Safety when Commuting

[SammiG]

Hey Guys,

I am an A-Level student looking for a project to improve the safety of a cycle commuter or any type of cyclist.

I was wondering if you would be able to list the 5 top things that you wish could be improved about your rides.

Obviosly there are certain things i cant improve, such as getting rid of hills or telling every single other road user to be more considerate , but any other pointers would be great.....

Regards Sam

 

[PBancroft]

1. Road user attitude. Not just drivers, but some cyclists are morons too, as can be any other human being. You say you can't tell people to be more considerate... you've not been following Barack Obama enough.

2. Inappropriately designed cycle paths and shared use paths. These encourage some drivers to think that cyclists shouldn't be on the road, and can be dangerous in and of themselves.

3. Weight of equipment. Not really a safety issue, but does my pannier have to be THAT heavy?

Dunno... getting stuck here. There's too many good points. I even like some of the hills.

Best of luck with the coursework.

 

[Tynan]

peds that think if the cars have stopped it must be safe

peds that step out into the road without loking because they can't hear an hgc coming

vehicle turning left or right without signalling, let alone looking, ot the signal at tine instance of turning

vehicles turning right because someone's left them a gap that can't be bothered to check for anything else coming up the inside

lights after dark (shock)

 

[wafflycat]

1. Education of road users. In particular, long-term education of motorised road users to be aware that roads are for *all* to use, not just other motorists.

2. Education of those in government (central & local) to realise that cycle 'facilities' are not the answer. Ghettoising cyclists perpetuates the myth that cyclists have no place on the roads.

3. Education of the public to realise that *there's no such bloody thing as road tax!* That roads are paid for out of general taxation - so paid for by non-motorists as well as motorists.

4. Education of motorised road users that once you have your full driving licence this is NOT a licence to ignore the law, drive as fast as you want, where you want, bullying other road users out of the way and a licence to act as an utterly selfish twerp just because you have a driving licence.

5. Education as to the benefits of cycling and that it's not as dangerous as many a non-cyclist erroneously believes

 

[Mac66]

1. It's already been said, but cyclists need education too. How about combining the education of cyclists and motorists in one hit by making a level 3 Bikeability exam part of the driving licence requirement.

2. The Govenment and other bodies are often seen to be doing something when they educate the plebs, but in realistic terms are in fact spending as little as possible so that no one can accuse them of "doing nothing". I would cite educational t.v. advertising campaigns as a waste of money in my opinion. I doubt any drink-driver watched a don't drink and drive campaign and rethought their position on the issue. Motorised road users have a particularly narrow minded and my experience entrenched view of cyclists and its going to take real money and sustained effort to make cycling on the road, in any form, better.

3. Scaring potential motorists may help? This would again have to be done at the catch them whilst they are young stage, but as part of the test make a half day seminar on the effects of traffic accidents, including hitting cyclists compulsory. Gruesome pictures, emergency service stories, and possible talks by mums who have a son/daughter locked up in prison or dead as a result. Have to be careful though because I have a sneaking suspicion that young lads would find gruesome pics entertaining.

4. Transport planning is a mess. The wider transport system is so clogged that the best anyone can do is give it a poke and hope it works. Compounded by which cyclists probably fall into the lowest priority for consideration, when planners are up to their eyeballs in just trying to get the existing systems useable. Desparately in need of better integrated transport solutions

5. Err school runs need to be tackled. The amount of erratic driving and abysmal parking makes commuting past a school a brown trouser moment for any cyclist.

In short better education and wider vision.

 

[Mr Pig]

Education of road users. Once people pass a relatively basic test, and not even that in the case of cyclists, little more is done. Look at how they can use the media to sell us crap or tell us about moronic non-celebrities. The government say that they care about road safety but their actions prove that they don't.

More policing. As long as they avoid zooming past speed cameras it's pretty easy for road users to drive as badly as they like with relative immunity. We need more cops out there in cars and on bikes targeting poor, dangerous and selfish driving. Not just more cops but and change in attitude and priories to remove the emphasis on statistics. People need to know that they can't bully other road users and get away with it.

