General Chat

Exactly the same happened to me a few months ago DET. Two boys, one riding in the middle, weaving about, not holding the handlebars. He had no idea I was behind him, so to warn him, but not frighten him and cause him to fall, I blipped the horn. Such a load of expletives and the 'f' word came out of his mouth, then he and his friend deliberately raced at me to try and catch up with my car. Fearless!

A few weeks later I followed a local cycle club member (wearing their top and logo) through a local village. I was doing 30mph and he streaked ahead of me, obviously over the 30mph limit, speeding and swerved to the middle of the road so that he didn't even have to slow down before making two left turns without hand signals. The trouble is people like him are using the roads as racetracks to practice for races and have no consideration for anyone else. A few nights later his cycling club were in the local paper bemoaning the treatment of cyclists by motorists. :-S

If they don't even care about their own safety themselves or wear the reflective safety gear and ride in the dark without lights, they aren't caring about the effect of any accident on the motorist either.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-46321720

Gets out my Tuffty Club badge

and polishes it proudly :-D :-D

Copied from a local social media site, posted yesterday.

To all parents whose children are out st dusk on their bikes should be wearing reflectors on their clothing and a reminder that cycling in the middle of the road is a no no for their own safety.
To day at 4.57pm two lads riding along (a main) road
Turn left into X ave, one stayed on path the other lad cyclist road on down the middle of the road with no hands on handle bars was unaware we were slowly driving behind him when we eventual could safely come side by side I told him to use his handle bar and cycle near the kerb otherwise he was a danger to himself and the car drivers
He very politely told us to f—- off a few times not very polite, he did not seem to care about the danger, he was putting himself in.
he could have been injured or killed and the car driver would have possible be found guilty
.........

However careful & attentive a car driver is, the 2 wheeled rider must share the responsibility for their own safety.

During the dark evenings, my bike looks similar to a Christmas tree with its various lights winking & blinking.

Helmet & reflective clothing are an essential. Attention to approaching motorists is advisable. Car v. bike - the car usually wins.

Everyone should be more aware of safety on our roads.

Drivers need to be mindful of cyclists and be patient when trying to overtake them and cyclists in turn need to think about how they appear to other road users.

In the dull winter days, I often see cyclists in dark winter clothes, no lights, no helmet, going home in late afternoon. Some of them are school children, some young workers and others of mature years, so each age group might be represented.

If I find them difficult to see, when waiting for my bus, how much harder for drivers, who suddenly come across them in the gloominess?

I worry about my son cycling to work altho he does wear a helmet. So many people don't bother - it should be law, I think, at least for under 18s

I think it might be a good idea for cyclists to have insurance too

Take care everyone, walking, cycling, driving.

Lizxx

Dear All

Hello

Road Safety week began today.

The theme of the campaign is "Bike Smart", focusing on the safety of those on two wheels.

Road Safety Week seeks to raise public awareness over road safety, acting as the driver for positive change on our roads.

The number of cyclists in the UK is increasing at a rapid pace, however, those on two wheels are among the most vulnerable UK road users:


•More than a third of people killed or seriously injured on UK roads are those travelling by bike (either bicycle or motorcycle.

•More than 100 bike riders are injured every day in needless, preventable crashes.

Brake’s week-long campaign will raise awareness about the importance of protecting those on two wheels.

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Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns for Brake, the road safety charity, said:

“Every year Road Safety Week provides a unique opportunity to focus the public, and policy makers’, attention on saving lives on our roads.

The numbers of those travelling on two wheels is ever-increasing and yet bike riders remain incredibly vulnerable to death and injury; that is why this year our theme is Bike Smart.

From 19 – 25 November we will be shouting about the importance of bike safety and encouraging all across the UK to do the same.

Small changes can help save countless lives on our roads and now is the time for us to act to improve bike safety in the UK.”

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Take gentle care and travel safely
Best wishes
Elizabeth, EOS
xx