ROAD BIKING IS A DYING SPORT...Here is why... 

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This isn't a problem with road biking, this is a problem with society.

If I stopped doing everything that was deemed "unsafe", my life would be pretty fuckin boring. Between my job, riding my harley, and road biking, I would rather die what I love doing than live and not be happy.

I'm an 87 year old life time bike rider, road bike for years, but on a gravel bike now for the wider tires and versatility. I ride for an hour and a half every morning here in Tucson, Arizona. I ride on the rather bumpy shoulder of a busy state highway, where everyone is driving at 60 mph or higher. Decent size shoulder, but recently I have started thinking about just how dangerous this really is. I've got a flashing tail light on the bike, but it just takes one distracted driver to put an end to my riding years permanently. I am thinking about what my options are, but haven't come up with anything better yet. Right now I just shoot out of my home and take off. Out at 5:45 this morning. Of course, I have already exceeded my life expectancy by some ten years, but I sort of like living.

The only way I still survive riding my road bike out on the streets is to maintain the attitude that EVERY single car is suspect and I never expect drivers to do the right thing. I also watch driver's eyes and routinely yell at the ones I see on their phones. Even with all of that I still am very uncomfortable on the road these days. It is astonishing to me that there are not even more distracted driving accidents given the overwhelming number of people I see paying zero attention to their diving.

Here in Austria, the legal distance when overtaking a cyclist has been set at 1,5 metres (in urban areas) and 2,0 metres (countryside). And I have to say in 95% of cases , car drivers have become more careful. There are also side roads and cycle routes where there is not so much or no traffic. In Austria, the trend towards cycling is stable to increasing. In Italy and France, where road racing is very popular, they love people in Lycra😊 When you ride up a hill in Italy, you often get a forza, forza (come on, come on) shout from people along the road.😊

I agree with what you're saying about distracted drivers. On top of that growing hazard, there are also a number of aggressive drivers who actively make it known how much they hate cyclists. I've been honked at and yelled at when I'm following the law. I've been cut-off and brake checked. I've even been coal-rolled when I was road biking where a pickup truck pulled in front of me to douse me in black smoke and yell profanities at me before driving away. I haven't quit yet, but it takes a thick skin.

Road cycling is too dangerous due to drivers, too expensive due to the cycling industry, too elitist due to the riders, and too old because the road cycling industry has prized money over youth.

67 year old rider and racer here who has too many close calls with SUV's and passenger side mirrors. I lived in Italy for 5 years and every rider is given respect by autos as everyone is rider. I quit riding in the US it's hopeless.

The one thing I dislike about mountain biking is that I cant just jump on from by house and ride, I'd have to find a trail or something. I agree that road biking is scary and unsafe, however, as an area becomes more developed it also affect the amount of places where you will find trails. That means if you are a mountain biker you will eventually have to go further to find a spot to ride.

I'm completely neurotic when it comes to choosing my routes. I choose roads with speed limits under 40mph. The lower the better. I also use a Garmin Radar and I ride right out in the middle of the road. I can see them coming on the radar and then only move over when they get close. It forces the driver to recognize that I'm there and it slows them down. If you ride on the shoulder they'll just be blowing by you at 45mph. Take the lane. It's counter intuitive but it's safer.

Gave up road biking after one-too-many near things. My wife noticed i was reluctant to go out for a few days and when i told her i was nearly killed, she bought me a Kickr and a subscription to Zwift. I have never been on the road in the last 3 years. It's a shame, but i'm as safe as houses, being as i don't move out of my garage. Far, far too many psychotic, uncaring, impatient, negligent drivers with a deep hatred of cyclists on UK roads.

Yep. I was out with my cycling club last night and we were lamenting the same thing. It's definitely more dangerous out there and it's getting worse by the day. This isn't just distracted drivers either. There's a genuine hatred toward people who cycle for sport in general, fuelled by MSM/Social media. One example I could give was from a few days ago when a fellow cyclist known to my club was shoved off his bike at 25mph by the passenger of a car that purposefully drew up along side whilst he was riding. He suffered a broken collar bone and his bike it totalled. The police are "appealing for witnesses". Stay safe out there 🙏

I commuted 18 miles each way back and forth to Boston 2-4 times a week for almost 20 years. In all those years I never experienced getting cut off by a driver or any of the other car/truck driver war stories. That said, I stopped commuting a year before Covid happened because cell phone distracted drivers got into my head so I stopped and road the trails until last summer when I got back on the roads to train for the D2R2 gravel ride. I’ve been back on the roads since. I even bought a “new to me” road bike. As a recent retiree, I can ride the back roads at mid-day when the traffic is minimal. I’m a lucky guy. So far, so good.

