Here we go again.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-47616286
In other news, the CTC is about to unveil its policy on genetic research.
You're a smart guy, Lord Winston, but the government already looked at this, the expert cycling bodies have given considered opinion, why do we have to do this repeatedly. The risk to pedestrians and other road users from cyclists is miniscule compared to the risk caused by speeding, texting, DWODCA, etc. The vast majority of cyclists are at worst annoying.
Some figures from the Reported Road Casualties GB Annual Report 2017 (latest available):
Casualty rate per billion vehicle miles (RAS30070)
Car driver: 25 KSI per billion miles
Pedestrian: 446
Pedal Cyclist: 1160
Motorcyclist: 2061
Reported accidents, vehicle user and pedestrian casualties by area type and combination of vehicles
involved, Great Britain (RAS40004)
Pedestrians hit by pedal cycles: 479
- of which killed: 3
- of which seriously injured: 113
Pedestrians hit by motorcycles: 963
- of which killed: 11
- of which seriously injured: 228
Pedestrians hit by cars: 16,724
- of which killed: 212
- of which seriously injured: 3,799
Percentage of cyclists who agreed that it was too dangerous for them to cycle on the roads: 48% (2013 survey)
It's like deja vu around here. Thought the mods had gone crazy on the other thread for a minute.
It's a very odd little hobby horse of his. He's got a blind spot around the evidence on this subject for someone with a science background. His "hoodlums in lycra" seems calculated to appeal to a certain constituency but it's not as if he needs to, he wasn't voted into his seat in the Lords. It just seems based on personal antipathy.
I hate when somebody I otherwise respect comes out with shite like this. Especially, as johnners says, "for someone with a science background." You'd think he'd be all for evidence based policy. Bah!
In a parallel universe
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/hoohlums-in-lycra/
The risk to pedestrians and other road users from cyclists is miniscule compared to the risk caused by speeding, texting, DWODCA, etc.
Very true, but the risk cyclists can pose shouldn't be completely ignored. But it should be part of an intergenerational policy that includes all road risks.
Lord Winstons reccomendations would only drive us of the road, perhaps into motorized vehicles making things less safe overall 🙁🙁
In a parallel universe
Indeed, I was well spooked when I clicked on this!
My lad is told by me to cycle on the pavement due to all the ****s on the road!
My lad is told by me to cycle on the pavement due to all the **** on the road!
Is he under 10?
From Cycling UK:
"The maximum court fine is £500 or the police can issue a £50 fixed penalty notice (FPN). In short, it is illegal to cycle on a pavement alongside a road, unless it has been marked as a cycle track. However, children under the age of 10 are below the age of criminal responsibility."
in fairness, winston didn't come out with the hoodlums in lycra, that was another lord.
@taxi25 - I don't disagree but in a world of limited resources, to be expecting the police to be handing out more tickets to annoying cyclists, rather than dangerous motorists, shows a poor grasp of the real hazard. In unlimited resource, yes, get everyone but calling for changes to the laws and more prosecutions for cyclists is fiddling while Rome burns
Re the thread duplicate, I posted mine first and included opinion. Which makes it a WAY superior thread 😉
Having read the BBC article it is not clear why the phrase "Hoodlums in lycra" is in quotation marks. It is not a quote attributed to the Lord (I mean Winston, not Jesus' dad). Are standards slipping at the BBC?
No he's not under 10. However he's not also under somebody's front left wheel. He rides with respect, no ****ing about, no manuals no wheelies etc etc that's the deal, he knows if I find out he's upsetting people on the pavement because of riding like a **** it will be best bike in the shed time. I honestly don't care about the law in this case, sorry.
I honestly don’t care about the law in this case, sorry.
Then you'll be pleased to know that Lord Wills (for it is he that came up with the "Hoodlums in lycra" line) says:
"My Lords, the Minister will be aware that 20 years ago fixed-penalty notices were introduced precisely to deter irresponsible cyclists from cycling on pavements. She may not be aware that freedom of information requests have shown that in 2017-18, 30 out of 38 police forces issued fewer than five fixed-penalty notices and 12 of them issued no fixed-penalty notices at all."
Round here you can't get a bike on the pavement for all the SUVs parked on it.
But an increasing number are extremely aggressive and avoid [the rules on] one-way streets, pedestrian crossings and red traffic lights - and from time to time they collide with pedestrians.
That could just as easily apply to drivers.
wrightyson
Member
No he’s not under 10. However he’s not also under somebody’s front left wheel. He rides with respect, no * about, no manuals no wheelies etc etc that’s the deal, he knows if I find out he’s upsetting people on the pavement because of riding like a * it will be best bike in the shed time. I honestly don’t care about the law in this case, sorry
Same here - my son is in his last year of school. Has been riding in on the pavement every single schoolday for the past 5 years.
He's had a few busy-body ****s have a little shout from the comfort of their metal boxes about him riding on the pavement... got to wonder if it's because they want to knock him off or something.
I still have a son, so that's good enough for me.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands
https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/feb/12/roll-model-meet-amsterdams-nine-year-old-junior-cycle-mayor
ACPO guidance is to not charge cyclists on pavements unless they are riding dangerously. Go slowly, give way to pedestrians, say "Morning" to the copper as you go past them, never had a problem on the short section I use on my commute.
In short, it is illegal to cycle on a pavement alongside a road,
However in 2014, Minister for Cycling Robert Goodwill has reiterated that the official line from the Department for Transport (DfT) is that cyclists may ride on the footway – more commonly referred to as pavements – provided they do so considerately, and that police officers need to exercise discretion. https://road.cc/content/news/108119-transport-minister-responsible-cyclists-can-ride-pavement
He’s had a few busy-body **** have a little shout from the comfort of their metal boxes about him riding on the pavement… got to wonder if it’s because they want to knock him off or something.
You have to winder what goes on in some peoples heads. I was sat waiting at some light the other day. Nice wide road car pulls alongside. Plenty of room no drama when lights change off he can go. He opens his window and starts ranting at me about road tax. What do these people expect to happen cause he looked really shocked when I bellowed in his window my elegant repost of "**** off you ****ing ****".
How ride pavement no compute? You can barely manage to walk on them around here due to the cars.
