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There needs to be a Godwins law equivalent of rapist mentions. I'll call it Dolbears 2nd Law seeing as the first is taken.
Was going to dip my toe in again
You're SICK man!
If you really don’t get it, go back to the point that was made by someone else earlier in the discussion, about how some people talk about rape cases. Do you think that women who wear short skirts and go out late at night are “asking to be raped”? Do you think it matters if people “explain” rape like this?
maybe a better comparison, for people not trying desperately to virtue signal, would be of people out hiking in the mountains and not properly equiped for the conditions, getting caught out and then relying on mountain rescue to save their arses.
because they went out ill-equiped the chances of something going wrong is increased, they are asking for trouble.
also with a similar sense of self-entitlement and not thinking of the consequenses to other people.
I don't think anyone's arguing that it isn't sensible to protect yourself, whether that be mountain walking, going for a night out with your friends or riding to work. You shouldn't have to, but the world isn't perfect.
But that's still a long way from 'asking for it' because you didn't.
...maybe a better comparison, for people not trying desperately to virtue signal...
Try again. It's really, really simple. No one is "asking for it".
because they went out ill-equiped the chances of something going wrong is increased, they are asking for trouble.
And if they didn't go out ill-equipped? The cyclist was visible to a number of motorists suggesting he wasn't ill-equipped. If anyone was ill equipped it was the driver of the van who was not able to see properly. So if someone hits me even though I am visible it is because I am "asking for it" ?
depends Kerley. Did you do absolutely everything you could? Hi Viz, multiple flashing lights that you checked from every angle for visibility? Are you sure you might not have deviated slightly from your path at the crucial moment the poor driver was checking his messages or lighting his cigarette. Pray for the poor driver, he's going to have to live with the consequences of his inattentiveness for ever (or until he gets his licence back, whichever comes first). You're dead, there's nothing left for you to worry about.
Asking for it, you were.
well, when you put it like that.
The cyclist was visible to a number of motorists suggesting he wasn’t ill-equipped.
maybe that cyclist was but I originally said that I see lots of cyclists out in dark clothing (of which I have no problem with) and with pathetic lights that look about 10 minutes away from the battery failing as they are so dim (the light, but also probably the rider).
Things I would like to see:
drivers should be more careful,
Agreed.
the legal system should put more onus on drivers to be careful,
What you actually need is to stop/catch, and prosecute the routine carelessness that happens everyday (including cyclists) not focus solely on the rare occasions when it results in a fatality. As you rightly say virtually nobody gets behind the wheel expecting to have a crash, never mind cause a death. It may be wrong to assume the problem lies with the "legal system" - it more likely is a decision about policing priorities, which is politically driven (better to make the public think they are chasing murderers even though more people are killed on the roads than murdered).
roads should be wide and well lit,
Whilst there are some bad roads, i'm not sure that the roads are the fundamental flaw. Nor is lighting necessarily the be all and end all. A well lit and reflective cyclist is potentially more visible against a dark background than a sea of street lights and signage.
cycle paths should be separate from the roads,
its obviously impossible to achieve and get 100% coverage; the downside is it reinforces driver mentality that cyclists dont belong on the roads, and of course they wont be maintained and 95% of them are designed really badly to either not give priority to the cyclist over crossing traffic or to mingle you in with dog walkers, badly placed street furniture and other hazards.
cars should be speed restricted,
in theory I agree, although I wonder if that would actually increase the number of zombies behind the wheel.
safety technology should be mandatory etc etc.
which safety tech?
It's not just cyclists that get a rough ride - pedestrians do as well...
https://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/17205617.a39-penryn-bypass-death-hit-and-run-driver-sentenced/
maybe that cyclist was but I originally said that I see lots of cyclists out in dark clothing (of which I have no problem with) and with pathetic lights that look about 10 minutes away from the battery failing as they are so dim (the light, but also probably the rider).
Got it, so they are the ones that are "asking for it" and not the rider who was killed here. Not quite sure that is what you said but never mind.
Reading the pedestrian one something has erked me more than the rest of it
She was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115 and court costs of £85.
The victims dead and I doubt £115 will pay for much of the funeral!
From experience both of riding and driving the need to swerve to avoid cyclists is usually due to driving too close to the car in front rather than the visibility of the cyclist.
There is something horribly wrong with the legal system, which seems stacked against honesty and remorse and favours idiots who take no responsibility or even try to cover up their own actions. Whether it is down to funding or the CPS going for ‘easy wins’ I’m not sure.
From experience both of riding and driving the need to swerve to avoid cyclists is usually due to driving too close to the car in front rather than the visibility of the cyclist.
Combined with looking ahead and noticing that cars are moving out of lane to overtake something (easily done on a straight dual carriageway as was the case here). Explains why some drivers said they could see him while others couldn't.
The standard of motoring in the UK is shocking and getting worse I'm sure. It's no surprise with sentences like this. There is no accountability any more and some people seem to feel invincible when behind the wheel. Texting, calling, social media, sat nav etc all seem more important than looking out of the windscreen!
I cycle everyday, drive a car and an articulated lorry so I can see the roads from different points of view and impatience seems to be the biggest problem...that and having an incessant need to be in front of a slower moving vehicle no matter what the danger. Just yesterday a car tried to overtake me on the bike, despite an oncoming car and stationary traffic ahead. With the closing gap they just decided to swerve in to me and push me out of the way! In the lorry I have been undertaken by cars on the hard shoulder, undertaken by bikes whilst turning left....all due to the same reason....impatience. Luckily I am a patient and chilled person and if somebody else makes a mistake I can just let it go. I do know of people that would rather have an accident than back down though, which is extremely worrying but seems to be becoming more common.
The standard of motoring in the UK is shocking and getting worse I’m sure.
% of poor drivers may be the same but the overall number of drivers is higher so more bad drivers. The extra congestion then causes more impatience.