14 yrs - Death by Careless Cycling
Discussion
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
If the driver wasn't being a total dick, the mirrors would remain intact. It's only a mirror. Not a life. Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
carlo996 said:
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
If the driver wasn't being a total dick, the mirrors would remain intact. It's only a mirror. Not a life. Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Siao said:
One could also ask, why do you think that it is ok to risk a cyclist's life and damage to their equipment that nowadays is way more than £1000?
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Exactly right. Although on the few occasions I have been really close it shook me up and the anger took a while as I was genuinely in shock. I don't condone damaging property, but I can fully understand why it happens in these circumstances. But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
carlo996 said:
Siao said:
One could also ask, why do you think that it is ok to risk a cyclist's life and damage to their equipment that nowadays is way more than £1000?
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Exactly right. Although on the few occasions I have been really close it shook me up and the anger took a while as I was genuinely in shock. I don't condone damaging property, but I can fully understand why it happens in these circumstances. But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
I had another one a couple of days ago, when a taxi driver that thought it is a great idea to overtake me only to slam on the brakes and turn. But I didn't smash his mirror, I may be defective I am afraid!!
Graveworm said:
Is there any world in which we, as cyclists, could accept we could do more to improve opinions, rather than continuing to be so combative.
The only way to improve views of cycling is for it to become a normal activity that everyone does (see Holland). Right now we are not welcome anywhere where others are able to view us. On my 2 rides this weekend, Saturday I received a long horn press as I turned off the road as presumably the driver behind was upset they couldn't do a punishment pass, Sunday I was out at 5am and had a lovely ride where more baby deer saw me then humans.Siao said:
carlo996 said:
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
If the driver wasn't being a total dick, the mirrors would remain intact. It's only a mirror. Not a life. Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Cycling casualty rates have fallen by 37% and fatalities by 55% over the past 20 years yet fewer people are cycling than ever, despite incentives, highway code changes and record infrastructure investment. 20 percent of fatalities, on the road, don't involve motor vehicles at all and per km driven/ridden a cyclist is more that twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured, colliding with another cyclist than with a car.
Graveworm said:
Siao said:
carlo996 said:
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
If the driver wasn't being a total dick, the mirrors would remain intact. It's only a mirror. Not a life. Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Cycling casualty rates have fallen by 37% and fatalities by 55% over the past 20 years yet fewer people are cycling than ever, despite incentives, highway code changes and record infrastructure investment. 20 percent of fatalities, on the road, don't involve motor vehicles at all and per km driven/ridden a cyclist is more that twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured, colliding with another cyclist than with a car.
I would have thought the number of cyclists is going up, but it seems I'm wrong.
MBBlat said:
frisbee said:
Julian Scott said:
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Do they? All of them?Especially the ones who remove them with their arse by telepathically making the driver forget to actually move out when overtaking.
Before the angry respond, I wasn’t speeding and was in a marked cycle lane and hadn’t jumped the red lights. I was also wearing a reflective jacket and a bright yellow helmet.
Forester1965 said:
I think education for cyclists is the way. More time in schools, availability of cyclist training and carrots for doing it for all ages.
Some cyclists put themselves in harms way through ignorance, others by bloody mindedness. Obviously a large proportion are victims of drivers' behaviour. The question is in how many of those instances was the danger obvious if looked for but was either not seen or ignored?
There's no value in 'being in the right' whilst at the same time being under the wheels of a tipper truck.
Yes, cyclists need to be more aware of the dangers of the road, shielded by their impenetrable protective lycra. If only they were as aware of the dangers of the roads as the driver, exposed with only 2 tonnes of metal between them and the real world, as they drive with one eye on their phone.Some cyclists put themselves in harms way through ignorance, others by bloody mindedness. Obviously a large proportion are victims of drivers' behaviour. The question is in how many of those instances was the danger obvious if looked for but was either not seen or ignored?
There's no value in 'being in the right' whilst at the same time being under the wheels of a tipper truck.
Trif said:
Graveworm said:
Is there any world in which we, as cyclists, could accept we could do more to improve opinions, rather than continuing to be so combative.
The only way to improve views of cycling is for it to become a normal activity that everyone does (see Holland). Right now we are not welcome anywhere where others are able to view us. On my 2 rides this weekend, Saturday I received a long horn press as I turned off the road as presumably the driver behind was upset they couldn't do a punishment pass, Sunday I was out at 5am and had a lovely ride where more baby deer saw me then humans.Ignoring the Covid bounce, cycling levels haven't changed that much, despite being much safer, incentives and record infrastructure investment. We are back to an all time low and falling. What more, can we do to become more like Holland unless we force people to use bikes.
t?Siao said:
Graveworm said:
Siao said:
carlo996 said:
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
If the driver wasn't being a total dick, the mirrors would remain intact. It's only a mirror. Not a life. Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Cycling casualty rates have fallen by 37% and fatalities by 55% over the past 20 years yet fewer people are cycling than ever, despite incentives, highway code changes and record infrastructure investment. 20 percent of fatalities, on the road, don't involve motor vehicles at all and per km driven/ridden a cyclist is more that twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured, colliding with another cyclist than with a car.
