist with flashing lights to it. In his maniac mind he’s entirely justified in striking & killing me if I’m in his way. Were there any doubt as to the driver’s malicious intent, he screamed abuse out the window at me.  These people are criminally insane and view everybody else as “the problem”… See the section under “Risks” titled “Enforcing Dangerous Drivers” to learn how to bring them to the attention of the Police

Agressive Drivers:

These drivers aren’t necessarily maniacs, but rather extremely impatient, high-strung types who are perpetually late due to poor time management or are possessed of a sense of urgency for ALL matters, no matter how trivial. These folks will drive a 100 MPH to buy a loaf of bread or packet of gum. They’re not in a “race” with you like the maniac is, but instead are in a race with themselves and take huge risks for little reward to arrive at their destination 2 seconds sooner. These drivers are irrational and make very bad and very deadly choices.

Below is a video of an aggressive driver who ignores my signal, proceeds to pass me on a very busy road and to avoid a head-on collision rams his way back into the lane to save his own neck- quite happy to sacrifice my life to which he is completely indifferent. Unlike the maniac, they didn’t set out to kill me, but nonetheless almost succeeded. This impatient motorist evidence really piss-poor judgement:

Careless/Inattentive/Drunk Drivers:

A driver who is impaired or otherwise not fully engaged mentally with driving being distracted by daydreaming or using their phone is as deadly as the “Maniac” and “Aggressive” driver types. These drivers largely present a risk trailing a cyclist rather as passing them as this manoeuvre requires active attention and deliberate intent. I see fewer motorists on their phones these days, but I still see them. They are still about and they are deadly.