A welcome approach by WMP to cycle safety

[Milkfloat]

Operation Close Pass launched this week in Norfolk http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/crime/t...wn-which-also-results-in-one-arrest-1-5220247 and Suffolk http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/police-o...sts-driving-too-closely-to-cyclists-1-5219277 but rejected by Cambridgeshire Constabulary because it "would be potentially forcing motorists to drive at the speed of cyclists when there isn’t the recommended space to overtake"

When I read your post I thought you must be over-egging it. Then I clicked the link and read The Police Officers statement Which basically reads as ‘get cyclist’s off the road because they slow motorists down in heavily congested areas’. The farkwittery of people in public office is astounding.

 

[slowfen]

Somewhere else taking a more enlightened attitude (Not Cambridgeshire)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-eng...e-catch-drivers-passing-too-close-to-cyclists

 

[mjr]

Cambridgeshire reconsiders and launches "Operation Velo" which seems to be basically Operation Close Pass! Sounds like it will also mean Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire see it. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-43146515

 

[toffee]

Seems a big about turn on their part.

 

[mjr]

From "your commute today"...

https://www.thamesvalley.police.uk/news/general/cycle-safety-scheme-returns-spring-oxford/
Also what do you think about this?

Seems like Oxford's Thames Valley are using operation close pass as a Trojan Horse in order to bother cyclists about yellow star jackets. 402 cyclists stopped but no number given for motorists

 

[Randombiker9]

From "your commute today"...

oSeems like Oxford's Thames Valley are using operation close pass as a Trojan Horse in order to bother cyclists about yellow star jackets. 402 cyclists stopped but no number given for motorists

What are yellow star jackets? Also i have not seen any police cars recently in my area of the Thames Valley. All i've seen police related are the cycling PCSO's telling cyclists off for using the pavement.
Was in town today and there was a police car in the middle of a road that's closed (probs stopping cyclists from going down there. But i've not seen any close passes and police doing anything recently.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

LMAO! Riding a pushbike to get a driving license.

I do believe some drivers bought their licenses off Ebay judging by the standard of their driving. Or their examiner was stoned.

I remember several people being prosecuted a few years ago for taking the test for someone else

 

[mjr]

What are yellow star jackets?

A derogatory name for hi viz cycling wear. There's pretty much no sound evidence it helps improve safety significantly (research suggests it's contrast that matters, so yellow would be a very silly choice out here among daffodils, tulips, rapeseed, sunflowers, corn and wheat) but it means cyclists can be identified easily even after parking up. Making outgroups wear specific markers is a key part of "othering" or making them a clear subculture that it's OK to criticise. It seems very dodgy to me, sociologically, and because there's no safety benefit, it has no place in evidence-led policing like operation close pass is meant to be.

 

[jefmcg]

yellow star jackets

Is that a holocaust reference? If so, it's in the most appalling taste.

Edit: I obviously hadn't refreshed the page, so missed this

Making outgroups wear specific markers is a key part of "othering"

It is a holocaust reference.

I cannot find words (that won't get me banned from this site) to express my reaction to this.

 

[Jenkins]

From "your commute today"...

Seems like Oxford's Thames Valley are using operation close pass as a Trojan Horse in order to bother cyclists about yellow star jackets. 402 cyclists stopped but no number given for motorists

I don't see anything in that article about hi-viz cycling wear - only the legally required lights. And in answer to your later post - I will agree about contrast being important making darker clothing on bright days a better choice.

 

[winjim]

A derogatory name for hi viz cycling wear. There's pretty much no sound evidence it helps improve safety significantly (research suggests it's contrast that matters, so yellow would be a very silly choice out here among daffodils, tulips, rapeseed, sunflowers, corn and wheat) but it means cyclists can be identified easily even after parking up. Making outgroups wear specific markers is a key part of "othering" or making them a clear subculture that it's OK to criticise. It seems very dodgy to me, sociologically, and because there's no safety benefit, it has no place in evidence-led policing like operation close pass is meant to be.

I would be very very wary of using a term like that. There is no equivalence.

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

Mod note:

@mjr; it seems fairly clear that you do mean the term in the way that @jefmcg suggests. This is in very poor taste and goes against the spirit of the forum rules and guidelines

A search shows me that you are the only person who has used this term on the site. Please do not use it again.

 

[Randombiker9]

A derogatory name for hi viz cycling wear. There's pretty much no sound evidence it helps improve safety significantly (research suggests it's contrast that matters, so yellow would be a very silly choice out here among daffodils, tulips, rapeseed, sunflowers, corn and wheat) but it means cyclists can be identified easily even after parking up. Making outgroups wear specific markers is a key part of "othering" or making them a clear subculture that it's OK to criticise. It seems very dodgy to me, sociologically, and because there's no safety benefit, it has no place in evidence-led policing like operation close pass is meant to be.

Ok. . I always have a hi viz/relfective gloves and helmet cover on but i only wear my hi-viz/reflective vest if it's dawn dusk or dark. But lights are personally more important i think.

 

[jefmcg]

Ok. Yeah exactly. I always have a hi viz/relfective gloves and helmet cover on but i only wear my hi-viz/reflective vest if it's dawn dusk or dark. But lights are personally more important i think.

No. Not "exactly". MJR is saying that cops suggesting Hi-viz is the same as Nazis/Occupying forces making Jews wear the star of david. Do not agree with him, unless you think that is true - unless you believe being carted off to a death camp is in your immediate future.

Also Godwin's Law.

 

[Randombiker9]

No. Not "exactly". MJR is saying that cops suggesting Hi-viz is the same as Nazis/Occupying forces making Jews wear the star of david. Do not agree with him, unless you think that is true - unless you believe being carted off to a death camp is in your immediate future.

Also Godwin's Law.

I wasn't agreeing or dissagreeing.