Another cyclist death this morning.

[flecc]

Midday London TV news, another London cyclist killed in collision with a truck in central London at 8.30 this morning, the 14th in London this year.

When will cyclists learn this obvious lesson? Keep clear of the nearside of trucks where the drivers are blind to much what is happening there, surely that's just common sense that shouldn't need to be taught?

 

[carpetbagger]

Midday London TV news, another London cyclist killed in collision with a truck in central London at 8.30 this morning, the 14th in London this year.

When will cyclists learn this obvious lesson? Keep clear of the nearside of trucks where the drivers are blind to much what is happening there, surely that's just common sense that shouldn't need to be taught?

Completely agree although on the programme last night the company that owns the cement mixer that killed one woman has fitted their trucks with sensors so they can 'see' the nearside blindspot. Perhaps all manufactureres should fit similar systems as standard........that doesn't mean the idiot cyclists shouldn't stop what they are doing though.

 

[morphix]

Midday London TV news, another London cyclist killed in collision with a truck in central London at 8.30 this morning, the 14th in London this year.

When will cyclists learn this obvious lesson? Keep clear of the nearside of trucks where the drivers are blind to much what is happening there, surely that's just common sense that shouldn't need to be taught?

Phew, not another one.. how many more. It's becoming a regular thing now.. you're right, you'd think cyclists would see this and learn the lesson.

 

[flecc]

Completely agree although on the programme last night the company that owns the cement mixer that killed one woman has fitted their trucks with sensors so they can 'see' the nearside blindspot. Perhaps all manufactureres should fit similar systems as standard........that doesn't mean the idiot cyclists shouldn't stop what they are doing though.

Yes, saw that and have seen another program about the same thing. However, it puts too much on the driver with so many mirrors to view on every occasion while still trying to look where they are going. The strain of trying to cope with that in a heavily trafficked area must be very real, and I say that from years of truck driving experience, fortunately little of that in town.

 

[eddieo]

you would think it obvious to wait or go onto footpath but even in the program lat night loads of examples of it. lights change - your alongside truck - he gets obstructed by car waiting to turn right - does not see cyclist - swerves in and mashes you...its a no brainer -

 

[carpetbagger]

Yes, saw that and have seen another program about the same thing. However, it puts too much on the driver with so many mirrors to view on every occasion while still trying to look where they are going. The strain of trying to cope with that in a heavily trafficked area must be very real, and I say that from years of truck driving experience, fortunately little of that in town.

The drivers might me grateful at not having a death on their consience irrispective of whether it was their fault or not.

 

[amigafan2003]

you would think it obvious to wait or go onto footpath

Footpath?

Not encouraging law breaking are you?

 

[Fordulike]

Footpath?

Not encouraging law breaking are you?

I'm sure I've read somewhere that it's lawfully ok to ride on a footpath, if you deem the road you are travelling on to be unsafe to ride.
Might be b****x, but maybe someone else can back this one up?

 

[eddieo]

I think perfectly preferable to getting squashed like an ant..... by all means go ahead, feel free!lol

 

[Hackney Andy]

These large vehicles are inherently dangerous. Given the low cost and ready availability of digital camera technology there's absolutely no excuse for this carnage to continue. I might add that I'm appalled at some of the comments above. I've nearly been killed by lorries on several occasions and I never gone up their nearsides. There are some seriously psychologically unsuitable drivers in the seats of those vehicles.

 

[amigafan2003]

I'm sure I've read somewhere that it's lawfully ok to ride on a footpath, if you deem the road you are travelling on to be unsafe to ride.
Might be b****x, but maybe someone else can back this one up?

It's ******.

Highway code:-

64

You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129

No exceptions listed. You are however free to dismount and walk your cycle along the footpath*

*Please note though that some local councils (via byelaw amendments) do not allow even wheeling a cycle along a footpath although these "footpaths" are normally those segregated from the road way (across fields etc) and not those running parallel to the road way.

Balsham Review June issue 2011 - Parish Council Section: [Information from Cambridgeshire County Council]:
“A public footpath allows people to walk on foot, this does not include the right to cycle or to wheel cycles with them. This may be allowed by a particular landowner, but they are within their rights not to welcome cyclists on a Public Footpath. Technically, cycling on a footpath is a trespass against the landowner. A pushchair or mobility aid is not included in this trespass as this would merely be the person or child’s way of getting around due to walking difficulties.”

I think perfectly preferable to getting squashed like an ant..... by all means feel free!

See above - dismount and walk on the footpath - don't cycle on it.

 

[morphix]

I've also seen other conflicting info on this "when safer to do so" thing. Is there a new law or something? Or is it just a case of the police/local authorities tolerating that approach?

I've ridden on paths before many times in front of the police and they never say anything and even do it themselves. I did once though get a stern look "you shouldn't be riding on there"/close call with the old bill when I rode on a path in town centre.. I think if you do it where its a busy highstreet/town, you're asking for trouble if the police see you... but in quieter/housing areas they seem to be more tolerant as it's obviously more difficult to move around unless you use pavements in some areas.

 

[flecc]

It's ******.

Highway code:-


No exceptions listed. You are however free to dismount and walk your cycle along the footpath*

*Please note though that some local councils (via byelaw amendments) do not allow even wheeling a cycle along a footpath although these "footpaths" are normally those segregated from the road way (across fields etc) and not those running parallel to the road way.