I’m 67 and have been on a bike for fun, transportation, or racing since I could ride without training wheels, also road raced off and on for 35 years, even got to catch 2, though I was mostly fodder. I gave up road riding in 2015. Cell phones were a big part of that, also the place I lived goat terribly congested and riding became a daily battle. I then moved to Mexico for seven years. Riding on the road in Mexico is just not advisable, cell phones or no cell phones. I took up mountain biking in the high semi-desert of Querétaro and haven’t looked back. Moved from there to hilly South Central Indiana and expanded to gravel. I’ll never go back to road riding and there are a half dozen or so people a year in the local bike club who switch to off road and/or unpaved riding every year. Safety is the main concern for nearly all of them. I’d add another reason for this migration; the pandemic unleashed a wave of aggression in drivers the like of which is unprecedented. So now we have a significant number of drivers who are not only distracted, they’re distracted and aggressive. I’m staying in the woods.

Add wees, every 5th car it seems leaves a pungent trail of Marijuana odor, that always helps you pay attention as a driver

In the last two and a half years I've been hit by two different cars wound up in the hospital both times with brain injuries 7 months ago I was hit by the second car and wound up in the hospital for 3 days it's been 7 months and I'm still recovering

When working I used to go out 4AM - 5:30AM on weekdays on a series of neighborhood loops; very few cars out at those hours. After retiring I started going later in the AM. What I found was avoid being out on a road between 7:45AM and 9AM as those are the hours stressed-out parents are taking their kids to school. You get near a school and its chaos with SUVs cutting off other SUVs, bicycles, even pedestrians. Same with the afternoons between 2PM - 3PM. Other than that I have wide roads with striped bike lanes in my area, drivers seem to be attentive (yeah, a few phone addicts), and I always give the driver the ROW even if the driving laws say I have it. I've also got a nice long paved MUP nearby if I just don't want to deal with vehicles.

As a 75 yr. old rider I see way fewer riders in the 16-28 yr. old age bracket these days. Back in 1968 as road bikes were really beginning to take off in my area of Athens, Ga/UGA, there were so many kids out there riding but with cell phones, video games, movies on demand, TikTok, and social networking, etc. it seems more and more young people would rather go that route than climb on a bike and enjoy the day. Plus, the cost of a new, good entry or mid-level bike is just stupid these days and most kids don't have any idea or the experience of how to work on their own bikes much less how to choose a good used bike or rebuild one. So, I do agree that road riding in particular and biking in general seems to be at least a declining sport among younger riders for many reasons. However, in many parts of the country there still seem to be lots of young, middle-aged, and older riders still flogging away and enjoying their road bikes especially where they have access to Rails to Trails, less traveled roads, beach and inter-city paths, etc.

I agree, drivers are more distracted and that's one reason why many people are afraid to ride on the roads. I saw a young girl driving on the freeway almost drive into the back of a dump truck in rush hour stop and go traffic. She had to lock up the brakes and almost crashed. What was even more worrying was that it didn't even phase her. After she nearly crashed she went right back to putting her face on the phone,, like immediately after she managed to stop she went on as if nothing happened. Insane!!! Later that day I was out riding and another younger teen was walking right down the middle of a neighborhood street with her face in her phone. A sidewalk on both sides, yet she was walking down the middle of the street not paying attention to anything around her. Then shortly after that I saw a young boy, maybe 12ish, walk across an intersection without looking away from his phone. So it's everywhere. Drivers, pedestrians, other cyclists, and so on. We have a whole generation of people who absolutely can't take time away from their devices no matter what they are doing. And as much as we create laws and call this issue out, the problem is still getting worse. The issue is bigger than we think. People now feel like they have to be connected all the time and that they can't wait to respond or watch a video or whatever. Our phones have technology in them that can prevent this and I think it's time to require that when a phone is moving only the most basic features or GPS map can be accessed. The technology is even there to have a phone almost entirely disabled with the exception of GPS directions once a certain speed is reached. This way drivers have no ability to use their devices. As much as people hate regulations, it's clear to me humans can't self regulate so it is badly needed.

I own a bike shop in a very small, remote town in Oregon. during the season I host three different group rides, road, mountian, and gravel. The road ride consistantly draws the biggest numbers and most regular riders, followed by the gravel ride. Mountian bike ride is often a solo event for me. Interestingly, I sell many more mountain bikes than road and gravel bikes combined.

