Contrast London v Paris

[PK99]

In the recent discussions, here and elsewhere, about accidents in London the contrast between London and Pais has been raised several times. ie far fewer deaths in Paris.

I've stumbled across this or similar several times when googling:

The Paris Police Authority blamed cyclists for their own injuries.

“If cyclists are sometimes victims of dangerous behaviour by other road users, their own tendency to break the rules of the road is too often at the origin of these accidents,” it said in a statement.

A total of 5,922 cyclists were fined for failing to respect the highway code in Paris in the first nine months of last year, the authority said. More than half were stopped by police for failing to respect a red light, for which they were fined €135.

A total of 496 were fined €35 for using a mobile telephone on their bicycle.

 

[gaz]

I thought they brought in a rule about cyclists allowed to go through red lights in paris.

 

[ManiaMuse]

I rode around Paris on a Velib for a few days last year (French Boris bike) and felt much safer than London (I'm not sure I would dare ride a Boris bike here).

It's not a cycling city like Copenhagen or Amsterdam and they have spent nowhere near that sort of money. But what they have spent on cycle infrastructure has employed so much more joined up thinking than in London.

- Cycle lanes are much clearer to motorists, especially over junctions, and they are more consistent and don't stop suddenly when most needed
- Segregated cycle lanes clear of parked cars
- Cycle lanes that actually go somewhere useful and direct!
- Some roads have been converted to one way with the other lane turned into a 2 way segregated cycle lane

Yes they are blessed with much wider roads generally, but they seem to be heading in a better direction than London.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

There's a very thoughtful article about Paris, London and bikes here - http://buffalobillbikeblog.wordpres...ost-about-lorries-cyclists-and-paris-deja-vu/

 

[cosmicbike]

Whilst I don't like the victim blaming part, I think it's a great idea to fine cyclists for breaches of the Highway Code, hit people where it hurts and they will learn (or give up?). Sounds to me like a proactive approach to improving the way in which cyclists ride.

 

[Twelve Spokes]

The vibes I get from work is that they hate us and all the red light jumping and constant law breaking doesn't help.Probably why the driving is shyte sometimes.

 

[Ganymede]

There's a very thoughtful article about Paris, London and bikes here - http://buffalobillbikeblog.wordpres...ost-about-lorries-cyclists-and-paris-deja-vu/

Thanks for posting this, very interesting. Just shows you can still run a major city with restricted HGV access.

 

[cosmicbike]

Am I right in thinking we currently have restricted HGV access in London? Though I believe it's all @rse about face, and they are banned at night?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

Am I right in thinking we currently have restricted HGV access in London? Though I believe it's all @rse about face, and they are banned at night?

Correct- http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/freight/london_lorry_control_scheme.aspx