Interstate highway travel is safer - So why do so many avoid them?

[Dirt_Dad]

I use the highway on my "repositioning days." I need to get someplace to start enjoying the ride and the highway allows large mileage to be munched. I had to use it a lot getting to the ferry for the Newfoundland ride, and back home in the amount of time I had available.

Highway riding is sometimes a necessary evil which much be endured. Dull, boring, mindless riding that I try not to dread, but don't always achieve that goal.

Pretty certain if the only riding I had available to me was highway riding, I'd be looking for a new way to spend my time.

 

[Donk]

Prior to buying the S10 I spent more time running the interstates than secondary roads. I like running 700-1000 mile days and get into a zone when I'm out there. I like it. Since buying the S10 I find myself running secondary roads a lot more. While it does a great job on the superslab the bike is just too much fun on smaller roads. A couple of weeks ago I was running the highway and noticed a road that looked like a set of stairs on the map . I had to get off and take it even though it was sideways to my direction of travel. What a hoot! Honestly the S10 has changed my way of travel and I'm having a blast.

 

[oldbear]

I will Always take the little two lanes if I can possibly do so and get where I need to be. Interstates are fine if you must cover large distances in a hurry, otherwise, not so much. Three years ago ife and I went from here in Kentucky to Colorado and down into New Mexico, and never drove ANY interstate. Spent 3 weeks on the road and loved every minute of it.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I don't have any facts to confirm or deny this, but my guess is, accidents on interstates are probably more likely to be fatal, simply due to the speeds involved. Makes me wonder how much safer the interstate is or isn't. The risks may be different, but not significantly safer. :question:

DOT or NHTSA did a big study some time ago which showed that the accident rate per million miles is about 1/2 to 1/3 of that on any other type of road.

Your guess has the ring of common sense, in that higher speeds would seem to imply more fatalities. But the guess is wrong on this one. Of the already smaller accident rate on interstates, the fatality rate is about a half to a third of what it is on other types of roads. Fatalities largely are a function of impact energy and deceleration, so my own guess is that the controlled access interstates have less stuff like buildings and stopped vehicles to make direct impacts into.

As to the original post, interstates are for covering distance to be at a destination and they are efficient at that. They just do not have much soul.

 

[Ramseybella]

Interstates are mostly wide open boring slab with plenty of clear view plenty of room to get out of the way or pass.
The odds of getting whacked by a flying re-tread from a tractor trailer truck are higher but less than hitting an animal crossing in front of you as on back roads.
Your odds of getting T-Boned on the interstate or someone pulling straight out in front of you are close to zero, you can move over.
Back roads farm equipment, drunk drivers pulling out without stopping and crossing over the line at you is always in my mind on back roads.
But having a front end blow out at 80mph on the interstate is not what I would call a great trip maybe to the ER on a helicopter.
Never the less with all the danger I love the back way!!

 

[bigbob]

I live in flat central Iowa. The Slab gets me to and home from the good stuff.

 

[Guls]

I prefer interstate except when they go through large cities like Chicago. Too many cagers and high speed...more chances of error.

 

[pnelson]

I started this thread because I have known riders who were afraid of Interstate travel, thinking it was safer to use back roads. When I did the research on that I found that undivided roads were much more dangerous, 250% more dangerous. That means you're 2.5 times more likely, mile for mile to have an accident on an undivided road.

There are many valid reasons to ride on all kinds of roads (and on non-roads), I just wondered if people were making informed decisions. It sounds like they are in most cases. I'm heading out to ride all day tomorrow and will put several hundred miles on some nice, rural, undivided roads in Oregon, in the fall, during deer season when there are all kinds of things that might jump out in front of me. Oh, and it will be raining. It is Oregon after all... <grin>

I'll slow down a little bit on the curves and rises and not ride faster than what I can see but I've been doing that for more than 40 years now. I don't feel unsafe and actually enjoy the mental state required to be alert and make good riding decisions. And when it's time to head for home later in the day, I'll hop on the Interstate to make some time and enjoy that too. It's all good. ;-)

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Yea, the thought that interstate highways are more dangerous has been ongoing for a long time.

