Cycle Safety

[david_carnell]

Another tragedy. My sympathies to his family and friends.

As someone who cycles daily to and from Victoria, the issues surrounding cycling saftey are numerous. A few thoughts below:

- Cycling infrastructure is poor to atrocious. There are almost no segregated cycle lanes and the sooner major junctions are given "cyclist priority" phased lights the better;

- Cyclists can be their own worst enemy. I see far too many "bike ninjas", all dressed in dark clothes and no lights going as fast as possible, weaving through traffic. In an urban environment I'm ambivilent about the benefits of high-vis but wearing headphones seems utterly bonkers despite what DJKQ will tell you;

- The arguments continue to be a vicious circle. Cyclists will continue to ride in aggressive-defensive manner until roads are designed with them in mind and drivers begin to recognise us as legitimate road users. BUT by not riding in a courteous and sensible manner cyclists continue to damage their own reputation, endanger their own safety and the chances of better infrastructure provision;

- Drivers are still poor at 'thinking bike' and appreciating vulnerable road users. I think further training as part of the driving/HGV test on cycle awareness is a good start;

- I don't like the way that it is deemed to constantly be the requirement of cyclists to 'make' themselves safe i.e. helmet, high-vis, endless lights etc etc. It would be as ridiculous to ask all cars to be painted white as they are easier to spot in the dark. Or for every driver to wear fire proof overalls to eliminate any deaths due to fire in crashes. Pedestrians aren't expected to dress like a quarterback to cross the road despite the inherent danger in doing so and the high number of pedestrian deaths every year. The heaviest burden or responsibility for safety should rest with those in charge of the vehicles causing the most harm in an accident from HGV to car to motorcycle to bicycle to pedestrian in that order.

[taper]

That is an awful junction, with a very poor road surface.

[LadyDeliah]

david_carnell Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Another tragedy. My sympathies to his family and

> friends.

>

> As someone who cycles daily to and from Victoria,

> the issues surrounding cycling saftey are

> numerous. A few thoughts below:

>

> - Cycling infrastructure is poor to atrocious.

> There are almost no segregated cycle lanes and the

> sooner major junctions are given "cyclist

> priority" phased lights the better;

>

> - Cyclists can be their own worst enemy. I see far

> too many "bike ninjas", all dressed in dark

> clothes and no lights going as fast as possible,

> weaving through traffic. In an urban environment

> I'm ambivilent about the benefits of high-vis but

> wearing headphones seems utterly bonkers despite

> what DJKQ will tell you;

>

> - The arguments continue to be a vicious circle.

> Cyclists will continue to ride in

> aggressive-defensive manner until roads are

> designed with them in mind and drivers begin to

> recognise us as legitimate road users. BUT by not

> riding in a courteous and sensible manner cyclists

> continue to damage their own reputation, endanger

> their own safety and the chances of better

> infrastructure provision;

>

> - Drivers are still poor at 'thinking bike' and

> appreciating vulnerable road users. I think

> further training as part of the driving/HGV test

> on cycle awareness is a good start;

>

> - I don't like the way that it is deemed to

> constantly be the requirement of cyclists to

> 'make' themselves safe i.e. helmet, high-vis,

> endless lights etc etc. It would be as ridiculous

> to ask all cars to be painted white as they are

> easier to spot in the dark. Or for every driver to

> wear fire proof overalls to eliminate any deaths

> due to fire in crashes. Pedestrians aren't

> expected to dress like a quarterback to cross the

> road despite the inherent danger in doing so and

> the high number of pedestrian deaths every year.

> The heaviest burden or responsibility for safety

> should rest with those in charge of the vehicles

> causing the most harm in an accident from HGV to

> car to motorcycle to bicycle to pedestrian in that

> order.

Agree totally.