Cyclists, accidents and the law

I feel very aggrieved when I see cyclists riding on the pavements without due care or fear of apprehension. I think the majority (particularly the young and new innigrants who don't know any different because they see it all the time) think they have a right of way at the expense of the slow, infirm, visually impaired - you name it!

I have had my glasses broken due to a cyclist riding into me at a busy pelican crossing at Kingsbury Station, and one almost running into me about a week ago on a blind corner by North Wembley Station (notorious for bikes on the pavement - I have seen cyclists trying to get through pavement full of mothers and tiny tots outside Wembley Primary School in East Lane at ten to nine in the morning). Earlier this year another cyclist nearly rode into the bus queue I was in, rode downhill at speed and knocked the shopping out of the hands of a middle aged lady coming out of Harrow & Wealdstone Station. The cyclist didn't even have the courtesy to stop - just swore and rode off!

Where are the authorities? Why are there no signs that can be pointed to? And - to be fair to cyclists - why are cycle lanes in such ridiculous places and start and stop so abruptly?

Just because someone rides a bike doesn't mean some mysterious psychological transformation occurs. The same cannot be said of people who drive a motor vehicle. The difference is presumably that on a pedal cycle, one's power is limited by one's own sheer physical strength. Whereas with a motor vehicle, the power is supplied by fossil-fuel and is limited only by the engine and stamina by the fuel tank- vastly more than any human. And of course, some idiots truly believe that it really takes so much more intelligence to press that little pedal – the accelerator, all the way to the floor.

Another difference, is that as a driver, one is somewhat hidden from onlookers and can lock the doors.

Clearly the imbecile who mowed-down the young girl needed a custodial sentence for what I believe to be manslaughter. The fact that a bicycle was involved is irrelevant. But as Mr Bumble said 'The Law is a ass!' [sic].

The fact remains that such incidents which involve bicycles are incredibly rare and a tragedy for the victim and her family. But this case was only newsworthy, because the manner of her death was so unusual, if she had been killed by a car, it would have only been reported in the local press. The real danger is presented by motor vehicles as attested to by the statistics. The chances of being killed by a motor vehicle is vastly greater than by someone on a bicycle.

The fact is that it is not unusual for motorists to collide deliberately with pedestrians, cyclists and other cars. As a pedestrian I have been pushed by a car; as a pedestrian and cyclist, I have been clipped by cars. Whereas it is most unusual for cyclist to do likewise.

As far as I'm aware, the case alluded to is probably unique and therefore effectively irrelevant from the point of policy-making. Such an event would seem unlikely to happen again for a very long time, at least I hope so, but in these times where people are so much more aggressive, who knows?

As usual strong opinion undiluted by fact. Youthful Griper hasn't read the Highway Code. Cycle lanes, even Mandatory cycle lanes are NOT mandatory for cyclists.

HC 61

Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

See 140
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837

HC 140

Cycle lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable. You MUST NOT park in any cycle lane whilst waiting restrictions apply.

[Law RTRA sects 5 & 8]
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070308

The chances are the cyclists concerned were adopting either the secondary road position ~1/3 of the lane width or ~ a metre from the kerb, or the primary position ~ middle of the lane or about 1.5 metre from the kerb. As described in Cyclecraft, the DfT recommended cycle manual.

The pedestrian zones where I live have restrictions for cyclists (and also delivery vehicles) so that between 10am and 5pm it is strictly pedestrians only. I should know - I got pulled up by 2 WPCs who happened to be strolling by at 4:55pm one evening! I learnt my lesson, now I have to do battle with buses, taxis and pedestrians who don't understand pelican crossings.
Most lunch times, however, the same pedestrian zone is litterd with the odd "idiot" cyclists but typically, no one of authority happens to be strolling by then to stop and warn them.

I overtook a cyclist in my car on Saturday and was very tempted to honk at him, why?

The road has designated cycle lanes on each side. This cyclist thought he was too good for the cycle lane and stayed in the road. There were no obstructions ahead in the cycle lane so absolutely no reason why he wasn't using it.

Nearly got run over by a cyclist on Saturday in Oxford. Cycling straight through a pedestrian zone, ring the bell and assume everyone will get out the way. Very irresponsible. Why do cyclists think that ringing the bell should clear a path? Why don't they get off and walk through pedestrian zones.

PS It is so easy to find a cylclist riding on the pavments. Any short journey in your car will enable you to spot many of them. So why is it is so difficult for our police force to stop them?

Cycling on pavements has been against the law for a very long time and for very good reasons. Pedestrians expect to step onto a pavement with no danger of being hit by moving traffic. A bike with a 15stone man travelling at just ten miles an hour on a metal object with moving parts has the potential to inflict very serious injury and, as we have seen lately, cause death to even an adult. Why is this danger not taken seriously? It beggers belief!

Aren't they supposed to set an example? From BBC News - "Mr Cameron's cycling has had a high profile since he was filmed riding to the House of Commons after becoming party leader.

In March, he was forced to apologise after the Daily Mirror photographed him on his bike ignoring red lights and going the wrong way up a one-way street."

Some cyclist really do have anorexia of the brain. They ride around in autistic mode at top sport totally ignoring all other road users. And by God don't I hate those Lycra bodysuit uniforms they wear and those useless cycle helmets they sport. Sickos. None of them ever obey red lights. As for pedestrians their job seems to be to mow them down.