16 Cyclists die on London roads this year!
Discussion
sleep envy said:
Whilst it is a tragedy when someone loses their life, 16 deaths is a surprisingly low number considering the number of cyclists there are in London and how heavy the traffic is.
I was just listening to the radio and they were discussing this, there are actually three people killed on London roads a week, obviously that includes all road users, pedestrians, motorcyclists etc. So the percentage of cyclists is not huge, still way too many though!As mentioned in GG, this survey makes for very sobering reading:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15975720
Trafford must be the most dangerous place to cycle in the UK (it certainly feels like it, I hate cycling around Trafford):
16% (13 of 81) of road deaths in the period were cyclists.
By comparison even Camden (perceived as one of the most dangerous boroughs to cycle in the UK) is less than 10%!
However, in Camden a massive 86% of cyclist deaths involved either a bus or goods vehicle compared to under 50% in most other areas.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15975720
Trafford must be the most dangerous place to cycle in the UK (it certainly feels like it, I hate cycling around Trafford):
16% (13 of 81) of road deaths in the period were cyclists.
By comparison even Camden (perceived as one of the most dangerous boroughs to cycle in the UK) is less than 10%!
However, in Camden a massive 86% of cyclist deaths involved either a bus or goods vehicle compared to under 50% in most other areas.
From what I've seen of cycling through London, most stuff is avoidable if you're not a total tard.
Yes I've been pulled out on, there's no excuse for that, that is simple
drivers who don't look and that happens often, but you can certainly (if you have any road sense) see that before it happens.
There's certainly a fair number of women that seem to get killed, I'd say the standard of riding from women is far lower than men. BUT there are some woeful bike riders out there, I had a word witha chap earlier that thought braking and moving from the left of the bike lane to the right was the way to do things (nothing in front of him).
I think all cyclists would benefit from some road riding training, about how to ride in a group, and generally how to read the road, its so simple yet people get it so wrong.
Fwiw I've done over 5 thousand miles on London roads this year and haven't fallen off, or been hit so far.
Yes I've been pulled out on, there's no excuse for that, that is simple
drivers who don't look and that happens often, but you can certainly (if you have any road sense) see that before it happens.There's certainly a fair number of women that seem to get killed, I'd say the standard of riding from women is far lower than men. BUT there are some woeful bike riders out there, I had a word witha chap earlier that thought braking and moving from the left of the bike lane to the right was the way to do things (nothing in front of him).
I think all cyclists would benefit from some road riding training, about how to ride in a group, and generally how to read the road, its so simple yet people get it so wrong.
Fwiw I've done over 5 thousand miles on London roads this year and haven't fallen off, or been hit so far.
Roman said:
As mentioned in GG, this survey makes for very sobering reading:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15975720
Trafford must be the most dangerous place to cycle in the UK (it certainly feels like it, I hate cycling around Trafford):
16% (13 of 81) of road deaths in the period were cyclists.
By comparison even Camden (perceived as one of the most dangerous boroughs to cycle in the UK) is less than 10%!
However, in Camden a massive 86% of cyclist deaths involved either a bus or goods vehicle compared to under 50% in most other areas.
Thing is though a LOT of the busiest bits of London are classed as Camden borough, so its not a borough thing really its just that its the busiest bit of town, and half of the borough of camden is nowhere near camden really!http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-15975720
Trafford must be the most dangerous place to cycle in the UK (it certainly feels like it, I hate cycling around Trafford):
16% (13 of 81) of road deaths in the period were cyclists.
By comparison even Camden (perceived as one of the most dangerous boroughs to cycle in the UK) is less than 10%!
However, in Camden a massive 86% of cyclist deaths involved either a bus or goods vehicle compared to under 50% in most other areas.
http://citybeast.com/londoncyclists.html
This is the 2000 - 2008 serious accident and fatality map for london. There's a link for the whole UK there too. I kept seeing accidents each year at the same time where i ride but worked out it was on the London to Brighton each year.
This is the 2000 - 2008 serious accident and fatality map for london. There's a link for the whole UK there too. I kept seeing accidents each year at the same time where i ride but worked out it was on the London to Brighton each year.
okgo said:
From what I've seen of cycling through London, most stuff is avoidable if you're not a total tard.
Yes I've been pulled out on, there's no excuse for that, that is simple drivers who don't look and that happens often, but you can certainly (if you have any road sense) see that before it happens.
There's certainly a fair number of women that seem to get killed, I'd say the standard of riding from women is far lower than men. BUT there are some woeful bike riders out there, I had a word witha chap earlier that thought braking and moving from the left of the bike lane to the right was the way to do things (nothing in front of him).
I think all cyclists would benefit from some road riding training, about how to ride in a group, and generally how to read the road, its so simple yet people get it so wrong.
Fwiw I've done over 5 thousand miles on London roads this year and haven't fallen off, or been hit so far.
Well said. London isn't a particularly dangerous place to ride if you have your wits about you and some road sense.Yes I've been pulled out on, there's no excuse for that, that is simple
drivers who don't look and that happens often, but you can certainly (if you have any road sense) see that before it happens.There's certainly a fair number of women that seem to get killed, I'd say the standard of riding from women is far lower than men. BUT there are some woeful bike riders out there, I had a word witha chap earlier that thought braking and moving from the left of the bike lane to the right was the way to do things (nothing in front of him).
