Cyclists: suicidal
Discussion
Note: I'm an experienced cyclist. I've been cycling to work in London this year, though not for a couple of months, so I know what riding here is like.
I'm currently sat in a pub on a cross junction in Islington, north end of Upper Street. It's dark. The roads are busy, it's the kind of area where most cars are private people commuting at this time of day; not like the City where it's all buses and taxis. Sitting here watching gives a totally different perspective to riding.
And some of the things I've seen beggar belief. Ninjas on fixies, beautiful carbon wheels and black spokes, black clothing, no lights, jumping the lights. Roadies, nice bikes, no high vis. All sorts of people with helmets on, but no lights. Good luck: the helmet will help avoid minor injuries if you slip on a manhole cover, but it won't stop cars hitting you. Or if they have lights, they're attached to their helmet and invisible from behind because of their rucksack. Women on Dutch bikes weaving around as they pull away. Unbelievably, some Darwin candidate wearing jeans and t-shirt (Rule #9) on a ratty old Trek MTB jumped a red light straight into the path of a police car with full blues and twos. Seriously.
Why do I post this? Because it shouldn't be like this. The roads shouldn't be a game of Russian roulette. In the last couple of years cyclist injuries have risen. And you know what? It's not because car drivers have turned genocidal. It's because people who haven't got on a bike since they were 15 suddenly think they're roadworthy. Are people so bad at judging risk? It appears so. Perhaps we need licences - or at least an education programme - after all.
Why should I get educated, you say? I'm a perfectly competent cyclist. The answer is: because it's not just about us. We all have friends, family and loved ones who read the casualty statistics and gradually think they'd rather we had a different hobby, even though it's not any if us doing the stupid stuff. And they don't take it up themselves. And all that money spent on Team Cycling GB is wasted, because the number of people taking up cycling remains tiny. To get everyone cycling, we all need to do it properly.
/thoughts
I'm currently sat in a pub on a cross junction in Islington, north end of Upper Street. It's dark. The roads are busy, it's the kind of area where most cars are private people commuting at this time of day; not like the City where it's all buses and taxis. Sitting here watching gives a totally different perspective to riding.
And some of the things I've seen beggar belief. Ninjas on fixies, beautiful carbon wheels and black spokes, black clothing, no lights, jumping the lights. Roadies, nice bikes, no high vis. All sorts of people with helmets on, but no lights. Good luck: the helmet will help avoid minor injuries if you slip on a manhole cover, but it won't stop cars hitting you. Or if they have lights, they're attached to their helmet and invisible from behind because of their rucksack. Women on Dutch bikes weaving around as they pull away. Unbelievably, some Darwin candidate wearing jeans and t-shirt (Rule #9) on a ratty old Trek MTB jumped a red light straight into the path of a police car with full blues and twos. Seriously.
Why do I post this? Because it shouldn't be like this. The roads shouldn't be a game of Russian roulette. In the last couple of years cyclist injuries have risen. And you know what? It's not because car drivers have turned genocidal. It's because people who haven't got on a bike since they were 15 suddenly think they're roadworthy. Are people so bad at judging risk? It appears so. Perhaps we need licences - or at least an education programme - after all.
Why should I get educated, you say? I'm a perfectly competent cyclist. The answer is: because it's not just about us. We all have friends, family and loved ones who read the casualty statistics and gradually think they'd rather we had a different hobby, even though it's not any if us doing the stupid stuff. And they don't take it up themselves. And all that money spent on Team Cycling GB is wasted, because the number of people taking up cycling remains tiny. To get everyone cycling, we all need to do it properly.
/thoughts
I was cycling past Angel tube station entrance last night. I sensed a 'hero' behind me. I did a quick shoulder check, and sure enough, there was a 'hero' behind me. We were approaching a red traffic light, so I slowed down, but kept moving, in order to get the timing right for the green light. Dick head behind me, decides this is his cue to overtake me, which he does without a life saver shoulder check. He weaves straight in front if a taxi approaching from behind. Cue (quite justified) horns from taxi driver. Dick head jinks straight back at me. I dropped the anchors, he barrelled into the kerb ( would have wiped me out had I not braked). Dick head spins back across the road on his back, like a stranded turtle. Everyone brakes, flashes lights, honks horns etc. What a prize prick. And he had no lights, and was wearing dark clothing. 
.
.Gizmoish said:
Are people so bad at judging risk?
Yes.HTH
(I know what you mean, I live in Cambridge and the number of numpty students who apparently think spending £400 on an iPhone is worthwhile but £10 on lights - and some god-damn chain lube - apparently isn't. But then I'm just a grumpy old sod who thinks vehicles should be treated seriously
. I suppose the bright-side way of seeing it is - do you want such a person in a car? If they're not spending a tenner on lights do you think they'll spend a few hundred on brake pads?) Side note: for most of our evolutionary history, being invisible at night was a good thing. Just saying.
CoolC said:
Yep, seen them, as well as the ones with the flashing light on their rucksack so any planes flying over know there is a cyclist down there.
