Attn: Cyclists

[ewt]

Highway Code - urgent action. See also this post for why this is a problem.

Comments

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

Thanks for this :-) I hope we'll get support from non-cyclists too :-)

[yaqub.livejournal.com]

From what I've seen sofar, the danger is more attitude problems rather than any rules. And with that I mean both the attitude of a lot of cyclists, who seem to treat the roads like an obstacle course which has to be crossed at the highest speed possible, and car drivers who seem to think that any cyclist doesn't exist and can be completely ignored.

Of course, the lack of any sort of cycling path, and the situation of the existing cycling paths doesn't help much either. But then again, I'm spoiled. In the Netherlands a bike is one of the most common means of transport, and as such there are many, many, MANY more cycle paths, which are a lot safer, and drivers will pay more attention to cyclists.

[hazyjayne.livejournal.com]

Will get people to sign.

[ewtikins.livejournal.com]

There are many cycle paths that in certain circumstances are more dangerous than riding on the roads.

Having car drivers thinking "ARGH bloody cyclists SHOULDN'T BE ON THE ROADS" is already a problem - I don't think that the proposed changes to the Highway Code are going to make it any better.

I fully agree that cyclists should be following traffic laws. I don't think laws/codes/guidelines that actually require them to endanger themselves while riding are going to help much with this either; those who are lawful and polite will simply stop riding as much, and those who are reckless won't pay any attention anyway.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

The kamikaze cyclists are in a minority - similar percentages to reckless road users of other modes, in fact. In my time, I've been barrelled into by a pedestrian, a pedestrian with a push-chair, a small van driver, a large van driver, an articulated lorry ... one of which was whilst I was 'legally' using a poorly designed cycle lane, now I think about it.

Roads are for all road users. Cycle paths are not necessary - good training of all road users, and proper consideration for one another is what's necessary.

[fwuffydragon.livejournal.com]

Have sent purpletigron's letter to my MP

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

I got ten signatures on the petition this afternoon at work before dropping it off in the letterbox on the way home (by bike, of course).

[pplfichi.livejournal.com]

Sent one off yesterday with a few signatures on it :)

[keira-online.livejournal.com]

In that case, all the Kamikaze cyclists must live in Oxford. How we only have one death a year on average is beyond me; most cyclists round here seem to have a death wish.

[purpletigron.livejournal.com]

I can tell that you're frustrated about this. University towns like Oxford have an unusually high proportion of cyclists, so the absolute number of people who take risks and get about on a bicycle is also higher. The solution is still to train everyone to use public spaces with proper consideration for all other people, whatever their mode of transport.

There are compelling reasons of public health, personal freedom, environmental sustainability, economics etc. which mean that we should encourage people to become competant adult cyclists.

If you see a discrepency between your perception of the risk, and the measured casualty numbers, then either the casualties are being reported inaccurately, or your perception of the risk is in error.