2 Things I would change...

[Boris Bajic]

I find (to my surprise) that threads on this forum have softened or altered some of my thinking.

I'm a keen driver and cyclist, but I see a road environment in which the current hegemony of the motor vehicle is beginning to have its foundations undermined. Not rocking and crumbling yet, but the first digging has started. As a cyclist, a friend of cyclists and the father of cyclists, I am not upset by this.

I see fringe-dwellings crazies on both the anti-bike and anti-car side of some debates (not necessarily on this forum). On this forum I read a lot of sensible, thoughtful, thought-provoking points. I'm looking for more of that.

So the question: If you could introduce two things into the fabric of civic society (not necessarily laws) that would make the roads a better place to be, what would those two things be?

My slightly jumbled thinking is that a harmonious future does not rely on more bike lanes, lower speed limits or greater penalties for poor driving. I do not like the idea of mandatory training for cyclists (although I think it might help some complete fruitcakes).

My wishlist (and it is just that) is as follows:

1. Introduce a voluntary cycling proficiency test for all ages and all road users, the passing of which would reduce (inter alia and by any margin) one's car-insurance premium. This would involve extensive on-road training. There would have to be some invention done to overcome situations where disability made riding impossible.

2. Introduce lessons (maybe half-termly) in Primary and Secondary Schools covering correct behaviour in traffic. This might include an cycling-proficiency element, but wouldn't need to. It would involve driving simulation, pedestrian behaviour, sections on interacting with other modes of transport... talks from the emergency services... all sorts of junk. Many schools already do something like this, but it seems not to be sewn into the fabric of the education year. I would sew it in there.

I'm not looking for a flame-out debate here, but am interested in what other members think might be the two key changes that would make the roads a happier and safer place to be.

What would your two changes be?

 

[akb]

Ban all cyclists. Ban all Motor Vehicles. Simples.

[serious head on]
My view is to provide an education for all motorists about cyclista and vice versa. Not neccesarily in schools, but during driving lessons too. For cyclist, I am at the agreement that there should be some sort of training in how to use the road properly before rubber meets tarmac and how to correctly navigate motorists. If it wasnt for this forum, and the guidance given, I would still be pretty hesitant about driving on the roads. Via this forum I can now ride both assertively and safely. Unfortunately, not all cyclists form part of this forum.
There should also be an emphasis on correct techniques for motorists when 'dealing' with cyclist, and I strongly believe that a motorist should have to sit refresher courses on the highway code. Being a car driver, I cant remember the last time I checked the HC. It should be compulsory to view it once in a while, be it annually, every 2 years, I am not sure.
[serious head off]

My 2ps worth.

 

[jdtate101]

I like the idea of the incentivised insurance reduction. As we know people are motivated by money (or saving money in this case), If you can get them into an awareness course, which will help them appreciate the risks cyclists face, how to avoid causing those problems and general safety, then that has got to be a good thing. Even better would be to make it a mandatory part of the driving test or a requirement for all newly insured drivers (ie no course...no insurance).

A bit of carrot to go with the stick can reap results.

 

[jdtate101]

Another thing I would like to see, is areas of towns closed to motor vehicles for a couple of days per year (like the sky rides), so kids can get out on the roads in a fun way without cars and lorries about.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

I only want one change really and that is for everyone to just chill out and be polite to other road users. Too many of us take our anger or frustration out on to the roads with us regardless of mode of transport.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

overnight conversion of all UK non-motorway speed limits from mph to kph.

taxation of on street car parking spaces and company car parks.

 

[psmiffy]

I would like to see the adoption in civil law of the principle that motor vehicles are at fault in collisions with cyclist unless proved otherwise - (and probably also in vehicular law wrt pedestrians - if you hit a pedestrian with any vehicle its your fault unless proved otherwise)

Make it a privilege to have a driving licence rather than a right - long bans and retests made mandatory for careless and dangerous driving - repeat offending

 

[Smokin Joe]

Free petrol.

Zero road tax for Vauxhall Astras.

 

[defy-one]

I would like to see the adoption in civil law of the principle that motor vehicles are at fault in collisions with cyclist unless proved otherwise - (and probably also in vehicular law wrt pedestrians - if you hit a pedestrian with any vehicle its your fault unless proved otherwise)

Make it a privilege to have a driving licence rather than a right - long bans and retests made mandatory for careless and dangerous driving - repeat offending

Thats it - blame the driver of a motor vehicle and portion no resonsibility on other road users (cyclists or pedestrians) - i see people walk out on zebra crossings everyday in London, and yet it's my fault if i hit them is it?
Everyone needs to slow down and ackowledge other road users!!!!


Sent by iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[CopperCyclist]

Voluntary option to have a camera running on cars at all times to reduce insurance, as they have in some states in the US I believe.

Option to then make the above camera compulsory after some road traffic convictions, for a fixed periods, with scheduled checks on the footage.

 

[MrJamie]

I was thinking about how there were tv campaigns for the rare event you need to know how to overtake a horse so it doesnt kick out your headlights or the ideal speed for running over children, but i dont think ive ever seen a cycling related campaign.

I agree about making a driving license more about a priviledge than a right, but in light of being different ill complain about crap/non existent cycle parking.

 

[HovR]

Zero road tax for Vauxhall Astras.

But it already has zero road tax!

 

[fatblokish]

Build a duplicate network of roads about 10 metres below ground, use of which would be mandatory for drivers.

Am I allowed two wishes? Oooh goody, then free zero-cal chocolate eclairs for all cyclists.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

Better maintained roads would be nice, and safer riding, for sure, especially in winter. Better street lighting.

 

[ianrauk]

1: Get rid of high-viz
2: Get rid of cycle lanes