plea for safer cycling

My friend who was knocked off her bike next week will still be in hospital over Christmas. I'm so impressed by her cheerfulness on facebook and her kind attitude towards the driver. I've been thinking I need another new phrase. (Remember how I discovered I could substitute "kill 2 birds with 1 stone" with "bake 2 cakes in the 1 oven"). This time the phrase is "there for the grace of God go I" - a phrase I hear sometimes and struggle with. I think it has NOTHING to do with God's grace that it wasn't me either hurt on the bike or driving the car. I don't think God keeps people from certain situations. I do see what people are getting at tho when they use it - and I don't get cross when I hear it as I understand that people are being sympathetic and grateful all at the same time.
I use my car around 5 days a week now, and realise it only takes a few seconds distraction to have fatal consequences. I can't imagine how awful I would feel if I caused someone pain - or even death - how hard must that be to live with? Also, I know what it's like to feel vulnerable on a bike - that swoosh as a lorry surges past, the exposure on a busy roundabout. Having found it difficult to arrange missing just 2 pick ups from school last week, I don't want to even begin to imagine what it would be like to be incapacitated for weeks. And this is without even thinking about the pain.

I cringed at the tactless discussion on the radio last night that with so many cycle deaths recently we need to teach better cycling skills. Maybe I missed a finding that has concluded all those deaths were as a result of dangerous cycling. The report was about how last year (I think) in 26 of 28 EU countries, more bikes were purchased than cars. I'm really pleased that cycling is taking off. And for the sake of my friends, kids, my self, and strangers, I want more done so cycling isn't so costly in human terms.

The gales kept me awake part of last night. I used the time to pray for the safety of everyone in them, and to give thanks for what I take for granted. Stay safe you drivers, cyclists, and big love to those already hurting.