Cycle campaigning

It's absolutely true that over emphasising the danger is counter productive. Saw that in action in a Lewisham after the death of Paul Hutcheson on Loampit Vale, almost exactly a year ago. Two women I had recently taught how to ride and who I had persuaded to join a quiet short weekly ride on the Waterlink Way, stopped coming the week after. One woman told me his tragic death had made her "realise" how dangerous cycling was. As for the other woman, her husband was the one who made the decision! He used the example of Mr Hutcheson's death to justify his decision not to "allow" his wife to take part. Didn't matter that the ride was mostly on traffic free paths and quiet back streets, about as far from the conditions on Loampit Vale as you can get for riding in the borough.

For the same reason, I am conflicted about ghost bikes. On the one hand, I understand why we don't want to forget the individual. However, on the other, again it can be a regular reminder of something terrible that is still, statistically, very unlikely to happen. Won't stop me riding, but definitely not going to encourage anyone who might be considering swapping their bus, tube ride or car for a bike. There used to be one at the junction of Brixton Hill and the S Circular. I had arranged to meet someone there, who was already cycling but wanted instruction in dealing with more difficult junctions. They had never seen a ghost bike before and I had to explain it.. (It was in memory of Kate Charles, killed in 2007, I believe, someone correct me if I'm wrong). It didn't really help to increase that individual's confidence on the road. We had a fairly good session that day, but she confessed to me recently, she still won't use that junction, even though the ghost bike is now gone.