Hi from the UK. I’m 65 and have been riding since I was ten years old. As a ten year old I could go anywhere, anywhere and did. On my own with my friends I loved it. I even continued while I worked in the city of London. Didn’t enjoy the proximity of traffic but eventually quit as attitudes started to charge at the end of the ‘90’s. Still no phones yet. Moved to the country carried on until about 2012-14. Cycling became huge overnight, Lycra every where. I initially thought, great, but suddenly I had these 20-30 year olds blasting past looking down their noses like I was pathetic and then the drivers came and they were psychotic literally trying to force me off the road, screaming abuse and violence. I stepped off my bike and left it. I thought that was it until I went to France and got back on the bike. I was stunned, cycling was fun again, I felt so so safe. Wondering why I did some research. In France, if you knock a cyclist down you’re in deep sh*t! You must prove yourself innocent, that’s the law, so naturally cyclists are given space and also they’re respected because the French love cycling. However until I get to go there again my biking days are over, nobody cares if I get smeared across the road so I take care of myself.

Here in the Uk road biking is becoming a nightmare just because the quality of the road surface is terrible, let alone the drivers.

Agree 100% Rob, I'm seeing the same here in Scotland, UK. I used to live in Chapel Hill, NC and stopped riding my road bike outdoors because of distracted drivers, it became too dangerous, I have two young boys and I was just not willing to risk it. I will say, in general Scottish drivers are more courteous towards cyclists and give them space, but I do see lots of distracted drivers here as well.

Columbus Ohio has a strong road scene. 30 to 60 riders on group rides. Most days of the week you can find a great ride.

I ride over 7K miles a year. Older cyclist. Yeah, I ride road a lot, but I also ride designated paved trails set up for walkers, joggers and bikes. My bigger fear is the number of idiots that ride electric motorcycles on the same trails at excessive speeds well over 20 MPH. Unlicensed “KIDS” under 16. Drivers on roads: yeah they’re problems. Road cycling? Not giving it up.

Today, 16 May, a driver ran into the rear of a tanker semi stopped on the shoulder of I-70 west of Denver, causing a massive fire that killed one person. If drivers can’t see an object that large……,

I stopped riding on the open roads because drivers were being nasty, it was no longer safe, I got my old mountain bike out, nice to know that i"m not alone

I’ve been a pretty hardcore roadie for 38 years but also frequently ride serious mtb here in Oregon, Washington and Utah. Road bikes are the ultimate training tool while mtb is arguably more entertaining. Most of the nearby roads we used to cycle on here in Oregon and Washington have become too congested with distracted car drivers. Yeah so dangerous that now I frequently just go mtb at Sandy Ridge, take day trip to Hood River, take a weekend trip to Bellingham or make a big annual trip to Moab. But road cycling is hard to give up. 12 years ago I went to Europe to ride many of the hallowed climbs such as Mont Ventoux, Duez, Izoard, Galibier, Telegraph, Croix de Fer, Stelvio and many many others. Would be very sad that younger people may never have such road bike experiences….

I got off the road 2 years ago. If I can’t hit the trail because of conditions, the road bike has a permanent home on the trainer and gets it done.

A strong flashing tail light (even in broad daylight) may help a lot.

After getting hit by a car in 2018, I'm back on my bike trying to get into some kind of decent shape for bike touring. Now, though, I have a cam attached to my helmet. Unfortunately, in the state where I live, there's no real civil recourse for those drivers who jeopardize the safety of cyclists. Hell, even the local cops won't enforce cycling laws because it's "not a priority" of the DA. So, the only good the cam is for is after someone runs me over.

I live in the uk and I think we have much smaller and busier roads in worse condition . A police force who just don’t care and as you suggest a significant minority of drivers on their phones ( it is illegal over here ) . What you do hear about in the msm are the tiny number of incidents where cyclists have collided with pedestrians with sometimes fatal consequences. It is always the “ Lycra lout’s” fault . There was a celebrated case a few years back where a woman on her stepped off the pavement ( sidewalk ?) whilst concentrating on her phone and died as a result of her injuries from a collision with a passing cyclist. It’s always the cyclists fault.

I’m not in USA. England and Australia After 70 years of road, trail and track cycling, and racing, I abandoned them at lockdown in February 2020, to fully convert to a Wahoo Kikr Snap smart roller with FulGaz. I ride all four of my bikes almost daily everywhere from Juneau to NZ, and in Seattle yesterday.

