If cyclists don't obey the law, other people suffer
I have recently read with great interest articles in Mailbox from Graham Cross and Paul Lee regarding cyclists not adhering to the laws.
These contained very relevant points. In June, my wife and daughter went to town when they were hit by a cyclist who, in their opinion, was travelling at a fair speed. He was travelling down a one-way street the wrong way.
My wife suffered the worst, and my daughter suffered bruising and shock. My wife, who is a pensioner, suffered a dislocated left wrist and a severely broken arm.
This required surgery, which lasted three hours, and a two-night stay in hospital. She had a plate inserted into her arm and the bones have been screwed together.
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Following this, she was in plaster for six weeks, and now has to visit the hospital for physiotherapy. She still has no feeling in three fingers. This problem is magnified as she is left-handed. Consequently, she cannot carry out simple household tasks, even writing.
Cyclists are often seen travelling at a fair speed on pavements and pedestrianised areas. Many ride behind you, waiting for an opportunity to pass, literally within inches of hitting you.
They do not take into consideration the fact that they can't be heard and if a pedestrian steps out, the result is an accident."
G A Clark, Aylestone.
Comments
by staple2
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 2:59PM
“I would not consider myself irresponsible -I would just rather not be hurt. I don't assume that I will be safe rather I ride safely. I dont think the first scenario needs condemning its that obvious but a haughty arrogant one like that of the car driver who would have gone into me but for my action needs addressing”
by roundthehorne
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 2:38PM
“Any cyclist - especially one in a contra-flow bike lane - should be looking out for pedestrians stepping into the road and should be able to stop/swerve if they do so. Apologists like remoulder and staple2 do no favours at all to the cause of cycling. Responsible cyclists should condemn idiots like the one who knocked over this man's wife and daughter, not try to pin the blame on pedestrians or try to excuse this behaviour by pointing out that there are idiot motorists too.
I'm amazed that more pedestrians aren't injured by irresponsible, selfish cyclists. Cyclists like to proclaim how vulnerable we are to cars, but too many forget that we are not the most vulnerable road users - those are pedestrians.”
by staple2
Tuesday, October 16 2012, 12:55PM
“1) some cyclists will continue to break the law on machines which couldn't stop( lacking brakes) and their actions aren't monitored apart from the couple of weeks a year Plod is on New Walk - never mind parking on d/yellow lines
2)I still wonder at the attitude of the driver who when they had pulled straight into my right of way siad "well what are you moaning about you weren't hurt!"”
by remoulder
Monday, October 15 2012, 1:47PM
“Oh boy, yet another cycling rant! When are people going to accept responsibility for their own actions rather than blame others? If you are crossing the road, even if it's marked one-way, it is YOUR responsibility to check it's clear by looking BOTH ways. Do you know for definite that the cyclist was breaking the law or just making assumptions? Cyclists ARE allowed to ride contra on one-way streets if the signs indicate so. They are also allowed to ride on footpaths, pavements and pedestrianised areas if the signs indicate so. As to your comment about overtaking pedestrians, the same risk of collision applies to pedestrians themselves, people on mobility scooters, pushchairs, dogs, and so on, to single out cyclists is just asinine.”