Myths about cycling, busted

Thanks.

All that tells us is that cycling is dangerous for people that have fallen off and injured themselves.

It ignores the rest of the cylists that have not fallen off, nor injured themselves.

Because cycling is not dangerous.

I agree, it's crashing that can be dangerous - but even then, it probably won't be that serious. And it doesn't happen very often. The myth that needs busting is "you're going to crash every time you go out" - and one problem is how to bust that myth whilst simultaneously lobbying for safer conditions.

Can we please get rid of this idea that comparing the number of cycling fatalities with those of armed forces personnel killed in action is somehow valid:

As a point of comparison: since 2001, 576 British soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan and Iraq; 1,275 cyclists died on British streets. The latest data shows there were 1,850 deaths or serious injuries in the first half of 2011, a 12 per cent rise on the year before.

Words cannot express how fucking angry this makes me, the comparison is completely pointless, is purely designed to cause an emotional response and add to the perception that cycling is dangerous.

If you compare injury per mile travelled walking is more risky than cycling, cycling is slightly more risky than sitting on a bus

FFS I don't read stats before choosing an activity. Cycling might not be dangerous but cyclists are very vulnerable, our safety relies a lot on the competence of other road users. It can be fun and healthy but it is also stressful and distressing. Close calls, seeing a cyclist on the floor in shock, in pain because they've just had an accident. The law as it stands does not protect vulnerable road users. Recognising that we are vulnerable and changing perceptions is the only way we'll get more people cycling, not by brandishing pie charts and semantics every time someone says cycling is dangerous.

pfffffff.

What about cyclists are vulnerable?

err... this one got lost somewhere:

1. It's impossible to fart whilst pedaling
   

1. It wasn't in the steak
   

By telling them they're stupid and misinformed and should listen to you?

OK, so a lot of them are stupid and misinformed, but they won't take kindly to being told so.

Sadly with all of this stuff it points the finger with appearing to get it's own house in order. The fault lies on boths sides of the track.

one i heard the other day, which i now spout out tongue in cheek....

"cyclist are either vegetarian or gay nowadays"

Cyclists are vulnerable, relative to motorised traffic.

That's what people mean when they say "it is dangerous". You don't need to dig out some research to tell them they are wrong and show that you're very clever and all that.

(and btw not just relative to motorised traffic...)

16.Speed limits don't apply to vehicles that do not require a speedometer, apart from in some parks (Like richmond park) where they do apply

You're wrong. Speedometers have nothing to do with it.
Speed limits apply to all motorised vehicles, whether or not they have or require a speedometer.

They do not apply to bicycles because bicycles are not motorised vehicles.

They apply in all Royal parks because they Royal parks legislation applies to all vehicles, not just motor vehicles. The limit is 30 in most parks, so never have speed traps for cyclists, but is 20 in some, such as Richmond, where they do.

people do say that walking across roads is a dangerous activity

people dont say that walking in the park is dangerous. because it isnt

The Royal Parks and Other Open Spaces (Amendment) etc. Regulations 2010 incudes a definition of vehicle as motor vehicle.

“vehicle” means a mechanically propelled vehicle intended or adapted for use on a road.

So even in the Royals Parks cyclists should be ok.

Tell that to the police handing out fixed penalty notices in Richmond Park and, in one case I know of, on Constitution Hill (Green Park/St James Park) where a chum got done for going at 32mph.

The speed signs in Richmond Park indicate that they apply to cyclists.

No - That's what you mean when you say that cycling is dangerous.

This chap knows his stuff: ukcyclerules.com/2011/07/27/cycling-london-parks/

Miro - you have just quoted an amendment - not the whole lot of the regs. My link has the details.

20mph means a FPN for £30 CAN be given apparently.

^ Yes. I've quoted the definition of vehicle - from the amendment and a link to where that definition appears.

Someone test this in court!

Come on now.

If you compare injury per mile travelled walking is more risky than cycling, cycling is slightly more risky than sitting on a bus

In that case what's the problem? Walkers and bus passengers don't seem to have any campaigns or concerns over drivers, or do they?

Riders are getting killed out there, by no fault of their own. It will continue unless people either grow a conscience or are punished appropriately for abusing the law (blatantly and flagrantly, as the epidemic of mobile phone use displays) The police can't and won't bother to enforce most traffic law, and courts rarely impose sufficient penalties. In any case by then it's too late. A remorseful driver sobbing in the dock won't bring back the countless people who've perished under the wheels of a vehicle.

What's most depressing is that these deaths would have been avoided by careful driving, but people these days are happy to take the risk that they may kill or injure someone. People are selfish, simple as.

Mass protest like the stop the war coalition needs doing. Not critical mass, not a few cycle trainers bleating on a fixiekids forum, but a large group of determined humans with a simple, single agenda.

.... a simple, single agenda.

...and there lies the rub.

...and there lies the rub.

It could be so simple.

Cyclists Unite Nationally Through Solidarity.

What's most depressing is that these deaths would have been avoided by careful driving,

This is the nub.
So what do we want drivers to do?
Simple:
Hang back,
Pass wide,
Pass slowly

If they don't they suffer terrible penalties

(Or we keep banging on aboutr cycle lanes segragation danger hi viz helmets road tax rljing pavement cycling myths myths myths...)

There a campaign slogan

Share the road:
Hang back, pass wide, pass slowly

err... this one got lost somewhere:

1. It's impossible to fart whilst pedaling
   
   

Sorry:I can, though at significant risk of a follow through.