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news
Bike commuting (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 Dave Atkinson:Flickr) 03Insurance firm to offer cyclists cheaper car insurance – because they're better drivers
An insurance firm is to offer cyclists cheaper car insurance on the grounds that experience of cycling on the road makes that person a better driver, reports BikeBiz. Carinsurance4cyclists.com says it has been able to demonstrate that a cyclist presents a better car insurance risk than the average driver and has consequently been able to negotiate discounts with a panel of major UK insurance underwriters.
“We think cycling on the road has made you a better driver,” says the carinsurance4cyclists.com home page before going on to explain precisely why it will be offering discounted policies to members of cycling clubs.
“As a member of one of the UK's road cycling clubs you may not realise that we think you're hot stuff – when you're not in your lycra of course!
“Your on-road cycling experience has made you more alert and road aware than the average car driver and that deserves special attention. Let us source you the best car insurance deal via our scheme that rewards you for your improved driving skills.”
The firm says that cyclists are more likely to boast superior spatial awareness and are also more alert to the dangers of the road. They also argue that a healthy lifestyle suggests greater mental agility.
Any cycling clubs interested in finding out more can get in touch with Philip Crocker on 07887 758805 or at philip.crocker [at] carinsurance4cyclists.com.
It has long been known that it is beneficial for drivers to have a broader perspective on how the nation’s roads are used and in 2011 on-bike cyclist awareness training was approved as part of an HGV driver's Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). Lorry drivers are taken out on bikes, accompanied by cycle trainers and feedback from the drivers themselves has been that the course makes them more aware of vulnerable road users.
Despite this, earlier this year the director of a Devon-based haulage business claimed that lorry drivers are the best users of the road while cyclists are the worst.
"Whenever a cyclist is run over by a lorry, the driver gets blamed, which is wrong,” said Bill Hocking, who runs Barnstaple-based William C Hockin Transport. “They need educating,” he added.
Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.
Latest Comments
- lonpfrb 3 hours 30 min ago
PCCs are an attempt to provide Legitimacy by connecting an elected representative to the oversight of Policing. Thus voter surveys to sample...
- ktache 4 hours 18 min ago
Mine tend to get knocked by the chaining of the bicycle, then fall off later. To be found next time I use the light. Some crushed.
- ktache 4 hours 21 min ago
I'm guessing not that very manoeuvrable either.
- Simon E 5 hours 34 min ago
That is a pity, Malcolm had a great reputation and spent a lot of time posting his no-nonsense advice gained over many years on Bikeradar....
- Rendel Harris 5 hours 47 min ago
It's a mark of how weak your pompous pontificating is that you're forced to make up things I never said in order to try to defend your "look at me...
- SaveTheWail 7 hours 29 min ago
'I was so lucky that I was doing the speed limit' (!) http://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c17d598vj0qo
- Blackthorne 8 hours 50 min ago
It's mentioned in benefit #2 in the article...
- levestane 9 hours 2 min ago
Pneu ballon and hookless rims are back, I still have some 27" Birmalux rims in the shed somewhere.
- brooksby 10 hours 51 min ago
Well yes, but it is the holidays
- Rendel Harris 12 hours 3 min ago
Thank you for that excellent forensic analysis, I couldn't figure out where I'd gone wrong! Must drink more coffee and put on glasses before trying...
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21 comments
Has anyone got a quote from them yet? I'm buying a new car on Saturday so need some new insurance.
One very step forward against the pervasive anti-cycling rhetoric! Funnily enough I think I've seen some data that cyclists tend to *over-estimate* danger on those online theory tests.
It's most likely to be done by self declaration like most aspects of insurance contracts. If you misrepresent something, the insurer declares the policy void and you have no cover, so not a good idea to mislead when obtaining the quote.
Club members only, can I not just show them my strava profile?
Makes sense - I'm certainly more patient as a cyclist.
Cycling > 6000miles a year and driving about the same gives you big empathy for both kinds of road user.
And empathy is what it's about when it comes to safety.
Alas it looks like you've got to be a member of a club. I'm not sure that's the best measure.
Just confirms that because I am a shit hot cyclist, I am also a driving god. I have always suspected this and you would think that I would be happy to have it publicly recognised.
However, I now realise that I just want to be a
MONUMENTAL COCKWOMBLE
Sceptical.
Yes, people doing regular trips by bicycle are more likely to be better drivers but I doubt that carinsurance4cyclists.com will be any cheaper than other car insurers. For example, Shiela's Wheels - car insurance specially for lady drivers - were one of the most expensive quotes when my wife was shopping around to renew her insurance.
As usual it's always best to shop around, rather than just plumping for an insurer that's trying to convince you that they're cheaper or better just because they're targetting your demographic.
Motorcyclists are often offered cheaper insurance for cars as well. This is easier to confirm since the insurance firms that offer this are the same ones offering motorcycle insurance and they generally offer the car package to existing bike customers. It is quite a bit cheaper in my case and I will switch next time ours is up for renewal.
How would you prove you were a cyclist ? Surely it woild be like the end of Sparticus, where everyone proclaims ! Just to get cheaper insurance. Just wondering
Resting heart rate below 50, cyclist or about to die
Picture of bike whilst stood beside in lycra?
Indeed.
<waits for partnerships of online gps ride data repositories with insurance companies>
Yes, the way to appeal to people is to take the piss out of them.
Cyclists presumably drive less. Less mileage, less risk.
I like this, I like this a lot. As a cyclist and motorcyclist I have developed eyes in places I didn't know I had places and a spidey-sense to warn of approaching monumental cockwombles* to avoid getting turned into pink mush. It also means I'm another who's adopted a far more relaxed attitude when on four wheels, as frankly there's no point risking yourself and others just to hurry to watch the back of another stationary car. The idea of being rewarded for this attitude is rather pleasing, plus I can hear some more Daily Mail outrage brewing already. I'll get my popcorn.
*copyright kil0ran for phrase of the week. Love it.
Sadly can't claim credit. Been around for a while but seems to be used lots in reference to drivers by cycling bloggers
I developed a great deal as a car and bike user following commuting on a bike in London. Or, more to the point, I now identify and pay a lot more attention to potential risks...
'because I've refused to overtake cyclists on double whites.'
As I understand you can cross over white lines if person/horse/tractor is slower than 10 mph, if safe to do so.
Frankly I would cross the line if clear, to give cyclists more room, matters not 10mph
Correct, although in my experience anyone cycling on a road with double whites is unlikely to be doing 10mph or less. 10mph figure is enshrined in law and so you would be breaking it if the cyclist was doing 10.1mph
Generally they're there for a reason and if you can't see its safer for the cyclist for you to wait - if you pull out to go round and an oncoming vehicle appears from a hidden dip self-preservation is going to cause you to pull into the cyclist...
I believe that in my case from cycling and motorcycling for almost 40 years that my spatial awareness, anticipation & looking far ahead are better than the average motor vehicle only drivers. IMHO.
Certainly I drive less like a momumental cockwomble since starting to cycle regularly. This may coincide with also being older/wiser/more boring. Used to speed and take lots of risks on the road, now I'm more likely to have another monumental cockwomble tailgating me because I've refused to overtake cyclists on double whites.
However, I do wonder if drivers make worse cyclists - do those who've come back to cycling after years of aggressive driving carry over that aggression onto two wheels?
Loving the term "monumental cockwomble"