Infotainment should be banned and safety features for car drivers too, keep it to a bare minimum, seatbelts and that's all. No problem with Road Cycling

I gave up road riding for this reason as well. It was probably close to 20 years ago when I was a competitive road racer in the pacific northwest and was hit head on during a training ride. Fortunately I was ok.. broke the bike in half and went flying through the air. At the time I was a few months away from being a dad so it put the fear into me. I raced a bit after that but really slowed it down and eventually stopped. When I moved to AZ I got back into mountain biking, but won't go near the roads here.. way too sketchy. I'll take my chances with the snakes.

I believe road biking is dying because it’s not that fun. Most of it is just endurance. There’s no real challenge to your core balance. That’s why Surfing, Snowboarding, Skiing and most fun sports are enjoyed up right. Cycling is down on all four. Never has been the right position for anything athletic that I know. Try Freebiking. That’s the fix to the posture problem in all of cycling. But it takes a lot of courage!

I do strongly agree with you but I would add two points or thoughts. I think that car thing will get worst for next couple of years, but it will get better thanks largely to new safety systems implemented into cars, like automatic obstacle avoidance and collision avoidance which may actually prevent cyclist getting hit by a car. On the other hand strong road bike killer is gravel bike. Most people I know are getting those instead of road bikes due to their more universal nature.

I have a few vintage road bikes. Bianchi and I can’t give them away. I think you are right. Another reason could be that I heard during the pandemic everyone bought a bicycle. No one needs a bike.

My wife and I just started riding (as we enter retirement) and this is truly the one thing that scars me - distracted drivers! Fortunately we are retiring in a small community (around 12K) which has a great bike trail (which also connects to a nearby small city 25 miles away). Otherwise, I don't think we'd do it. (And my son-in-law owns the local bike shop!)

I’ve been road cycling since 1974, and it is as good as ever where I live. I was just out today for a 30 mile ride - I rarely have any incidents, so maybe it is area dependent. Staying off the roads just surrenders them to cars.

Road cycling very popular here in Australia. But damn it, those drivers! I am counting the days for my turn to get hit! 🤦‍♂️

Yes, this reflects my own experience. I was a huge road cyclist (3,000 miles per year-ish) and mtn biker. I have been twice hit by cars (broken shoulder in the worse event) as have some fellow cyclists who ended up with more serious injuries. In 2016, I started to switch to running. I now run road and trail races (including many marathons) and have been loving it. This is ironic because when I was a cyclist, I thought running was the most boring activity possible.

Sad but true. Well thought out video. Unfortunate but UK is much the same.

I ride the roads three miles to the Silver Comet trail, 33 miles on the trail then another 3 on the roads home. I'll do the roads in a group ride but do not prefer a solo ride on the roads.

After about a 20 year layoff from cycling, I'm getting back into it. I used to ride 2,500-3,000 miles a year, much of it on the road. I used to run errands on my bike whenever and wherever possible. I worked out on my bike. I cruised around the shore towns on my bike. I also explored the canal and bike trails in NJ where I'm originally from. You get the idea. Now that I'm returning to cycling, I don't know how much road riding I'll be doing. I'll do some on my city's side streets, but I don't know about venturing beyond that; the traffic is heavy, and much of that traffic has distracted drivers. Back when I was riding whenever possible, people saw me and worked with me, and I worked with them. I had no problem sharing the road with motorists. I put John Forrester's tenets into practice, and they worked. Now, I don't know if I'd be willing to do that. I don't know if I want to deal with today's motorists. I won't give up my road bikes though, as they're literally irreplaceable; one cannot find a modern equivalent of either of my road bikes. I have a Marukin M420 with a CroMo frame; I've had it 38 years ever since I got out of the Navy. I just picked up a Cannondale SR500 that my LBS restored for me-sweet bike! By today's standards, it's old, but I think it's nice looking and nice riding bike. It also has a place in cycling history. You can't get any road bike like either of mine, so they're not going anywhere while I'm alive. Besides, new road bikes are excessive. Electronic shifting? GTFOOH! Are you serious? Downtube shifters are all I want and need on a road bike, and no new road bike has them. I'll still ride my old school road bikes in my neighborhood now and then. Since I have a lot of bike and canal trails near my house, I expect to be spending most of my time there. I have one about 0.2 miles from my house, while the other is about a mile away. I have two mountain bikes set up for that kind of riding; they both have Continental Contact City Plus tires, so I can hit the bike and canal trails, explore an inviting meadow, and hit the street on occasion. With no cars around, I feel safer. Dealing with traffic while crossing the roads intersecting the local bike paths is about as close as I want to get to cars now.

