A plea. Help us get #cyclesafe trending tomorrow as The Times launches a major campaign to make life safer for cyclists and drivers.

I hope this takes off. I really get quite panicky seeing a cyclist without a helmet or hi-vis clothing.

there arent enough cycle lanes in sheffield due to expense before safety// countries abroad i think invest more in cycle lanes and bike lock up areas

i know its a question of choice, but really there is no reason why you shouldn't wear at least a helmet.

in the article it says they want more safety for drivers as well. or do you think wearing seat belts is for sissy's

in the article it says they want more safety for drivers as well. or do you think wearing seat belts is for sissy's

I couldn't see an article? Could you direct me please?

http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/article3306502.ece

i dont think its the main one, its not due to be rolled out until tomorrow

might be this one..
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/

Safe cycling is to do with road positioning, understanding the roads, the rules of the road, communicating your intent and learning to anticipate situations.

Sod all to do with a bit of polystyrene and yellow clothing that inhibits visibility under certain lighting

Safe cycling is to do with road positioning, understanding the roads, the rules of the road, communicating your intent and learning to anticipate situations.

Sod all to do with a bit of polystyrene and yellow clothing that inhibits visibility under certain lighting


The cyclist, passing a pedestrian crossing, runs into a man, and they both fall down. -"Jeepers man, are you lucky." The cyclist says. -"What do you mean by lucky? " The pedestrian angrily asks. "I got hurt really bad." -"Ah, you're lucky because I recently lost my licence. I usually drive a bus.":hihi:

Safe cycling is to do with road positioning, understanding the roads, the rules of the road, communicating your intent and learning to anticipate situations.

Sod all to do with a bit of polystyrene and yellow clothing that inhibits visibility under certain lighting

so when your, lets say hit from behind, or have a vehicle just pull out in front of you. then its you, the cyclist fault because they didn't position, or signal, or anticipate that would happen?. its not just a case of the vehicle just not seeing you because you might have been wearing dark clothing

this is the main campaign site...
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/

and the front page!!..
http://www.politicshome.com/uk/article/45330/the_times_thursday_2nd_february_2012.html

so when your, lets say hit from behind, or have a vehicle just pull out in front of you. then its you, the cyclist fault because they didn't position, or signal, or anticipate that would happen?. its not just a case of the vehicle just not seeing you because you might have been wearing dark clothing

The clothing is a complete irrelevance

In the "hit from the rear" scenario you allude to, it is the motorist's fault for driving without due care and attention (assuming correct and lawful lighting on the part of the cyclist in poor visibility)

Otherwise cars could crash into black cars with impunity due to the cars not being painted in luminous paint

why do emergency vehicles have polystyrene and yellow clothing in their kit then? if its so unhelpful with being seen?

Safe cycling (and walking for that matter), will be better promoted by the widespread adoption of 20mph limits in areas where people live, and the introduction of "strict liability laws" as are common in much of Northern Europe (where cycling is treated as a normal mode of transport, and is safe with or without polystyrene hats).

http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/2012/01/as-black-as-gold.html

I note that Manchester Lib Dems today proposed a motion which was unanimously agreed by Councillors of all parties to implement a default 20mph limit on all non major residential roads in Manchester.

Conservative controlled Lancashire CC has already committed itself to a default residential speed limit of 20mph.

lets hope they bring that 20mph limit in here as well. i know people would still break the speed limit but it would generally bring the speeds down.

good old boris!...http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.com/2012/02/boris-johnson-you-promised-cycling.html

i know its a question of choice, but really there is no reason why you shouldn't wear at least a helmet.

It should be personal choice.

The biggest single safety improvement for cyclists is for there to be more of us. There should be no compulsion for helmets.

The more obstacles (and expense) placed in the way of people getting into cycling makes them say "ah, sod it." Concerns about helmet use also gives the impression that cycling is more dangerous than it actually is, which will discourage cycling.

Australia introduced obligatory helmet use. Cycling levels took a dive.

isnt the government going to make cyclist have a registration plate ?. i am sure i heard somewhere that they are, in which case the number of cyclist will nose dive anyway.
if that happens though you know the next step? that will be making them pay a road tax. now if thats a minimum amount, like say the lowest cc mopeds why not?. so making cyclist conform to wearing lets say a helmet and a hi vis jacket well thats bound to save lives in the long run.

isnt the government going to make cyclist have a registration plate ?. i am sure i heard somewhere that they are, in which case the number of cyclist will nose dive anyway.
if that happens though you know the next step? that will be making them pay a road tax. now if thats a minimum amount, like say the lowest cc mopeds why not?. so making cyclist conform to wearing lets say a helmet and a hi vis jacket well thats bound to save lives in the long run.

