Cyclists. Cars. Always the twain shall meet.
Discussion
I will say right away PLEASE do not turn this in to a cyclist V car rant, idiots exist in both camps, as do normal people.
However I do feel this guy was asking for trouble:
http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3...
So to summarise......On a bike......Short sighted. Am I the only one spotting an issue here?
I cycle occasionally, much less than I used to when I used to cover probably 6k a year on my bike (pre driving) and found the simple solution to avoiding accidents was to be aware of what was going on around you, keep an eye out well in front and be prepared to take evasive action if an idiot does appear, this has passed along to my driving style too and while I both ride and drive quickly and fairly aggressively I'm always ready to take a defensive stance and get out of the way of someone who isn't aware of the surroundings (had to get up on to the pavement yesterday as an old biddy was driving on the wrong side of the road in Pocklington, she only realised when she finally noticed my lights, horn and frantic arm waving.....Scary.
I can't see how anyone with a vision problem is safe to be in charge of anything quicker than feet as you need to be looking around yourself constantly and well ahead even on a bike to avoid instances like this. While it sounds like the car/van driver was possibly at fault either entirely or partly had the guy been a bit more switched on HE would most likely have been able to avoid the accident, surely a better option.
IMO there should be yearly test for cyclists, they should be required to have some kind of tagging system and serious penalties should exist for those who don't. Likewise I do think drivers should have to retake a very basic test (10 mins would do) to show they are capable of driving safely at least every few years, just up the road, round a roundabout, park in a space, pull out, stop at lights in the right lane and back would show if that person still understands the road signs, would show if they can use mirrors and indicators and would hopefully show if they can actually see!
However I do feel this guy was asking for trouble:
http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3...
So to summarise......On a bike......Short sighted. Am I the only one spotting an issue here?
I cycle occasionally, much less than I used to when I used to cover probably 6k a year on my bike (pre driving) and found the simple solution to avoiding accidents was to be aware of what was going on around you, keep an eye out well in front and be prepared to take evasive action if an idiot does appear, this has passed along to my driving style too and while I both ride and drive quickly and fairly aggressively I'm always ready to take a defensive stance and get out of the way of someone who isn't aware of the surroundings (had to get up on to the pavement yesterday as an old biddy was driving on the wrong side of the road in Pocklington, she only realised when she finally noticed my lights, horn and frantic arm waving.....Scary.
I can't see how anyone with a vision problem is safe to be in charge of anything quicker than feet as you need to be looking around yourself constantly and well ahead even on a bike to avoid instances like this. While it sounds like the car/van driver was possibly at fault either entirely or partly had the guy been a bit more switched on HE would most likely have been able to avoid the accident, surely a better option.
IMO there should be yearly test for cyclists, they should be required to have some kind of tagging system and serious penalties should exist for those who don't. Likewise I do think drivers should have to retake a very basic test (10 mins would do) to show they are capable of driving safely at least every few years, just up the road, round a roundabout, park in a space, pull out, stop at lights in the right lane and back would show if that person still understands the road signs, would show if they can use mirrors and indicators and would hopefully show if they can actually see!
I think he has mentioned he is short sighted as he wasn't wearing his glasses while typing as they were broke in the accident - so obviously he was wearing them while cycling. It doesn't really say how the accident happened.
ETA: It does seem further down however he was not wearing a helmet. Personal pet peeve of mine!! Sympathy gone.
ETA: It does seem further down however he was not wearing a helmet. Personal pet peeve of mine!! Sympathy gone.
Edited by kit80 on Saturday 20th December 12:13
wildoliver said:
IMO there should be yearly test for cyclists, they should be required to have some kind of tagging system and serious penalties should exist for those who don't.
No No and thrice f
king NO.No more of this licencing and tagging and tracking s
te. You going to start testing and punishing 10 year olds are you?
Chap was wearing helmet, glasses and hi-viz. Doesn't sound like he did a lot wrong from that statement, tbh (and I don't usually have a lot of time for cyclists on the road!).
Oh - and no cyclists shouldn't need 'tests' or licenses. Think simple public liability insurance would be a good idea though...
Oh - and no cyclists shouldn't need 'tests' or licenses. Think simple public liability insurance would be a good idea though...
kit80 said:
ETA: It does seem further down however he was not wearing a helmet. Personal pet peeve of mine!! Sympathy gone.
Well, I heard about a non-fault car accident the other day; the driver got some serious head-injuries, but wasn't wearing either a helmet or a 5-strap safety harness. It's not like they're expensive for a car driver to have, so no sympathy from me!Edited by _g_ on Sunday 21st December 11:17
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