I would have thought the number of cyclists is going up, but it seems I'm wrong.
Graveworm said:
Siao said:
carlo996 said:
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
If the driver wasn't being a total dick, the mirrors would remain intact. It's only a mirror. Not a life. Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Cycling casualty rates have fallen by 37% and fatalities by 55% over the past 20 years yet fewer people are cycling than ever, despite incentives, highway code changes and record infrastructure investment. 20 percent of fatalities, on the road, don't involve motor vehicles at all and per km driven/ridden a cyclist is more that twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured, colliding with another cyclist than with a car.
According to Gov figures, looking at commuters only, Cycling traffic levels have increased by 15.5% since December 2013 (to Dec 2023). Plus with leisure cycling at an all time high (except the blip of Covid/lockdown), I find it hard to believe that fewer people are cycling than ever?
Trif said:
Graveworm said:
Is there any world in which we, as cyclists, could accept we could do more to improve opinions, rather than continuing to be so combative.
The only way to improve views of cycling is for it to become a normal activity that everyone does (see Holland). Right now we are not welcome anywhere where others are able to view us. On my 2 rides this weekend, Saturday I received a long horn press as I turned off the road as presumably the driver behind was upset they couldn't do a punishment pass, Sunday I was out at 5am and had a lovely ride where more baby deer saw me then humans.Graveworm said:
Siao said:
Graveworm said:
Siao said:
carlo996 said:
Geffg said:
As you can tell it really annoys me the way cyclists think it’s fine to damage a car or smash someone’s mirror which can be £1000 and that’s ok.
Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
If the driver wasn't being a total dick, the mirrors would remain intact. It's only a mirror. Not a life. Some cyclists break laws and so do some motorists. No one is above the law and I’m sure very few never break any rules.
We are all human and things will happen.
But don't fall for this post, no one thinks it is fine to damage something. I'd like to think that anyone who had his life stupidly put in danger and reacted to that, it was just red mist, not a premeditated act of aggression that all cyclists collectively think it is right.
I really do think that drivers need to be educated properly on the danger to bikes, maybe even trained like the bus drivers in Mexico!
Cycling casualty rates have fallen by 37% and fatalities by 55% over the past 20 years yet fewer people are cycling than ever, despite incentives, highway code changes and record infrastructure investment. 20 percent of fatalities, on the road, don't involve motor vehicles at all and per km driven/ridden a cyclist is more that twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured, colliding with another cyclist than with a car.
I would have thought the number of cyclists is going up, but it seems I'm wrong.
pedal cycle traffic increased by 50%
Julian Scott said:
Forester1965 said:
I think education for cyclists is the way. More time in schools, availability of cyclist training and carrots for doing it for all ages.
Some cyclists put themselves in harms way through ignorance, others by bloody mindedness. Obviously a large proportion are victims of drivers' behaviour. The question is in how many of those instances was the danger obvious if looked for but was either not seen or ignored?
There's no value in 'being in the right' whilst at the same time being under the wheels of a tipper truck.
Yes, cyclists need to be more aware of the dangers of the road, shielded by their impenetrable protective lycra. If only they were as aware of the dangers of the roads as the driver, exposed with only 2 tonnes of metal between them and the real world, as they drive with one eye on their phone.Some cyclists put themselves in harms way through ignorance, others by bloody mindedness. Obviously a large proportion are victims of drivers' behaviour. The question is in how many of those instances was the danger obvious if looked for but was either not seen or ignored?
There's no value in 'being in the right' whilst at the same time being under the wheels of a tipper truck.
There's nothing in educating cyclists preventing drivers from being better educated better at the same time (which they should be).
Graveworm said:
What more, can we do to become more like Holland unless we force people to use bikes.
It starts off with school age children. We need to focus on connecting schools up to the areas that the majority of students come from, so fully segregated cycle lanes on the major roads and low traffic neighbourhoods to stop rat running on the small residential roads. Remove drop off zones near schools so parents can't do the drop off/pick up by car. Kids love the freedom and independence of being able to cycle alone/with friends. Primary age school children can get that freedom by school organised bike bus. Are there any areas outside of London actually trying to create a fully segregated and integrated cycle network? As it seems to be working very well there.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff