London cycle fatality

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....lympic-velodrome.html

This is not the first cycle fatality and it certainly won't be the last, but should the authorties now take this opportunity to tighten up on cyclists?

Perhaps they should take on board some of Bradley Wiggins suggestions ie the compulsory wearing of crash helmets, the fitting of lights, and making it illegal to listen to iPods and phones etc while riding?

[Kiki-frog]

Bradley is very much the man of the moment right now, so hopefully people will listen to his suggestions. More cycle lanes would also help.

[Sipowicz]

Perhaps the authorities should now take this opportunity to tighten up on bus drivers!

[Gromit]

I think the authorities should tighten up on people who get themselves murdered. They cause great nuisance with their fatality.

[Famous5]

Stop cyclists going through red lights, riding on the pavement (if over 10 years old) and deny compensation claims for accidents where cyclist was not using cycle track where provided. Insurance for cyclists to be compulsory.

[tonyav]

Yep and road tax imo.

[AB Editor]

With the inadequate cycle-paths in this country, it's going to happen. And no, cycling should be free, let's not tax something with causes almost no impact to the roads.

If lights, helmet and ability to hear aren't already a a priority for someone on a bike, I can't see that making it a legal requirement will help all that much.

[Gromit]

Helmets are useless in most cyclist fatalities which are usually through crushing rather than impact crashes.

It is already compulsary to have lights and a reflector when cycling at night.

Listening on headphones is legal but not advisable. It depends also at what volume they are used at. I use headphones when walking and can hear traffic. How is wearing headphones at a low volume any different than listening to a radio in a car?

[Ellipsis]

Undoubtably if people wore a helmet, had proper lights and didn't listen to iPods while cycling, there would be fewer fatalities. It's just a question of whether we have to legislate against crass stupidity or not. Given that we have drink-driving laws and seatbelt laws, it appears that we do ...

[AB Editor]

Anyone interested how you properly implement a cycle network can read up here: http://www.cycling-em...-cycle-infrastructure

Gromit, I agree with your points. I was hoping to just point out that it's rare to see a commuter without these things (I say commuter because there's no accounting for teenagers on BMXs!).

[Gromit]

Famous5

There is no obligation to use cycle lanes. They are not compulsary. And they are often useless, having been done retrospectively as an after thought.

http://www.guardian.c...ers-worst-cycle-lanes

[Kiki-frog]

Does anyone know if the RoSPA cycling proficiency tests still exists, or something like it? It would help if kids grew up realising how dangerous is it to cycle listening to ipods.

[Gromit]

Here is a leaflet on safe cycling which I wrote and designed in my previous job.

http://www.ratranspor...ages/cycleleaflet.pdf

[Gromit]

// Undoubtably if people wore a helmet... ...didn't listen to iPods while cycling, there would be fewer fatalities //

I am doubting that.
There is no evidence that helmets work. There is evidence that car drivers drive closer to people with helmets than those that don't.
http://www.independen...g-helmets-415656.html

I have never heard of one fatality attributed to the listening of headphones.

Anyone cycling at night without lights is an idiot.

[bev888]

I know that I am in the minority but I have never understood the view that cyclists should keep off of the pavements.

If a cyclist collided with a pedestrian it would be unfortunate but unlikely to be fatal or life threatening. But if a car hits a cyclist it is likely to result in serious injury. And when you see cyclists slowing down a line of cars who then weave about to overtake, everyone is at risk, even the oncoming cars from the other direction.

Also apart from in town centres there are very few pedestrians these days, so I think that cyclists should be encouraged to use pavements except in town centres.

I am not a cyclist, by the way.

[AB Editor]

Many "cycle paths" are pavements with a blue cycle path sign at one end. No idea why anyone thought it was a good idea.

[Gromit]

I disagree bev.

If a cyclist is not connfident on the roads they should take training, they should not take that as a reason to cycle on the pavement. Falalities of pedestrians by cyclists are very rare, but they do cause injuries and inconvenience. If a cyclist sees a junction where they do not feel safe, they should dismount and push their cycle past before continuing.

[McMouse]

Although now old I am a keen cyclist and am appalled by the lack of care taken by many cyclists in London. It is common to see riders jumping red lights, overtaking buses and swerving in front of them to take a left turn. Fatalities are not just the fault of motorists.

[AB Editor]

The confusion isn't helpful is what I'm saying :)

[AB Editor]

I don't think anyone is suggesting it's a tango of one McMouse

[Gromit]

// The driver, in his sixties, was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and was last night in custody at an east London police station //

Maybe they should tighten up on elderly bus drivers?