You are reading a single comment by @adroit and its replies.
Click here to read the full conversation.
London Fixed Gear and Single-Speed is a community of predominantly fixed gear and single-speed cyclists in and around London, UK.
This site is supported almost exclusively by donations. Please consider donating a small amount regularly.
@adroit
First thought is that even if a driver runs over a cyclist it will have no impact on his livelihood. I haven't seen the piece, but I will watch it later, but I know that the RHA have been hideously defensive because to support these initiatives they firstly have to admit they share the blame (they routinely assume the cyclist is to blame) and they will possible incur liability if there is a fatality and the equipment is defective but the driver was not otherwise to blame.
I staggers me that this is even needed.
I have driven lorries including the type most associated with these accidents, and it is really easy to keep track of what is on the outside of the lorry if you use reasonable amounts of concentration. It is chatting on the CB radio, texting, wolf whistling, checking manifests and maps while stopped that is the problem. I always had cyclists around, and used to look to make sure it was clear before turning left. The mirrors I had at the time were more than adequate to see what was there, they just had to be used.
As soon as a driver comes to a stop they do all sorts of non driving activities. Control of the vehicle doesn't cease when stopped at lights, that is at least partly to blame