Institute of Advanced Motorists run cycling poll

[661-Pete]

We must not confuse the IAM (no it's not a catfood) with other TLAs for petrolheads, like ABD!

Nevertheless, it does seem as if 64% of respondents are not, actually, IAM members. Of course, never in a million years would someone be tempted to vote in a motoring organization's website poll, because attention had been drawn to it on a cycling forum.... Impossible! Utterly preposterous idea! Totally inconceivable!

Bit bemused by the "Mandatory use of lights on bicycles 24/7" one (at least only 3% voted for it). Does this mean we have to be cycling 24/7 to qualify? At least that would keep cyclists fit, though mealtimes (and sleep) might be a problem...

 

[thomas]

We must not confuse the IAM (no it's not a catfood) with other TLAs for petrolheads, like ABD!

ABD had a stall at Wings and Wheels and I spoke to some of the guys. They weren't anti-cycling, or against people cycling. They thought separate cycle paths were a good idea...which I don't really agree with.

Most of the arguments I saw were kinda crappy (they had one saying that cycle lanes took up 50% of the road or something....it meant bus lanes, but the statement was really poorly written). They were against ASLs because it's putting the slowest at the front of traffic (kind of ignorant that most seem to be in busier places, where cycling is faster).

The guys there seemed pleasant enough though. The ABD just seemed like a bunch of daily mail type whiners though. All their posters and campaigns seemed a little pointless....they're the kind of lobby group that I imagine gets ignored a lot. (??)

 

[ufkacbln]

A couple of years ago there was a wonderful quote from the ABD spokesman on how cyclists should be heavily fined for cycling on pavements and Police should be doing more to enforce.

The same week the same spokesman was spouting how motorists "had" to park on pavements and thet being fined for doing so was "persecution, harassment, victimisation and a revenue raising exercise" and should be stopped.

They really need to decide ...... as oposed to the "clamp down on everyone except us" stance they have

 

[HJ]

Done.

I voted for compulsory helmets, lights 24/7, compulsoryt training for cyclists and more police resources to make sure cyclists stick to the rules of the road ( )

Good man!!

 

[HJ]

Actually the IAM is not cyclist unfriendly, their Sharing the road with Cyclists is logical and gives good advice to motorists.

Have you seen the cycling section of their web site?

 

[jonesy]

We must not confuse the IAM (no it's not a catfood) with other TLAs for petrolheads, like ABD!

....

Indeed we mustn't confuse the two...

Mark McArthur-Christie, chairman of the Oxford group of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, has criticised the County Hall plan.

He said: “If we ask people to drive substantially below the natural speed of the road, they invest more mental energy in compliance than driving safely.

http://www.heraldseries.co.uk/news/..._at_odds_over_cutting_49_county_speed_limits/

and:

ABD Roads and Traffic Spokesman Mark McArthur-Christie commented:
'Driving too fast in the wrong place is lethal, but at the moment all drivers are told is to kill their speeds and slow down. In some places this is absolutely right, but we could have a far greater impact on road deaths and injuries by taking a broader approach.'
http://www.abd.org.uk/pr/239.htm

Just fancy that! As Private Eye might say...

 

[661-Pete]

I would certainly like a section on real live interaction with a cyclist, as part of the Driving Test.

Seeing as a 'wild' cyclist (like one of us lot) may not be forthcoming, I suggest a 'tame' cyclist specially engaged for the purpose of the Driving Test, and planted somewhere along the route. And paid for their time, of course - all loaded onto the cost of the Test, but there: why should the Driving Test be on the cheap? It costs a bomb to learn to drive these days!

This cyclist would carry out various typical manoeuvres which the candidate would have to correctly react to.

Volunteers?

 

[thomas]

I would certainly like a section on real live interaction with a cyclist, as part of the Driving Test.

Seeing as a 'wild' cyclist (like one of us lot) may not be forthcoming, I suggest a 'tame' cyclist specially engaged for the purpose of the Driving Test, and planted somewhere along the route. And paid for their time, of course - all loaded onto the cost of the Test, but there: why should the Driving Test be on the cheap? It costs a bomb to learn to drive these days!

This cyclist would carry out various typical manoeuvres which the candidate would have to correctly react to.

Volunteers?

It's not cheap . Probably better ways of teaching how to interact with cyclists, other than just paying someone to cycle around all day.

Some type of module, like the theory test, which needs to be done before the real test. It could be in a closer area perhaps, more like a CBT.

Volunteers?...sure, pay me to do that

 

[Campfire]

I have been a member of IAM since the early 80s. They make you aware of what goes on on the road, looking out for hazards in advance and the commentary you used to have to do in the test makes you look out for them. I actually try to apply some of the principles of Advanced driving when cycling. It actually makes you more aware as a cyclist too.
I will complete the questionnaire.

 

[Matty]

Actually the IAM is not cyclist unfriendly, their Sharing the road with Cyclists is logical and gives good advice to motorists.

I'd be very surprised if the clown that follows you at inches in his white van with his hand stuck on the horn is a member of the IAM!

 

[siadwell]

A couple of years ago there was a wonderful quote from the ABD spokesman on how cyclists should be heavily fined for cycling on pavements and Police should be doing more to enforce.

The same week the same spokesman was spouting how motorists "had" to park on pavements and thet being fined for doing so was "persecution, harassment, victimisation and a revenue raising exercise" and should be stopped.

They really need to decide ...... as oposed to the "clamp down on everyone except us" stance they have

Do you have references for these? They would be a handy rebuff when newspapers etc. give credence to the ABD by seeking a soundbite from them.

 

[Cubist]

Done, I put a bit about minimum distances for overtaking cyclists in the driving test

The poll does seem to be producing a more sensible (and pro cycling) result than I thought it would. Interesting that more than half of the responders frequently use their bikes though

More than half? It's in the high 70s now!

 

[hackbike 666]

Hmm I'm stuck on the what would help cyclists most... I'm dithering ... went with the 20 mph but was really tempted by cycling in the driving test.

Ban all cabbies during the hours of between 9am and 6pm.

My contribution to other: car drivers attending compulsory cycle awareness course, mandatory manslaughter charge for any driver killing a cyclist

Attempted murder charge for passing too close.

 

[eldudino]

The questions a drafted to drivers, they convey a 'what should we do about cyclists' attitude. I think the way it's written could be quite divisive but the outcome of the poll seems to suggest that most people have recognised this and voted accordingly.

 

[thomas]

The questions a drafted to drivers, they convey a 'what should we do about cyclists' attitude. I think the way it's written could be quite divisive but the outcome of the poll seems to suggest that most people have recognised this and voted accordingly.

I think it's mainly cyclists who have voted though