Recent HGV/cyclist accidents

I have forbidden my girlfriend to cycle in central London.

I'll let that comment speak for itself.

I mean that. I have seen her ride in central Manchester and it is so scary to watch. I blame her parents, and some of the shit popular media for their pro cycling drivel. They have some sort of devout belief in the government's cycling campaigns and their rhetoric. I've tried explaining the dangers of cycle lanes, undertaking, and possible dangers in ASLs but she won't listen because for years and years her parents and the media have fed her drivel about using cycle lanes.

She bought a bike earlier this year after a decade off a bike, she jumped on using skills she picked up 10 years ago. How is that safe? Seriously? How many people exactly like her are jumping on a bike this summer? It's the new in thing to do.

I forsee a lot more shit going down this summer.

Well, we can encourage cycling: help people to learn how to cycle safely, and make every effort to make roads safer for cyclists so that the number of people on bikes increases.

Or, we can-- like you-- insist that the roads are for lorries and speed-limit breakers, and discourage and/or forbid any other would-be cyclists from a chance to share the roads.