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[Closed] So what do you think would improve safety for cyclists?

Sue_W · 2012-08-02T08:46:30Z

There's obviously a lot of talk at the moment after the tragic death of a cyclist in London yesterday, and Wiggins comments about helmets. Don't really want to go into that debate, but to find out more about what you all think would improve safety for cyclists? This wouldn't just help save lives and prevent injuries, but importantly increase participation. The main barrier to participation in cycling is a perceived lack of safety due to vehicles on the road. Personally, I don't think there's a single solution, but a combination of the following (in order of relative importance): 1. Increase driver knowledge about driving safely around cyclists - make it part of the test, and ensure that drivers are aware of the implications of driving too close, overtaking in the wrong places, etc etc 2. Change driver's attitudes - the 'cyclist hating' attitude has to change, it's appalling. Along with the attitudes around 'don't pay car tax', 'shouldn't be on the road', 'slowing me down', etc 3. Improving cyclists knowledge of how to cycle safely - especially new cyclists. Most common issues include riding in the gutter, not making clear hand signals, lack of awareness of the traffic around them etc 4. Introduction of new infrastructure for cycling where necessary - ie segregated routes at dangerous junctions, alongside dual carriage ways. But remember to give cyclists priority at junctions (it's easier to stop and start in a car than it is on a bike!) 5. Increased use of high viz kit (on bike or person) especially at dawn / dusk / night 6. The somewhat controversial helmet! If nothing else, helps to protect against minor injuries. I'm somewhat concerned that the current focus is on what I would consider to be the 'lower' 3 priorities on my list, rather than the 'top' 3 of driver knowledge and attitude, and cyclist's skills. What would be your priority actions to improve safety for cyclists in the UK? And do you think anything is being done to address them?

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GrahamS

Posts: 31206

Full Member

Start by renaming RFL 'Vehicular Carbon Charge' and increase the charge by 50%.

It's been renamed tons of times. People still insist it is [i]"road tax"[/i] for a [i]"road fund"[/i] - despite the fact that it isn't based on road usage and isn't set aside for spending on the roads.

I'm in favour of calling it "car tax".

It's more accurate, doesn't imply any special fund, and makes the answer to this question quite self-evident:
[i]"Why don't you pay car tax for your bicycle?"[/i]

Posted : 08/08/2012 5:20 pm

MrAgreeable

Posts: 5655

Full Member

It's probably a bit late by the time the police are involved... but ACPO have just announced a review of their fatal accident investigation policy.

http://www.govtoday.co.uk/home-affairs/50-police-emergency/12195-public-invited-to-contribute-to-police-road-death-policy

And this is certainly something that needs to change if cyclists are going to feel protected from injury on the roads. Martin Porter QC's summary of accidents and police responses is essential if extremely depressing reading.

http://thecyclingsilk.blogspot.co.uk/2009/11/cycling-against-car-culture.html

Posted : 09/08/2012 11:09 am

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