Blood on the streets

There has been no cycle training at schools since the 80's.

As Bothwell says, not true. About half of all schools get Bikeability training (source: http://www.bikebiz.com/news/read/bikeability-trained-kids-cycle-more-finds-study/015493)

Someone posted recently that motorcyclists were, from an insurance claims point of view, significantly better car drivers.

Given that insurance is so expensive these days it would be nice to see discounts offered for proving that you are trained to operate other vehicle types- including bicycles.

Interesting point.

Someone posted recently that motorcyclists were, from an insurance claims point of view, significantly better car drivers.

Given that insurance is so expensive these days it would be nice to see discounts offered for proving that you are trained to operate other vehicle types- including bicycles.

I am a far better car driver due to my experiences as a cyclist and a far better cyclists due to my experiences as a car driver. It helps to be able to see the road from more than one view point

lambo joke

But yes, I agree.

I feel like a much more considerate driver - far less likely to speed from one jam to the next, far less likley to get riled up in traffic, far less likely to lane hop, among other erstwhile bad habits - having spent so much time on a bicycle in town.

Maybe that's a way to promote the normalisation of cycling - reduced insurance premiums for drivers that also cycle.

it'll just get spun into more 'war on the motorist' self pity/impotent rage by the mail / top gear lot.

How will people prove they cycle? Can imagine a load more strava nobbers, or people just nailing strava segments in their cars.

just show your 'on here' credentials... screen shot perhaps.

A swimming one would be better.

Someone posted recently that motorcyclists were, from an insurance claims point of view, significantly better car drivers.

Given that insurance is so expensive these days it would be nice to see discounts offered for proving that you are trained to operate other vehicle types- including bicycles.

There's a "how to encourage people to take up cycle training" Thread, in which I made this suggestion.

How will people prove they cycle? Can imagine a load more strava nobbers, or people just nailing strava segments in their cars.

Presumably it'd be based on evidence of having completed training. While it would be possible for somebody to do the training just to get the discount, perhaps it would be enlightening for them regardless.

That'd be a great way of encouraging Cycle Training if the insurance of people's car can be lowered slightly when they've received Cycle Training

Been speaking to a couple of friends / work colleagues who both commented (independently of each other) that they felt that on their commute, yesterday and this morning, that drivers are being more patient and hanging back more. One of the said she was 'protected' by a motorcyclists as she rode through a pinch point.

Anecdote I know

Anyone else notice this?

Quite the opposite for me, anecdotally.

Also, does anybody know why Farringdon Road - Blackfriars Bridge southbound is so incredibly horrible after 5:30pm right now? It's usually quite bad but it's been horrific for the last few weeks. Are there road closures around it that are forcing more traffic onto this route?

Quite the opposite for me, anecdotally.

Also, does anybody know why Farringdon Road - Blackfriars Bridge southbound is so incredibly horrible after 5:30pm right now? It's usually quite bad but it's been horrific for the last few weeks. Are there road closures around it that are forcing more traffic onto this route?

There were road closures that had held back the traffic for quite a while, related to Cross Rail works near Farringdon.

The road is now open again, and what you're seeing on Blackfriars (southbound in the evening) is the return of the normal flow of traffic.

The road is now open again, and what you're seeing on Blackfriars (southbound in the evening) is the return of the normal flow of traffic.

Ah. Oh. Oh, ok.

Been speaking to a couple of friends / work colleagues who both commented (independently of each other) that they felt that on their commute, yesterday and this morning, that drivers are being more patient and hanging back more. One of the said she was 'protected' by a motorcyclists as she rode through a pinch point.

Anecdote I know

Anyone else notice this?

It didn't extend to Gloucestershire, either last night or this morning. Got skimmed by an HGV and two skip trucks

Been speaking to a couple of friends / work colleagues who both commented (independently of each other) that they felt that on their commute, yesterday and this morning, that drivers are being more patient and hanging back more. One of the said she was 'protected' by a motorcyclists as she rode through a pinch point.

Anecdote I know

Anyone else notice this?

I think it's just randomness. I have noticed no change in attitudes. In fact I saw a cement mixer being driven ridiculously fast up St James Street in the rush hour yesterday. So fast that when a cab pulled out in front of it the driver slammed the brakes and almost lost control of it.
What a cement mixer was doing in that part of London at that time is beyond me and beyond a fucking joke

Depressingly it will take me than a few cyclists deaths to change attitudes. In fact the only people in my office who are even aware of these deaths are those who cycle :(

In the Autumn? I'd say that that's unlikely.

That is the same thing as banning HGVs with inadequate mirrors from turning left.

.

Quoted because Dr Funke is awesome!

I ride across Blackfriars Bridge then up Farringdon Road everyday (and the reverse on the way home). I leave work at 5 on the dot as any later it gets gnarly heading south. Left at 6 the other night and it took me about 10 minutes to get to Southwark street! There are building works going at the junction and they've taken a lane forcing everyone into one lane. At least they've had the sense to keep a bike lane...too bad peds think it is a foot path.

Quite the opposite for me, anecdotally.

Same. Last night going back around 7-8pm.

its a choice really isn't it:

city with HGVs allowed to roam

vs.

city / urban area without HGVs; cyclists afforded better chance of survival, more people employed, less emissions...

<<< HGVs outta Lundun-town - please >>>

But how do you get building materials to sites? Good to supermarkets? Etc etc.

also what do you define as London. I haven't checked all of the places where people have been injured, but haven't quite a few of then been away from Central London and happen where you have a huge mixing of traffic?

I think a restriction on HGVs in central London during peak hours is actually quite likely to happen.

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/keep-cycling-deaths-in-perspective-8938945.html?origin=internalSearch

Starts well, tapers off a bit.
Helmets/Hi-Vis >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

look at this charmer. one of Arriva's finest, i'm sure.