It's easy to see why interstates are safer in a lot of ways. One direction traffic, limited access, similar speeds, all contribute to a better safety record.

For me on a bike, the interstate requires much less brain activity, less scanning the environment, less estimating entry speed, throttle manipulation, less shifting, less everything. I find it much easier to lose focus and become hypnotized by the boredom. It's not just on interstates, I feel the same way riding the Blue Ridge Parkway between Roanoke and NC. I get so bored I can't take it, and look for an escape.

Monotonous constant speed with nothing to look at or do is not why I ride. I can't say it's more dangerous than back road riding, but riding with less mental focus is hardly what I would tout as a superior environment. Of course that may just be me.

 

[zzzzip]

+1 on what Checkswrecks says. If the Delta Vs get you it doesn't matter what roads you are on.

I use the Superslab and 4 lanes to get where I need to be in in the shortest time, otherwise I'll take the risk for the reward of the view/road/meeting the locals on the back roads.

I have been on Interstate in the middle of Utah and had to grab brake to let the guy in the show-off lane move over to keep from ass-ending the Highway Department truck in the oncoming construction zone at 70 mph because he was probably zoned out (he was next to me for 8 or 10 miles) and I have had to take evasive action on a 2 lane enroute to the Tenere meet at the Hub a couple of weeks ago when the guy popped the hill in my lane (2 lanes).

I have no doubt IS is safer as I have done lots of miles and recall fewer close calls on the IS, but I gotta say it feels SOOOO GOOD to get on Colorado 92 and take the helmet off and ride for a few hours. At least until the sunburned forehead sets in the next day.

 

[WenWa]

Yeah... late reply, but in my 25 years of riding, I can't recall any issues on the interstate. On 2 lane highways, I've had to slow it down because the idiot in the opposite lane was passing and disregarded my safety.

2 rules I live by:

I check my ego at the door. I know that I will lose every, single time if I challenge a cager.
AND
I ride as though I'm invisible to all others.

I've made it this long without any true, near misses because of those two rules.

Interstate = fast and safe
2 lane = slow and scenic

Interesting post btw.
Wayne

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Currently in the process of planning a Virginia to Utah/Idaho/Colorado/Wyoming ride. We are really excited to be riding out west. We are also trying to deal with the dread of riding so much highway to get out that way...and back again. We're both trying to figure out how to get a good attitude about what we view as drudgery. Still a work in progress.

 

[trikepilot]

Take the TET down to the TAT and take that out to CO/UT and problem is solved!!!

 

[EricV]

Currently in the process of planning a Virginia to Utah/Idaho/Colorado/Wyoming ride. We are really excited to be riding out west. We are also trying to deal with the dread of riding so much highway to get out that way...and back again. We're both trying to figure out how to get a good attitude about what we view as drudgery. Still a work in progress.

You said

Monotonous constant speed with nothing to look at or do is not why I ride.

Yeah, I know some riders like that. Throttle control takes a while to master...

Have you been out west before? Once you get past the plains, (Kansas/Nebraska/Eastern Colorado), it improves. Not only mountains, but vistas like you won't see in the East. Texas has things you won't believe. Especially around Marfa/Valentine... at night. (Marfa lights) (Google Prada Marfa) Consider detouring to see the Field of Dreams in Iowa. http://www.fodmoviesite.com/

Yes, there will be acres and acres of corn to ride past. Survive that, the rest is better. But there are tons of two lane highways that are not superslab, but will get you there at a reasonable pace too, so explore other corridors besides the I-XX options. That said, there is a lot more scenery than you might think in some of our nation's interstates.

 

[trikepilot]

I have driven XC more times than I care to count using I10, I40, I70. With your itinerary I am guessing that you are using one of the latter two. IMHO, most everything between Arkansas and Denver or Cheyenne is pretty forgettable.

