Mercury Opinion: Cyclists and pedestrians do not mix
Many readers will be delighted to see that the police have mounted an operation to deter cyclists from riding on pavements and will no doubt hope that the same thing will be done elsewhere in the city. This is an issue which comes up time and time again in letters to the Mercury and it is clear that people are fed up with the problem of pavement cyclists.
Bicycles and pedestrians do not mix well. There is simply not enough room for both on the city's pavements.
We know that some cyclists are wary of riding on the roads and that there are good reasons for their caution. It can be intimidating, particularly on major routes, to negotiate the multiple hazards with which one is confronted as a cyclist.
While most drivers are considerate and careful around cyclists there are a minority who are not. The situation with regards to cycle lanes around the city has undoubtedly improved over the past few years.
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However, there are still many sections of roads where they either do not exist or where they are inadequate as they are too narrow or end abruptly, forcing cyclists into the flow of traffic.
However, having said all that, it is still not a justification for people to ride on the pavements.
Cyclists have made a choice in using a bicycle and must follow the rules that entails. If they are worried about the roads they should either do some cycling safety training – which is offered by the city council – or not cycle.
Congratulations to volunteers from De Montfort University's Mile2 programme for the highly-successful drive held yesterday to recruit donors to the Anthony Nolan Trust bone marrow register and also to the students who took part.
About 360 people signed up, making this event the charity's most successful university campus recruitment drive in this country. The Anthony Nolan Trust provides a vital service and the efforts of the Mile2 programme and the students will help in giving hope to people who are in desperate need of bone marrow transplants.
9 Comments
by johncatt
Sunday, March 24 2013, 10:44PM
“SarahLeic said "why do so many not have lights on thier bikes and then moan about drivers?"
Are you sure that the cyclists without lights are the ones moaning about drivers? Many cyclists are lit up like Christmas trees and still get hit and cut up.
The police need to enforce the law on lights for all road vehicles including cyclists.
I'd also point out that rule 126 of the Highway Code states:
"Stopping Distances.
Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear."
If drivers observed this rule, and drove so they could stop within the range provided by their headlights, they should not have a problem observing cyclists and pedestrians, whether or not lit.”
by johncatt
Sunday, March 24 2013, 10:44PM
“SarahLeic said "why do so many not have lights on thier bikes and then moan about drivers?"
Are you sure that the cyclists without lights are the ones moaning about drivers? Many cyclists are lit up like Christmas trees and still get hit and cut up.
The police need to enforce the law on lights for all road vehicles including cyclists.
I'd also point out that rule 126 of the Highway Code states:
"Stopping Distances.
Drive at a speed that will allow you to stop well within the distance you can see to be clear."
If drivers observed this rule, and drove so they could stop within the range provided by their headlights, they should not have a problem observing cyclists and pedestrians, whether or not lit.”
by SarahLeic
Sunday, March 24 2013, 10:18PM
“Cars have lights and reflective areas, this aids safety and helps other road users, I am sympathetic to cyclists but why do so many not have lights on thier bikes and then moan about drivers? I've seen cyclist with no lights and dark clothing cycling on the roads at night, I struggle to see them as a pedistrian, let alone if I was a driver and if a driver hit them it would be assumed it was the drivers fault! No driver, in reality, wants to hit a cyclist, cyclist can do their bit to be responsible road highway uses too.”
by johncatt
Friday, March 22 2013, 2:11PM
“ladyjanegrey said"firearms have to do with this item.Maybe you can enlighten us,please!"
A firearem is simply a machine that can kill people and so is a motor vehicle. Motor vehicles kill about 3,000 people a year in the UK. The comparable figure for firearms is about 160 (most of which are held illegally) see http://tinyurl.com/c735d3m .
ladyjanegrey said "With a wry smile ......maybe the defence for cyclists being on the pavement is the state of the roads:)"
To repeat what I said in my original post "I agree that cyclists should not be on the pavements, but what we should be doing is making the roads safe for them by reducing and enforcing speed limits. I suggest that 20mph throughout the city would be appropriate."
ladyjanegrey said: "But I do think they need insurance and pass a test."
I fail to see on what basis you think that imposing a test would make any difference bearing in mind the appalling driving the is common amongst many car drivers who have passed such a test. I'm not suggesting the the makeup of cyclists is any worse, but I don't think this would make any difference. Most adult cyclists already have a car license in any event. Road traffic regulations should be enforced for all road users.
As to insurance, pedestrians are just as big a "threat" in this respect, as are those on mobility scooters. Do you want to introduce a test and insurance for these as well?
Cars impose a danger on vulnerable road users, so following good health and safety practice, you concentrate to what endangers.”
by ladyjanegrey
Friday, March 22 2013, 12:07PM
“@johncat.aint a clue what firearms have to do with this item.Maybe you can enlighten us,please!
Anyway,if anyone is driving a car without insurance/road tax/mot/valid driving licence and stopped by the police,they can face jail/vehicle confiscation and a fine.Thats the Law.
There is also something called The Highway Code to be read.It clarifies many things cyclists do not know or just ignore.
Any dope can get a bike and go all over the City as they deem it is their right any how they please.I am surprised some do not storm around with stabilisers to assist them.
No ,I do not think they have to pay "road tax".That is a simple enforced tax to raise revenue for the State.[If it was for the roads then Leicester clowncill would not look good].
With a wry smile ......maybe the defence for cyclists being on the pavement is the state of the roads:)
But I do think they need insurance and pass a test.”
by johncatt
Thursday, March 21 2013, 7:27PM
“ladyjanegrey said "Can I stop a ton of metal driving into me? Think not."
If you are in a car you have extensive protection against the damage incurred by being hit by another ton of metal.
Driving a motor vehicle is as dangerous as carrying a loaded firearm ( and kills many more people than guns) yet we fail to impose restrictions to reduce the threat in the way we do with firearms.”
by cyberandy
Thursday, March 21 2013, 4:08PM
“LadyJane said "Bottom line is that the Law is the Law."
And I say .....and those that break the law should be punished, because a criminal offence is a criminal offence.”
by ladyjanegrey
Thursday, March 21 2013, 10:21AM
“As a child I had to take a cycle proficiency test if I wanted to cycle to school.I still have the badge.
As a teenager I had to learn to drive and then take a driving test.Oops!passed second time.
As is is now ,any dope can get a bike and do what they want,anywhere,in this City with the agreement of the clowncil.
The dopey comment about having a ton of metal driven into them is just dopey.
I drive every day.Have done for a long time.Can I stop a ton of metal driving into me?Think not.
Bottom line is that the Law is the Law.”
by johncatt
Wednesday, March 20 2013, 6:29PM
“" If they are worried about the roads they should either do some cycling safety training – which is offered by the city council – or not cycle."
So we want cyclists to stop cycling and get in their cars to add to congestion,pollution, endanger other road users through increasing motorised traffic and cost the health service more through lack of exercise resulting in poor health?
Cycle safety training does little to make cycling safer. The cyclist has no way of preventing someone driving a ton of metal into them at high speed (most drivers ignore the limits).
I agree that cyclists should not be on the pavements, but what we should be doing is making the roads safe for them by reducing and enforcing a speed limits. I suggest that 20mph throughout the city would be appropriate.”