In the evening standard today I read about a cyclist who killed a City fund manager by colliding into him as he crossed the road. He was a year away from retirement and about to become a grandfather. The cyclist was questioned by Police but not charged.
A month in Lewisham, Chico Mwamba, another cyclist, knocked and killed a 76 year old man at a crossing. The penalty ? £160 fine.
I find it incredible that the police have such limited power to prosecute cyclists, particularly as a motorcyclists or driver would almost certainly face a custodial sentence. As a motorcyclist in central London I find that cyclists are the least likely to obey the highway code but their behaviour is almost entirely overlooked, save for a ‘telling off’ from a community support officer from time to time. 200 accidents involving pedestrians this year really needs to be addressed.
Cyclists should learn how to ride a real bike and perhaps would then respect and appreciate the rules of the road.
The other side is that they could have walked out into the road without looking, if that happened to a bike or car, and speed wasnt an issue then I dont think there would be a custodial?
But I agree with you, cyclists, ride on pavements/through red lights, etc, it has been widely documented on here, and it doesnt surprise me when you read what you have put. They dont have anything that measures/prosecutes their speed when doing this and therefore makes it much harder to prosecute in the event of above unless there are witnesses.
In the second case the accident took place on a pedestrian crossing. Whilst it is true that pedestrians sometimes cause the accident my point is that no action is taken by the police - in any event.
Cyclists are not simply not culpable as far as the law is concerned.
There was a case a couple of months ago down in Devon/Cornwall way, which involved a cyclist colliding with & killing a pedestrian & the rider got sent to prison, so not altogether true.
I agree with your cyclist ignoring the highway code and respecting the rules of the road comment. Whenever I’m out riding or driving the amount of cyclist I see go through a red light or trying to run pedestrians off a pedestrian crossing and they always undertake/overtake at the wrong time, I could go on…
Quite a few are a real menace. Had one this morning doing lane swaps without doing lifesavers. I got within 2 inches of him and tooted with my nice “monster” 136db horn. He gave way into the cycle path where he should have been anyhow. It was also clear for the length of road as well. Madness I tell you, madness!
I know we have much discussion on here about this before
Just like to add, I cycle most days to work (over 5 years in central London) and YES 85% all cyclist have not got a clue, no road sense, no life saver etc etc etc…
But believe me, the about of twats riding motor bikes and scooter is getting worse. Most days I get a bike pulling in front of me, no lifesaver, using cycle lanes, Cyclist box junctions etc etc etc…… I could go on!!
Just interesting to see the about of crap riding which goes on in our great city on power and pedalled 2 wheels!!!
Just being picky, but cyclists don’t have to use cycle lanes. They are optional. Quite a few cyclists think that some cycle lanes are more dangerous than the rest of the road (and you can sort of see their point when some cycle lanes only last for a few yards, some are blocked with parked cars, they force you into the gutter and cars turn left across you without looking, etc. Kind of like a lot of bikers not wanting to ride in bus lanes).
I seldom ride a bicycle, and would agree that there are a lot of cyclists who have very little idea of road sense and are a danger to themselves and others. But there are also plenty of bike and scooter riders, and car drivers, who are frankly rubbish and dangerous drivers. The only difference is that it’s us and the cyclists who are going to come off worst in any collision.
And if cycle lane use was compulsory would it really make any difference given that apparently the rules relating to red lights, zebra crossings etc get ignored etc.
I am actually all for encouraging cycling, I was a dedicated cyclist for most of my life, but I fail to understand what is going through the heads of the cyclists I see flouting the law and common sense and endangering others in the process.
Probably something similar to what’s going through the heads of other road users (incl. pedestrians) when they also do stupid things. Cyclists don’t have a monopoly on stupidity.
As I’ve said above, If I was on a bike, I’d be ultra cautious because I’ll come off worse in a crash, regardless of whose fault it is, but this POV obviously isn’t shared by a lot of the cyclists I see around town.
Sorry, I don’t get your arguement - of course other road users do stupid things, but only cyclists completly ignore red lights for example. I have yet to see a car driver beat up the driver of the car in front becasue he stopepd at a light - I have seen cyclists attack one another because someone actually obeyed the law twice.
I see cars and buses and motorbikes go through red lights quite regularly, for example. And speaking entirely selfishly, I much prefer a cyclist with a skill level of 1/10 to a car driver with a skill level of 5/10, because I will probably be in better health if I have an accident with the cyclist as opposed to with the car. If truth be told, the type of traffic that most regularly gets dangerously close to me when I’m on my scoot is other PTWs.
I just don’t see why the general tone of this thread is of picking on cyclists in particular. I do think that they should have compulsory insurance, and I do think that they should have to follow the rules of the road, but I also think that they have possibly the worst time on roads (which, in the main, are just not designed for cycles) compared to other forms of traffic, and so I can understand (but not be sympathetic to) the way they often flout the laws.
and did you read in mcn that bikers killed two cyclists and cars about 18 or something not sure but all we hear is that Bikers and cyclists dont mix…and thats why we should not use the bus lanes…more lies damn lies. Reality is cyclists are real trouble, too slow for the road too fast for the pavement and with all that farting that they do…(okay so thats not very scientific) the methane cyclists produce is bad for the ozone layer too…
crazy people ride push bikes…I know because I ride one too and you would have to be even more nuts to put your life in such high risk by riding one in london
don’t get me started on push bikes in London. There are few who abide by the rules of the road, however they’re seldom seen. The amount of cyclists i have seen who have gone through a red light and nearly taken out a pedestrian is untrue. I agree, they should have compulsory third party insurance. I put my foot out the other week and made one stop and yelled at him as he was about to ride straight through a red light. He looked sheepish and couldn’t argue as he was completely at fault.
The statistics are that two cyclists a year die in collisions with motorcycles - Eight cyclists a year die in collisions with stationary non-vehicular objects.
I use cycle lanes that don’t have solid lines, in fact it’s one thing I didn’t used to do until speaking to a traf pol when doing BikeSafe. It is legal, and often safer when the traffic is stationary. I do a lifesaver check before pulling into the cycle lane and make sure it’s safe to do so first. You do get some irate push bikes sat behind you when you then stop at the traffic light because they are stuck behind you, which IMO means they were going to jump the red light.
I’d be careful doing that especially if they are a courier, as a few will get rather upset you’ve blocked where they were going to go.
Some cyclists are a menace… but they’re behavior is governed by the RTA… Sec 28 Dangerous & Sec 29 Careless… I can’t imagine many have been done for it or that the punishment amounts to much.
I make a Left on the Northbound carriage way of Blackfriars Bridge and it’s rare for the cyclists to give way, one muppet event shot between me and another cyclists when we were both about to make the left turn.
A word of warning about riding in cycleways and entering the cycle waiting area at a junction… undercutting in the cycle way if the line is broken is probably ok, but you might be asked what the necessity was and making progress is not a reason. Entering the cycle waiting area at a junction is an offence in that you’ll be passing the initial stop line, the ticket is an endorsable – £60 with 3 points :blink: You’re unlikely to get one but they do get given out…
