leeds wrote:

Probably one of the biggest problems on UK roads is different classes of road users showing insufficient respect for other road users. Add that to people DELIBERATELY ignoring basic road signs such as RED traffic lights be it car or cyclist or ignoring keep left signs etc.


From ROSPA here

Quote:

Cycling Accidents
Around 75% of fatal or serious cyclist accidents occur in urban areas 2
Around half of cyclist fatalities occur on rural roads
75% happen at, or near, a road junction
80% occur in daylight
80% of cyclist casualties are male
Almost one quarter of the cyclists killed or injured are children
Around three quarters of cyclists killed have major head injuries.
Types of Accident
Accidents involving child cyclists are often the result of the child playing, doing tricks, riding too fast or losing control. For teenage and adult cyclists, accidents are more likely to involve collisions with motor vehicles, but about 16% of fatal or serious cyclist accidents reported to the police do not involve a collision with another vehicle, but are caused by the rider losing control of their bicycle.

In collisions involving a bicycle and another vehicle, the most common key contributory factor recorded by the police is 'failed to look properly' by either the driver or rider, especially at junctions. 'Failed to look properly' was attributed to the car driver in 57% of serious collisions and to the cyclist in 43% of serious collisions at junctions.

Other common contributory factors attributed to drivers are 'poor turn/manoeuvre' (in 17% of serious accidents involving a cyclist) and 'careless, reckless, in a hurry (17%). Cyclists are more likely to suffer serious injuries when a driver is judged to be 'impaired by alcohol', exceeding the speed limit' or 'travelling too fast for the conditions'.

The second most common contributory factor attributed to cyclists was 'cyclist entering the road from the pavement' (including when a cyclist crosses the road at a pedestrian crossing), which was recorded in about 20% serious collisions (and over one third of serious collisions involving child cyclists).

The most common vehicle involved in collisions with cyclists is a car or taxi, with the rider usually being hit by the front of the vehicle. In a quarter of fatal cyclist accidents, the front of the vehicle hit the rear of the bicycle.

However, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) present a particular danger for cyclists, especially in London where around 20% of cyclist fatalities occur involve an HGV. These often occur when an HGV is turning left at a junction'. About one quarter of accidents resulting in serious injury to a cyclist involved an HGV, bus or coach 'passing too close' to the rider.

Common Cycling Accidents
Motorist emerging into path of cyclist
Motorist turning across path of cyclist
Cyclist riding into the path of a motor vehicle, often riding off a pavement
Cyclist and motorist going straight ahead
Cyclist turning right from a major road and from a minor road
Child cyclist playing or riding too fast

As an ex cyclist I have had narrow escapes with cars etc. As a motorist I have had narrow misses with both cyclist and motor bikers.

Just to pick up one point about HGV and cyclists accidents. There have been calls to ban HGVs in London during rush hour due to accidents with cyclists. Some of these accidents occur when cyclists undertake a HGV as it is preparing to turn left. An extremely dangerous action n the behalf of the cyclist.





Brendan

Brendan, couldn't agree with you more. I have been a regular cyclist (hobbyist, training, sports etc) since the 1980s, have cycled in most of Europe, plus the U.S., Australasia etc and am an avid watcher/supporter of the sport. I cannot stand this new breed of holier-than-thou enthusiast cyclist who almost goes out to seek bad driving and drivers. No doubt there are idiot drivers out there, many, and sadly cyclists continue to be seriously injured and killed. But that is the law of chaos theory. With the number of mixed road users, deaths through bad placement by the cyclist and inattention or aggression by a driver will continue for the foreseeable future. The problem to a degree is that we are not a cycling obsessed nation (the French, Spanish and Italians are generally far more accommodating and understanding of cyclists than their UK counterparts, on non urban roads at least) so have no history or understanding of the hobby/sport, and don't respect cyclists accordingly. However along the same lines, unlike the Dutch who 'live' cycling many of our most vulnerable cyclists are so through lack of training (as it is not obligatory) or experience. As such, their decision making and road placement, not to mentione awareness is seriously lacking.

As pointed out I have no doubt that the vast majority of cyclists killed by HGVs will be irregular commuters, young, likely women and likely wearing inappropriate clothing and plugged into an iPod. I doubt very much you would find a hardcore, 30-year veteran of sport cycling in the stats. So what needs to change is for training to be offered that teaches the skills learned by motorcyclists, defensive riding, in which a motorcyclists placement on the road, traffic awareness etc are a proactively applied skill to create a safety bubble around the rider, rather than creating vulnerability by being less aware and giving drivers the opportunity to act dangerously by being teased into small gaps such as this incident, but also knowing when to work with drivers of larger vehicles rather than directly in confrontation of them.

The other issue in not being a cycling (or moped) nation as with our continental cousins, is that many drivers start driving without ever having been on two wheels and therefore understanding the vulnerability felt by that group of road user. So it would seem training and experience is paramount to improving safety for cyclists and reducing conflict between both groups, plus perhaps an obligation on behalf of the authorities that all drivers take their CBT before being allowed to drive, to understand the issues faced by two wheel users, but that will never happen.

As far as this cyclist is concerned, unbelievable over-reaction as he had ample space to pull into as the car passed. To then track the driver down and publicly remonstrate and thereby 'up the ante' was wholly unnecessary. The reaction from the driver was no doubt colourful and OTT, but it was ramped up by the continued probing of the cyclist. Talking about Police and breaking laws and saying everything is on camera was only going to serve to inflame the situation. Social media and modern tech has a lot to answer for in situations like this as before the opportunity to 'post' the video for all to see, I doubt the cyclist would have acted the way he did in tracking the driver down and arguing with him. I don't condone violence and aggression against law abiding citizens but at the same time I don't condone idiots deliberately antagonising others and then making themselves out to be martyrs. Cyclist was an idiot and as mentioned above, holier-than-thou. By acting the way he did with this driver he will only make the driver 'hate' cyclists and respect them and their right to use the road less than before, ultimately worsening the situation for fellow cyclists. . He'll never make a diplomat.... Monsieur Le Grenadier

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