Another cyclist dies in London

[anonymous-user]

Cyclists, you are squishy. Self preservation above all else. Being right doesn't matter a st if you're dead. Yes it's your right to use the road, but it's also my right to paint myself black and walk the wrong way up Lane 2 of the A14 at 3am. Being "in the right" isn't always sensible. Remember that when you're slowly falling under the wheels of that truck you've just undertaken, if you shout up at the driver "I used a hand signal, therefore I'm right!" it'll magically stop the truck and save your life.

[v12Legs]

FourWheelDrift said:

v12Legs said:

Makem said:

There definitely should be a formal adult cycle test, both practical and theory before you can go on public roads.

Why?
The vast majority of adult cyclists have already passed a test, and as above, it is the driver most often at sole fault, so formal testing isn't exactly a panacea.

For those who have not passed a driving practice and theory test, you wouldn't drive a car on the road without taking a test so why any other vehicle.

You'd need to show that it was a problem that needed addressing before it would be worth the considerable effort such a system would require.

[GadgeS3C]

v12Legs said:

FourWheelDrift said:

v12Legs said:

Makem said:

There definitely should be a formal adult cycle test, both practical and theory before you can go on public roads.

Why?
The vast majority of adult cyclists have already passed a test, and as above, it is the driver most often at sole fault, so formal testing isn't exactly a panacea.

For those who have not passed a driving practice and theory test, you wouldn't drive a car on the road without taking a test so why any other vehicle.

You'd need to show that it was a problem that needed addressing before it would be worth the considerable effort such a system would require.

That was the problem I asked for some data on - you told me it wasn't relevant...

[FourWheelDrift]

v12Legs said:

You'd need to show that it was a problem that needed addressing before it would be worth the considerable effort such a system would require.

Look at your own youtube videos.

I am moderator on here, I won't post them as your real name is on them.

[Makem]

v12Legs said:

Makem said:

There definitely should be a formal adult cycle test, both practical and theory before you can go on public roads.

Why?
The vast majority of adult cyclists have already passed a test, and as above, it is the driver most often at sole fault, so formal testing isn't exactly a panacea.

Makem said:

And those things where you drag your toddler in a little trailer only 1 foot off the ground should be banned

Again, why? They are not exactly invisible.

So a 30 year old has passed their "test" In primary school going round a few cones. Potentially does not have a driving licence and so never been on the roads and decided to get on a bike after 20 years. Yeah pretty thorough that!! People need refreshers in defensive cycling etc

They are invisible that's my point. And even if they are lit up light a beacon you gonna risk someone driving into the back of it and crushing your kid. May get a suspended sentence but not much consolation when your kid is dead.

But hey it's all ok as they are cheap, green, and good exercise.

[anonymous-user]

It's their right.

[bitwrx]

Antony Moxey said:

...I've been waiting at lights when stuff's pulled up beside me, what am I supposed to do?...

Wait in the middle of the lane.

[Antony Moxey]

bitwrx said:

Antony Moxey said:

...I've been waiting at lights when stuff's pulled up beside me, what am I supposed to do?...

Wait in the middle of the lane.

Good point, however a lot of times the road is two lanes that merge into one after the lights, or even two lanes where one of the lanes is a left/straight on or right/straight on lane - what do you do then, another vehicle has much more room to come up alongside you and you can't cover everything.

[Hol]

Makem said:

v12Legs said:

Makem said:

There definitely should be a formal adult cycle test, both practical and theory before you can go on public roads.

Why?
The vast majority of adult cyclists have already passed a test, and as above, it is the driver most often at sole fault, so formal testing isn't exactly a panacea.

Makem said:

And those things where you drag your toddler in a little trailer only 1 foot off the ground should be banned

Again, why? They are not exactly invisible.

So a 30 year old has passed their "test" In primary school going round a few cones. Potentially does not have a driving licence and so never been on the roads and decided to get on a bike after 20 years. Yeah pretty thorough that!! People need refreshers in defensive cycling etc

They are invisible that's my point. And even if they are lit up light a beacon you gonna risk someone driving into the back of it and crushing your kid. May get a suspended sentence but not much consolation when your kid is dead.

But hey it's all ok as they are cheap, green, and good exercise.

Whoa!!
Back up. What is this test, that the vast majority of adult cyclist have already passed? Does it have a name??

Please don't say its the Level 1,2 & 3 bikeability?

Edited by Hol on Tuesday 27th January 13:14

[walm]

Makem said:

They are invisible that's my point.

I think you should get your eyes tested.

Are you seriously suggesting you can't see one of these????

[anonymous-user]

ZX10R NIN said:

So yes as a cyclist you have to take more responsibility for your safety because if you make a mistake or someone else does...

