Fool basically got himself convicted of manslaughter
Discussion
A slightly different view here https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/...
I've got to say I agree with most of what the guy is saying, this cyclist does seem to be being made an example of.
I've got to say I agree with most of what the guy is saying, this cyclist does seem to be being made an example of.
ecsrobin said:
funinhounslow said:
A very tragic incident - plenty of interesting background and food for thought here from a cycling QC...
https://thecyclingsilk.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/the-...
That’s interesting reading especially regarding the variance in braking distances used in the trial vs what physics would say. https://thecyclingsilk.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/the-...
I'd like to see both sets of calculations and check them, as neither side seems truly independent on this matter. Also the "4x" multiple for wet-weather on a rim-brake - I suspect that's "up to", rather than a precise figure...
Regardless, I think there's SOME merit in that article (he is being made an example of), but I think JPJPJP's comment is spot on - it's his repeated failure of the attitude test that has led to that. That and his arrogance in riding a fixie FOR A JOB around the busiest city in Europe.
(I could make a few further comments there but the last sentence stands on its own quite well)
Finally, I also think that IMPACT speed should be seen as the critical factor, rather than 'free travelling' speed - an equivalent situation would be someone on their phone not paying attention until the last seconds (in/on a road legal vehicle), and so increasing the collision speed vs someone concentrating on their riding/driving. I don't know about anyone else here but I consider brakes and tyres to be the two most fundemental things (to invest in and keep well-maintained) on any bike/car...
boyse7en said:
A slightly different view here https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/...
I've got to say I agree with most of what the guy is saying, this cyclist does seem to be being made an example of.
He made his bed and now he has to lie in it.I've got to say I agree with most of what the guy is saying, this cyclist does seem to be being made an example of.
If he had not been so vocal on a forum and shouting at the woman on the floor and ever showed one ounce of consideration for the fact she died as a result of crash he may not have been made an example of.
Posting things like "I am not saying she deserved it but she didn't move when I shouted at her".
He has blamed her I believe he lied in court and online about her being on her phone and the cctv did not show that.
That coupled with the illegal bike he made the whole made him a target as he refuses to accept any blame.
His actions will probably have prompted a Daily Mail crusade to crack down on cyclists. I got the sense the family of the victim now want to see changes to the law, although I don't see anything in particular noted (give in this case he was breaking long-standing law).
From the limited (mostly BBC news) coverage I've read I think I understand why he felt like he wasn't in the wrong. If he was genuinely ignorant of his bike not being road legal and she really stepped out into the road on her phone (I haven't read that this was made up). The comments made online were apparently later deleted when he found out she had died and the much more serious implications. If you don't think it's your fault it's quite hard to look genuinely remorseful I suppose.
From the limited (mostly BBC news) coverage I've read I think I understand why he felt like he wasn't in the wrong. If he was genuinely ignorant of his bike not being road legal and she really stepped out into the road on her phone (I haven't read that this was made up). The comments made online were apparently later deleted when he found out she had died and the much more serious implications. If you don't think it's your fault it's quite hard to look genuinely remorseful I suppose.
Removing the ABS wouldn't be illegal I don't think (probably a few PH'ers in trouble if it is!), but I understand your point. It's self justification though rather than whether it will wash in court. People think being within their legal rights means they are fine to get away with all sorts of t
ttery. As it turned out in this case he wasn't on the side of the law as he apparently thought.
ttery. As it turned out in this case he wasn't on the side of the law as he apparently thought.Vocal Minority said:
The idea that in the days of yore that the streets were filled with rosie cheeked urchins taking full responsibility for their actions, all of them saying 'I'll come clean copper' is silly.
Imho completely wrong. People of a certain age will take responsibility for their actions whilst the younger crowd generally don't. Example - if I have an accident where I have driven in to someone in another car I will admit same to my insurers and let the claim continue. Many people these days seem quite happy to lie through their teeth for a bit of compo ... without an independent witness these days you have no chance of getting anything other than 50/50 settlement.TX.
Just be careful out there this week folks, the reporting of this incident has been utterly disgusting, including by the BBC and has sought to tar all cyclists with a negative brush. I suspect there will be some taking matters in their own hands and "showing cyclists a thing or two". Everyone just needs to be sensible on the roads and we can all get along, which includes cyclists not riding on pavements, jumping red lights and stopping at zebra crossings and also pedestrians not stepping into live carriageways (or indeed onto crossings in their favour) without actually checking they are not about to be ran over. And motorists waiting until it is safe to overtake cyclists and not forcing overtaking traffic to take avoiding action.
zebedee said:
Just be careful out there this week folks, the reporting of this incident has been utterly disgusting, including by the BBC and has sought to tar all cyclists with a negative brush. I suspect there will be some taking matters in their own hands and "showing cyclists a thing or two". Everyone just needs to be sensible on the roads and we can all get along, which includes cyclists not riding on pavements, jumping red lights and stopping at zebra crossings and also pedestrians not stepping into live carriageways (or indeed onto crossings in their favour) without actually checking they are not about to be ran over. And motorists waiting until it is safe to overtake cyclists and not forcing overtaking traffic to take avoiding action.
This.okgo said:
zebedee said:
Just be careful out there this week folks, the reporting of this incident has been utterly disgusting, including by the BBC and has sought to tar all cyclists with a negative brush. I suspect there will be some taking matters in their own hands and "showing cyclists a thing or two". Everyone just needs to be sensible on the roads and we can all get along, which includes cyclists not riding on pavements, jumping red lights and stopping at zebra crossings and also pedestrians not stepping into live carriageways (or indeed onto crossings in their favour) without actually checking they are not about to be ran over. And motorists waiting until it is safe to overtake cyclists and not forcing overtaking traffic to take avoiding action.
This.Re-reading the Highway Code for some may be a good start...just yesterday saw two cyclists (both blokes >50, who should know better) act in very silly/arrogant ways
- one jumped a red-light from a side-road to cut in-front of a Q7 (who was very restrained, to be fair to 4x4 drivers), and then straight across to the far side of the road - think very offset crossroads.
- the other decided to use a pedestrian crossing on the side-road to avoid stopping at a T-junction red light, nearly clobbering an asian couple (presumably tourists) in the process. (This appears to be a near-default activity for cyclists around our way)
okgo said:
TooMany2cvs said:
Care to link to any such articles?
Would sir care to open his eyes to the recent coverage from nearly all angles, not least, C4, LBC, and the BBC.Sir has seen nothing that comes near to the "tar all cyclists" claim, hence asking for any pointers...
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