dougdeep
New member
Having driven around London in everything from a 2 wheeler to an 18 wheeler I noticed that it's the younger male drivers and the younger male cyclists that cause most of the problems. Let's blame excessive testosterone.
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Cyclist fatalities in London - what's going on?
- Thread starter Bry Nylon
- Start date
The Spanish
Well-known member
it baffles me you thimk that there needs to be investment into cycle lanes in london - the investment has been staggering in the last few years. you really must have missed it. yes its still a dangerous way of getting around but will always be so to a certain extent. the amount of cyclists has increased dramatically and people, slowly, are learning to cope. whats happened in the last few days is awful of course but it is a cluster. there seems to be a real battle at the oment in london and 'professional' drivers in central london are really really struggling to cope with the increase in cycle traffic. this attitude is dangerous. there are also lots of silly sods who get on a bike and ride around in western euopes largest city with a hugesly complacent sense of self righteousness. its a terrible combination right now. but things will get better.
but to say londons not geared up for cycling right now is just mental. must be the most cycle friendly city of its size in the world. amsterdam or copenhagen etc are tiny - meaningless comparison.
The Spanish
Well-known member
sorry mate but this is just mental. whats happened in the last few years is little short of a revolution. this baffles me, its kafka-esque what you and herr tubthumper are saying, that londons cycling infrustructure is poor and needs investment. its madness. you obviously dont cycle in london.
I tend to agree with you, The Spanish.
Where London actually wins is the number of bus lanes that are only used by cyclists, buses and taxis. Perhaps a compulsory course for cyclists and drivers using these lanes that teaches the awareness for any cyclist/driver caught driving with undue care and attention is the way forward. That would mean more investment in enforcement though.
Where London actually wins is the number of bus lanes that are only used by cyclists, buses and taxis. Perhaps a compulsory course for cyclists and drivers using these lanes that teaches the awareness for any cyclist/driver caught driving with undue care and attention is the way forward. That would mean more investment in enforcement though.
The Spanish
Well-known member
you are right i think it would go a long way some sort of certification for cycling on public roads. not only would it placate the obvious current hostility from drivers in london, but also be a nice revenue stream and would make people on bikes more responsible. nanny state i know but more people cycling is a GOOD THING, and if thats whats needed then so be it.
I guess it depends what you judge London against? Berlin is the second biggest city in the EU so my reference point is not 'meaningless.' London is not geared up for cycling in the way my city is.
It's not the nanny state that bothers me about that idea, it's the red tape. Certification would put people off and then there's the cost of administration.
I'd make certification a part of "punishment" for poor cycling/driving and increase the level of law enforcement.
IMO, German cities are the only ones geared up for cycling. Well, I know Duesseldorf certainly is. Same goes for Aachen.
The Spanish
Well-known member
geared up - like it
The Spanish
Well-known member
you say that like its a bad thing
The Spanish
Well-known member
You're right, I'd have to be criminally insane to cycle in London!
i have done it this morning no problem. its very easy really.
OzMike
Well-known member
Come and have a drive over here, especially at the weekend, mobs of them riding 5 or 6 abreast and getting abusive when you toot them to form a single line, as the highway rule states.
They generate huge queues of traffic, in their obligatory lycra.
If they observe the rules of the road I haven't a problem, but when the 'I'm in big mob' mentality takes over they are a right pain and make life on the road hell for all others.
Cycle registration and a road tax should be introduced, after all, they want the same rights as a driver so they should pay for it.
Then we will see numbers diminish, with some luck.
Accidents will happen and if more people are participating, then more accidents will happen, unfortunate but a fact of life.
severnside gull
Well-known member
I was in Amsterdam the other day. I have never had a problem before but on this occasion I had two "close encounters" - one with a girl using her phone and the other a lad with headphones on......no less stupid than driving a car with your attention distracted but with no protection the chances of injury are increased.
Road tax doesn't exist (over here at least). It's a vehicle tax based on fuel emissions.
OzMike
Well-known member
That's changed since I left, if they did that here they would wipe half the cars of the streets.
Road tax was replaced (with Vehicle Excise Duty) in 1937!
Unless you left here in the 30s then I don't think it has!
daveinprague
New member
Main issue as far as I was concerned living in Amsterdam was stoned tourists from the night before wandering onto the cycle track in the morning...
A car hitting a cyclist in Holland seemed like a major offence, akin to paedophilia.
Too many hills in Prague to even consider it....plus the car drivers tend to be morons.
A car hitting a cyclist in Holland seemed like a major offence, akin to paedophilia.
Too many hills in Prague to even consider it....plus the car drivers tend to be morons.
I must admit it was unintentional. But I do like a good pun. I agree with Sim's assertion that Germany is the best country (handle)bar none.