Are you too scared to cycle in London?

Stella

I don't think that jumping red lights causes deaths, at least not the majority of them. You're way too hung up on the red lights; there are plenty of other rules you can break. Just saying.<br>

vetski

@NorthNineteen, thanks - have e-mailed them.

Detritus

You right stella there are but I spent about 5 years working on ambulances and the amount of idiots who went through a red light then got hit is incredible. It is their own fault and they deserve everything that they get. It wastes time money and resources better spent than on irresponsible wankers who don't follow the laws of the road.

Idoru

Of course jumping red lights causes deaths, whether it's a car or a bike doing it. It puts the vehicle in the wrong place and that's dangerous. But I don't think any of these recent reports have said anything about jumping red lights have they? I think it's much more likely that this spate is caused by the change in weather and clocks going back. Drivers and cyclists are failing to change their travelling style to fit the changing conditions. http://www.transport-network.co.uk/Motorists-oppose-clocks-going-back-in-bid-to-save-lives/9615#.UoTNreKxWmM<br>;

Detritus

I know but it's just something that bugs the hell out of me. If the cycling lobby want the roads to be safer then they should start to use the roads correctly it's not rocket science.

djmattyoung

email the mayor to try and get Bow roundabout and Aldgate made safer for cyclists - <a href="http://petition.lcc.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1745&ea.campaign.id=23782">http://petition.lcc.org.uk/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=1745&ea.campaign.id=23782</a>;

gardener-joe

While waiting to cross the Euston Rd at Euston tonight, of the 20-plus cyclists who rode by I counted 7 cyclists without lights front or back. At worst, suicidal **nts .. at best, organ donors! Either way ...stupid, stupid, stupid.

Peter Crumb

Euston Road is also a hot spot for jumping red lights too.<div><br></div><div>Quick question. Are you allowed to park on a a double yellow line to unload?</div>

Peter Crumb

In answer to my own question - I see you are. <a href="http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/transport/parkinginlondon/loadingandunloading.htm">http://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/policylobbying/transport/parkinginlondon/loadingandunloading.htm</a> Madness really, I've seen potential for accidents a couple of times recently on Stroud Green Road due to vans etc doing this.

andy

@peter crumb - that's the main point of red routes, I think. No unloading.

vetski

@petercrumb, I get particularly exercised by the night-time deliveries to the newer Sainsbury's - whether car or cyclist, one has to pull out from behind the lorry just to be able to see if anything is coming the other way! Really not ideal.

Stella

I always try not to cycle past too close unloading lorries, you never know if they just jump out of it or smash the door in your face.That goes for parking cars, too.<br><br>On a different matter: why is it that cyclists are expected to 'make way', meaning cycling in the gutter to let cars past? I had it a few times that they were beeping behind me. I mean you won't beep at a Smart or motorcycle, would you? If I cycle in the middle of the lane, there's a reason for it, you can beep all you want, I won't make space just so you can squeeze past me.<br>

djmattyoung

Stella I'm exactly the same I cycle in the middle of the lane and if they want to pass me they need to do a wide overtake (sometimes I need to instruct them to go round me, only if it safe). 

Stella

I normally don't cycle in the middle of the road, only if I feel I need to make sure I get safely through the junction. Or if there are building works--anything that may compromise my safety. Love it particularly when they start getting nervous when it says 'SLOW' on the road. I bet if I weren't there, they'd just speed through the street. <br><br>Generally, I try to respect everyone and, oftentimes, in narrow side roads, I'll quickly pop into a larger parking gap and signal the driver to come through, but if someone literally drives into my rear wheel, showing me his or her impatience, I remain stubbornly in the road. <br><br>On the way to Wood Green (and back) are some hairy left turns and traffic's fast. So I cycle in the middle of the lane to make sure I don't get run over by someone wanting to turn left. Indicators seem to be broken on many cars.<br>

NorthNineteen

@peter<;br><br>Very rougly:<br><br>Single Yellow line: No waiting or parking during certain times (check signs for exact restrictions)<br>Double Yellow line: No waiting or parking at any point<br><br>Single yellow marking on kerb: No loading or unloading during certain times (check signs for exact restrictions)<br>Double yellow markings on kerb: No loading or unloading at any time<br><br>Single red line: No stopping (parking, loading, unloading, picking up passengers, setting down passengers) during certain time (check signs for eact restrictions)<br>Double red line: No stopping at any point<br>