There is no such thing as “road tax” it was replaced by vehicle excise duty (VED), which is based on emissions, this is why some low emission cars are exempt.

Therefore bicycles would also be exempt.

umm not sure about this though. what did you think about pleading your support?....
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/public/cyclesafety/contact/

quote from the times......Every city, even those without an elected mayor, should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.

thats a great idea!!!

isnt the government going to make cyclist have a registration plate ?. i am sure i heard somewhere that they are, in which case the number of cyclist will nose dive anyway.
if that happens though you know the next step? that will be making them pay a road tax. now if thats a minimum amount, like say the lowest cc mopeds why not?. so making cyclist conform to wearing lets say a helmet and a hi vis jacket well thats bound to save lives in the long run.

Never going to happen...

if there is money to be made, you never know!!

if there is money to be made, you never know!!

Well, there is that of course. :)

I cycle thousands of miles a year, so I'm all for cycle safety. The biggest improvements which would help safety, is frankly for there to be more of us. Cycling has safety in numbers.

To increase numbers, an activity has to be accessible and straightforward. The minute you start sticking legislation in the way, taxes (which cyclists already pay) red tape, helmets and hi-viz, it's just a huge turn off.

The other aspect is education. For cyclists and drivers. Some cyclists are ignorant of the rules as are some drivers. Witness the threads you get from some drivers on here, stating as fact that it's illegal to ride two abreast. Which is wrong.

And enforcement of traffic law. :)

thats true, but i have seen post where the drivers are afraid of the cyclist !. even though i have noticed a increase in people on bikes, most of them still cycle on the pavements. its if their afraid of the roads.

3000 cyclist hurt last year! thats a lot

Well, lets hope the push works anyway!

The CTC have cycling champions, but it would be good to see a person in an "official" capacity forcing through better facilities for cyclists. On the proviso that he or she is doing it in a non-segregational way, and actually knows what they're talking about!

I cycle thousands of miles a year, so I'm all for cycle safety. The biggest improvements which would help safety, is frankly for there to be more of us. Cycling has safety in numbers.

To increase numbers, an activity has to be accessible and straightforward. The minute you start sticking legislation in the way, taxes (which cyclists already pay) red tape, helmets and hi-viz, it's just a huge turn off.




It should be personal choice.

The biggest single safety improvement for cyclists is for there to be more of us. There should be no compulsion for helmets.

The more obstacles (and expense) placed in the way of people getting into cycling makes them say "ah, sod it." Concerns about helmet use also gives the impression that cycling is more dangerous than it actually is, which will discourage cycling.

Australia introduced obligatory helmet use. Cycling levels took a dive.
:thumbsup: totally agree.

Isn't it also true that head injuries increased when australia brought in compulsory helmet laws?

http://www.cycle-helmets.com/

Manchester isnt keen....
http://menmedia.co.uk/manchestereveningnews/comment/blogs/s/1472953_andrew-grimes-why-the-bicycle-has-no-place-on-our-city-roads

A tired cyclist stuck his thumb out for a lift: After 3 hours, hadn't got anyone to stop. Finally, a guy in a sports car pulled over and offered him a ride. But the bike wouldn't fit in the car. The driver got some rope out of the trunk and tied it to his bumper. He tied the other end to the bike and told the rider: "If I go too fast, ring your bell and I'll slow down."
Everything went well until another sports car blew past them. The driver forgot all about the cyclist and put his foot down. A short distance down the road, they hammered through a speed trap. The cop with the radar gun and radioed ahead that he had two sports cars heading his way at over 150 mph. He then relayed, "and you're not going to believe this, but there's a cyclist behind them ringing his bell to pass!".

cyclist should wear safety gear and follow the rules of the road. I ride a motorcycle if ride with no lights no lid swerve about changing lane with out indicating going through red lights i would expect to get a wooden over coat (coffin) and my mate would think i was a plank. Yet you lot seem to think it is everyone else is to blame :loopy:

:thumbsup: totally agree.

Isn't it also true that head injuries increased when australia brought in compulsory helmet laws?

http://www.cycle-helmets.com/

Thanks, and yes, I do seem to recall reading that somewhere else too.:)

isnt the government going to make cyclist have a registration plate ?. i am sure i heard somewhere that they are, in which case the number of cyclist will nose dive anyway. 1 The govt didn't say that - some worthless/pointless/overpaid 'thinktank' (whatever they are) suggested this none starter!
if that happens though you know the next step? that will be making them pay a road tax. 2 You've probably heard this before but ... there is no such thing as Road Tax. It's a Vehicle Excise Duty which cyclists are exempt from as they are in the lowest group for emmisions.... that won't change
now if thats a minimum amount, like say the lowest cc mopeds why not?. 3 The lowest cc moped probably pumps a lot of emmisions out ... far more than a cyclist!
so making cyclist conform to wearing lets say a helmet and a hi vis jacket well thats bound to save lives in the long run.