Better road planning. It's shambles out there! There is no coherent policy and what is done is short-sighted ill thought through.

 

[Willow]

Most things have been said but you know I would really love it if the road surface where we cyclists mainly go could be smooooth, potholes are one thing but just the surface they use these days is sometimes so rough I'm sure it slows me down. I find myself trying to cycle on the painted lines sometimes just to make it easier!

 

[upandover]

I heard a government minister saying a few weeks ago, that improvements in the suspension of cars, meant that could spend less on road surfaces. Interesting point for motorist, but for cyclists, bad news.

Many of the roads I commute down, and many of the roads I avoid commuting down have incredibly poor surfaces 1-4 foot out from the curb. Some work on these would greatly improve the ease of commute, and mean I can ride closer to the curb (nto too close!) more often.

Cheers
Steve

 

[marinyork]

Most things have been said but you know I would really love it if the road surface where we cyclists mainly go could be smooooth, potholes are one thing but just the surface they use these days is sometimes so rough I'm sure it slows me down. I find myself trying to cycle on the painted lines sometimes just to make it easier!

That is a safety point I believe. One of the main roads I go down is very cracked, potholed and cambered and downhill. When it is wet I take an ultra aggressive primary position as that is the only bit of the road that is flat resembling flat and smooth. I do not particularly want to do this but think the risk of the bike jackknifing, sliding or even going over the barrier and down the other side is a real possibility.

Anyway here's 5 for you.
1. Decrease pinch points such as superflous traffic islands. There are far too many and are a risk to my safety.
2. Get rid of the obsession with contraflow cycle lanes, no entries and far too many 1 way streets. They make travelling by bike hell and many of the motorists ignore no entry signs anyway and come hurtling towards you.
3. Bit more thought about banning all vehicles from right turns. Both points 2 and 3 mean I not only have to take a detour which I don't mind but have to use more dangerours roads and junctions in the process because of some numpty planner. I think points 2 and 3 put a lot of potential cyclists off.
4. Increase cycle parking close to physical locations. Parking deserts mean travelling further, less safety.
5. If one does go down the route of cycle lanes and paths which councils do in the end (which I don't agree with) at least make the best of them and join them up. Cycle paths suddenly ending and then chucking inexperience cyclists onto busy dual carriageways or having to navigate a nightmare junction are unsafe.
I think the other suggestions are good but I don't believe I can influence other peoples' behaviour.

 

[jonesy]

Make sure you are familiar with the published guidance on cycle infrastructure. There are a number of links here:
http://www.cyclechat.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=741

 

[snorri]

Ensure that all transport planning offices have staff with knowledge and experience of designing for all modes of transport.( that means including bicyles)
Bring UK law into line with mainland European countries which puts a greater onus on the motor vehicle driver to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users.

 

[BentMikey]

By far the biggest single effect on cycling safety will be by increasing the numbers of cyclists significantly.

Other than this, get rid of nearly all the cycle lanes/paths, remove pedestrian railings, and run a series of adverts on staying out of the door zone and not going up the side of large vehicles.

 

[thomas]

Some really good points here. Education of all road users. Cyclists need to be responsible in the same way that cars need to be. Respect for all road users! Pinch zones as others have mentioned, such as crossings where cars still go for it even though there isn't room.

 

[wafflycat]

Ensure that all transport planning offices have staff with knowledge and experience of designing for all modes of transport.( that means including bicyles)

All folk that have anything to do with designing/use of highways/transport should have to spend at least six months of every year using a pedal cycle as their main form of transport...

 

[jimboalee]

+1 wafflycat.

At least one member of Solihull Council's Road Safety Committee is an ex Police cyclist.
I saw the job advertised in the local rag 4 years ago, and got to hear it was taken by the Copper who held the cycling Proficiency classes when my kids were at juniors.

The Coppers in Solihull ride Konas.