It's not ****** and the highway code is not law anyway, it's a guide. Here is the definition of the law in practice. The authorities don't like to be reminded of this but that's just tough:

On 1st August 1999, new legislation came into force to allow a fixed penalty notice to be served on anyone who is guilty of cycling on a footway. However the Home Office issued guidance on how the new legislation should be applied, indicating that they should only be used where a cyclist is riding in a manner that may endanger others. At the time Home Office Minister Paul Boateng issued a letter stating that:

"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required."

Almost identical advice has since been issued by the Home Office with regards the use of fixed penalty notices by 'Community Support Officers' and wardens.

"CSOs and accredited persons will be accountable in the same way as police officers. They will be under the direction and control of the chief officer, supervised on a daily basis by the local community beat officer and will be subject to the same police complaints system. The Government have included provision in the Anti Social Behaviour Bill to enable CSOs and accredited persons to stop those cycling irresponsibly on the pavement in order to issue a fixed penalty notice.

I should stress that the issue is about inconsiderate cycling on the pavements. The new provisions are not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other road users when doing so. Chief officers recognise that the fixed penalty needs to be used with a considerable degree of discretion and it cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 16. (Letter to Mr H. Peel from John Crozier of The Home Office, reference T5080/4, 23 February 2004)

 

[morphix]

It's not ****** and the highway code is not law anyway, it's a guide. Here is the definition of the law in practice. The authorities don't like to be reminded of this but that's just tough:

On 1st August 1999, new legislation came into force to allow a fixed penalty notice to be served on anyone who is guilty of cycling on a footway. However the Home Office issued guidance on how the new legislation should be applied, indicating that they should only be used where a cyclist is riding in a manner that may endanger others. At the time Home Office Minister Paul Boateng issued a letter stating that:

"The introduction of the fixed penalty is not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of traffic and who show consideration to other pavement users when doing so. Chief police officers, who are responsible for enforcement, acknowledge that many cyclists, particularly children and young people, are afraid to cycle on the road, sensitivity and careful use of police discretion is required."

Almost identical advice has since been issued by the Home Office with regards the use of fixed penalty notices by 'Community Support Officers' and wardens.

"CSOs and accredited persons will be accountable in the same way as police officers. They will be under the direction and control of the chief officer, supervised on a daily basis by the local community beat officer and will be subject to the same police complaints system. The Government have included provision in the Anti Social Behaviour Bill to enable CSOs and accredited persons to stop those cycling irresponsibly on the pavement in order to issue a fixed penalty notice.

I should stress that the issue is about inconsiderate cycling on the pavements. The new provisions are not aimed at responsible cyclists who sometimes feel obliged to use the pavement out of fear of the traffic, and who show consideration to other road users when doing so. Chief officers recognise that the fixed penalty needs to be used with a considerable degree of discretion and it cannot be issued to anyone under the age of 16. (Letter to Mr H. Peel from John Crozier of The Home Office, reference T5080/4, 23 February 2004)

Gosh didn't know they had that power but as the post says, its not likely to be used for the majority of us who just cycle safely on the pavement.. it's worth considering though, that an e-bike could be seen as firm grounds for a penalty eh, and not "normal use"..the cops may take the view you present a danger to pedestrians if you're really moving faster than someone would normally pedal, so it's worth being extra careful about using pavements, and probably wise to dismount if there's people around.

That's probably why I got the stern look from the police officer that time I was on the pavement under power...I was shifting it a bit..even though the path was seldom used in a quiet part of town behind some factories. I won't be taking it for granted again and will be extra careful in town.

 

[eddieo]

It's ******.

Highway code:-


See above - dismount and walk on the footpath - don't cycle on it.

a bit rich from someone who is not a cyclist anyway!

 

[mike killay]

Flecc.
This point is always coming up and we need ready reference to it.
Can we make it a 'sticky'?

 

[flecc]

I think only the administrators can do that. Sadly the original online source has gone now, probably forced off by the authorities who'd like to forget it and be draconian instead.

 

[neptune]

Back to the subject of bike/lorry accidents. It is interesting to note that one of the accidents featured on last nights BBC TV program involved a collision with a cement lorry. These lorries, often called cement mixers, do not mix the cement, but merely agitate it to prevent it setting during delivery. These vehicles are built on a rigid chassis, and so are not articulated lorries. I drove artics for forty years, and I can tell you that they are the worst for blind spots during turning. As the vehicle "bends" during a turn, the mirrors, mounted on the tractor unit, no longer give a view of what is happening alongside the trailer.
During the last few years, mirrors have become far better, being larger, and having a convex glass, giving a wider angle of view, but they still have there limitations. Most tractor units also have a smaller left side mirror above the main one, adjusted to see the back corner of the trailer during a turn, but this is not always effective, as some turns are tighter than others.
So in the end, as cyclists, let us take responsibility for our own safety, and never overtake lorries on their left side.

 

[GaRRy]

It's not ****** and the highway code is not law anyway, it's a guide. Here is the definition of the law in practice. The authorities don't like to be reminded of this but that's just tough:

Correct however any section that begins MUST/MUST NOT is referencing a actual Law and so you must obey it and can be prosecuted for not doing so. Anything else is advisory but if you dont follow the advise then while you my not be proscecuted just for not doing it it can/will be used in evidence to establish liability in court.

https://www.gov.uk/highway-code/introduction

oh and while its also true about the fixed penalty offence above. it would appear that the original you must not cycle on paths at all maximum fine £500 (might be £1000) is also still in there in law.

 

[gray198]

Can sometimes be difficult to cycle on pavements or even walk on them, due to them being blocked by parked cars. I thought that was illegal but the police don't seem to bother too much about it. Maybe they have just given up necause it's so common