You could not have said it any better. Mode share was dismal even during so-called "bike boom" periods -- now it's rare to never I see someone else out there riding. Even in the nearest college town, which there appears more scooters now than bikes, few ride bikes. Vehicle lane excursions are very common now, with cars routinely driving over the white line or in the bike lane itself. If it wasn't for my helmet mirror I'd of been by now. I've been riding since the '80s and things began dying off at the onset of the 'smart' phone revolution. There is no question that club riding (at least here, in Delaware) went into decline by the mid-2010s. Just up the road from me there was a memorial service today for a legendary rider and volunteer, who got mowed down from behind and left for dead in Florida. So for sure, you nailed it; reckless driving is the primary reason nobody rides on-road anymore and the police don't care.

It's a shame that distracted driving has made road biking so dangerous. I’ve heard similar stories from other cyclists. It really makes you think about the future of the sport.

Same here in the UK.

Gravel bike has entered the chat. I'll still ride pavement, but try to stick to back roads and gravel. There are still cars on gravel but not nearly as many. Regardless, everyone on road or gravel should be riding with a radar light. I was nearly hit two years ago and it shook me. As soon as I got home from that ride I ordered a radar light.

I definitely miss cycling. I used to do Ironman, half and Olympic triathlons. I stopped when I got into PA school due to lack of time. Tried to pick it up again, but notice people not paying attention just like you mentioned in the video. I hate biking on trails because I can’t get up to the fast speeds. Used to cycle at MSU with a group. Loved it. Every Wednesday we would meet at the commuter lot. We would get up to speeds of 32 mph on flats drafting. Felt like I was a professional. Like you mentioned the quiet; yet, humming of our bikes. Pushing each other. Adrenaline rush. Being out in nature with friends. Really miss it a lot. Want to get back into it, but I have moved and in Port Huron I don’t see many cyclists. If I do, they are by themselves. No team. So very sad.

I used to do big group rides and races. After a big wreck where I was cut off by another rider I gave it up. A torn rotator cuff and back injury was enough for me to hang it up.

Same reason I quit road biking. I got slapped by a pickup truck mirror 3 years ago. Only mountain bike and gravel ride now.

You nailed it. This pushed me to ride the rail trails only and selling my rode motorcycle as well. Distracted driving is out of control and continues to get worse especially with the increased use of cannabis while driving.

I'm lucky to live in a state with more gravel then paved roads, Micigan. I sold my road bike when I got the gravel bike, There are fewer vehicals, on gravel, and Sure people drive stupid on gravel, but there is a bigger space between vehicals, cuz' of rocks breaking windshields, so there is a better chance of being seen, I wear bright clothing, and have blinky lights. I ride on snowpack in winter, and gravel spring and fall. If the trails are rideable I ride mountain bikes, if enough snow I ride Fat Bike. I've just picked up a 26 in Haro Dirt Jumper, I ride it on pump tracks, man what a great workout, I'm 77 and ride thousands of miles on my bikes. No electric bikes, no Tricknology, no battery opperated shifters/derailleurs/suspension/seatposts, I raced Scrambles before MX was in the USA, MX, Hare Scrambles, TT Flat Track, Ice Raced, plenty of Harleys, and other road bikes, I'm now the motor, I only miss one motorcycle, but I would'nt have time to ride it much anyway, cuz' I'm riding for exercise, or I'm working on MTB Trails, the motorcycle I miss is my H-D WLA I rode with the Yankee Air Museum in parades/air shows.. Happy Trails..

I’ve got to honest. In my….um….neck of the woods, road cycling doesn’t appear to be waning. I saw a lot of road cyclists again this year.

Thanks for making this short video. Sadly, I am considering options other than riding my six road bikes for exercise and outdoor enjoyment. I have one MTB and one cross bike that may work, but at 73 I’m more risk averse than in past years. I live in a metropolis with a population of close to one million and use my road bikes constantly. I can spot phone using drivers from some distance while riding now and they are so obvious at stop lights. My observations reveal that it is of epidemic proportions now. I was going to quote the fines for violations of Oregon’s Distracted Driving laws but when i looked it up I found a long list of variables with fines roughly ranging from $260 to jail time if an accident results from fooling with a phone. I strongly suggest everyone look up the laws that apply to their area and pass the info on to any drivers they know. More and more it appears that solutions to the problems in our society are coming down to individual actions by citizens. Stand up. Get involved (and save democracy - vote blue).

100% agree. Several close calls and two clapped friends led to me making the same decision. It's a shame too, road bike commuting was a part of my daily routine and an easy way to maintain fitness.