4 To be honest I wear helmet and hi viz vest (I would even wear a hi viz helmet if I could aford one - £60!!!) and I do look at cyclists who don't wear them and think "Silly Cyclist!"

The roads are currently in a sorry condition with all the pot wholes. Personally I wouldnt't risk getting on a bike in this city. You have to watch the ground and the car drivers with that many hazzards around. Also, as I car driver I see too many cyclists chancing it all the time. The don't seem to think the red light is for them too, or they weave infront and behind cars crawling along in traffic cues. They don't realise that they are in the car drivers major blind spots. That split second of checking your mirror and costing another few feet at the lights could result in a squashed cyclist or even a pedestrian.

The roads are currently in a sorry condition with all the pot wholes. Personally I wouldnt't risk getting on a bike in this city. You have to watch the ground and the car drivers with that many hazzards around. Also, as I car driver I see too many cyclists chancing it all the time. The don't seem to think the red light is for them too, or they weave infront and behind cars crawling along in traffic cues. They don't realise that they are in the car drivers major blind spots. That split second of checking your mirror and costing another few feet at the lights could result in a squashed cyclist or even a pedestrian.

Funny ... I was going to post this to recomend people to registre pot holes.
http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/

It is a campaign run by the CTC (a cycling lobby/charity group) but the pot hole filling campaign is open to anyone to register problems.

Well worth it ...... I've registered 5 potholes this week and 3 of them have already been filled.

informative article here...
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/531312/how-britain-has-failed-cycling.html

cyclist should wear safety gear and follow the rules of the road. I ride a motorcycle if ride with no lights no lid swerve about changing lane with out indicating going through red lights i would expect to get a wooden over coat (coffin) and my mate would think i was a plank. Yet you lot seem to think it is everyone else is to blame :loopy:

totally agree mate

The people who need to take precautions against cycling injuries are those in the vehicles causing the harm. Don't blame the victim. Helmets simply aren't designed to protect people at high speeds or where vehicles are involved

There is no such thing as “road tax” it was replaced by vehicle excise duty (VED), which is based on emissions, this is why some low emission cars are exempt.

Therefore bicycles would also be exempt.

But don't vehicles that are exempt still have to display a tax disk and number plates?

3000 cyclist hurt last year! thats a lot

Most folk driving cars have had lessons and passed a driving test. Most cyclists haven't.

Most folk driving cars have had lessons and passed a driving test. Most cyclists haven't.
You're gonna hate these statistics.
80% of cyclists have a full driving licence
The average cyclist is wealthier than the average Briton.
The average cyclist is better educated than the average Briton.



Anyway, enough of this silly point scoring - cycling in Amsterdam (http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=cycling+in+amsterdam&hl=en&prmd=imvns&source=lnms&tbm=isch&ei=CR4tT-HDMqey0QWRzpytCA&sa=X&oi=mode_link&ct=mode&cd=2&ved=0CDoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1024&bih=485) see if you can spot anyone with hi-viz or a helmet.

so making cyclist conform to wearing lets say a helmet and a hi vis jacket well thats bound to save lives in the long run.

It's been tried in Australia. It had the opposite effect. The number of people cycling dropped and the death rate from obesity linked causes such as heart attacks increased.

I'd prefer to see policies introduced on the basis of sound data rather than on the basis of anecdotal evidence about polystyrene hats.

perhaps we should ask the french?...
http://cyclelondoncity.blogspot.com/2012/02/last-year-not-single-person-was-killed.ht

It's been tried in Australia. It had the opposite effect. The number of people cycling dropped and the death rate from obesity linked causes such as heart attacks increased.

I'd prefer to see policies introduced on the basis of sound data rather than on the basis of anecdotal evidence about polystyrene hats.

As Ptigga says it didn't make a blind bit of difference in Australia. The numbers of head injuries went down slightly, but the number of cyclists plummeted. In fact the head injuries even started to ramp back up again, possibly linked to less cyclists on the road and the end of the "safety in numbers" effect

If they were really effective we should have seen a major step change in injuries, but it never happened.

A UK cyclist is twice as likely to be killed as one in Denmark. The Danes don't wear helmets, unless they are in their long boats :)