Cyclist fatalities are on the rise

[Crankarm]

Not sure if this has already been posted. Today's Guardian (Page 8 hardcopy):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/08/cycle-accidents-road-deaths-rise

Pretty much what I have suspected.

 

[Flying Dodo]

I wonder how the deaths are distributed throughout the country. Bearing in mind London has had such a massive increase in cycling in the last few years, it's bound to distort the figures.

 

[magnatom]

Not sure if this has already been posted. Today's Guardian (Page 8 hardcopy):

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/may/08/cycle-accidents-road-deaths-rise

Pretty much what I have suspected.

Surely that article isn't accurate. I thought there had been a significant increase in cycling during that time. Does anyone have an stats on this?

 

[Banjo]

Surely that article isn't accurate. I thought there had been a significant increase in cycling during that time. Does anyone have an stats on this?

No stats but the evidence from my own eyes is quite clear cycling definitely seems to be on the increase. Also speaking to staff in Bike shops they say business is good .

 

[summerdays]

If cycling increases there probably would be more total incidents (hopefully proportionally less) but I'm reading the report at the moment.

The document states that people who live in deprived areas are more likely to be injured on the roads partly becasue they tend to walk more. What they don't say is that the kids are more likely to play out on the streets and the standard of driving is likely to be below average - with more racing, less seat beat wearing, more speeding. That's what I generally see when I'm in those areas around here.

 

[Flyingfox]

Surely that article isn't accurate. I thought there had been a significant increase in cycling during that time. Does anyone have an stats on this?

If you read the report it actually says cyclists' serious accidents & deaths are down by 27% from the mid-1990's. It's a typical case of 'you can make statistics say whatever you like'. Instead of focusing on this very encouraging figure the media and H&S mob hype the 10% increase in the last couple of years, which have seen a huge increase in cyclists.

 

[summerdays]

It compared us to other countries but no where in the report have I seen any mention of the differing attitude/respect paid to cyclists in other countries.

 

[Downward]

Does it say how much traffic levels have increased ?
Is it about 30% in 5 - 10 years ?

I remember as a lad 20 years ago in my mums street there were 4 cars parked on the road.
Now it's about 16.

 

[buggi]

i was listening to this on the news on my way home in the car. drivers attitudes are shocking.

one said, "cyclists are a nuisance, they should construct more cycle paths and get them off the road"

personally, i think it is partly down to the construction of cycle paths that drivers think this. and cycle lanes are worse because drivers don't give you any room at all, they think its ok to drive past you with 6 inches to spare because there is a white line "protecting" you.

they should scrap all cycle paths and lanes and re-educate drivers that we have a right to be there, and they will be severely punished if they are found guilty of causing an accident. then they wouldn't believe they have a right to think the road only belongs to them.

...and would they prefer we were in a car holding them up instead???

 

[Fab Foodie]

drivers attitudes are shocking.

they should scrap all cycle paths and lanes and re-educate drivers that we have a right to be there, and they will be severely punished if they are found guilty of causing an accident. then they wouldn't believe they have a right to think the road only belongs to them.

...and would they prefer we were in a car holding them up instead???

Spot on. Post of the week.

 

[HJ]

i was listening to this on the news on my way home in the car. drivers attitudes are shocking.

one said, "cyclists are a nuisance, they should construct more cycle paths and get them off the road"

personally, i think it is partly down to the construction of cycle paths that drivers think this. and cycle lanes are worse because drivers don't give you any room at all, they think its ok to drive past you with 6 inches to spare because there is a white line "protecting" you.

they should scrap all cycle paths and lanes and re-educate drivers that we have a right to be there, and they will be severely punished if they are found guilty of causing an accident. then they wouldn't believe they have a right to think the road only belongs to them.

...and would they prefer we were in a car holding them up instead???

+1

 

[fossyant]

Traffic is a massive increase...let the press issue roll on - it might give us a little bit of publicity................

TBH I'll carry on owning my piece of road

 

[summerdays]

they will be severely punished if they are found guilty of causing an accident. then they wouldn't believe they have a right to think the road only belongs to them.

I still don't understand why they haven't suggested changing the law to give more status to the pedestrian/cyclist, and to recognise the fact that the car drivers are incharge of a huge lump of metal that causes "accidents" when cyclists and pedestrians "collide with them".

 

[Crankarm]

I still don't understand why they haven't suggested changing the law to give more status to the pedestrian/cyclist, and to recognise the fact that the car drivers are incharge of a huge lump of metal that causes "accidents" when cyclists and pedestrians "collide with them".

Erm.....lack of political will............strength of the car industry........... a culture based on the car as it's icon....... archaic legal system.......to name but a few.

 

[summerdays]

Yes but they are the things that need to change... the general attitude of car is king of the road and nobody else should even venture onto it.