Opinions on this leaflet please

[sazzaa]

My local city cycling forum has posted a draft leaflet which they intend to put in bike shops to be handed out with new bikes. Thoughts please.

http://s10.postimg.org/xiwwrnbqx/leaflet1.jpg
http://s18.postimg.org/e04yhbmzd/leaflet2.jpg

 

[sazzaa]

My own comments so far are "I didn't think a bell was legally required anymore? I'd probably add something about ASL feeder lanes and not cycling on the left of vehicles turning left (lorries etc), since you mention filtering on the left, which many of us don't do as it's not safe. The part saying don't listen to music is a bit cheeky since it's not law... Misleading?"

I feel that the whole thing is daft! There's so much more useful and concise information out there, what if someone reads this and then completely ignores all other advice?

 

[Spinney]

It seems more sensible than many bits of 'advice' I've seen.
The bit that is a bit daft is this:

It implies that even if you are on a main road (as in the photo), you should stop and let a car out if you haven't made eye contact with the driver.

 

[Spinney]

The part saying don't listen to music is a bit cheeky since it's not law... Misleading?"

It doesn't say it's against the law to listen to music. I do sometimes, but only at a volume where I can also hear the traffic (but then I'm a 50-something old fogey and don't go for deafening music anyway!)

 

[AndyRM]

Get someone with even a vague eye for design to lay it out. That looks sh!te.

 

[sazzaa]

It doesn't say it's against the law to listen to music. I do sometimes, but only at a volume where I can also hear the traffic (but then I'm a 50-something old fogey and don't go for deafening music anyway!)

It's the wording that annoys me. "Engine noise warns you of approaching vehicles so don't listen to music while cycling". I'm not entirely sure we should be told to rely on our hearing like that either? What about the lifesaver glance?

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

What does "Agitate for 20mph zones" mean?
And there is not need for 2 front and 2 rear lights - that's just rubbish! "in case one of them stops working"...seriously??? How about "take batteries"?? Or make sure the batteries are re-charged properly before setting off?

I'm not even going to bother picking holes in the 2nd link!!

Seems to me it's one blokes view of what he thinks is right and he's trying to impose this on others.

 

[ianrauk]

Hi Viz..zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

 

[StuartG]

I think it a good leaflet, or a very good first draft.
Of course I would like to take my sub-editor's pen to it. There is nothing that can't be improved.

I would tend to shift the emphasis to the result rather than being prescriptive with the method. I'm with Richard Ballantine with giving a yell. the importance is being able to give an audible warning whether by bell or by voice. Two lights is nothing to do with legality - its about more light and no issue if one dims/goes flat. Trouble is, if we all comment the contradictions and time would result in no leaflet.

And then what would be left to criticise?

 

[sazzaa]

What does "Agitate for 20mph zones" mean?
And there is not need for 2 front and 2 rear lights - that's just rubbish! "in case one of them stops working"...seriously??? How about "take batteries"?? Or make sure the batteries are re-charged properly before setting off?

I'm not even going to bother picking holes in the 2nd link!!

Seems to me it's one blokes view of what he thinks is right and he's trying to impose this on others.

I thought there might be another meaning to agitate that I wasn't aware of, but there's not. Someone has already made a comment about the 2 lights bit. If shops hand that leaflet out with new bikes it will be disappointing.

 

[numbnuts]

"I didn't think a bell was legally required anymore?

A bell must be fitted at the time of purchase – after that you can do what you want with it

 

[sazzaa]

A bell must be fitted at the time of purchase – after that you can do what you want with it

Yeah I've just been Goggling that.

 

[ianrauk]

I thought the bell thing was scrapped a few years back.

 

[sazzaa]

I thought the bell thing was scrapped a few years back.

Found this http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/safety-regulations Bike seller has to sell bike with a bell but no legal requirement to actually use one or have one on your bike when cycling.

 

[ianrauk]

Found this http://www.ctc.org.uk/cyclists-library/regulations/safety-regulations Bike seller has to sell bike with a bell but no legal requirement to actually use one or have one on your bike when cycling.

hmm.. sure I read somewhere that it was scrapped or was to be scrapped....