Saw a guy the other night, riding with a rear light on his backpack, and nothing on his bike, only a crap rear reflector. It must have been a poor quality light, or dirty, because despite being led it wasn't very visible at all.Drivers expect to see a decent rear light attached to the bike itself, not higher up on someone's back, pointing skywards.
I was driving home from dropping the wife to work the other week, approx 6:00am, pitch black, and raining...on a dual carriageway.
There was a person cycling along the "hard shoulder" all in black, no front light and a pound shop rear light (which looked like a cats eye more than a safety feature) and no helmet.
Really shook me up actually because I didn't see him/her until the last minute, just couldn't believe it!!
I cycle to work looking like a lightbulb in comparison, crazy!!
There was a person cycling along the "hard shoulder" all in black, no front light and a pound shop rear light (which looked like a cats eye more than a safety feature) and no helmet.
Really shook me up actually because I didn't see him/her until the last minute, just couldn't believe it!!
I cycle to work looking like a lightbulb in comparison, crazy!!
I see this every day on my 15k commute. It's pitch black now when I set off and dark when I get home, many of the cycle paths are through unlit wooded and rural areas and I've almost collected a few t
ts that think a front light is fine but rear lights aren't needed. No reflectors, dark clothing, dark bikes, totally fecking invisible!
Ho-hum, at least there'll be a plentiful supply of organs should I need one!
ts that think a front light is fine but rear lights aren't needed. No reflectors, dark clothing, dark bikes, totally fecking invisible!Ho-hum, at least there'll be a plentiful supply of organs should I need one!
Perhaps they need to start showing this on tv again? Showing my age?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MFuSMz1zh0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1MFuSMz1zh0
I find it odd that cyclists still think reflectors are somehow uncool and fit only for kids bikes, they're often the first thing in the bin when the wrapping comes off a new bike, they may not be great but surely they're better than nowt?
Having said that I nearly collected a SMIDSY last night despite 5 lights & dressing like a Power Ranger.
Having said that I nearly collected a SMIDSY last night despite 5 lights & dressing like a Power Ranger.
DJFish said:
I find it odd that cyclists still think reflectors are somehow uncool and fit only for kids bikes, they're often the first thing in the bin when the wrapping comes off a new bike, they may not be great but surely they're better than nowt?
Having said that I nearly collected a SMIDSY last night despite 5 lights & dressing like a Power Ranger.
Oddly, my bike never came with front, rear or wheel reflectors. It does have pedal reflectors however. Bought it in 2001 ish, it's a Giant. Was the last one in the shop and reduced because of the size, so that's probably why it was missing them, assuming they'd been lost along the way (14inch frame - i'm 5'2). Having said that I nearly collected a SMIDSY last night despite 5 lights & dressing like a Power Ranger.
Unless it's blazing sunshine, I nearly always have my rear light on. Have the 3m spoke straw reflectors too
Should probably source some decent aftermarket front/rear ones though really.Gizmoish said:
Why do I post this? Because it shouldn't be like this. The roads shouldn't be a game of Russian roulette. In the last couple of years cyclist injuries have risen. And you know what? It's not because car drivers have turned genocidal. It's because people who haven't got on a bike since they were 15 suddenly think they're roadworthy. Are people so bad at judging risk? It appears so. Perhaps we need licences - or at least an education programme - after all.
Could it not also be the law that came in forcing all people on bicycles into the road.It is against the law to cycle on the pavement is it not? If it is the only viable means of transport for people then they have to use the road. I know a few people who absolutely hate riding on the road due to the dangers plus their own lack of confidence. But what choice do they have. Not everyone can afford to pay to commute everyday.
Jumping lights etc, yes the cyclist is just plain stupid. But wobbles and weaving, lack of stability that cause accidents aswell as lack of observation. The road just isn't the place for some people.
blueheron said:
CoolC said:
Yep, seen them, as well as the ones with the flashing light on their rucksack so any planes flying over know there is a cyclist down there.
Saw a guy the other night, riding with a rear light on his backpack, and nothing on his bike, only a crap rear reflector. It must have been a poor quality light, or dirty, because despite being led it wasn't very visible at all.Drivers expect to see a decent rear light attached to the bike itself, not higher up on someone's back, pointing skywards.
Every night I see so many people with no lights at all, and quite a few that need new batteries..
barker22 said:
Gizmoish said:
Why do I post this? Because it shouldn't be like this. The roads shouldn't be a game of Russian roulette. In the last couple of years cyclist injuries have risen. And you know what? It's not because car drivers have turned genocidal. It's because people who haven't got on a bike since they were 15 suddenly think they're roadworthy. Are people so bad at judging risk? It appears so. Perhaps we need licences - or at least an education programme - after all.
Could it not also be the law that came in forcing all people on bicycles into the road.It is against the law to cycle on the pavement is it not? If it is the only viable means of transport for people then they have to use the road. I know a few people who absolutely hate riding on the road due to the dangers plus their own lack of confidence. But what choice do they have. Not everyone can afford to pay to commute everyday.
Jumping lights etc, yes the cyclist is just plain stupid. But wobbles and weaving, lack of stability that cause accidents aswell as lack of observation. The road just isn't the place for some people.
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