Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestions.

[M-Power]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

have we given up our rights as citizens in preference for our rights as tax payers?

I'm not sure what you mean?

I took it to mean that whilst cyclists have a right to use the road, and drivers driving vehicles, don't - but many, mistakenly / ignorantly believe that as they have to pay a tax for their car, that automatically grants them some right (it doesn't).

I think he was suggesting that as there seems an increasing amount of "cyclists don't even pay road tax" bobbins, and implying that cyclists have no place on the road because of this, that many - out of ignorance - seem to be in effect dismissing rights, in favour of tax paying, as a justification of what sort of road users should be allowed.

Correct. Its a spurious argument anyway, as even below threshold income tax earners still pay taxes on goods they buy etc. The Govt spends 'our tax' as an economic stimulant through road repair and building schemes etc so we all have pretty much equal rights to use the highways, whether on a bicycle or otherwise.

 

[lumos2000]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

its something I read that Harry Patch said in one of his last interviews (look him up inspirational story) he said that we are giving up our right as citizens in favour for our rights as tax payers.
how often do you hear the argument for "I pay my tax I have the right" what ever happen to "im a citizen of this country I have the right"
regardless of who pays what surely we all have the same rights. to suggest we have to pay for rights is crazy

edit: (sorry not harry patch but another harry http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfre ... slie-smith penultimate paragraph )

 

[lumos2000]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

back on subject, I don't think this would work well where I live and there's not a huge need for it just yet, you need to try this out somewhere like Bristol, Brighton, Southampton or London, there was a quite interesting program on the other night about Bristol's mayor he would be someone to approach with an idea like this, also I think restricting heavy goods lorries from town centre's during rush hours would make sense or even during daylight hours

 

[David B]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

back on subject, I don't think this would work well where I live and there's not a huge need for it just yet, you need to try this out somewhere like Bristol, Brighton, Southampton or London, there was a quite interesting program on the other night about Bristol's mayor he would be someone to approach with an idea like this, also I think restricting heavy goods lorries from town centre's during rush hours would make sense or even during daylight hours

TfL already has this....

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/freigh ... cheme.aspx

....which with some tweaking of the format could also benefit commuters in the morning and evening peaks.

David

 

[lumos2000]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

back on subject, I don't think this would work well where I live and there's not a huge need for it just yet, you need to try this out somewhere like Bristol, Brighton, Southampton or London, there was a quite interesting program on the other night about Bristol's mayor he would be someone to approach with an idea like this, also I think restricting heavy goods lorries from town centre's during rush hours would make sense or even during daylight hours

TfL already has this....

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/microsites/freigh ... cheme.aspx

....which with some tweaking of the format could also benefit commuters in the morning and evening peaks.

David

that's nuts, it forces hgv's to use the road at the rush hour, all begins to make sense now :shock:

 

[stewlewis]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

I'm not sure a busstop system would help, surely one of the good things about a bike is that you can go anywhere and anytime? but then I don't ride a bike much on the road, only when absolutely necessary.

Agreed, but the ByCycle Stop system tries to help folks who tend to use the bike for travel to major destinations, a lot of people probably travel to be in the same vicinity of work around the same time.
Anytime, yes, but if the ByCycle Stop timer changes every 20 mins from XYZ to Town who can't wait to go via the stop and possibly ride to town with others.

Would you ride more on roads if you were possibly riding with others? On a route that may be quieter? to a destination where cyclists are always around and drivers expected them?

.

Personally speaking I wouldn't, I don't ride on roads because my commute is too far to sensibly ride everyday on a bike. I live in the country so my experience with city commuting is limited. If I did live and work in a city I probably would commute by bike. but I doubt I would be willing to wait around for a group to form. but that's just me, impatient! ;-) It's why I cant stand buses and trains as well.

If this was in place, and if you did move to city and wish to commute by bike:

Would you meet at the ByCycle stop in your local 'burbs catchment area, to meet local riders, learn the route?

As for waiting around, one thing we're good at with bikes is timing, you'd arrive at the Stop just before the timer said go. The departure interval would be determined by demand for that area. Arrive half way between intervals, catch up with those that may have just left, wait and see if anyone else turns up if you want company for your ride.

 

[stewlewis]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

back on subject, I don't think this would work well where I live and there's not a huge need for it just yet, you need to try this out somewhere like Bristol, Brighton, Southampton or London, there was a quite interesting program on the other night about Bristol's mayor he would be someone to approach with an idea like this, also I think restricting heavy goods lorries from town centre's during rush hours would make sense or even during daylight hours

I've sent it to his George's ideas page app.

http://georgesideaslab.dialogue-app.com ... ared-roads

I also pointed to this thread in the submission, Newest RetroBike member - Mayor Of Bristol???

 

[Pyro Tim]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

I wouldn't use the stops or hub. When I commute, I go all out, I don't want to travel at the pace of the slowest rider.

I think the first thing the government need to do is remove the stupid paint on the roads they call cycle paths. They are dangerous as it segregates cyclists from the road in the eyes of both groups, without segregating them at all

 

[stewlewis]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

I wouldn't use the stops or hub. When I commute, I go all out, I don't want to travel at the pace of the slowest rider.

I think the first thing the government need to do is remove the stupid paint on the roads they call cycle paths. They are dangerous as it segregates cyclists from the road in the eyes of both groups, without segregating them at all

But it'd experienced riders who'd be needed.

Would you not want to put yourself out to help to promote safer cycling?
Experience is.needed to share skills and knowledge with the new novices.

Maybe if the routes were used by our bycycle group they'd be quieter, traffic wise, you might want to go all out down those roads then.

Each to their own though, just don't break the rules, ride like a courier and give the bycycle group a bad name.

An I don't need you I'm alright jack attitude would get us nowhere.

 

[Pyro Tim]

Re: Plan on Cycle Deaths and Accidents, ideas and suggestion

In my spare time, I'd happily help. But on my commute, I'm not thinking of others, I'm thinking about work (when not thinking what the idiot in the tin box might do, or the idiot cyclist with no lights filtering through on the left and jumping the lights). I'm normally late too, so this has an impact. I beat the traffic every time, and I have had so many near misses I can't tell you.

Sometimes I want to ride in a group, sometimes I want to ride for me, with my own company.

I live near Lumos, and we live in one of the worst areas for accidents involving cyclists, based on per capita accidents.