Letter in today's newspaper

[turnout]

What's this got to do with this case, Spindrift?

The letter writer claims the driver of the vehicle is always held at fault.

This isn't true, in some fatal RTAs involving cyclists the drivers are not even charged.

When they are charged, the sentences are risible.

 

[DrSquirrel]

Why is everyone trying to justify why said cyclist shouldn't ride on the pavement when we can ride on the road anyway? Why don't you instead tell the lorry driver that there is a perfectly good motorway for him to drive on... oh wait there, motorways don't go directly where you want to go


The second point to raise is "his" £700 duty... that his customers essentially pay for... customers like you and me.

 

[snorri]

I would just be inclined to plead the daft laddie, and not wishing to be anything other than a law abiding cyclist myself, I would seek clarification from Mr HGV as to which rules were being broken by the cyclist referred to in his letter.
That would be brief, and give him enough rope to hang himself, or anyone else who replied on his behalf!
His lack of understanding of funding for roads is really not relevant to road safety, and reference to racing or even race training on the roads is bringing in separate (inflammatory) issues.

 

[downfader]

I got a bit lost with the Clarkson thread so didn't follow it after a bit. I couldn't work out what report everyone was banging on about. I was at work though, and obviously never have time to read CC in depth while working. Ahem!

Anyway, I've had a stab at a reply to Captain Lardarse's letter (below). See if they go with it. (Before you shoot me down, it has to be 100 or so words which I know is hopeless).

I refer to the letter from lorry driver Mr **** (February 7[sup]th[/sup]), and dread to think what ‘I indicated my presence’ to the cyclist meant. A dangerously close pass, or illegal use of the horn? Mr **** also seems somewhat confused about road taxation. ‘Road fund tax’ doesn’t exist. Vehicle Excise Duty (your tax disc) is an annual tax just on your vehicle, none of it goes towards cycle paths. All funding for roads (cycle paths, repairs etc) is raised through general taxation like Council Tax which we all pay, including cyclists. I am astonished that a lorry driver does not know this.

Finally, Mr*** should know that cycle paths are sometimes not used because of glass or thorns or possible risks to pedestrian safty. Racing cyclists need fast road practice for competition (some may one day become Olympic champions, so don’t bully them off the roads!) Cyclists have every right to use roads, and lorry drivers threatening vulnerable road users helps no one.

Good reply, shame theres a limit on words.

I would add, anyone local who uses and knows that road should be encouraged to send a polite reply, too.

(As for the Clarkson thread I've been off all day writing three letters about cycling provision.. so I've had the time to follow it, but even then couldnt keep up with it. It just descended into stupidity. As did SaveACyclist on facebook.)

 

[400bhp]

I would just be inclined to plead the daft laddie, and not wishing to be anything other than a law abiding cyclist myself, I would seek clarification from Mr HGV as to which rules were being broken by the cyclist referred to in his letter.
That would be brief, and give him enough rope to hang himself, or anyone else who replied on his behalf!
His lack of understanding of funding for roads is really not relevant to road safety, and reference to racing or even race training on the roads is bringing in separate (inflammatory) issues.

Pretty much agree with that in a thread like this. But that's like playing chess and I'm not sure that would get much ink in a paper?

 

[downfader]

Why is everyone trying to justify why said cyclist shouldn't ride on the pavement when we can ride on the road anyway? Why don't you instead tell the lorry driver that there is a perfectly good motorway for him to drive on... oh wait there, motorways don't go directly where you want to go


The second point to raise is "his" £700 duty... that his customers essentially pay for... customers like you and me.

Points well raised imo

I would just be inclined to plead the daft laddie, and not wishing to be anything other than a law abiding cyclist myself, I would seek clarification from Mr HGV as to which rules were being broken by the cyclist referred to in his letter.
That would be brief, and give him enough rope to hang himself, or anyone else who replied on his behalf!
His lack of understanding of funding for roads is really not relevant to road safety, and reference to racing or even race training on the roads is bringing in separate (inflammatory) issues.

The first paragraph I agree with. The Second not as much - every cyclist has to start somewhere whether its starting out in sport or starting out on a training run. To get up to race speed is not safe or practical on what is essentially a pavement and I think the point is fairly raised.

 

[400bhp]

I'd change the last para to read:

Being a professional lorry driver, Mr*** should know that it is perfectly legal for a cyclist to use a road irrespective of there being a cycle path. Cycle paths are not used for various reasons including possible risks to cyclist/pedestrian safety and poor surfaces . Racing cyclists need fast road practice for competition (some may one day become Olympic champions, so don’t bully them off the roads!). Based on Mr ***'s letter I would suggest that Mr ***needs some retraining.

 

[Glow worm]

I'd change the last para to read:

Being a professional lorry driver, Mr*** should know that it is perfectly legal for a cyclist to use a road irrespective of there being a cycle path. Cycle paths are not used for various reasons including possible risks to cyclist/pedestrian safety and poor surfaces . Racing cyclists need fast road practice for competition (some may one day become Olympic champions, so don’t bully them off the roads!). Based on Mr ***'s letter I would suggest that Mr ***needs some retraining.

Thanks for the comments DF and others. I only put the bit in about Olympics as there's been some stuff in there about it recently with regards to the cycling teams. Also, the guy who once set the fastest static 'time trial' record was tragically killed after a lorry hit him while cycling for a time trial near there a few years back. Anyway, they'll probably ignore it but we'll see.

(I've just had another stab at the Clarkson thread btw and it's given me a headache so I'm going for a lie down!)