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Safer Cycling
15.10.07
Safer Cycling - a major campaign aimed at encouraging Londoners to take to two wheels - was launched in April and was warmly welcomed by the cycling community.
We have pressed for better cycle facilities - and said how extra funding should be spent. We have also called for trucks to be fitted with extra safety mirrors to prevent accidents as part of our 12-point Safer Cycling charter.
As well as examining the causes of cycle accidents we have shown how families can take extra training, helped achieve important changes to improve cycle safety in the new Highway Code and highlighted the lack of secure parking facilities at key places such as train and Tube stations.
We have campaigned on the dangers of motorists ignoring cycle lanes and advanced stop lines at traffic lights - and suggeested solutions - as well as called for better cycle-bus-rail co-ordination.
The Standard has also called for a new, mass bike rental system similar to that in Paris and highlighted ways to deter cycle theft.
The Standard's charter for cyclists
1) A real cycle network across London
2) Better cycle lanes with proper segregation
3) Enforcement of special advanced stop lines for cyclists
4) HGVs to be fitted with special cyclist safety mirrors
5) Compulsory cyclist awareness training for all bus drivers and new HGV drivers
6) Cycle-friendly streets: fewer oneway systems that funnel cyclists into the middle of traffic
7) More cycle parking across London
8) Police crackdown on bike theft
9) Make safe the Thames bridges: some of the most dangerous places for cyclists
10) Campaign to alert self-employed that they can claim a 20p-a-mile cycling allowance against tax
11) Better cycle-bus-rail co-ordination: adequate parking at stations
12) Cycle training for all children and any adult who wants it
Reader views (52)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
I've been clipped twice by cyclists once on the pavement and once crossing the road when the man was green...its infuriating.
As for cyclists who claim they have been forced onto the pavement by inconsiderate drivers, thats fair enough, but why don't you dismount and push your bike along until you can ride safely on the road again...? Because you think you have a god given right to get where you're going at top speed perhaps..This goes for people who cycle across Zebra crossings as well, if you dismounted, pedestrians wouldn't have a problem with it...
- Shelly, London
It should be compulsory that all cyclists wear helmets as well as reflective bands (at minimum), and they should be fined on the spot for driving their bikes while talking on their mobiles -- all for their own safety as well as that of the car/vans/bus drivers and the pedestrians.
- Fran, London
Islington cyclists, encouraged by the local council, are the worst in London. Red lights, pavements, and one-way streets become their speciality for breaking the law.
It is no wonder that so many are killed or injured - when they obey the law I will respect their rights.
- Brian Clifton, London, England
Safer Cycling! It's a menace.
They hold up tax paying road users, their uninsured, they jump red lights, change lanes without looking and are definitely more reluctant to use their brakes than any other road user.
They should be licenced, insured and tested before being allowed onto the roads. And have number plates too.
Lycra clad menace to our streets.
I can't remember the amount of times I've ridden my motorcycle into London to see some hapless cyclist bust up and bloodied in the gutter.
Put them on the pavement with the rest of the slow moving traffic. Bet they won't be welcomed there either.
- Mouse, London
Councils have got to make it easier to park your bike safely. No point councils now getting more powers to remove bikes from railings etc. If we get more bikes users that is great - but where can they leave them - motocycle parking bays - not allowed etc.
- Victoria Borwick, London, UK
Let's have less white lining and more 20mph zones; perhaps we'll then start showing each other more respect. For that is what studies show. And we'll all be happier and it will cost less.
- Charles Barraball, London
I started commuting to work about 2 years ago and yes I do wear lycra and NO I do not go through red lights, nor do I ride on the pavement. And yes I have 4 rear lights and 3 front lights. I also film my rides on a small actioncam. So should I be involved in an accident I will then hopefully have evidence for the police/courts. I concur that unfortunately many cyclists do ride on the pavements and also without lights but in my experience it isn't the lycra-clad ones, it is your average person doing short 2-3 mile commutes wearing jeans and t-shirt.
- Yorkshiregoth, London
The real problem is not so much cyclists but the attitude that many of us take - we often give the impression that we think we are in the right whatever we do. I find cyclists who also drive cars are much more aware and much more considerate, showing some sense about other road (and pavement) users.
