Biggest Threats to Cyclists?

Norman_Castle

I personally think before being allowed to ride on a road, you should do a road driving/riding test like every other road user, and have a pushbike license to show you are competent to ride...

I personally think when motorists are learning to drive it should be explained that cyclists are valid road users and if when driving you find them an unacceptable inconvenience you should reassess your driving attitude and ability.

Cycling proficiency test:). Full motorbike and car license and 30 years driving experience.

hugheskevi

Consider the various solutions proposed:

• Ban cyclists wearing headphones (Boris)
• Cyclists to wear hi-viz and helmets (Police)
• Cyclists to have to pass test to be on road
• Cyclists to have insurance and registration (possibly including number plates)
• Targets issued to police to issue specific number of penalties to cyclists (Police)
• Stronger enforcement of existing rules, generally but not exclusively in relation to cyclists
• Ban HGVs from urban areas between certain times

Against a backdrop of drivers being responsible for about 10,000 serious accidents involving cyclists over the last 5 years and cyclists being responsible for 3,000.

Even if you could remove 100% of serious accidents involving cyclists where cyclists were to blame (fanciful, humans are always flawed) there would still be a significant problem.

The only solution involving cyclists that I can see which would significantly reduce accidents caused by the cyclist is banning under 16s from cycling given that group has a disproportionate share of being responsible for causing accidents. But that would both reduce the number of cyclists both in short and long term as it would probably deter cycling amongst adults in the future, and may reduce skill of adult cyclists in the longer run too.

custardy

Altarf wrote: »

Isn't it obvious.

Because they are cycling dangerously and jumping the red lights, because they don't want to wait in the traffic like they should.

isnt that where cyclists are advised to overtake?

redmike123

If a person decides to cycle in London, then they need to be aware that it will be dangerous and that they need to be careful.

This isn't rocket science, just be careful.

custardy

redmike123 wrote: »

If a person decides to cycle in London, then they need to be aware that it will be dangerous and that they need to be careful.

This isn't rocket science, just be careful.

Ah sage advice
So when a cyclist was waiting at the lights and a lorry drove over them
What did they do wrong?

Johno100

custardy wrote: »

Ah sage advice
So when a cyclist was waiting at the lights and a lorry drove over them
What did they do wrong?

I take it you have a specific case in mind?
What is the cyclist doing wrong? Failing to make sure they are visible to the driver of the HGV and not in the drivers blind spot. Just the same as not walking behind a reversing HGV.

custardy

Johno100 wrote: »

I take it you have a specific case in mind?
What is the cyclist doing wrong? Failing to make sure they are visible to the driver of the HGV and not in the drivers blind spot. Just the same as not walking behind a reversing HGV.

okay then,soooo
when the cyclist was already in the ASL and the lorry came up behind them
then what?(yes this was a real case)
They have railings to their left

Johno100

hugheskevi wrote: »

By cars and particularly motorbikes blocking the ASZ resulting in a set of options to which there is only one sensible decision. Although worth noting that it is still dangerous for motorbikes to start alongside traffic, so I've no issue with them breaching the ASZ, although it is a shame most do so in such a way that it prevents anyone else following behind them from entering the zone.

There is another option, its a bit radical, wait in primary position in the queue of traffic and don't filter, then move off with the body of traffic when the lights change.

custardy

Johno100 wrote: »

There is another option, its a bit radical, wait in primary position in the queue of traffic and don't filter, then move off with the body of traffic when the lights change.

May as well take the car and add another to the queue

Johno100

custardy wrote: »

okay then,soooo
when the cyclist was already in the ASL and the lorry came up behind them
then what?(yes this was a real case)
They have railings to their left

Very difficult one, as you seem reticent to give me the name of the deceased I can only go on your version of events. Perhaps we should consider getting rid of ASZ's, a move gaining ground amongst many cyclists.

http://www.magnatom.net/2012/01/advanced-stop-lines-spawn-of-satan.html