First London Cyclist Death of 2012 today

[flecc]

Once again a heavy vehicle involved, this time a coach and a cyclist in his 60s in collision. There were 16 London cyclist deaths last year, and 10 such deaths in Britain so far this year.

Report here

 

[indalo]

Bad news yet again Flecc. Major changes are required in people's rights to use our roads before things change.

Indalo

 

[steveindenmark]

Very sad.

We have it so much better over here in Denmark and in Germany and the Netherlands,

I found this video recently and it appears to give a utopian view of cycling but this is actually what it is like cycling over here.

You will see that the Dutch were in the same situation you are now but they have turned it all around. You will also see that very few people wear helmets and that is because the cycling has become so safe that they do not see the need for wearing one.

This is not fairytale cycling, it is for real. You just need to find a way to get to that stage.

Dutch Cycling Embassy Releases Inspirational Video, Launches Website | Streetsblog San Francisco

The guy with the Yellow box on his bike is from their cycling union.

Here is their site: The magazine on this page is in English and is an interesting read.

Cookie support required | Fietsersbond.nl

Steve

 

[CRAZYNIGHT]

Its very sad news.....I have to say personally my own cycling skill was improved after carrying out the lessons required for a motorbike licence. The main thing it made me realise and remember was others are your problem not you, I now cycle totally differently I own my space.

 

[Blew it]

British insurance companies need to step up!

Admirable as it may appear, I'm afraid the 'Times' has failed to address the fundamental reason why these horrific deaths to continue.

Videos showing the splendid segregated cycling infrastructure in Mainland Europe are plentiful on YouTube and other media, but very few mention the real reason for their existence, the adoption of the legal doctrine of 'Strict Liability'. This is the reason why European motor vehicle drivers would rather put their cars or lorries into the ditch than hit a cyclist. Just look how many times we see this posted on this forum by those living in, or visiting the Netherlands.

Interesting to note, the Netherlands Government are advising American City's on how to keep their cyclists safe, but will they also advise on the desirability of adopting the 'Strict Liability' legal doctrine?. Personally, I cannot see how the attitude of motor vehicle drivers towards cyclists will ever change in the absence of 'Strict Liability'.

For a better understanding, have a read of the Wikipedia entry on cycling in the Netherlands, a mention of 'Strict Liability' about half way down the page.

PLEASE CLICK HERE

Happy and safe E-biking to all
Bob

 

[flecc]

Absolutely right Bob, things will never improve until pedestrians and cyclists have priority over motor vehicles in this respect. Our present situation where drivers of motor vehicles are effectively able to bully the most vulnerable into submission is totally unacceptable.

 

[steveindenmark]

I totally agree with you Bob.

But I would also like to say that most car drivers in Denmark are also cyclists and therefore have a better understanding of cylists and cycling. If they are not cyclists themselves then members of their families certainly are.

I am sure people do not post things in a "Ba Hoo Sucks" type of way. They are posted to show other cyclists what can be achieved and what has been achieved. We would dearly love to come over to the UK and have a summer holiday riding our bikes but until things change a lot we are happy to cycle on mainland europe.

I think Strict Liability is where you should all start in the UK.

Steve