I fully agree. We've lived in the Austin TX area for 49 years. In '73, I lived about 10 miles from the University of Texas. Some short stretches of road didn't have a shoulder and I could sprint to merge with rush hour traffic for brief stretches. There were bicycles everywhere and people were relatively alert and respected them. Motorcycles were widely used too. We keep moving further out but the development eventually catches up with us. I still ride in our relatively quiet, rural neighborhoods and local park trails but due to accidents caused mostly by distracted drivers, avoid road shoulders whenever possible. It's refreshing to visit family and friends in Germany where drivers seem more attentive, skilled and have respect for the higher percentage of both bicycles and pedestrians.

THE reason I became almost exclusively a mountain biker 7 years ago was the opening up of trail networks right by my house. It is 1 mile from my garage to one trailhead; 2 miles to the other one. About once a week I put the rack on my car and drive somewhere. Now, I would like to road bike more, but it’s tough to find a time where I feel safest. Usually that will be a weekend afternoon, but if a friend asks me to hit the trails - I’m on the trails. 20 years ago I would have ridden my road bike after work. Today? No way - too many distracted and angry drivers. Bottom line - my road bike gets out there 1-3 times a year. I’m currently planning to take it out this weekend, but if a friend asks me to hit the trail? I’m hitting the trail.

I record my road rides, for the funeral... don't miss getting grazed - after 30yrs+ of road/group rides I'm limestone/gravel/dirt now

Just came from a spin around today. Not 1 road cyclist did I see. Commuters or hybrid family riders yes.

Road biking is strong.. Riding off road is too inconvenient. Having to take your bike somewhere to ride wastes a lot of time. I jump on my road bike and I'm out the door straight away. Nice and easy. On the road, just expect that every driver is going to hit you. Keep your head on a swivel.. And never use ear bubs when riding on road or off road. I've been riding on the road all my life and that won't change. Also, stay off main roads as much as possible. I can take several long rides in my area and only cross a few main roads. If that means taking the long way to avoid the main drag, then do so. That's why your riding your bike in the first place, because it's good for you and it's fun.

My Ridley has been a roller queen for the past six years or so. Like you, riding the road was always the second option to mtb, but it was fun and great to go straight from the house. Ditched it though after a couple of close calls and an ugly driver altercation. I ride for fun, and the fun was totally being sucked out of the road equation. I'd rather take my chances with trees and rocks than vehicles. I still will join large, charitable rides as they are well marked and attended, but forget just myself or a small group on a road ride. Just not worth it.

If I moved away from the bay area I think I would probably just quit road riding. When I lived out on the east coast it was just insane how aggressive and angry drivers were towards me. I went to Spain a few months ago. It was absolutely shocking the difference how I was treated on the road vs how I'm treated here in the US.

I was on a country road without hardly any traffic and the car passed within a foot from my drops. I'm starting to think it's safer to ride in heavy traffic where drivers are maybe paying more attention. I may die or even worse because of a crash with a vehicle but nobody is scaring me off my bike. Saying that I do ride more gravel now when the trails are too wet to ride mtn bikes 😊. Great topic and great video.

As another example, this year the long tenured Ride the Rockies one week road bike tour in Colorado was cancelled due to lack of entries. 30 years ago it was so popular that there was a lottery system to get in. A very popular century ride in Castle Rock, CO called the Elephant Rock was also cancelled due to traffic concerns. Meanwhile, the gravel events are getting more popular by the day.

Had to stop because of increasingly dense, high speed (speeding) traffic and driver aggression … and increased roadside diesel and gas pollution in my rural area.

Last year, I was hit by a car while commuting on my bike. I was wearing bright clothes and using a flashing taillight but there's nothing visual that can grab the attention of a distracted driver. In my accident it was a young lady who had a crying baby in the back seat. Anymore, I just have too much anxiety riding on the road. We have a paved trail nearby that goes for nearly 100 miles so I ride on it instead. The downside is I have to load my bike into the car and drive to it.

This might sound odd, but thank God I live in Brooklyn NY.....it’s 15 minutes to Prospect Park, and around a hour to Central Park if in feeling 27 as opposed to my actual 47 years of age.....both closed to traffic....and there are certain streets and avenues that are safe for a fast experienced rider with his head on a swivel....I don’t know how riders elsewhere can enjoy the Russian Roulette of single lane, traffic coming up behind you, riding....stay safe

I stopped riding for the exact same reason. I live in San Diego which is a very special place to ride, but folks just don't care or are too distracted. I feel safer on trails and we have so many to pick from without the danger of getting run over. We do have protected lanes along the bay, but it's all flat you can do it on any bike.

