In the news

yup, but how do you check it? Or do you assume it's clear as there was nothing there when you drive up to it. Which is most likely what he did. Are Trucks supposed to have mirrors to show what is directly infront of them?

Perhaps by checking it? it's not like the driver is on a fixed position.

The point I was making is that (without any additional evidence other than that one article) - how can you possibly judge whether it was his fault or not? Which is why I asked for more back up...

He could have had all the extra mirrors in the world & have checked them but you can't look in two directions at once - he could have checked the blind spot (like you say by moving himself) seen it was clear then sat back down to move off, then the cyclists got there.

We just don't know. But it doesn't seem right to me to pass judgement on him when we don't know all the facts - especially as he's a named individual in the article.

If a vehicle, from a standing start, runs over someone directly in front of them, I'm more than happy to pass judgement.

The point I was making is that (without any additional evidence other than that one article) - how can you possibly judge whether it was his fault or not? Which is why I asked for more back up...

He could have had all the extra mirrors in the world & have checked them but you can't look in two directions at once - he could have checked the blind spot (like you say by moving himself) seen it was clear then sat back down to move off, then the cyclists got there.

We just don't know. But it doesn't seem right to me to pass judgement on him when we don't know all the facts - especially as he's a named individual in the article.

This, even if he did move himself to cover the blindspot I'm not sure if he would be able to cover the whole thing. This article gives a good illustration as to how big it is.

It also shows the mirrors that help remove the blind spot (something I queried earlier) Would be good if these were a given if you want to drive a truck in central london (for starters)

If a vehicle, from a standing start, runs over someone directly in front of them, I'm more than happy to pass judgement.

Fair point - I think I'm imagining the incident incorrectly. I read it as the rider being close to the front, in my mind alongside the lorry in the blind spot rather than being directly in front of it.

Who knows - I'm not particularly on any side. I just felt it was wrong to cast aspersions about a professional driver based on so little evidence being shown.

Fucked me up the most, he been driving for nearly half a centuries yet for some reason claim that the lack of cycle lane is why the victim got killed by him, he just placing the blame that than admitting his actual driving that ultimately result in a fatality.

Ed, he's not saying that. He's aiming to show empathy towards cyclists by saying it. He doesn't say at all that this is the reason why she was killed in this instance. Many cyclists demand 'cycle lanes/paths/tracks/routes' above anything else and it's only natural for an outsider to sort of side with that concern in expressing empathy. Now, obviously, I don't know what he really thinks and feels, but he seems to be genuinely remorseful. The possible failings of the inquest are not his failings. (Needless to say, the 'blind spot' defence is highly problematic. charlie_lcc may be able to say something about that in more detail.)

He claim to drove the same route hundreds of time, hundreds of time, you'd think in a city where people ride bicycles everyday he would be more aware of it and adapt his driving to compensate.

Or just drive sensible and in accordance to the Highway Code, which work well too.

I have no idea how good a driver he is, but I'm sure he had passed riders thousands and thousands of times before this. You can't judge him on the one incident. There certainly are appalling drivers around (Dennis Putz had previous convictions and was over the limit and on the phone when he killed Catriona Patel), but I don't think anything came out in this inquest which pointed to problems with this driver before. I also don't think that what he says particularly exemplifies typical attitudes towards cycling.

NB I have no brief to defend this driver and I certainly think that the outcomes of inquests are often wrong.

I cycle past her ghost bike at least twice a day, it's a constant reminder.

When I last went past, it looked terrible, a total mess. I wonder if anyone is looking after it.

^^ rep

When I last went past, it looked terrible, a total mess. I wonder if anyone is looking after it.

If it's fallen I stop to prop it up and dust it off. I'd love to maintain it but I really don't want to do anything without the permission of her family etc. Not sure if ghost bikes are maintained by anyone.

Some are actively maintained by friends and family, but if they're not regularly looked after, they can fall down, be stepped on, have anything on it bent, be vandalised, etc.

lets not start that debate again

What the actual fuck?!

http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-25793358

Do people really vote for these loons?

You mean to say gays don't actually cause hurricanes? How curious.

Tonight for the first time, just about half past ten. For the first time in history it's gonna start rainin' men!

Butterflies cause hurricanes, I thought everyone knew that.

^^ halleluiah!

^^ I blame science.

I've never had anal sex and it's raining like a bitch in Norwich.

Shakes fist at cunnilingus weather troughs.

Bone dry round these parts. Go figure eh.

I see we have a solution for droughts in Africa.

Given anal sex, I should say. Donated. Bowled, not caught.

But Norwich is drowning due to all the incest, so you can't really factor in all the gaying and general bum based tomfoolery.

Racist. My sister and mum are furious with you, she says.

See if she feels the same after you milk her tomorrow.