Call to toughen law as riders and drivers clash

[Jake]

I had a girl cyclist last night nearly cycle into me because she jumped the red light. I think the air went blue. will edit the video this evening. not read the article yet, boss is hanging about. most RLJs and people who skip ques of traffic by cycling on the pavement get what they deserve. I used to think it was cool to jump, but the forum has helped me to mend my ways lol. you can watch the vid i put up yesterday and near teh end you see a cyclist nearly hit a ped who was crossing with teh green man on, red to the cyclist. sorry, bad typing

 

[Domestique]

Cyclists having their own lights, giving them a few seconds priority sounds fair enough to me.
I always use ASL as well. I couldnt give two *ucks if I slow some moron down for a few seconds in their car

 

[Andy 71]

"While most cyclists are law-abiding there is a minority who break the law, causing frustration for everyone."

[INSERTS TONGUE IN CHEEK] - Whereas motorists NEVER break the law and ALWAYS act with consideration.

Wouldn't it been more accurate to say:

"While most ROAD USERS are law-abiding there is a minority who break the law, causing DANGER and frustration for everyone."

Quality journalism.

 

[Andy 71]

Cyclists having their own lights, giving them a few seconds priority sounds fair enough to me.
I always use ASL as well. I couldnt give two *ucks if I slow some moron down for a few seconds in their car

Why do motor vehicles seem to think they have exclusive rights to the road?

Secondly, why do they feel that everyone else should have to compensate for their behaviour, but not the other way round.

 

[John the Monkey]

For all the talk about changing the law, actually ENFORCING the ones we have now might make a bit of a difference.

 

[Domestique]

Why do motor vehicles seem to think they have exclusive rights to the road?

Secondly, why do they feel that everyone else should have to compensate for their behaviour, but not the other way round.

Imo owning a car is or has been considered your doing ok in society for a long time. The bigger the car the better your doing, regardless of the fact your debted up to your neck paying for it.

Some drivers seem to really believe that they are better people just because they are sat in a 20k metal box. Its the 'upstairs downstairs' scenario (for those of us old enough to remember it) but took out of the house! Twats

*edit*
Wouldn't it been more accurate to say:

"While most ROAD USERS are law-abiding there is a minority who break the law, causing DANGER and frustration for everyone."

Quality journalism.

+1

 

[srw]

Will someone please tell Mr Geffen to stop saying this. It is utter, UTTER guff! Cyclists who run red lights do so, because they can't be ar*ed waiting at them and they know they can get away with it (most of the time).

At a rough guess, roger.geffen@ctc.org.uk will get you direct to the man. If not, then cycling@ctc.org.uk marked for his attention might.

You're right some of the time, but then judging by the cyclists around me on my commute so is he. Most people go before green, if only by a second or two.

 

[Mr Pig]

The CTC called for cyclists caught riding on pavements or through red lights to be sent on re-training courses..

Re-training? But they haven't received any training in the first place!

 

[John the Monkey]

Re-training? But they haven't received any training in the first place!

Yeah. And they don't pay any road tax, you know...

 

[hackbike 6]

....and having advanced lights will continue to encourage cyclists to filter to the front of long queues, when this is not always the safest thing to do.

Yes I know.Tend to hang behind if it's a big lorry or bus.

Even more than ever now,especially with Soutwark Bridges reputation and the ride down from Tower Gateway.

Why do motor vehicles seem to think they have exclusive rights to the road?

If you ever had an argument with one you may know the answer to this question.

I've had many arguments with the pavement and it gets my vote.

 

[PBancroft]

In my personal, considered but humble opinion, what is needed is not any kind of "us" and "them" road laws, but a recognition from both sides that road users of all kinds and breeds have different requirements but must follow the same rules.

 

[Andy 71]

I've had many a ding-dong with cagers, especially cabbies and I've heard the usual tirade - you don't pay tax etc.

I'm well aware of what they say - what I don't get is that part of their inner psyche which says it's OK to treat other human beings that way.

Where is this going? My fear is that if people don't see justice via legal recourse, they may resort to other means of asserting themselves. This might seem a horrible thing to say, but I wonder where this tension is going (violence?) - I don't want to see that happen.

So, if we want change, we must drive it. We need to get our point across to lawmakers and decision-takers. If we want the law to be better enforced and offenders properly dealt with (i.e. larger fines and no getting out of bans with sob stories) we need to influence key people.

To influence senior people, make an issue public and work so hard to get your point across succinctly to the widest audience, so that those in power they are compelled to act for the sake of their own interests. Politicians (and stock markets!), are on the whole immensley sensitive to media pressure. However, this can be an expensive business - I wonder if there are any cycle-friendly PR firms, who would be prepared to do some pro-bono work on a campaign for cycle safety and advocacy??

Food for thought.