I’d love to see motor vehicles removed from city centres, but as it stands we cannot use our feelings about “what should be” as an excuse to ignore cyclists that are breaking the law and putting people in danger.

But when those laws are drawn up to accommodate motor vehicle use, they often discount cyclists as unworthy of consideration. You know how if the council put a path round a patch of grass or park, and everyone takes a shortcut diagonally, creating a new path? That’s what cyclists are doing, in a way. It’s not ideal, but cyclists are often inconvenienced in order for car drivers to be catered for. Covent Garden s a **** nightmare to cycle round, chiefly because the road system is designed for motor vehicle traffic, in an area unsuitable for such heavy vehicle use. What should be happening in such areas, is enforced reduction of motor vehicles, especially at busy times. I can’t see why it’s a good idea to allow private motor vehicles in that area at all, during the day. Yet another example of the ‘car is king’ mentality that prevails. This attitude must be challenged if we’re to find an effective solution. Constantly pandering to motorists doesn’t help matters at all.

Esher-shore; I’m not denying that there are problems with cyclists (and pedestrians; I avoid the West End at all costs), just that as Crazy-Legs points out, we should be focussing on the main problems firts, namely too many cars in too small a space, too many HGVs, etc, before leaping to attack cyclists as being the main cause of issues.

If there are more people on bikes, then we should be reducing the amount of motor vehicles in built up urban ares, not forcing everyone to share the same shrinking space.

This, wrong:

I don’t remember anything about cyclists other than them being hazards on the awareness test.

Its become such a problem that the local Police Team has undertaken several blitzes ticketing cyclists, and the local authority has adjusted the no-entry signage on the street to reinforce this (not that these cyclists pay any attention..)

Whereas if they simply banned cars from using those narrow streets (which are particularly unsuitable for motor vehicle traffic), and made them two-way for cyclists, the problem would be drastically reduced.

I propose a selective cull of cyclists in one area, I’m going to nominate Manchester as a suitable candidate, and then what we can do is compare statistics before and after the cull.

Can’t we simply cull all people in Manchester?

Ban bicycles and execute bicycle importers?

Weren’t the bicycles that killed them.

Because they clash terribly with my outfit and colouring.

I didn’t say there was ‘nothing in there’, merely asking how much of driver training involves driving safely in relation to cyclists.

In the UK ~4 people die each week directly from illegal drug use

In the UK, 4 cyclists have died this week from being hit by motor vehicles.

How many die each week as a result of tobacco or alcohol use?

If you cant do the time don’t do the crime

In some countries, homosexuality is illegal.

every day I see numerous instances of cyclists RLJ, pavement pedalling, cyclists going through pedestrians on a pedestrian crossing

Yet how many actual collisions do you see?

We shouldn’t ignore bad cycling habits, but to focus on them rather than address the far more serious issue of the dangers posed by large vehicles helps no-one.

Are bicycles the only vehicle where you can be let out onto the road with zero training?

What part of driver training involves driving safely in relation to cyclists?

I bet Indonesia are pretty tough on murderers and rapists too.

I wonder if the rates of rape and murder are lower in Indonesia than in countries which don’t have the death penalty? Also, how many countries have the death penalty for rape, a crime which is woefully under-investigated and prosecuted worldwide?

Jambourgie raises an interesting topic. Would be nice to see folk engaging with it, rather than sneering in wrongly assumed superiority.

However, in towns which were built long ago (ie most) there isn’t enough room for large vehicles with poor all-round visibility

FTFY.

Lorries and central London aren’t compatible. High time this issue was addressed, rather than being ignored and red herrings such as cyclists’ bad habits constantly highlighted.

In the mercifully few collisions I’ve had on my bike, every one of them was the car driver’s fault. And in every case I’ve heard of where someone I know has had a collision, it’s been the same. I’ve admittedly had one or two lapses of concentration, but thankfully never caused a collision.

