relieved to be alive

[Eat MY Dust]

There's a bit of a anti police thing going on here. I agree that the police should take cycling incidents more seriously, but asking them to act on the kind of incidents you see commuting isn't very realistic now is it. Can you imagine how many cops you'd need to employ to do this!

 

[Freewheeler]

Not only that, but I imagine the CPS would drop the case anyway unless they were guaranteed a conviction. Check out a few police blogs to see how difficult it is to get the CPS to pursue cases even when the evidence looks quite good.

 

[downfader]

Galaxy 1, go to the police. As long as you have the time, date and road, plus a basic description they should be able to do something. Technically he's left the scene of an accident and has broken the law.

Next time it may be more serious than just skimming your pannier bag

 

[Davywalnuts]

hehe, I wasnt meaning to be Anti-police, honest! But dont you think there should be at least some method of reporting then?

I couldnt possibly expect the existing police force to cope with what we could put forward to them without serious investment. But.. maybe if a specialist group was set up, then it would be self funding surely like Gatso's? New task force = more jobs & = less pressure on existing forces?

 

[marinyork]

The problem is there's no consistent clear message from cyclists. A local campaign here is wasting its time with chuffing ASLs. As if the police are going to take that seriously.

 

[Davywalnuts]

The other problem too is bad cyclists... how would you catch them! haha!

It was when I was doing my "pot hole" reporting on the CTC and seeing how easy it was to do so that has got me thinking so..

Sorry marinyork, whats a ASL? Am not used to all these abbreviations yet! Ta!

 

[shunter]

You know Magnatom, I was thinking ages ago why the police dont fund such cameras schemes with a reporting system, maybe even a live feed, wow, we could all be mobile CCTV's!!

Bit of paperwork for us am sure, but it is us cyclist who see more than most on the roads!

Random thought of the day!

Some thoughts that come to mind - some pie in the sky!

1 - all cycle action groups, magazines and police forces get behind the scheme.

2 - standardisation of camera for quality etc.

3 - national website to download clips for complaints which will be regionalised for local forces to take note. Maybe the identification of particularly dangerous areas will mean they put their own cycle cops in that area. More interaction between cycle cops and cyclists would be beneficial to both sides.

4 - After 1->3 put in place then publication on national press so car drivers are aware commuting cyclists may be videoing their actions and that they will be able to make complaints. Perhaps showing the best clips on dedicated TV programme along with informing car/lorry/van drivers of the rights cyclists have on the road - maybe even teach them the highway code.

 

[marinyork]

Advance Stop Lines.

 

[fossyant]

There's a bit of a anti police thing going on here. I agree that the police should take cycling incidents more seriously, but asking them to act on the kind of incidents you see commuting isn't very realistic now is it. Can you imagine how many cops you'd need to employ to do this!

I wasn't for calling the cops out when I got wiped out, got up, exchanged details, cycled home rather sorely, and reported it the next day - cops could see I was OK - can't expect them to go chasing round after all the stupid drivers/cyclists.....

Fortunately the driver admitted liability...but it's going to take time to sort out....

Get yourself either CTC or British Cycling cover......especially if you are riding every day...you'll need it at some point....this is my second occasion to use BC cover to help in 23 years....

 

[Davywalnuts]

Got ya! ASL is now noted in my wee mind! Ta!

 

[Amanda P]

Cycle lanes offer little protection when drivers don't drive as they should.

I was moving slowly in a narrow cycle lane between the lanes of traffic approaching traffic lights (junction of Lawrence Street and James Street, just by York Cycleworks, for those that know it).

A taxi coming up the lane to my left actually clouted me smartly on the left shoulder with its door mirror. As you do, I said "ow!" and looked around to find myself face to face with the driver (it was one of those tall, van-type taxis).

"It's allright as long as I'm the right side of this line," he said, pointing at the white line separating the bike lane from the rest of the road. The lights changed and he roared off.

So, colliding with other vehicles and injuring people is OK so long as your tyres are the right side of a line on the ground? I suppose I must have imagined the bruise, then.

The funny thing was, he had that explanation ready before I even opened my mouth (other than to react with "ow"). Almost as if he'd done it deliberately.

 

[fossyant]

I was moving slowly in a narrow cycle lane between the lanes of traffic approaching traffic lights (junction of Lawrence Street and James Street, just by York Cycleworks, for those that know it).

A taxi coming up the lane to my left actually clouted me smartly on the left shoulder with its door mirror. As you do, I said "ow!" and looked around to find myself face to face with the driver (it was one of those tall, van-type taxis).

"It's allright as long as I'm the right side of this line," he said, pointing at the white line separating the bike lane from the rest of the road. The lights changed and he roared off.

So, colliding with other vehicles and injuring people is OK so long as your tyres are the right side of a line on the ground? I suppose I must have imagined the bruise, then.

The funny thing was, he had that explanation ready before I even opened my mouth (other than to react with "ow"). Almost as if he'd done it deliberately.

I'd have smashed his cab up.....

 

[Amanda P]

I get pretty angry with some people, too.

This one just left me standing open mouthed in awe at the guy's sheer arrogance and ignorance. I almost laughed.

And it wasn't a big bruise.

 

[johnr]

I was being driven round York recently and resolved never to ride my bike through there again. I tip my hat to those of you who brave the traffic there, the drivers are clinically insane. Give me central london any day.

 

[marinyork]

I lived very close to that junction. The driving was poor and there were a number of fairly high profile accidents whilst I lived there.