A sobering tale
Discussion
While we are talking about the internet here, I'm assuming this is a genuine account. Makes for rather uncomfortable reading and it's the sort of thing that cyclists (and to a certain extent drivers) could do with contemplating:
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/xiud7/j...
http://www.reddit.com/r/bicycling/comments/xiud7/j...
okgo said:
I dared suggest that on bikeradar, and got my head bitten off. Everything is the fault of the car, the bike can do no wrong. f
king dreamland some of that lot live in.
Always ride defensively when on 2 wheels and always expect moronic driving so that you can take evasive action!king dreamland some of that lot live in.Be safe out there everybody!!!!!
So sad, and needless - thoughts go to his family.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-190908...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-190908...
With the massive increase cyclists and support for cycling that this country has seen in the last 10 - 15 years, I am surprised at the lack of safety adverts on TV.
Motorcyclist have Think Bike but I cannot remember if there is anything for cyclists. Their also doesn't seem to be much in the way of safety training pushed out to riders. Not much in the way of Think Cyclist aimed at drivers either.
Motorcyclist have Think Bike but I cannot remember if there is anything for cyclists. Their also doesn't seem to be much in the way of safety training pushed out to riders. Not much in the way of Think Cyclist aimed at drivers either.
daz3210 said:
JUst been on BBC News, from what they have said a helmet would have saved him, so there is now a campaign to make them compulsory
Really? Doesn't that account say that he'd been dragged along the road and under the bus, and that the wheel had gone over his body? Or did they report that Wiggo had said "wear helmets, kids" without knowing/caring about any detail, in the usual BBC style?I think helmets are a good idea. I wear mine. But I don't want them to be compulsory, because it has been proven that it reduces cycling rates and cyclists take bigger risks due to a (probably unconscious) feeling of safety.
As for going past large vehicles - if I never overtook a bus I'd never get to work. Touch wood, it's about awareness and common sense, and I've still had a couple of 'learning experiences' when something has pulled away while I was on the outside of it.
itsnotarace said:
That's very sad. I don't understand why people go down the inside of large vehicles
mmmm, back as a cycling novice I was tempted, but it just felt so obviously wrong having no escape route if anything went wrong and no mutual visibility. That said, round here I do see riding that is only possible if your self-preservation gland has been surgically removed. I've seen someone turn right in front of an oncoming bus before - how the hell do you not think "unless that bus stops, I'm dead if I do that"?I really wish they'd just do some PSAs about this. Ideally, yes, we'd have quality infrastructure that removes the risk - but until that happens, making people aware should be the priority. When Wouter Weylandt died, that was sad - but he knew the risks involved in racing, and it's not my decision to stop him, or anyone else's but his. This death is a tragedy, because it was so easily preventable with a little knowledge.
Gizmoish said:
daz3210 said:
JUst been on BBC News, from what they have said a helmet would have saved him, so there is now a campaign to make them compulsory
Really? Doesn't that account say that he'd been dragged along the road and under the bus, and that the wheel had gone over his body? Or did they report that Wiggo had said "wear helmets, kids" without knowing/caring about any detail, in the usual BBC style?I think helmets are a good idea. I wear mine. But I don't want them to be compulsory, because it has been proven that it reduces cycling rates and cyclists take bigger risks due to a (probably unconscious) feeling of safety.
As for going past large vehicles - if I never overtook a bus I'd never get to work. Touch wood, it's about awareness and common sense, and I've still had a couple of 'learning experiences' when something has pulled away while I was on the outside of it.
They also interviewed a few members of the public. One woman asked the question about whether they can do more harm than good.
Personally I think the nanny state tells us already that we have to do enough, should it not be down to the individual as to whether I should wear a helmet? I mean, when I was doing 40+mph on Sunday on a main trunk road, if it has all gone to rats would a little bit of polystyrene have saved me?
And yes I heard it was lower body that was crushed in this unfortunate incident.
Gizmoish said:
As for going past large vehicles - if I never overtook a bus I'd never get to work. Touch wood, it's about awareness and common sense, and I've still had a couple of 'learning experiences' when something has pulled away while I was on the outside of it.
Overtaking is fine, you're where traffic expects you to be; of course it doesn't stop people still pulling out into you. It's undertaking that's the big risk for cyclists.MadDad said:
So sad, and needless - thoughts go to his family.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-190908...
Ditto.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-190908...
Must say Boris has the voice of reason on this one.
okgo said:
I dared suggest that on bikeradar, and got my head bitten off. Everything is the fault of the car, the bike can do no wrong. fking dreamland some of that lot live in.
It's not about bike, car or bus. It's about people using different modes of transport and not giving consideration to others regardless of their mode of transport.king dreamland some of that lot live in.I use the same basic principles regardless of whether I'm walking, riding or driving.
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