20 mph Enforcement in Herne Hill/Denmark Hill

[Earl Aelfheah]

uncleglen Wrote:

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> I wouldn't be complacent even if (by some

> miraculous universal assimilation of intelligence)

> cars stuck to the 20mph, especially in side roads,

> because the only near miss I've had as a

> pedestrian is a cyclist bombing down the road.

> They are almost silent until they are close to

> you, and he would NEVER have been able to stop.

Bikes are the real problem. That didn't take long.

[malumbu]

Wow, this thread jumps all over the shop.

So - cars are dangerous. They crash into people and kill them. If they slow down people don't die.

Pushbikes are less dangerous as they weigh about 1/20 of a car and therefore unless the pedestrian is unlucky will survive 999/1000. That doesn't excuse cyclists - data on cyclist/pedestrian accidents do no determine who is at fault, the majority will be on road not pavement.

We have a society that worships speed and the right to go as fast as you want. 20mph speed limits will not change that overnight, it is a long game. Look back 20 years when most smokers thought that they had a right to share their smoke with everyone else, including the young. A different world now.

[yourmomma]

rahrahrah Wrote:

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> uncleglen Wrote:

> --------------------------------------------------

> -----

> > I wouldn't be complacent even if (by some

> > miraculous universal assimilation of

> intelligence)

> > cars stuck to the 20mph, especially in side

> roads,

> > because the only near miss I've had as a

> > pedestrian is a cyclist bombing down the road.

> > They are almost silent until they are close to

> > you, and he would NEVER have been able to stop.

>

> Bikes are the real problem. That didn't take long.

Lol - its like Godwin's Law. I was surprised this thread lasted as long as it did before the real menace was invoked ;>

[malumbu]

The trouble with some of you is that you don't understand the way our democracy/economy works. When I was a slip of a lad driving older cars I'd get pulled over once or twice a year. Now I see a few cars each night with dodgy things wrong with the vehicle or the way it is driven. Pretty low liklihood of them being stopped. Yes cyclists too. I'd also have pedestrians stopped for bad pedestrianising too.

But then things changed, we wanted lower taxes, we/the powers that be wanted police to do other things.

Apart from a few TfL funded police they no longer routinely stop cars any more.

None of the main parties, in particular the one in power, want to 'demonise' the driver. The squeals that happen, inlcuding on this site (CPZs) when the authorities do things to deter bad practice by motorists.

So if you want to change things become politically active, write letters, join a political party, run for councillor, orgainse petitions, whatever.

That doesn't mean it is all fair. I try to take them on occasionally eg lack of parking enforcement on Rye Lane vs no discretion/overzealous enforcement for some other (minor) offences. PCSOs watching for cyclists on the North side of Lambeth Bridge yet ignoring the head to tail congestion on the other side.

I have some influence on a professional level, yet even here too may of my colleagues will say "if only we did this" "if only we did that". If it aint going to win votes then it aint going to happen.

Nowt wrong with raising injustices and debating them. Some of the quality of argument is great. Others threads are pants, or quickly dexcend into pants. I also get a lot of good tips and advice. I hope that some of you may be taking notice.

Funnily enough I was at a meeting talking about enforcement and I thought that I'd count up my number of traffic offences and I think, includng parking, I got to over 15. That is over a long time and most of them in my earlier times. The youngsters would have been shocked. You'll be pleased that I am now a model citizen.

[uncleglen]

Actually it isn't society that worships speed- it is MEN mainly.....

[TheArtfulDogger]

uncleglen Wrote:

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> Actually it isn't society that worships speed- it

> is MEN mainly.....

Really... Have a look here and prepare to heroine worship the ladies of speed http://www.bwrdc.co.uk

[KirstyH]

I absolutely want enforcement of 20mph - this is about quality for people and safety for kids - are we ever going to get kids on bikes (for me that like fish in the Thames being a sign of water quality). It's not just average speed its the aggressive acceleration if they do slow. I've definitely noticed my res. street being used as a rat run, esp vans at 7.30/8am. Over about the last year one of the most dangerous bits of my commute (bike) has become front door to Queens Road.

[Sissy]

The enforcers she have a speed camera as well as those (stingers) to roll across the road in front of any vehicle going over 20mph cars,buses bikes and alike. I've seen a poor cat get flattened by a drive who was doing well over 20 alone half moon lane and I feel the poor lollipop lady is dicing with death ever time she stops traffic to allow my daughter and i to cross the road.

Many people hate road restrictions when their are in their cars or on their bikes rushing to get work or to that meeting, but praise them when their are walking to the park with their children

[Elaine07]

Sissy Wrote:

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> The enforcers she have a speed camera as well as

> those (stingers) to roll across the road in front

> of any vehicle going over 20mph cars,buses bikes

> and alike. I've seen a poor cat get flattened by a

> drive who was doing well over 20 alone half moon

> lane and I feel the poor lollipop lady is dicing

> with death ever time she stops traffic to allow

> my daughter and i to cross the road.

>

> Many people hate road restrictions when their are

> in their cars or on their bikes rushing to get

> work or to that meeting, but praise them when

> their are walking to the park with their children

Never a truer word said, there are serval schools in the area, lots of parks and plenty of families with young children, it seems road users just forget all about that when they are racing to get to were their going, I've seen a mother with her 6year sideswiped by a cyclist and manya a car speed over zebra crossing when somebody is waiting to cross. I am a driver and also love riding with my children on weekends we do our best to obey the rules, no laws of the road but find ourselves on the defence from all those who do not.

Enforcement will go some way to control these individuals but what's really needed is a change in attitudes. Like sissy quite rightly States, everyone seems to be justified rushing around in their cars and on their bikes when it suites them but change there whole persona when they are the pedestrian.

[Marra S]

must agree with the idea of slowing cars down, 20mph sounds about right