What’s My Risk? We want your ride to be healthy and happy
Why we want to tell you this Help you make an informed decision about cycling with us Increase consciousness about risks to improve safety on ride Safety is our priority, but we cannot guarantee it
Risks By and large, riding a bicycle is safe, rewarding, and fun. Still, it does come with risks that have the potential to threaten health and safety.
First, the good news…
Cycling has a relatively low fatality rate According to a study from 1998: Sources: 900mpg.org, cyclehelmets.org, U.S. News & World Report900mpg.orgcyclehelmets.orgU.S. News & World Report 128.7
And now the bad news
742 cyclists died in Each one had a name, a family, and a story.
Where the deaths occurred Sources: NHTSANHTSA
Other factors Alcohol. About 1 in 4 cyclists killed had at least some alcohol on their breath – Even low levels of alcohol reduce reaction times. We do not tolerate alcohol and cycling on our ride. Riding after dark. About half of all cyclists were killed when it may have been dark – We start early and finish rides before sunset. Sources: NHTSANHTSA
The hard facts Risk of injury while cycling is elevated. Injuries an be very painful and debilitating in the short- or long-term.
The hard facts 3,500 miles is a long way. The longer your exposure, the more risky it becomes. Cross-country bicycle rides by other organizations have had deadly accidents over the years.
Specific risks present on our rides Collision with car and truck traffic as we ride on open public roadways Adverse weather and road surface conditions Physical inability to complete the mileage, visit with your doctor and decide on a training program Bicycle malfunction Collisions with other cyclists sharing the road Risk of injury on construction worksites Illness from food preparation or food service Vehicle accidents while riding in team support vehicles Damage, loss, or theft of your bicycle or other possessions
We take safe seriously It is the utmost priority that our riders stay safe, but The Fuller Center for Housing cannot accept liability for your risks, loss, or injuries. We require participants to own health insurance for this purpose
You chose the risks you take in life… We hope you’ll participate in FCBA!