- Douglas, London
O please no more cyclists.
I stopped cycling a few years ago after an accident. I wanted to start up again, but I find it an awful situation now. The drivers postively hate cyclists, the new breed of post 7/7 cyclists have little road sense and loads of attitude.
Personally I don't care if they jump red-lights as long as I don't hit them, as they will come off worse.
I've been struck twice (embankment) and my wife got a nasty gash outside the station all because they ride on the pavement.
But coming out of my house this week I bumped into a cyclist riding on the pavement - he went flying, and got really aggressive with me - I was shocked by his cheek!
The trick seems to miss the handle bars - then the slightest of touches will send them flying.
I make it 3-1 to them.
- Bob, London
In this area cyclists would be advised to take courses on POTHOLING.
There are now so many pot holes caused through the lack of maintenance that avoidance could well see a cyclist under a motor vehicle.
- Bernard Parke, Guildford
I understand people like Philly's concerns, but how they can say they perceive the greatest threat to pedestrians is from cyclists is beyond me! As a pedestrian, a driver, a passenger of public transport and, yes, a cyclist in London it appears to me there is an almost hysterical baying for cyclists "blood" as people seek someone to blame for the gridlock and danger on the roads. In my 8 years living in London, I can honestly recall only once when I have been almost mown down by a "lycra lout" and that was back in 2001. Where are all these crazed, demonic cyclists that are forever cycling on the pavements and through red lights? They must hide as soon as they see me coming! I reiterate what I said before, any registration process, road testing and other legislative measures affecting cyclists are likely to cost millions. Is it really worth spending this money on perceived danger from a tiny minority? In London the popularity of cycling is increasing, however outside London, cyclists make up and even tinier minority of road going traffic. I understand that a minority of a minority may cause problems for pedestrians, but compared to the number of road traffic accidents between motorists and pedestrians this is insignificant. If cyclists are required to take some kind of test, then pedestrians should also be required to do so. As a cyclist I have had to avoid stupid behaviour from pedestrians stepping out into cycle lanes for example many times.
- Headhunter, London
As a former driver and cyclist, I now only use public transport or walk and I find that the greatest danger to me is without doubt cyclists. They constantly ride on the pavement, no matter how crowded they are, go through red lights when you are trying to cross at a pedestrian crossing and at least 90% do not use any lights, no matter how dark it is. Cyclists do kill and injure people. They seem to believe that because they are on a bicycle they are entitled to behave in any way they wish. They are simply a menace. All cyclists should be made to take a test, including a written one on the Highway Code and all cycles should be be microchipped so they can be registered and monitored - this would also help prevent theft. I do know it cannot continue as it is now.
- Philly, London, England
I agree with Martin Greenbank - do we need yet more legislation? People on this site and others bleat on about the "nanny state", yet at other times we get the whole - "they should be banned" attitude.
Maria, London, legislation is no guarantee that things will change. Motorists regularly break speed limits, pass through lights on red, fail to check mirrors when driving and worse - drink driving. All these things are legislated against, yet motorists still cause thousands of deaths per year.
Currently cyclists continue to make up a small part of the travelling public in London and accidents involving cyclists are still relatively rare. A minority of cyclists misbehave by jumping on to the pavement or passing through reds. But do we seriously want to spend millions of pounds of taxpayer's money constructing yet more laws or setting up a licensing database/regsitration system for cyclists just so a couple of morning Tube commuters in London who got out of bed on the wrong side and feel like getting a bit aggressive at those "crazy cyclists"? Personally, I think the money could be better spent on the NHS or education or a myriad of other things and that the police in London are already stretched to far as it is without needing to enforce more petty legislation.
- Headhunter, London
There is a wider question here, do we really want to live in a legislative society where there are punitive measures for every minor offence? Or do we want to ensure people take more responsibility for their behaviour and not default to a knee jerk "where are the police when you need them" attitude?
- Martin Greenbank, London
Yes! Let's all get on our bikes. On the Road and keeping to road rules. Cars don't mount the pavement when the light goes red, or hurtle through people waiting to cross the road. Bikers have dodgy practices. I haven't seen a biker prosecuted for jumping the light or mounting the pavement. So, while I agree with more people on bikes, not until we have laws that they are forces to abide by ,with bikes on the road and not on our footpaths.