The main reason, in my opinion are the people in vehicles staring at cell phones as I agree . I'm an all around cyclist that enjoys MTBing as well . I reside in the small city of Manchester NH ,as I'm often biking around the city which isn't that bad as far a people on cell phones . But as far as road cycling on busy roads , or country roads I'm all set as that's where the danger is . I have a lot of local rail trails that are excellent to ride on for fitness as that's where most of my riding happens these days. Although when they're busy , the pace is rather slow.

Agree with the point of view and sentiments expressed in the comments. Nowadays all my former road riding friends have taken up riding on gravel roads - finally broke down last year at age 67 and added a gravel bike to the N+1 stable. Enjoy the slower conversation pace and quieter scenery of our northern New England area gravel back roads. That said I absolutely refuse to be pushed off the paved roads and continue to enjoy solo rides on the tarmac. Two weekends ago I rode in the "Ride for Mo" gravel ride in memory of Moriah Wilson. One of my riding companions inspired me with a cheerful "thank you" for every corner volunteer keeping us on course. On my next road ride I decided to change my approach to discourteous drivers and did my best to not get wound up by those driving at excessive speed, too close, etc. etc. Instead, whenever I encountered a courteous driver who respected my right to share the road and my vulnerability, I made a point of expressing my gratitude - a word of thanks and a friendly wave. Perhaps only a drop in the ocean, but as the saying goes, “you get more flies with honey than with vinegar”.

I as well have shifted my riding more to MTB. I love the road. I quit motorcycling and now riding the road may be on the list next. In MTB, trees don't just jump out at you or make lefts while coming toward you. I'll keep taking the risk off road and reduce my road riding as long as I can.

I hung it up years ago for the exact same reason. Been hit by 3 cars over the past 30 years and this was in NWGA as well! People are idiots on the road. The addition to rumble strips in GA as well has caused all sorts of havoc for cyclists. A sport I used to love and adore is one I steer clear of now sadly.

For me: I am 49 and have been road biking for 8 years. Over the past 2 years, I cut my mileage down by half(125 miles per week to 60 ish per week) I no longer traverse the high speed/highly traveled roads. It has become more dangerous w/distracted drivers. I’ve found new, quieter/less traveled roads…and sometimes opt for the bike paths because I love road biking and I will not let others/society deprive me of something I like to do. Vive le Tour✨

I've been hit twice and had many near misses. At 60, I quit riding roads and just rode the bike paths in and around Denver. There are hundreds of miles of pathways in Denver and many thousands of pathways for bikes all over the world.

Completely agree with this sentiment. I feel so much more nervous on the road in the last couple years. People are absolutely obsessed with their bloody phones!

I was riding on the road at my peak about 20 years ago, and as soon as smart phones hit the market, it was so obvious how distracted drivers were. It just got worse with time and I went to the wind trainer indoors for 5 years. Now it’s weight and resistance training. Also, now I am 63.

I have been a road rider and racer for many years. I have reduced my time outdoors on the road over the past few years due to safety concerns. I call my rides now “Risk Reward”. I only go out on weekend and holiday mornings. However I am still able to get my dose of physical exertion through Zwift. I know it’s not the same, however it is 80% there so to speak for me. In a strange way this makes my outdoor road rides more special and a treat. Plus I am strong when I do get out. A big part of the problem in my area is population growth that has extended beyond cities, with no improved infrastructure to handle the extra cars and trucks.

I upgraded my situational awareness on my motorcycle long ago. And I live in corner of Canada where the roads are constantly re-engineered to favour mixed traffic. I have few concerns out on the road, but I stay alert.

Before there were cellphones people were having their beers while driving. I was a runner and a cyclist until a drinking driver sent me by helicopter to shock trauma in 1988. I was in a pickup truck. I was never able to fully recover.

My experience is not just distraction but also the volume of traffic, less driving skills and the increasing size of cars. My miles on the bike are down and I see fewer riders out there.

I agree with your seeing a trend to danger on roads. It's unmistakable, and I've been road riding (albeit not racing) for over six decades. I can still do a 100km day jaunt albeit tend towards quality rather than quantity as age catches up to me. That being said, I've always tended to avoid major roads save for in the city where they're unavoidable, in which case I cycle less busy roads, even if it's farther to do so. For my distance jaunts, I choose trails and back roads. I'll take a commuter train out to one locale, do my distance down back roads and trails to another, and take a train or bus back into the big city. I've never been one for cycling with 'clubbers' (canary outfits and so on) but do wear padded undershorts, cycling shoes and gloves. I travel with escapees, not jocks, and moderate speed to meet a connection at the end of the planned trip. So it's with interest that I hear you claim 'road biking is a dying sport'. I didn't realize it's so observable. What I have noticed is how underused some magnificent rail-trails have become in this part of Ontario. On one hand, it's great that those that do use them are serious escapees, but on the other hand, if they're not used, they will lose funding. When I state 'trails' I mean ones that can be done on road bikes, albeit best with 28c or more tires. I'm subscribing to this channel to see how this debate unfolds. The market is definitely changing.

