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Accusations fly in battle of motorists and cyclists
David Williams, Motoring Editor17.10.08
PRESSURE is mounting on police to intervene in a growing conflict between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
The Evening Standard reported this week that nearly 400 riders were fined by City of Londonpolice for flouting the law in the last three months.
But transport experts say motorists are also creating flashpoints, as they fail to give cyclists space. Since the story broke, scores of readers have contacted www.standard.co.uk to voice concerns. Many said "jaywalking" pedestrians were adding to rising tensions.
Today motoring organisations insisted that better, higher-profile policing was the answer.
Andrew Howard, head of road safety at the AA, said most road users were sensible but "it is clear the police have to keep a tighter rein on what goes on.
However, they must be even-handed they should not not just pick on motorists because they have numberplates and can get information on them. It would be good if cyclists felt there was at least a chance of getting told off if they did something wrong. But to achieve this even-handedness we need more police on the roads."
Sheila Rainger, the RAC Foundation's head of campaigns, added: "The trouble comes when police rely on automatic cameras to enforce rules: it does not get to the root of the problem and does not help reinforce good behaviour."
Roger Geffen of cyclists' organisation CTC said: "We are all for more policing - it would have a beneficial effect." CTC called for cyclists who broke the rules to be sent on retraining courses.
Reader views (17)
i've been cycling in london a fair no of years. i find that idiot pedestrins are the biggest problem. if they don't hear an engine revving,and see stationary vehicles they assume that nothing else is moving as they step off the kerb,regardless, whilst plugged into ipods or reading or sending txts . also most of them in spite of the fact that a large majority,may also hold driving licences, seem in incapable of judging speed and distance. also they seem to believe , at least judging , by all of the above , that being hit by a push bike is no big deal. ANYONE LIKE TO PUT IT TO THE TEST??
i wouldn't because i don't want to end up in casualty in spite of the fact that the pedestrian might come of worse. remember when if you step off the pavement, and don't look don't blame the cyclist. BTW,i like many other people can't stand pavement riders, and anyone who cycles at night wearing dark clothing with no lights.you morons !!!!!!!!!!!
- Neil, london
In reponse to 'The Gene Genie' comment. So if you approached a single file queue of say 25 cyclists at the side of the road waiting at the traffic lights you'd sit at the back of the line and wait. Of course you wouldn't you dart through to the front of the queue.
Motorists DO NOT own the road and YES when cyclists put their arm out it does mean they are turning and YES you do have to give way.
Motorists need to realise cyclists are vulnarable and if you make contact with them they are going to be seriously injured or even worse killed.
It is very intimidating cycling in rush hour traffic with cars racing past within inches of you showing a complete lack of respect and regard in their attempt to shave a few precious seconds of their journey home.
Motorists cause traffic jams, cyclists don't!!
- Myles, Colchester, Essex
"ASL boxes which cyclists need to proceed safely to the front of junctions." Why do you need to get to the front of every queue? If you are in front of me on the road I will give you every consideration, but with the best will in the world I am becoming increasingly frustrated by the idiots who squeeze to the front when I am stationary, sit right in the middle of the green box, then continue to sit there after the lights change. Do you not realise that I am entitled to get home too? There are too many cyclists with a sanctimonious belief that they somehow trump all other forms of transport. Well I've got news for you - you DON'T.
- The Gene Genie, Croydon
That's incitement to GBH (a criminal offence), Mark Tydeman. By the way, what is a 35mph zone? I have experience only of 30mph and 40mph zones. Please give an example.
This betrays your thinking - that anyone who does not travel at the prosecution level of speed (10-12 per cent odd above the actual limit) is not a citizen, and that you are a casual lawbreaker.
You're certainly no cyclist, else you would know that most cyclists can beat cars off the blocks, and that cars slow cyclists down far more than vice versa. You would also never imply that any cyclist deserved to get hit, as you would know full well that anyone driving safely, carefully and competently has ample time to avoid a cyclist.