- Maria, London
Mark Foster, I am also annoyed at how some motorists and pedestrians behave, pedestrians cluelessly stepping off the pavment in front of cyclists and dozy motorists not watching what's happening around them. I have also frequently witnessed motorists piling through red lights as I cycle. I have also had my bike and myself damaged/injured my stupidity from motorists/pedestrians and personally hope that fines/sanctions for this stupidity are increased.
- Headhunter, London
I agree with Mark Foster, road safety rules should apply to all road users, including pedestrians who do not use the proper crossing places provided at great cost by the taxpayer. Maybe pedestrians should pass a test in how to cross the road properly?
All members of the CTC have insurance as part of their membership, there you are, a plug for all cyclists to join the CTC! They used to have compulsory cycle registration in Belgium but it was done away with when we all became "European".
- Robert, Croydon
I am not a cyclist, I am a motorist who owns a car and a motorcycle and I am very annoyed by the way the majority of cyclists ride. I believe they should first learn how to use a road.
Anyone can get on their bike without even knowing the Highway Code, putting their and others lives at stake. Cyclists do not respect traffic lights, most of them do not have lights and more importantly they are not insured in case they do injure somebody or damage people's properties and bycicles have no plates to identify their owners. My car was once damaged by an unexperienced rider and another time I have been hit crossing the road and I never got any sort of compensation. I strongly believe that a real cycling network away from roads and pavements (just like in Amsterdam or other European capitals) should be developed in London. If that could not be possible I think it would be right to introduce compulsory cycling training, mandatory third party insurance, lights and helmets and heavy fines for the non-compliers.
Road safety rules should apply to all road users.
- Mark Foster, London
Cycle lanes are great idea but a waste of money. They are full of buses thinking they are just a skinny version of a bus lane, cars (parked or otherwise), scooters etc. If any motorised transport drives into one, they should have a penalty of a small fine and, say, a point on the licence.
Otherwise they're a waste of my and everybody else's money - just paying lip-service to the cycling community.
And why do cyclists use pavements? They're uneven and bumpy, full of pedestrians etc. Does anybody think we want to use them in preference to a road? They do however at least allow you to make appropriate progress, slowly and carefully in most cases, without being mown down by inconsiderate or inattentive motorists.
So, let's change the World: more white paint invested in making more cycle lanes that are only for cycles, and pavements for pedestrians. Easy isn't it!
- Tony Parrack, London, GB
Cyclists who ride their bikes on the pavements are a menace and a danger to pedestians.
I am convinced that because they wear tight Lycra it restricts the flow of blood to thier brains.
Beware of suidicidal cyclists on pavements!
My message is ride you bike on the road with lights on.
- Joao Mendes, London
I have been cycling in London for years I love the freedom of it, and being able to get from A to B in no time. If you are travelling by public transport you have to allow for more time in case your journey will take longer, by bike you don't have that problem, except when it snows. At the same time you do exercise, which saves more time of your day because if you don't want to go to the gym atfter a long day you still feel you have had some movement and burnt some calories. I do hate it when we are accused of being the lawless croud of the streets we are all taxpayers. We all have cars too but choose not to use them, not just for the environment for ourself and our precious time.
When we jump a red light it is not seconds we are saving it is our life. There is nothing more terrifying than a traffic light turning green for a cylclist. When all the powerful cars of our city put their foot down, you feel like being chased by an avalanche, not forgetting that drivers might have one eye on the phone dialling the other looking at the sat nav etc. If anything happens the cyclist is the one who is going to get hurt. So please excuse me for wanting to be ahead of the cars at traffic lights. A lot of people find cycling too scary in London but they would use a bike to commute if they felt it was a safer. More designated areas, more parks cycling routes would certainly help, there are a huge number of people that use bikes as a way to commute, it is definitely the way forward, try it.
- Piero Giovannini, London
I cycle, I ride a motorbike, I am a pedestrian. Depends where I am going.