Since my interests lie in maximizing playing in the dirt on backcountry roads or on paved mountain twisties, I think I would start looking at the cost/opportunity ratio of riding all the way there versus a fly-n-ship-n-ride. What does it cost to ride two Teneres from VA to some point in CO/WY to then start playing? Factor in fuel, hotels/camping, food, consummables (oil, tires, etc...), and then the intangibles of your time, boredom, and fatigue components. Then... see what it would cost to ship 2 bikes to Denver where you fly in to meet them for concentrated play period without the 4-6 days lost in roundtripping it from VA to CO. I have never run the numbers but I wager that the ship-fly-ride combo is more expensive in "cash" but what about the opportunity cost. But how much more expensive? An extra 4 days at work would about pay for all the shipping, flights, and riding.

Dunno... just thinking of how much I - like you are - would dread getting my head around the droning monotony of 1500 miles of interstate on TBDBITW.

 

[EricV]

Another thought... how many miles are you planning in riding a day. That alters costs in terms of hotels and alters time lines in terms of seeing/doing things along the way. If you're bored with the roads, either stop and poke around looking at things that hopefully interest you, (lots of resources for things to see in the US), or do more miles and get to the interesting stuff. 600 miles is an easy 12 hour day of riding. And that's with photo stops, nice lunch, etc. If you apply yourself, you can do closer to 800 in 12 hours on the super slab. If you're wanting to 'get there', ask yourself why you're sitting around in a hotel so much or off the bike?

 

[gunner]

Currently in the process of planning a Virginia to Utah/Idaho/Colorado/Wyoming ride. We are really excited to be riding out west. We are also trying to deal with the dread of riding so much highway to get out that way...and back again. We're both trying to figure out how to get a good attitude about what we view as drudgery. Still a work in progress.

Here are a few things that helps me get across those long flat areas; get some audio books (they keep my brain more engaged than music), ride tank to tank, have a way to keep hydrated while moving, get a good seat, and take a couple of Aleve at the start of each day.

I get my audio books from Audible.com but you can rent audio books online and most Public Libraries offer online audio books.
I have a buddy who loads his Ipod up with hours of podcasts instead of a book.

Steve

 

[Checkswrecks]

I have driven XC more times than I care to count using I10, I40, I70. With your itinerary I am guessing that you are using one of the latter two. IMHO, most everything between Arkansas and Denver or Cheyenne is pretty forgettable.

Since my interests lie in maximizing playing in the dirt on backcountry roads or on paved mountain twisties, I think I would start looking at the cost/opportunity ratio of riding all the way there versus a fly-n-ship-n-ride. What does it cost to ride two Teneres from VA to some point in CO/WY to then start playing? Factor in fuel, hotels/camping, food, consummables (oil, tires, etc...), and then the intangibles of your time, boredom, and fatigue components. Then... see what it would cost to ship 2 bikes to Denver where you fly in to meet them for concentrated play period without the 4-6 days lost in roundtripping it from VA to CO. I have never run the numbers but I wager that the ship-fly-ride combo is more expensive in "cash" but what about the opportunity cost. But how much more expensive? An extra 4 days at work would about pay for all the shipping, flights, and riding.

Dunno... just thinking of how much I - like you are - would dread getting my head around the droning monotony of 1500 miles of interstate on TBDBITW.

I saw Dirt_Dad's post and knew what I would write. Then found that TrikePilot said it all nearly perfectly. Especially for somebody paid by the hour, as opposed to a flat salary.
Add that in the summer with the heat and cross-winds beating you up and little to see, it is not a fun ride. At the end of the day you are both pooped and want your own space.

 

[OldRider]

I'm sure some Interstates are safer, but 40 West out of Memphis or 75 South in Georgia are two that come to mind that I try to avoid at all cost.

 

[eemsreno]

DD
Don’t listen to the fly and riders , Riding is the only way to travel. You have actually accomplished something you can remember for the rest of your life's.
It is very important to have a positive attitude at all times even on the boring roads. Learn to enjoy every minuet you have on the bikes together, at every gas stop at every photo stop at every rest stop.
If you have to ride interstate, 80 is one of the worst I have ever been on, And I have been to Colorado a LOT of times on it. There is good two lanes all across the country and a lot more interesting to ride.
I look at the two lanes I might be taking on Google earth and check out every picture along the way, There is usually interesting stuff all over the country.

Steve