I'm just a little surprised that anyone can still think that its the responsibility of the cyclist to take all necessary precautions to lessen the severity of injury even if the fault lies with the other party? How fked up is that? How about everyone take responsibility for their actions?

If I fall off on my own accord whilst riding on the road, which in 20+ years has yet to happen, its my fault, yes I get this. However, its far more likely that, when I personally am invovled in a incident, on account of having some roadcraft and self preservation, it will almost certainly be the fault of the motorist.

[v12Legs]

FourWheelDrift said:

v12Legs said:

You'd need to show that it was a problem that needed addressing before it would be worth the considerable effort such a system would require.

Look at your own youtube videos.

I am moderator on here, I won't post them as your real name is on them.

Er, yeah. The overwhelming majority of bad road use is from drivers.

[v12Legs]

GadgeS3C said:

v12Legs said:

FourWheelDrift said:

v12Legs said:

Makem said:

There definitely should be a formal adult cycle test, both practical and theory before you can go on public roads.

Why?
The vast majority of adult cyclists have already passed a test, and as above, it is the driver most often at sole fault, so formal testing isn't exactly a panacea.

For those who have not passed a driving practice and theory test, you wouldn't drive a car on the road without taking a test so why any other vehicle.

You'd need to show that it was a problem that needed addressing before it would be worth the considerable effort such a system would require.

That was the problem I asked for some data on - you told me it wasn't relevant...

Did I? Where?

[Magog]

Seems to me that a lot of posters here like to use the term 'cyclist' to dehumanise the people who are dying.

[v12Legs]

walm said:

Makem said:

They are invisible that's my point.

I think you should get your eyes tested.

Are you seriously suggesting you can't see one of these????

Beggars belief, doesn't it?

If someone can't see that, the solution is to ban that person from driving, not ban the trailers!

[anonymous-user]

OpulentBob said:

Cyclists, you are squishy. Self preservation above all else. Being right doesn't matter a st if you're dead. Yes it's your right to use the road, but it's also my right to paint myself black and walk the wrong way up Lane 2 of the A14 at 3am. Being "in the right" isn't always sensible. Remember that when you're slowly falling under the wheels of that truck you've just undertaken, if you shout up at the driver "I used a hand signal, therefore I'm right!" it'll magically stop the truck and save your life.

I love it when people make comments like this, I know I am squishy but most importantly you also know I am squishy, if you dont want to carry the guilt of killing a cyclist, how about putting that mobile phone away and concentrating on controlling the ton of metal at your disposal instead of checking your latest text message? Oh you dont text whilst driving? well I dont jump red lights and ride on the pavement....

Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 27th January 13:21

[Mr2Mike]

v12Legs said:

My view is that the majority of cyclists are already only too well aware of how vulnerable they are, and most of us do everything possible to keep ourselves safe. Obviously there are some crap and inattentive cyclists, but I see no evidence that there are more cyclists in that category than drivers. Same humans, after all.

I don't think most of you do though or at best not a particularly large majority. Some do certainly, but since there is no minimum standard of competence required to ride a bike, any idiot can jump on one and go and play in the traffic. Sadly it appears that a considerable number of idiots do.

Motorcyclists have to take compulsory basic training before being allowed on a road, and cyclists are more vulnerable in many ways.

pablo said:

I love it when people make comments like this, I know I am squishy but most importantly you also know I am squishy, so how about putting that mobile phone away and concentrating on controlling the ton of metal at your disposal instead of checking your latest text message? Oh you dont text whilst driving? well I dont jump red lights and ride on the pavement....

It's odd at the difference between motorcyclists and bicyclists. When you are taught to ride a motorcycle, it's all about defensive riding; being prepared for unexpected and stupid behaviour from other road users so you play an active role in keeping yourself alive. Many cyclists seem to go completely the other way and expect all other road users to behave perfectly and reject any suggestion that they should take some responsibility for their own well being. Why is this?

Edited by Mr2Mike on Tuesday 27th January 13:28

[v12Legs]

Hol said:

Whoa!!
Back up. What is this test, that the vast majority of adult cyclist have already passed? Does it have a name??

Please don't say its the Level 1,2 & 3 bikeability?

Edited by Hol on Tuesday 27th January 13:14

No, I was referring to the driving test, that the overwhelming majority of adult cyclists have passed (fun fact: cyclists are slightly more likely to run a car than the non-cycling population)

I am deeply sceptical that a mandatory cycling test would do much to reduce KSIs.

[Makem]

walm said:

Makem said:

They are invisible that's my point.

I think you should get your eyes tested.

Are you seriously suggesting you can't see one of these????

You gonna bet your family's life on that?!? It's that level of "I'm right" arrogance which is the real issue. If someone was to go into the back of that there would only be one looser.

[walm]

pablo said:

If I fall off on my own accord whilst riding on the road, which in 20+ years has yet to happen...

#notreallytrying