Will there be a 'Wiggins Effect'?

[dodd82]

Obviously it's not good that he's been involved in an accident, but could their be a silver lining for us all on our commutes this evening?

The story is all over the press, and I wonder if drivers maybe more aware of the cyclist that shares his road this evening, as well as an appreciation that even the Olympians are using their bikes on the road.

Here's hoping

 

[ianrauk]

We can only hope. But I really don't think so.
It's just another story which will be forgotten very soon by the general motoring public who wan't to get to where they are going as fast as they can with as little impediment as possible.

 

[Chris-H]

As soon as yahoo put this news up comments started appearing about how we own the road and should be paying tax.I think it does'nt matter who hits the news in a cycling related issue the narrow minded will soon start their anti cyclists gripes.

 

[Simon_m]

Daily mail is just as bad.

 

[dodd82]

Yep - no doubt the idiots will surface for another round of rambling.

But if the story makes people more aware on their drive home tonight, then that's a good thing.

 

[Sittingduck]

Aware of what?

 

[dodd82]

Aware of cyclists.

 

[veloevol]

Fat bloody chance, more like open season right now with the colder weather making drivers 'dash' home.

 

[smutchin]

Drivers never think it's their fault. It's always an "accident" that "could happen to anyone" and there's "nothing they could have done about it". When surveyed, all drivers consider themselves to be of "above average" ability behind the wheel. It's not their fault if cyclists "appear out of nowhere".

No one will relate the actions of the driver who knocked Brad over to their own driving until we have a strict liability law, with properly punitive action against drivers who kill or injure other road users.

d.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

As we speak, Radio 2 is debating how cycling is inherently dangerous within the UK.

And that might part of the other ''Wiggins effect'' - that some cyclists give up and possible newcomers are discouraged.

(Also heard the Radio 2 programme - Mike Hutchison was excellent, I thought.)

 

[col.kurtz]

Totally agree Smutchin, there seems to be complete apathy from the courts when in comes to handing down sentences for anything cycling/motorcycling related. It doesn't help that local rags and tv report such things as if it was an inevitable consequence of being on two wheels. The emphasis always seems more on the driver and the shock and trauma they have gone through as a consequence, painting a picture that it could've happened to any one of us (car drivers).

 

[Poacher]

No one will relate the actions of the driver who knocked Brad over to their own driving until we have a strict liability law, with properly punitive action against drivers who kill or injure other road users.

I'd settle for a presumed liability law, but well remember the misrepresentations and screams of outrage last time that issue was tentatively raised for discussion.

 

[Mugshot]

First heard this on the radio last night, the presenter was having a chat to the sports reporter about it and asked if Wiggins had been badly injured, the sports reporter replied that he wasn't that bad and would soon be back in training, he then explained that Wiggins would be back in training quite quickly because cyclists regularly fell off their bikes and so were used to such injuries therefore it wasn't much of a problem
As for the original question, no it wont make a difference. If Wiggins decides to sue and that gains plenty of publicity it may focus some peoples minds though.

 

[MichaelO]

Unbelievable - just spotted on the news that Shane Sutton has also been knocked off (and looks to be in a worse way than Wiggins).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/20255862

 

[Davidsw8]

Unbelievable - just spotted on the news that Shane Sutton has also been knocked off (and looks to be in a worse way than Wiggins).

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/20255862

Is someone going around trying to knock out the entire British cycling team??