Bicycle Lorry deaths

[vetran]

My dad posted my cycling proficiency test certificate to me the other day. I passed it in 1981.


Is cycling proficiency still taught in schools?

yes both my Girls did it.

We are talking about a visibility issue most easily solved by more mirrors / sensors /CCTV cameras & training of lorry drivers.

I'm not saying the cyclists are blameless but its easier to fix it by making the lorries & drivers safer.

As above, drivers frequently do it to me on my short road journey. Yes I slam on my brakes & I avoid them but a lorry is harder to miss.

[original PM]

I was just in a health and safety meeting (yawn)

However there is rule coming in next year apparently which in the event of a collision or near miss between a motor vehicle and a cyclist - regardless of who is to blame - it is possible that the driver of the motor vehicle will still get 3 points.

which does seem to mean the government is saying that we have to make allowances for the fact that no matter how good a driver we are or how well we obey the law then a cyclist disobeying the law could still lead to you getting 3 points on your licence.

so what compunction now does the average motorist have to look out for cyclist? because that law says to me you can now be held responsible for other people stupidity.

[VectraMan]

My dad posted my cycling proficiency test certificate to me the other day. I passed it in 1981.

Is cycling proficiency still taught in schools?

That's probably about when I did it. I'm sure it was on a Saturday so optional. I also had my cub scout cycling badge (about the only one I had).

[bobspud]

yes both my Girls did it.

We are talking about a visibility issue most easily solved by more mirrors / sensors /CCTV cameras & training of lorry drivers.

I'm not saying the cyclists are blameless but its easier to fix it by making the lorries & drivers safer.

As above, drivers frequently do it to me on my short road journey. Yes I slam on my brakes & I avoid them but a lorry is harder to miss.

The chances are you can't solve the problem it's an issue of tolerance and most road users have none.

If you slow the lorries down and try to improve visibility then certain cyclists will take that as their right to encroach into the blind spot.

[WTFH]

The chances are you can't solve the problem it's an issue of tolerance and most road users have none.

If you slow the lorries down and try to improve visibility then certain cyclists will take that as their right to encroach into the blind spot.

Tolerance & responsibility.


Tolerate others and be responsible for your own actions, not relying on/blaming others for your own risks/stupidity.

[TheCyclingProgrammer]

I was just in a health and safety meeting (yawn)

However there is rule coming in next year apparently which in the event of a collision or near miss between a motor vehicle and a cyclist - regardless of who is to blame - it is possible that the driver of the motor vehicle will still get 3 points.

which does seem to mean the government is saying that we have to make allowances for the fact that no matter how good a driver we are or how well we obey the law then a cyclist disobeying the law could still lead to you getting 3 points on your licence.

so what compunction now does the average motorist have to look out for cyclist? because that law says to me you can now be held responsible for other people stupidity.

"Apparently"

Not heard of such a thing. However its how they do things in the Netherlands:

The Dutch cycle because strict liability made everybody drive safely and play nice | Cycling Embassy of Great Britain

Of course, the same rule would also apply to cyclists vs pedestrians.

[SueEllen]

The chances are you can't solve the problem it's an issue of tolerance and most road users have none.

If you slow the lorries down and try to improve visibility then certain cyclists will take that as their right to encroach into the blind spot.

One of the major issues is that cyclists don't know where blind spots are in cars let alone vans, lorries and buses. Until you have driven or been in that vehicle then many can't understand what the driver can't see and that having lights isn't enough for someone to see you sideways.

The Met and a few other polices forces do this - linky and linky.

(First one is full of people who are surprised how big the blind spot in a lorry is, while the second one is some woman who realises that the reason she's been hit by a bus mirror is because the bus driver can't distinguish she is a cyclist in the backdoors even though they are glass and there is a mirror on them.)

[bobspud]

One of the major issues is that cyclists don't know where blind spots are in cars let alone vans, lorries and buses. Until you have driven or been in that vehicle then many can't understand what the driver can't see and that having lights isn't enough for someone to see you sideways.

The Met and a few other polices forces do this - linky and linky.

(First one is full of people who are surprised how big the blind spot in a lorry is, while the second one is some woman who realises that the reason she's been hit by a bus mirror is because the bus driver can't distinguish she is a cyclist in the backdoors even though they are glass and there is a mirror on them.)

Add most convertible cars to that list as well. If they have a soft roof then the chances are they have no idea you are there if you are anywhere near the rear left quarter of the car.

And if you add the impressive speed of a bike in traffic to these visibility issues. Even if they see you for a split second the chances are that they will not know your position when it comes time to turn. Which is why busses and lorries have had big signs on the right of them for years that say: Do not pass this way!

Seems to me the thing cyclists can do once they have been in the cab is spread the word amongst the other cyclists that they see doing dangerous stuff.

As for the piss poor motorists we need more harsh use of the traffic cameras to pick out the idiots.

[vetran]

or you could just invest a few hundred quid on the lorries.

Maplin Wireless Reversing Camera Kit For Cars | Maplin

We have technical solutions that could for a minimum outlay fix such things. Give them a discount on congestion charge if they have them fitted. With a £1.7 million bill for a death its not like it wouldn't be a saving.

The costs of road accidents | Making the Link

I know it may be the cyclist in the "Wrong" however we can police the vehicles.

If as per SueEllen's links there is an issue with visibility then fix it rather than try to educate a small number of cyclists.

[bobspud]

or you could just invest a few hundred quid on the lorries.

Maplin Wireless Reversing Camera Kit For Cars | Maplin

We have technical solutions that could for a minimum outlay fix such things. Give them a discount on congestion charge if they have them fitted. With a £1.7 million bill for a death its not like it wouldn't be a saving.

The costs of road accidents | Making the Link

I know it may be the cyclist in the "Wrong" however we can police the vehicles.

If as per SueEllen's links there is an issue with visibility then fix it rather than try to educate a small number of cyclists.

But fitting them to the Lorry won't stop cyclists getting in the wrong place. If anything they will get worse because they perceive the problem has been fixed by yet again making everyone else accountable for their lack of road knowledge.