Stella

I met a woman today, who has seven bikes ... Makes me look silly with my four and two halves ...:-)<br><br>Hopefully the weather stays like this now for a while. Great for cycling.<br>

kreuzkav

<div>Fairly balanced article concerning the recent situation.</div><div><br></div><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/17/cyclists-dead-london-roads-safer">http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/nov/17/cyclists-dead-london-roads-safer</a>;

Stella

I think it's all blown out of proportion and I agree when Boris said if cyclists take risk, it may pose a danger--to themselves and to others. <br>But: I do think it's ridiculous to paint a strip of a very busy road blue or green and pronounce it safe. I'm all for separating the cycle lanes on those busy hot spots or, as said in the article, to give cyclists an extra set of lights to give them a good head start. On such busy roads, I'd imagine the first five cyclists get away safely, but the ones waiting behind them may not. Then a split second of a wobbly or not paying attention, getting distracted, can end up fatal.<br>

Stella

Not been to the Bow roundabout or in fact on those Superhighways, but found this video. Must say, bar the curious traffic jam, there's nothing dangerous about it. In my point of view. <br>http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/video/2013/nov/15/cyclist-london-cycle-superhighway-2-video<br><br>I can see, as the guy in the video states, an inexperienced rider would probably shit his pants.<br>

Ali

<P>It didn't seem to bad except  whne you get to the roundabout.</P> <P>The Journalist should have been  wearing something more visible than black !</P>

djmattyoung

<font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">another cyclist killed today  </font><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></div><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2"><a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/male-cyclist-in-his-60s-dies-in-crash-with-lorry-at-camberwell-road-8947110.html">http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/male-cyclist-in-his-60s-dies-in-crash-with-lorry-at-camberwell-road-8947110.html</a></font></div>;

Stella

Tragic. Again, no indication of how it happened. <br><br>Saw a sign on the back of a bus today, an ad aimed at drivers, asking to give cyclists space. That's a start. <br>

Ali

Looks like a very big lorry turning left again

miss annie

No, that sign is aimed at cyclists. It is to tell them to stay back. You'd be amazed at how many pull up right behind or at the side of the buses...nut jobs! Which cycle routes do you use most frequently Stella, have you tried the one through to town yet? Been cycling back from town at night, no one, apart from one aggressive taxi driver, has invaded cycle lanes at all.

djmattyoung

<font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2">Police have also been stopping cyclists and telling them to 'wear a helmet and hi-vis clothes'. Most interesting thing about this report is they also stopped 20 lorries with 60 offences being committed! </font><div style="font-family: Arial, Verdana; font-size: 10pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"><br></div><div><font face="Arial, Verdana" size="2"><a href="http://www.lbc.co.uk/police-catching-cyclists-who-break-the-law-81518">http://www.lbc.co.uk/police-catching-cyclists-who-break-the-law-81518</a></font></div>;

Stella

A bin lorry ... they're super slow, so I'm assuming the cyclist tried to overtake it. Such a shame.<br><br>Annie, no, I don't mean that one, but that: http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/tfl-safety-tips<br><br>I rarely pull up close behind lorries or buses, as I can't see what's going on in front of them. If they brake suddenly, I want to be able to brake in time, too. The only time, I'm 'close' is when they're standing or in very slow traffic.<br><br>I've not cycled into town for a while. If I need to, I normally go through Liverpool Rd. (used to go through Essex Rd.) Angel, Rosebery Ave, though Holborn and then Oxford Street. Or, I go via Camden. Camden Rd. Camden St. Euston and then via the City.<br>Went to near Old Str. today, through Clissold Park, past the Leisure Centre, then Newington Green, Mildmay Park, Southgate Rd and then to Eagle Warf Rd. Had to pop into the Academy, and finally picked up my certificate. Yay!<br><br>London's roads by night are awesome. <br>

kreuzkav

@ Miss Annie, what route is that again?  Through Islington?

Stella

I think it's just a typical 'jumping the guns'. The public wants to see reaction, that something's done, but it's done the wrong way. High Viz and helmets wouldn't have saved the cyclists' life being dragged under a lorry. The driver probably didn't even see them. And regarding lights: yes, needs to be addressed, I think it's stupid to cycle without lights, then again, that one accident where the lights were still flashing under the lorry ... what help was that for that woman? None. <br>What needs to be addressed is common sense. In everyone, not only lorry drivers or cyclists. <br>

Ali

<P>Chief-Superintendent Glyn Jones, who is in charge of the operation, told us: "If you're going to cycle in London, wear a helmet, wear high-vis, make sure your bike has the right lights, don't wear headphones and obey the rules of the road.<BR></P> <P> </P> <P>Good advice</P>

Idoru

Very good advice. You wouldn't think it necessary to say it, really.<br>