So some cyclists do silly things; attacking a small minority of cyclists who genuinely do things which cause danger to other road users is backwards and totally unhelpful. Because the simple truth is, the vast majority of cyclists don’t ride in a manner that puts themselves in danger. They simply don’t. Running the odd red light when it’s safe for a cyclist to do so may infuriate frustrated motorists, but it seldom causes any real harm. Plus the relatively slow speed and low weight of a cyclist is seldom sufficient to cause serious injury.

Millions have been spent on dedicated cycle lanes (as well as millions wasted on painting blue strips on dangerous main roads), and things are improving, but it’s at glacial pace really. Rather than cyclists replacing other vehicles, they are simply more sharing the same space on the roads.

The recent spate of large construction projects in the City and central London has meant a large increase in the number of HGVs on the roads of the capital. But I don’t suppose a few cyclists dying will stand in the way of rampant corporate development. There are many ways of addressing matters, and making the roads safer for all, but they’re not being explored, as it seems corporate interests will always trump the needs of greater society.

Indonesia has some of the toughest anti-drug laws in the world but in practice death sentences are rarely carried out, says the BBC’s Jonah Fisher in Bangkok.

only is so much as they can convince some other rich amoral soulless **** to join them in the ponzi scheme based entirely on your premise

I never said I approved of it.

Although now and then an artwork is sold to raise money for some good cause or other, so occasionally the ‘overinflation’ of art values is of positive benefit.

Capitalism eh its beautiful…wonders how many land mines could be cleared, children given clean water, people given protection form preventable diseases etc

But then you wouldn’t have all those wonderful luxury goods, such as bicycles, that make your life so much nicer than those who toil to produce them…

Bear in mind that painting is likely to only increase in value, making it a fairly sound investment.

Although I agree that the amount it sold for is obscene considering other issues going on in the world right now.

Some people might think spending £4-5,000 on a bicycle is obscene.

A non-cycling friend always bangs on about how ‘cyclists don’t do themselves any favours’, even though I point out that cyclists tend not to kill people, and the vast majority of us are actually really quite aware of how easily killed we can be, and tend to ride with our own self-preservation in mind, but he seems to think that cyclists bring it on themselves when they get knocked off by cars (nothing to do with countless morons driving tonnes of metal around whilst distracted by sat nav, ‘phones, screaming children etc).

He was given a bike recently, and has been out on it a couple of times. Surprise surprise, ‘some drivers are mental, they just don’t look where they’re going, or look out for anyone else on the road’. 😐

Large trucks should be banned from central London, and restricted to multi-carriageway main roads. London’s roads just aren’t designed to cope with vehicles that size, it’s insane.

More awareness is needed all round. We have all sorts of public service advertising around smoking, drug use, kids’ road safety, but next to nothing about cycling. About time some of the taxes cyclists pay were used for such safety campaigns. More research by vehicle manufacturers into safer designs (where drivers have greater all-round visibility) is needed too.

I had one recently, caused a fair bit of discomfort, compounded by tennis elbow! I used a neoprene wrist support, which helped a lot, and it seems to have gone down now (was barely noticeable visually).

The traditional method was to hit it with a bible (or other suitably weighty tome), and apparently this did work, but I didn’t fancy doing that!

Probably the most cycle-friendly road free route:

https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?saddr=Beckenham,+Greater+London&daddr=Museum+of+London,+London+Wall,+London&hl=en&ll=51.512108,-0.070724&spn=0.0383,0.090466&sll=51.377995,0.047722&sspn=0.153649,0.361862&geocode=FSptEAMdK5v__yl5ha6YLAB2SDHlCduSIVnpaQ%3BFbIYEgMd9oX-_yHkJSqVweJ9QCnry8EIVRt2SDHkJSqVweJ9QA&oq=museum+of+london&gl=uk&dirflg=b&mra=ls&t=m&z=14&lci=bike

Not the quickest, but vastly preferable to using the main arterial roads.

