Comments on: Of lorries and London cyclists

By: Francis Sedgemore

Francis Sedgemore — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:24:15 +0000

John – it’s an “appalling violation of her freedom” that could occur also in Britain.

By: J. Carter Wood

J. Carter Wood — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 13:10:52 +0000

Yes, that’s also part of it. It is possible to get points on your driver’s license here for violations as a cyclist. This happened to someone I know for running a stop sign in a quiet residential street.

She, being from the British Isles, found this to be an appalling violation of her freedom.

By: Francis Sedgemore

Francis Sedgemore — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 10:13:29 +0000

Rights and responsibilities, John. In Germany the authorities enforce road rules as they apply to cyclists, as well as motorists. In Britain the police appear to care little about red-light jumping, pavement riding, mobile phone use and other naughtiness by cyclists. They’re too busy hassling people for taking photos of public buildings, on the pretext that they may be terrorists.

By: J. Carter Wood

J. Carter Wood — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:46:26 +0000

Excellent post, Francis. I walked by one of those ‘ghost bikes’ the week before last in London, and I was mystified by its symbolism. (Though, obviously, it stuck in my mind, as they are quite stark and haunting objects even if you don’t know what they’re for.)

I spend a fair amount of time walking around central London, and I am continually amazed by the bravery of people who actually will ride down something like Euston Rd. at rush hour, and they apparently do this day after day.

Not something I cold bring myself to do, to be honest.

There are some appallingly behaved cyclists, of course, but I have seen far more thoughtlessness on that part not only of drivers but also of pedestrians.

I can only compare it with Germany, which is perhaps not ideal for cyclists, but where as a driver (I had to re-do my license when I came here) the rights of cyclists are drilled into you again and again.

And this makes a difference, I think, to how they are treated.

By: Gerry

Gerry — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:32:26 +0000

Julie wrote:”…She went forward before the lights changed and simply misjudged the situation…”
If she went forward before the lights changed then, it seems to me that, Catriona would have been visible to the driver before he pulled away. That’s why experienced cyclists do this (and it’s why there are Advanced Stop Lines for cyclists at many junctions). I do not understand how, as Julie claims, she misjudged the situation, please explain. I’m not attributing fault as non of us know the full circumstances (personally, I would not cycle on the inside of a vehicle that was indicating left; which Catriona may or may not have done). I only hope that the driver is taken to court; not because I want him to suffer but because it is the right place to settle such matters. All to often the CPS decides not to prosecute because they seem to have a bias against cyclists; despite the fact that they have as much right to be on the roads as do motorised vehicles.

By: Francis Sedgemore

Francis Sedgemore — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 18:14:29 +0000

Julie – you are right; it isn’t always the vehicle driver’s fault. There are many cyclists in London whose behaviour is reckless, and are a danger to other road users, especially pedestrians.

As for red light jumping, I and my LCC-affiliated friends do not do this. Very often we weave in and out of traffic queues near junctions, and wait in front the white lines at red lights, but this is best practice given the dangers presented by motorists who don’t check their side mirrors, and those presented by vehicle exhaust fumes.

Aggressive cycling is very often, if not in most cases, a reaction to aggressive driving. And road rules are for nothing when it comes to one’s judgement of personal safety on the road. The rules currently in place are inadequate to cope with the problems presented by dense motor and cycle traffic.

What we need in this country is to develop a road culture that fosters a better sense of awareness for the needs of others, and duty of care for each other. Roads, busy or otherwise, do not belong exclusively to motorists.

Part of any reform should include the kind of mandatory accident investigation called for by the London Cycling Campaign. We could also do with a greater willingness on the part of the police and CPS to prosecute drivers whose actions lead to the death of cyclists.

Looking at the experience of other countries would help too. In Denmark, where I lived before coming to London, drivers are very careful, as they know they will face very heavy penalties should they injure or kill a cyclist. It also means that the general standard of inner city driving is relatively high, when compared with London.

By: julie

julie — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:54:17 +0000

I am the partner of the Lorry Driver who was in the collision on Monday which resulted in the death of Cyclist Catriona Patel. I understand the beneficial reasons to the planet, reduction in traffic on the roads etc etc for cycling to work but I have seen cyclists weaving in and out of traffic and it scares me. A witness has come forward to say that Catriona was leaning on the front of the lorry at the lights ,my partner could not see her. She went forward before the lights changed and simply misjudged the situation. Please ask your members to be aware of the dangers of cycling on busy roads. I wouldnt do it. It is not always the vehicles fault. My partner a professional HGV driver has to live with this for the rest of his life. Our thoughts and prayers are with Catrionas family.