General questions/observations/discussion

Maybe it's a silly question but can you do cycle training riding a brakeless?

Assuming you mean on a fixed? Basically, no. It's illegal to ride one and the trainer would not be insured to ride with you. A trainer might do a private lesson with you though. It's a tricky one really; we all want riders to have training, believe it is better for a rider to have training but cannot be seen to endorse illegal behavior. Part of Level 1 cycle training involves doing an emergency stop. Who knows, the results of that in itself might be enough to convince someone to get at least a front brake.

What was going on at Ealing Common tonight - saw a cycle training flag thingie at the entrance to the park.

It was Dogging Night.

What was going on at Ealing Common tonight - saw a cycle training flag thingie at the entrance to the park.

Probably one of CTUKs Dr Bike stations. We're running them regularly in parks in Ealing. Basic tune up, air brake and gear adjustments...

Hmm.. maybe. Didn't look like Dr Bike though. Dogging's Fridays.

This is more than a little grim, but I was curious to find out if a record is kept of if victims of cycle accidents were wearing headsets (listening to music) when the accident occurred. Also, what is the legal standpoint about this?

AFAIK it's no more illegal to listen to walkman on bike than to stereo in car. Doesn't make it sensible move though.

Can't help re: stats.

I'm surprised, because you then can't hear traffic coming up behind you, which for a cyclist is crucial - Ed excepted.

sums it up:

http://m.bikeradar.com/news/article/cyclists-get-it-in-the-ear-over-headphones-24169/

Advanced (car) driving technique includes the recommendation that car drivers should crack open a window in urban areas to improve their awareness of the surroundings. IMHO you have to be clinically bonkers to cycle in town with headphones.

I think if there were statistics that showed a number of serious cycling accidents happened when (not because of) the cyclist was wearing headphones, there could be calls for a review.

I see it, and it just looks mad.

Review would be sensible, yet any suggested measures to try to stop would be unenforceable.

A lot like drivers using hand held mobiles, no enforcement as insufficient resource / no will to deploy resources to do the enforcing.