Maybe he could get Melanie Phillips to do a piece on Islamic Art and Architecture…

I have sympathy for the person renting but not to the extent you can turn a blind eye to 10 mths non payment when he got HB to pay it

Bu none of us know if he has or hasn’t received HB. Hence the reason for this thread. 🙄

Actually, none of us really know the tenant’s situation, which is why I proposed the OP take steps to find out more, ad to try to resolve the situation in a manner which has the best outcome for everyone involved. I think it’s better to try to do this, and act with a bit of humanity, than simply kick someone who may well be very vulnerable given the apparent circumstances, out on the street. As for the Human Rights issue; seems some understood me, and others didn’t/don’t agree.

That some people chose to label consideration for the well-being of another Human Being as ‘hand-wringing’, ‘leftie’, ‘tree-hugging’ and other nonsense shows their lack of empathy and compassion for others, in my opinion. Quite pathetic, this kind of childish name-calling, and indicates an inability to engage with a discussion in an intelligent rational manner.

Why ?

Because we’re part of a society. Quite simple really.

Complete and utter BS

I have never heard such nonsense.

Stop spluttering; you’ll choke.

Google the 1988 Human Rights Act.

So you don’t think that a secure, safe home should be a basic Human Right? Would you be happy for you and your family/children to live on the street then? No, thought not.

All you ‘landlords’ need to have a little think–you aint doing it for altruistic reasons–its about your own self serving ends–don’t dress it any other way !

I think too many have lost sight of the fact that owning another home that is surplus to your needs, is a great privilege, with which must come responsibility. Someone needs a home; you’re in a privileged position to provide them with one, so you need to consider which is the greater need: for someone to have a home (A basic Human Right), or your desire to make more money (a privilege).

That you have chosen to exploit a situation that allows you to profit from others need, does not automatically make you someone worthy of respect. There are ways to resolve this situation without making somebody homeless. Why not explore those avenues first?

I really couldn’t give a monkeys if he’s on the street at Xmas.

And I can’t give a monkeys’ if you get your rent paid or not.

Works both ways, this ’empathy’ thing… 😉

I don’t get it.

Obviously not.

Ok, let’s try to explain:

the heads of our national security having to go public like naughty kids,

No; they’re having to be answerable to the society they are meant to serve. Which is proper and correct. Can’t see why you’d have a problem with that really.

soldiers doing their job, in court for doing so,

Murdering someone and acting in breach of the Geneva convention is definitely not part of a member of the armed forces job.

and a on the run terrorist suing us for being tortured in Somaliland

Interesting case this one. As a British citizen, he has every right to sue, and I’d doubt he’d be doing so unless his lawyers believed he had a strong case. Remember that this is someone who has not, as yet, actually been charged let alone convicted of any actual terrorist offences; innocent until proven guilty, no?

TPims restrict the movements of people thought to pose a risk to the public, but who cannot be tried for reasons of national security and who cannot be deported.

Roughly translated means; ‘we can’t actually do anything to you, as we don’t have any evidence against you, but we don’t like you because you look a bit shifty’. Often applied to brown people.

TPIMs go against the British traditions of justice and liberty. They undermine the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial.

http://www.liberty-human-rights.org.uk/human-rights/terrorism/control-orders/index.php

Getting it yet?

Thanks Andy B, they look great. I don’t know that area that well, only ever visited the museums and the RAH, and have ended up wandering aimlessly a few times, then giving up and going elsewhere. Will try to remember those.

Come to think of it, if anyone does know of any nice eateries and a decent pub near South Ken, I’d be grateful. A couple of nice little daytime cafes, but the restaurants seem very touristy, and the area seems strangely bereft of pubs, bar a couple of average boozers. Any hidden gems in that area?

I was going to suggest the V+A, which closes at 10pm on Fridays, if she’s ‘arty and cultured’. The cafe, whilst not amazing, is pretty good and fairly reasonable, and is a lovely place to sit and eat/chat. Maybe not really a ‘going out for a nice evening meal’ type venue, but I often meet friends there for a bit of kulcha and a cup of tea/slice of cake. Worth thinking about for a future daytime activity, as it’s a truly incredible place.

We eat/drink at Plateau in Canary Wharf

Was McDonalds full? 😉

“23% northern: Somewhere around London”

That’s scientific accuracy, that is! 😀

Fair enough, but was anyone at the actual event actually offended? Given that they won 1st prize. So if you’re talking about ‘context’, then maybe this situation has now been taken out of context, and all ensuing arguments are therefore rendered invalid?