As a pedestrian I have been hit by a cyclist riding straight into people crossing the road on a green man and red lights and had near misses from pavement riders and light jumpers. The fact is that most cyclists hardly ever stop at red lights. A lot check that it is safe to jump them but a lot do not.
As a motorcyclist I and most other experienced bikers give cyclists plenty of room, courtesy signals and respect, partly because we too are very vulnerable road users and understand their needs, but also because a good 30% of the cyclists I see every day are utter maniacs and I don't want to be near them. I despair of some cyclists who simply seem to ride in their own bubble where they cannot possibly be hurt so don't feel the need to look or signal. They will be in accidents and it will be their fault. I'm also aware of pedestrians, especially tourists, who just step obliviously into the road. What I do to counter this is read the road far ahead, evaluating every risk. I can spot the ones who will do it ages before they do and take avoiding action.
And as a cyclist I've been smashed up by a car, I've fallen off on wet roads, been driven into pavements by trucks, and had pedestrians tell me I couldn't ride where I had every right to. Cyclists absolutely need more protection but maybe it should be conditional on them taking proper motorcycle-style road awareness training. They really do need it.
- Niall, London, UK
As a driver I always give way to cyclists in London. I respect them and appreciate that every cyclist could be another car clogging up the road. Drivers forget that most cyclist do have cars too but choose to be enviromentalistic. Cyclists should be rewarded in some way for using a bike in London and this would encourage more people to pedal.
- Elaynenewton, London
As a keen commuter cyclist in London can't agree more with JLs comment about pedestrians walking into the road without looking. I hit someone, thankfully not going that fast, who just walked straight into the road behind a van without looking, and she had the audacity of blaming me for her lack of road sense. And I've lost count of the number of near misses I've had over the last few years. It's bad enough being a cyclist and avoiding being hit by lorries, cars and vans. But for people just to blame cyclists is a little bit short sighted in my humble opinion.
- Jim, London, UK
To Niall. Twice in the last year, I have collided with pedestrians. On both occasions, the pedestrians walked into the road without looking. On each occasion I ended up in A&E with broken ribs and other minor injuries. The pedestrians walked away unscathed.
- Jl, London
I lived and cycled in London for years, obeyed the law, and made a conscious effort to be aware and unselfish, as any decent person would. However, the often underserved bad publicity against cyclists, possibly made in the main by lazy car addicts, doesn't help at all, and is unfair to responsible members of the cycling community.
I happen to now live in a town where cycle use is probably higher than Oxford or Cambridge thanks to pedestrianised areas, and miles of dedicated lanes. Moreover the average Italian motorist in my area is far more respectful than his or her counterpart in London. It is something do do with the fact that cycling is a respected national sport here.
- Mark Wright, Verona, Italy
This data is from the Cyclist's Touring Club. anyone who thinks cyclists do not cause accidents read on...
In 2005-2006:
Pedal cyclist injured in collision with:
pedestrian or animal 71
other pedal cycle 195
2-3 wheeled motor vehicle 59
car pick-up truck or van 1,800
heavy transport vehicle or bus 118
railway train or railway vehicle 3
other nonmotor vehicle 8
fixed/stationary object 511
non collision transport accident 9,538
other and unspecified transport accident 1,230
This means that
71 crashed into pedestrians or animals - so obviously 71 pedestrians or animals were also injured by cyclists.
195 cyclists injured by other cyclists
511 rode their bikes into solid objects
And a staggering 9538 just fell off with no help whatsoever!
That's an awful lot of cyclists who really could use some road awareness training.
You'll note that the group of road users who have to get the most awareness training is motorcyclists. No coincidence that they are the safest road users as far as cyclists are concerned.
- Niall, London, UK
This manifesto is written by a 'militant cyclist' with a chip on his/her shoulder. I've cycled for 25 years and watched cyclists' behaviour deteriorate steadily during that time. You need to include some training for cyclists themselves, not just motorists. If you're on the public highway you're bound by the Highway Code, whether on two wheels or four...
- Andrew Schofield, London
It's about time that cyclists are banned from London. Their sheer arrogance to think they can cycle where and when they like is beyond belief. They are a danger to motorists and pedestrians alike. Get these morons off the roads and pavements. If they want to be so environmently friendly they should walk.