I still find it hard to believe there are people commenting here who wish serious injury on cyclists because they think they have been delayed by a few seconds. It shows that pure evil is not concentrated only in the powerful dictators who have abused power, such as Pol Pot and Hitler, but in many lowly individuals who would wreak similar torture and genocide if they were ever elevated to positions of power.
- Reg, London
i cycle and drive equally. Cyclists are out of order in general with rules- red lights aside they use the footpath on the wrong side which is suicidal at t junction, etiquette - because they think green issue gives them rights they cycle in parallel 2 -3 across at 15mph in 35 zone- fashion - lycra is no defence against metal
- Mark Tydeman, london uk
Here we go with yet more anti cyclist retoric from commenters.
As has been explained before. Motorists blatatly ignore cycle lanes and ASL boxes which cyclists need to proceed safely to the front of junctions. Is it any wonder that cyclists hop onto the pavement every now and then to get round gridlocked traffic which refuses to allow cyclists past? Not that I'm saying this should be allowed or tolerated, just that there is a reason for everything. Cycling on the pavement is in fact very inefficient and usually pointless, unless one is forced into it by motorists hogging the road. As for pedestrians, they need to look before stepping off the pavement.
As for number plates for cyclists, this represents an over expensive, impractical solution to a "problem" which basically only exists in central London and nowhere else across the UK. Is it really worth wasting millions of pounds in a recession to implement?
As for tax, VED/road tax does NOT pay for roads. Roads are paid for through general taxation
- Mcw, London
Cyclists should all be shot I suppose and the 4x4 bmw drivers should be given license to do what they like on the roads
- Michael Cooper, London
Install 1000's of speed cameras - that will solve the problem...
- Dannyp, Egham
This morning, cyclist rides through red light at junc with Cranbourne St then turns left (at a no-left turn) and rides the wrong way up Upper St. Martins lane. If a motorist did that he'd lose his licence.
- Adam, Harrow, UK
The likely government response will be to invent something like "community road wardens" as a cheap and useless alternative. The solution lies with ALL road users to accept the highways are crowded and show each other some consideration instead of this endless tribal bickering.
- Steve, Hereford
I have nothing but contempt, and hatred for cyclist's on pavements.
They are a danger and menace to people walking.
- P I Staker, london
Cycles should have registration plates, so that they could be identified. This could be implemented at minimum cost.
- Patt, London, England.
The problem is the cost of this policing. It is always easy to talk about "putting more police" onto something, but we are talking here about thousands of roads and streets. To make this effective the cost would be simply staggering. I sat on the Metropolitan Police Authority for four years and while I had sympathy for the notion, was always put off by the sheer cost of adding thousands of police officers. People talk about this without specifying: "how many police...and where?". There also needs to be more thought about fine tuning our laws to stop this conflict - the story is quite right, these tensions are growing and there is a particular downturn in relations between cyclists and pedestrians.
- Damian Hockney, London, UK
What's required is more illegal street cycle racing.
- Threaded, Roskilde, Denmark
It will not be solved by more policing. What is needed is more consideration by all parties. I watch buses running red lights, pedestrians with Ipods strolling into the road without a care, taxis stopping without any indication or consideration, motorbikes in the cycle lanes and thousands of 'learner' moped riders diving between all forms of traffic. If everybody took a deep breath and set aside an extra 2mins for their journey London would be a nicer place to travel in.
- Mark, London
Most busy traffic lights in London have boxes reserved at the front for cyclists. However these safety zones are routinely ignored by motorists who think being a further 6 foot forward in the queue the most important thing. If these zones were enforced the way yellow boxes are and cars were made to show a little more respect for cyclist, it might just be reciprocated. Bottom line for me: the cyclist is vulnerable. With driving habits as poor as they are in London, is it any surprise they try and get any advantage they can? Yes they need to respect pedestrians as well, but chances are they are more preoccupied with not being run over.
- Vesna, London, UK
Driving in the city is a nightmare. A few days ago a pedestrian. walk out in front of my van. I was less that 15 feet from him. He saw me, looked at my face and walked out. City people are either suicidal or very stupid. No wonder we are in a credit crunch. Stupid is the word.
- Derek Flint, London