Ooh I don’t know; he’s certainly oily enough. Should burn for ages.

(Whilst simultaneously providing warmth for some of those ‘hardworking families’ the tories like to bang on about so much)

Terrorific

*Likes*

Actually why wait til they’re dead? I’ll get collecting pallets for George Osborne Night, we can have it tomorrow.

And why even bother with an effigy, when we can have the real thing? 😀

In the vis­ion of demo­cracy Webb out­lines to Brand, which is based on the primacy of the vote, “elec­tion day is when we really are the masters”.

Webb really is deluded if he truly believes that.

Only 34 Islamist attacks have been thwarted in the UK since 7/7.

How do you know they were all ‘Islamist’? The actual information on offer in our media claims ’34 terror plots* were thwarted’, and there is no information as to the motivations/culture/religion of the alleged ‘plotters’, so I’m curious as to why you claim that ’34 Islamist attacks* have been thwarted’.

*’Plot’ and ‘attack’ are different words. Quite an important point, this.

Dead and still annoying the lefties dividing society. Awesome.

Yeah, fantastic.

Well, it would be no more ridiculous than Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Easter Sunday etc.

It’s a plan that could spectacularly backfire on the tories; the Notting Hill Carnival is held on August bank holiday weekend. Have they not thought of that? 😆

Try reclaimed wood/furniture places, as they might have bits of really nice salvageable old wood. Commercial timber yards tend to specialise in stuff used in the building trade, and probably won’t have any off cuts of anything nice lying around, as they need the space.

A tree

Hth

I think he might want to do the shelves quite soon, rather than have to get permission to fell an oak, cut, dry and store the wood correctly for a few years.

Hth. 😉

That “illusory standard of living” has provided central heating, clean drinking water, secure food supplies, education for the kids, entertainment… Why should the “soulless” masses revolt?

In a modern society, with all the advances in technology, utilities infrastructure, nutritional knowledge etc, these things should be standard for all. Instead, we have Winter Fuel Allowances, disproportionately high rises in fuel costs (whilst energy companies continue to increase profits) Food Banks, increasing child poverty and it costs £9000+ a year for university fees. All backwards steps, and the indications are this trend will continue unless something is done to reverse it.

Maybe that’s why the ‘soulless masses’ should revolt.

The mans a cretin.

He’s obviously angered you, evidenced by your continuing diatribe against him, but is there really any need to use a terrible medical condition which has devastating effects on the sufferer, as a term of ad hominem insult?

I don’t know why people are claiming he’s some sort of ‘spokesperson’ for anyone; he’s not, and doesn’t claim to be. He’s just voicing his own thoughts. As we all are doing on here. Difference is, he has a much bigger audience. Is that what stings so much? Are you pissed off because more people pay attention to him, than they do to you? Diddums.

As for Benjamin Zephania; top man, met him a few times, even had the pleasure of working alongside him on an anti-racism project many years ago. He turned down an MBE; something for which he’ll always have my respect:

Me? I thought, OBE me? Up yours, I thought. I get angry when I hear that word “empire”; it reminds me of slavery, it reminds of thousands of years of brutality, it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised. It is because of this concept of empire that my British education led me to believe that the history of black people started with slavery and that we were born slaves, and should therefore be grateful that we were given freedom by our caring white masters. It is because of this idea of empire that black people like myself don’t even know our true names or our true historical culture. I am not one of those who are obsessed with their roots, and I’m certainly not suffering from a crisis of identity; my obsession is about the future and the political rights of all people. Benjamin Zephaniah OBE – no way Mr Blair, no way Mrs Queen. I am profoundly anti-empire.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2003/nov/27/poetry.monarchy

Is it really in any way ‘offensive’ compared with countless real atrocities happening all over the world, every day?

No. Those ‘offended’ need to get a grip ffs. Far more important things we should be concerning ourselves with than two naiive young women doing something a bit misjudged.