- Neil, London, UK
Can we have safer, cyclist-free pavements first? Helmeted adults on mountain bikes must be fined heavily for pavement cycling.
- Martin H. Watson, Teddington, England
If it was safer to cycle on the roads I would. It's scary how close buses get to cyclists. If the bike hit anything there would be no time for the bus to stop at all.
- Holly, London
HGV, bus, car, bike, pedestrian. We could all do with being more aware of everyone around us, and stop being selfish. Too much of life in London is about rushing here or there. This is only a symptom of a much bigger problem where we work too long, and need instant gratification, mostly due to a lack of 'chill out' time. Let's take time to check before we walk, turn right out of a junction, step off a kerb.
- Michael, London, UK
I'd settle for any one of the above.
- Mark, London, UK
Please. No more cycle lanes. They are the ghetto areas of the road; unmaintained, clogged with litter, ignored by parked cars, driven into by moving traffic when they need a bit more space, restricting to cyclists moving when they need to be visible at the next junction...
Also, I've had two accidents biking around London. On the last occasion, I gave the police the names of three witnesses, the registration number and address of the driver, even his mobile phone number (and it was correct, I called him!). After four months, they told me that he was untraceable. Thanks a lot, guys.
- Michael, London, UK
Can I suggest another addendum to the cyclist charter, better education for pedestrians who insist on walking into the road without looking!
- Jim, London, UK
Hardly a day goes by without me seeing cyclists riding on the pavement, ignoring red lights, joining main roads without pausing, using mobile phones or wearing headphones.
Cyclists are all too often victims of their own lack of common sense. Perhaps other road users would show them more respect, if they showed more respect for other road users.
- Roger, London, UK
In answer to Robert Zimmerman (it was actually me who asked why does everyone focus on cyclists?). "Cyclists are by far the worts offenders"! Offenders of what or whom? Motor vehicles kill and maim thousands every year... Cyclists kill and maim err no one. At worst they cause people to stop walking suddenly.
I agree that cyclists do not belong on the pavement, however as others have pointed out here, at times it is impossible not to be forced onto the pavement by reckless drivers cutting in front or squeezing cyclists up against the kerb!
My point is that cyclists are most definitely not the worst offenders on the road at anything. I see stupidity almost daily from pedestrians (the "blind step off" into the cycle lane/road whilst waving to friend colleague on the pavement or checking mobile/Blackberry etc) motorists (as above - blatantly ignoring cyclists, pulling out in front, cutting them up etc in their dangerous machines) and of course cyclists who I regularly see cutting cars up, pulling into traffic without looking behind them.
Basically just about everyone in London can be accused of stupidity on the road but I'm sure Mr Zimmerman always sticks to the Highway Code and never ever puts a foot wrong whilst driving, walking or cycling round London.
- Headhunter, London
If it is a 'charter FOR cyclists' why does it not ask them to respect the law obey road signs and keep off the pavement.
- Grey Boxer, London, England
Thanks for putting our case Mr Steadman. I've always biked and am sometimes forced onto the pavement by road ragers in cars, of course people who tut tut at us on the pavement would probably side with us if they saw a cyclist being scraped off the road.
And, if I/we do leave just before the traffic lights go green, is not that a bit safer for us and less of a 'hinderance' to the cars behind us? What a pleasant planet we'd have if cyclists out numbered those smelly, expensive, dirty lethal weapons.
- Rose Peel, London
" Well, that 'fact' is certainly not reflected when I am driving. "
I would suggest you moderate your driving in that case. Use Google, cyclists making the roads safer is an established truism.
A cycling award went to a primary school teacher and her brilliant pro-cycling efforts.
Best Cycling Initiative for Young People or Children :
Liz Bowgett and the New City Primary School in Newham.
Half of all urban journeys are less than two miles. Liz has worked very hard to make sure the next generation of kids in East London are not car-reliant obese slugs. The roads are safer and less congested, the children are fitter and pollution is reduced. Why would you oppose this?
- Colin Steadman, London
"Cyclists have a civilising influence on the roads as reflected by the fact that roads get safer the more cyclists use them!"
