>>1509014I've been most a full-time cyclist (no car) for the last 15 years or so, but for a few years I had a job that required driving all day. When I started driving again I noticed that years of city cycling had changed the way I drive for the better. The habit of scanning ahead, trying to predict what others will do while being acutely aware of their unpredictability, and simply maintaining space between my car and other cars were all good habits that were reinforced by cycling and made me a better driver.
I think most of the bad behaviors that are attributed to cyclists AND drivers have more to do with youthful arrogance than vehicle of choice. Crashes are educational experiences, and younger people are less educated than older, more experienced people. Most bike crashes you walk away saying to yourself, conciously or subconciously, "ok don't do that again" about whatever led to the crash. I clearly remember wiping out really badly when my tire slipped on a wet manhole cover 10+ years ago and I still think about it every time I steer around a wet manhole cover.
>>1509019I suppose 90% is plausible, but not much lower. Bicycle statistics are a funky thing. For example, there was a study conducted way back in the 80's that concluded that helmets reduce your chances of serious injury by some percentage, and the number that study arrived at is still quoted as gospel today. The truth is the study was based on the intake of ONE hospital in a northwestern US city (portland if memory serves). Cyclist skill level, road conditions, other vehicles, etc were not taken into account at all. Subsequent research has shown that helmets increase the likelihood of serious neck injury in crashes where the cyclist ends up rolling, with the conclusion that a round smooth "skater" style helmet is much safer for your neck than the typical aerodynamic helmet with pointy foam spikes on the back.