I think all cyclists would benefit from some road riding training, about how to ride in a group, and generally how to read the road, its so simple yet people get it so wrong.
Fwiw I've done over 5 thousand miles on London roads this year and haven't fallen off, or been hit so far.
There do seem to be a disproportionately high number of utter retards on bikes in London though, so it's not surprising that they're getting squashed by trucks quite regularly.
to be fair, some transport companies are doing their bit to reduce cycle deaths. No lorry driver wants it on their conscience. the number of trucks i have seen with "right side" and "suicide" stickers on the rear is increasing. its a simple message but pretty self-explanatory. I hope peopel take notice because we berate motorists for overtaking too close too cyclists because they couldnt be bothered to wait for a wider bit of road but most cyclists are guilty to also failing to wait for a safe place to overtake.
the commment about female cyclists is totally true in bristol too, some are amusingly oblivious to the rest of teh world. As soon as they get on a cycle path common sense just vanishes... ah well, i will probably forgive them when summer returns and they are wearing low cut tops and floaty skirts.....
the commment about female cyclists is totally true in bristol too, some are amusingly oblivious to the rest of teh world. As soon as they get on a cycle path common sense just vanishes... ah well, i will probably forgive them when summer returns and they are wearing low cut tops and floaty skirts.....
option click said:
okgo said:
From what I've seen of cycling through London, most stuff is avoidable if you're not a total tard.
Yes I've been pulled out on, there's no excuse for that, that is simple drivers who don't look and that happens often, but you can certainly (if you have any road sense) see that before it happens.
There's certainly a fair number of women that seem to get killed, I'd say the standard of riding from women is far lower than men. BUT there are some woeful bike riders out there, I had a word witha chap earlier that thought braking and moving from the left of the bike lane to the right was the way to do things (nothing in front of him).
I think all cyclists would benefit from some road riding training, about how to ride in a group, and generally how to read the road, its so simple yet people get it so wrong.
Fwiw I've done over 5 thousand miles on London roads this year and haven't fallen off, or been hit so far.
Well said. London isn't a particularly dangerous place to ride if you have your wits about you and some road sense.Yes I've been pulled out on, there's no excuse for that, that is simple
drivers who don't look and that happens often, but you can certainly (if you have any road sense) see that before it happens.There's certainly a fair number of women that seem to get killed, I'd say the standard of riding from women is far lower than men. BUT there are some woeful bike riders out there, I had a word witha chap earlier that thought braking and moving from the left of the bike lane to the right was the way to do things (nothing in front of him).
I think all cyclists would benefit from some road riding training, about how to ride in a group, and generally how to read the road, its so simple yet people get it so wrong.
Fwiw I've done over 5 thousand miles on London roads this year and haven't fallen off, or been hit so far.
There do seem to be a disproportionately high number of utter retards on bikes in London though, so it's not surprising that they're getting squashed by trucks quite regularly.
pablo said:
to be fair, some transport companies are doing their bit to reduce cycle deaths. No lorry driver wants it on their conscience. the number of trucks i have seen with "right side" and "suicide" stickers on the rear is increasing. its a simple message but pretty self-explanatory.
IMO those stickers are really a token gesture. Cyclists who are aware enough to notice them generally don't need the threat pointing out to them.The real problem are the 'nodders' - wobbling along oblivious to all and sundry; often without lights and with their helmet dangling from the handlebars
- bumper stickers just won't make a big difference I'm afraid.option click said:
pablo said:
to be fair, some transport companies are doing their bit to reduce cycle deaths. No lorry driver wants it on their conscience. the number of trucks i have seen with "right side" and "suicide" stickers on the rear is increasing. its a simple message but pretty self-explanatory.
IMO those stickers are really a token gesture. Cyclists who are aware enough to notice them generally don't need the threat pointing out to them.The truck turning left accident really is the one to target as they generally are so avoidable. I've heard it suggested that women are victims more often due to being less assertive and more afraid to go up the right hand side (which might seem them between two vehicles).
Slow speed accidents with big vehicles are sadly the really dangerous ones, most other accidents in the city will leave you with broken bones at worst.
I've been up in a trucks to see the visibility and was shocked. With the huge array of mirrors that are becoming more common there is still a huge blind spot.
So remind anyone you know who cycles that nipping up the inside of trucks should never be done. Never never never. Say it until it's a cliche and you become a bore. They'll probably already know but it's a fact that really needs to be drilled in.
Slow speed accidents with big vehicles are sadly the really dangerous ones, most other accidents in the city will leave you with broken bones at worst.
I've been up in a trucks to see the visibility and was shocked. With the huge array of mirrors that are becoming more common there is still a huge blind spot.
So remind anyone you know who cycles that nipping up the inside of trucks should never be done. Never never never. Say it until it's a cliche and you become a bore. They'll probably already know but it's a fact that really needs to be drilled in.
rpguk said:
So remind anyone you know who cycles that nipping up the inside of trucks should never be done. Never never never. Say it until it's a cliche and you become a bore. They'll probably already know but it's a fact that really needs to be drilled in.
Too right. I got sandwiched between a bus going into a bus stop and a railing when I was at school, luckily my handlebar caught on the railing and catapulted me onto the pavement. Really stupid.
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