Don't make me laugh. Reflected by the fact? Well, that 'fact' is certainly not reflected when I am driving. Perhaps Mr Steadman should take time and observe his fellow cyclists - I am assuming here that he is a cyclist - by standing on the road side noting how many cyclists 'totally' and repeatedly (more often than not the same rider in quick succession) ignore The Highway Code.
And even if the above statement held up, what about the safety of pedestrians -and I am here particularly thinking of the elderly and infirm - on pavements?
- Robert Zimmerman, London
And what about the gits who think they can park where and when they like?
Look at any town centre streetscape - think about the thousands and thousands of pounds of your and my money which has gone into putting up sturdy iron bollards to stop ignorant, selfish people parking on the pavement.
But when it comes to a few 50 quid Sheffield stands for cyclists? Oh no squire.
Just think on - if it WASN'T for said thousands of pounds being spent on barriers and bollard in our two centres the pavements would be littered with cars. OK, I'm being London centric here, but very often you'll see fast food takeaways and minicab offices with cars parked on the pavement just outside the window.
It's just the "I am a motorist and I have the God-given right to get my personal transport as close to the destination I want, and screw the rest of you" that I don't like.
Cyclists have a civilising influence on the roads as reflected by the fact that roads get safer the more cyclists use them!
- Colin Steadman, London
Mr Zimmerman would do well to research cycle helmets and see for himself how they have very little positive benefit and may in fact make cycling more dangerous. Drivers moaning about cyclists is hilarious- 3500 deaths a year caused by drivers but let's focus on those pesky cyclists on mobiles who killed, errr, nobody.
- Simon Poole, London
Copy the Dutch, and introduce into road traffic law a presumption that in a accident involving a vehicle and a cyclist (or pedestrian) the driver of the vehicle is at fault unless he/she can prove otherwise. I would welcome this as a cyclist and as a driver. It seems to encourage more considerate driving habits.
- Stuart Gillings, London UK
Mat Braddy says "I ended up using footpaths a lot more than I should have..." You shouldn't have been using them AT ALL. As a pedestrian in London, I often think I'd be safer walking down the middle of the road than on the pavements. Drivers have an incentive (insurance, criminal charges) not to hit pedestrians, after all. Cyclists don't seem to care about anyone but themselves, and if they do hit someone they can just ride off without any danger of being identified or being made to account for what they've done. A lot of them ride like maniacs (always with their earphones in, so they're totally unaware of what's going on around them), and if you dare to point out that they shouldn't be on the pavements, you just get an earful of abuse.
- Freya, London
London is already at the mercy of the 'urban warrior' cyclist disobeying all of the rules. Cyclists should have licenses, tax and insurance for a start.
- Epimethean, Surrey
In answer to Mat Braddy's question,"why does everyone focus on cyclists only", maybe it is because cyclists are by far the worst offenders.
There seems to be amongst cyclists the widespread belief that they are untouchable mavericks, as in I do whatever I want to do, and you can't touch me for it. I find evidence of this within minutes every time I step out of my house.
Perhaps Mr Braddy can tell where cyclists get the idea from that they "belong on to the pavement"?
I am a cyclist myself, but also a pedestrian and a car driver.
- Robert Zimmerman, London
London really needs to sort this out - I cycled from Liv St to the office in Marylebone when the Bob Crowe strike was on last month and it was a nightmare trying to do it legally within the road network - I ended up using footpaths a lot more than I should have...
- Mat Braddy, London
Will anyone follow the Highway Code? Cyclists are not the only road users not following the rules - I see stupidity from all out there be they pedestrians, taxi/car/white van drivers or cyclists. Why does everyone focus on cyclists only?
- Headhunter, London
A cycle lane sounds good I might even get on my bike...in the summer..when its not too hot (fumes you see) and not wet/thundering..
- Elizabeth, London
Perhaps the following could be added to the charter:
13) Keep off the pavements
14) Don't cycle and use your mobile at the same time
15) Fix lights to your bikes (front AND back)
14) Don't ignore traffic lights in fact take note that (see 15)
15) The Highway Code applies to you as well
16) And for your own good, wear a helmet
By the way, I cycle and drive a car.
- Robert Zimmerman, London
Will they follow the highway code?
- Fred, UK