I totally agree with this rider. Many times I’ve thought of doing a spin on my road bike thinking will this be my last ride because of increased congestion and bad drivers on the road? Last week I purchased a gravel bike. Now I can ride without feeling the dread of being ran over from behind by someone texting.

Age and moving to more congested area has definitely curtailed my road cycling passion. I was spoiled years ago to live and work next to a large military base on the coast that was virtually empty on the weekends. Miles of well-kept roads that hugged the ocean with challenging climbs too. It was cycling paradise.

I raced Motocross for 25 years, fly planes, SCUBA dive, mountainbike, etc, but road biking scares the heck out of me.

I live in Sao Paulo, Brazil, biggest city in South America. I must agree. So many drivers do take cyclists as enemies... terrible. I'm glad that there are easy escape routes to go out metropolitan area, then you can take a 80km ride with peace, but not entirely in safety. To go real fast in the city, only option is to get along pelotons with 10, 20, 30, 40 road bikers or around this, you count it... stablishes an average velocity when heavy traffic is diminishing arou 8PM. Late hour, but it works... along the weekend everything chages. Most of us go to kind of XCM.... 80, 90km up and down the hills and greener areas outside the cities with MTB.

I road biked for decades. From 1975 to 1995. Loved it. Still do. But, the car drivers have gotten so much more hazardous for us. Now, only ride on class 1 bike paths. But mostly, I mtb.

I live in the Phoenix area and used to ride 20 miles per day on the roads. It just doesn't feel safe to be on a bike on the street anymore due to the changed behavior of vehicle drivers. Thankfully, municipalities here have invested in building 10-foot wide multi-use paths along the extensive canal water delivery system here in the Valley. So although I would prefer to be out on the streets, I only ride the canals now.

Yup. I'm one and it's the distracted driving that has caused me to shift from the road to gravel. It's a law not to use your phone but the police never do anything about it - Sad 😥

I agree with you. I used to road bike years ago, but I took up mountain biking for my safety. People are not only distracted on the phone, but where I live you would think is a race track.

In my mid sixties and I am about to put at least 5,000 miles on my third hybrid bike, but I have transitioned from the road mostly to a bike trail after 30+ years riding on the shoulder of suburban roads outside of NYC, Chicago, Cincinnati & Wash DC. I totally agree about distracted drivers make the roads more dangerous…

I've tried to quit road cycling, but road cycling can't quit me! The pavement is the only place to ride when the trails have been underwater for 6 months in my area with the monsoon level rains . I do see a shift in road cycling as a way to ride in the surburbs to a more urban style of riding. I've been to Cumming GA and your surburb situation is very similar to that of the surburbs of Dallas. We're losing our quiet roads not only to distracted drivers but also to sprawl and development that the roads aren't ready for. So it's a lot more complicated than whether or not it is disappearing. It is going away in some areas and increasing in others IMHO.

same situation in NE...used to have several group rides a week going various places, now (like you said) it's maybe a handful of people I see on the roads. Not only are people not paying any attention but there's also the issue of road maintenance, which has really fallen off, so there are large chunks of pavement missing on the shoulders which makes it hard to want to take a chance against vehicles going 60-70mph. Pretty much all we have here now are gravel rides.

I’m all in on road cycling. In spite of the injuries and expenses, the beautiful highway overlooks and the wonderful people make it all worthwhile, not to mention the fitness aspect of it.

Being a motorcyclist I am terrified of road biking as I know how bad drivers are. I mainly ride online with Zwift or the M7 cycleway which is 80km long or organised rides when the roads are closed to cars.

As I cyclist myself I do not understand why other cyclists are so afraid of getting hit yet they dress in black and don't use back light. Yes, large cars and touch-screens suck but many cyclists could do more for their own safety.

In addition to the increasing hazards of riding on the road, "better" road bikes are becoming increasingly expensive. High end bikes are outrageously expensive. One of the regular road riders in our area just bought a new road bike, paid $14K and considered it a "great deal". High prices prevent entry level riders from joining.

I'm still road riding after many decades of doing so. But now I'm much more selective about when I ride. I always ride at dawn. And whereas cycling was my social world when I was younger, there are no group rides near me now. I miss the old days.