Comments on: Cycling petition

By: Catherine Ebenezer

Catherine Ebenezer — Wed, 16 May 2007 21:47:13 +0000

It’s a shame that I’ve only just seen this, as it will be too late now to send the printed petition form in to David Howarth MP. I’ve signed the online one, though.

I have been a cycle-commuter in London for the last nine years. Cycle paths in London are often of questionable usefulness. I’d hate the idea of being obliged to use them rather than to use my road sense and discretion.

By: Gregory Porilo

Gregory Porilo — Wed, 16 May 2007 10:07:31 +0000

I agree with Thomas. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve almost been hit by a cyclists who are either colour-blind, totally blind, or just don’t know the meaning of a red light. My understanding was that the Highway Code, even the early versions, has always applied to BOTH motorists and cyclists. There needs to be more policing on the roads, especially at busy junctions, and cyclists who run red lights should be given instant fines of at leat £100. That’s my opinion. I’ve nothing against cyclists but sadly many of them seem to have a lot against pedestrians.

By: Paul Roberts

Paul Roberts — Wed, 16 May 2007 06:28:49 +0000

… ps, Again, if the blessed council has provided a “joint use pedestrian/cycle track, and it’s filled with pedestrians, children, etc. – again, the cyclist would not be legally protected if he or she chose to use the adjacent road in order to avoid the pedestrians. Like Thomas, as a cyclist I’m no great fan of joint-use pathways, especially when they are too narrow.

By: Paul Roberts

Paul Roberts — Wed, 16 May 2007 06:25:37 +0000

Hi folks – the Highway Code’s advice becomes significant in the case of claims for damages either by or against cyclists. In a case where a car seriously injures a cyclist (even when the car driver is mostly or exclusively at fault), there is a chance that the claim for damages for injury against the driver’s insurance company would fail if there happened to be a badly overgrown, glass-infested or badly maintained cycle-path available, which the cyclist chose not to use. There’s even a danger of counter-claims against the cyclist in the case of such an accident. The present wording gives cyclists discretion on which they judge the safer route. The new words remove that discretion. Get your signatures to David Howarth today! (The debate is tomorrow, by which time it’s too late.)

By: thomas bushnell, bsg

thomas bushnell, bsg — Tue, 15 May 2007 20:32:39 +0000

today i was again (as a pedestrian) nearly struck by a bicyclist. i am with you in spirit, but only on condition that bicyclists grant to pedestrians all the things they want from cars. it’s only fair.

if bikes can be in auto lanes (as they have a right to be), then pedestrians can be in bike lanes. if cars must go slowly and safely around bikes, then bikes must go slowly and safely around pedestrians. if cars must not ride on bike paths, then bikes must not ride on sidewalks and pedestrian walkways. and bikes must stop at every stop sign just the way cars do and yield to pedestrians in cross-walks rather than careening around them.

By: Philip of Samaria

Philip of Samaria — Tue, 15 May 2007 19:40:50 +0000

run em all down – they wobble, hide in your blind spot and lurk round that juicy bend you just took too fast…

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:46:15 +0000

Thanks for plugging this John.

Bimble – you may not be worried, but perhaps we should be worried on behalf of people who, in the future, find themselves on the wrong side of the law when they have an accident whilst cycling on the road.

Paul – I found the image of the old highway code randomly on the internet. And the old ‘Journey into life’ for that matter. They are both the designs I remember from my childhood, though, not, as you cotrrectly state, the prices.

Neil – you are (as I have always said) a model citizen.

By: Neil

Neil — Tue, 15 May 2007 17:37:44 +0000

As a car driver and a cyclist I feel that both should be allowed use of the public highways (and horses too, but I am showing my rural location a little there). When in a car I fully respect the rights of the cycling to go cycle speeds, i wait until I can safely pass. As a cyclist I know how it feels to be in a car stuck at a slow speed, so make every effort to let the car pass me.

In short I think it would be best if every car driver were a cyclist, and vice versa… not sure how practible this is though…

By: Paul G

Paul G — Tue, 15 May 2007 16:28:59 +0000

I hope you’re not basing the comparisons of wording on the copy of the Highway Code you’ve photographed. I think there have been a few editions since it was last possible to buy it for one and thruppence – about 6.5p for those, like Dave, too young to remember.

By: bimble

bimble — Tue, 15 May 2007 16:01:37 +0000

As a cyclist (so I include myself here) I can’t honestly say when the last time I actually saw a cyclist fully obeying the Highway code in the first place.

Be it clothing, condition of bike, position on road, even speed. I would also be highly sceptical of anyone who claimed that they did fully conform to all the rules and regulations that are in the Highway Code.

In a word (or four, actually) – I Am Not Worried.