Gaimon’s top 5 common bike/car collisions; Police slammed for “be seen” advice video; Egan Bernal’s new skill; Oncoming motorist takes ‘racing line’; How pedestrians react when you pass; Speeding in London; Decath-gone – retailer short of bikes + more
SUMMARY
Video: Cyclist terrified as oncoming motorist takes ‘the racing line’
Warning: Some understandably choice language on this one.
I’m so sorry I got in the way of your racing line on the way to the golf course! (Terrified sweating abundant as I swerved a head on collision) @SuptAndyCox @MetCycleCops @metpoliceuk pic.twitter.com/yGx7Zi6FpK
— Matthew (@hoffbrandm) June 24, 2020
The incident occurred yesterday in Hampstead garden suburbs, Holne chase.
The cyclist involved, Matthew, has been in contact with Andy Cox, the Met’s head of road traffic policing.
2020 is already London’s highest ever year for speeding enforcement
Speaking of Andy Cox (see the near miss below)…
Speeding is the biggest risk to #RoadSafety and an absolute priority for #TrafficCops in #London. YTD comparisons for speeding offences enforced:-
2020 = 16,006
2019 = 7,402
2018 = 5,640
2017 = 8,286*2020 is already highest ever year for Traffic Police 👮♂️ speeding enforcement. pic.twitter.com/uD8GsFRPBr
— Andy Cox (@SuptAndyCox) June 25, 2020
Close pass operation/everesting attempt?
Team ready for deployment for a close pass op. The VOLUNTEER plain clothes cyclist was non to pleased when I gave the location which contained the word HILL in it . We are aware of a number of locations people would like us to attend. We are doing as many as we can. Stay safe all
— Cycle Safety Team (@MetCycleCops) June 24, 2020
Happy to report that PC Graeme is fit and well if not a little red after today's close pass op on Alderman's hill Enfield. A number of offences dealt with including close passes,excess speed, licence offences and vehicles in unsafe condition. @MPSWinchmoreH and @BetterSt4Enf
— Cycle Safety Team (@MetCycleCops) June 24, 2020
For a moment this seemed like all our regular stories rolled into one, but not sure Alderman’s Hill delivers the necessary elevation gain.
Met reports more enforcement of 100mph-plus than in the three previous years combined
Below compares calendar YTD Traffic Police speeding enforcement of 💯 mph+ in #London. In 2020; we have enforced more than previous 3yrs combined!
2020 = 489
2019 = 182
2018 = 116
2017 = 119
2017-19 = 417This means enforcement is up not necessarily that there is more speeding. pic.twitter.com/AWhnis7paQ
— Andy Cox (@SuptAndyCox) June 24, 2020
Video: Mobility hierarchy
Mobility hierarchy as it should be #Paris pic.twitter.com/DySe50sFDU
— Urban Planning & Mobility (@urbanthoughts11) June 24, 2020
We also spotted this in the replies.
Klassiker ! pic.twitter.com/Prm6q3QkZX
— Critical Mass Hamburg (@cm_hh) April 14, 2020
Video: How different pedestrians react when you pass them
Team GB athletes are riding in facemasks in the velodrome
Should we be talking about 'traffic violence' instead of crashes and collisions?
This was a point made by Sustrans chief executive Xavier Brice earlier in the week.
Anyone in the UK is more likely to be killed by somebody driving a car than by any terrorist action.
This is relevant to everyone. But minimal coverage.
We need to change the conversation from ‘crashes’ and ‘accidents’ to (avoidable) traffic violence. https://t.co/AVL2XzyZOt
— Xavier Brice (@_XavierBrice_) June 22, 2020
Chris Boardman, whose mother Carol was killed by a careless driver, certainly feels that the term is justified.
When you’ve had a mother crushed to death by a driver, you feel differently. https://t.co/q3Wwrdc348
— Chris Boardman (@Chris_Boardman) June 25, 2020
Egan Bernal has all the skills
‘A life of excess’ says the 2019 Tour de France winner – which is presumably a reference to his training more than his downtime.
Una vida de excesos… pic.twitter.com/zRoqpGLvmH
— Egan Arley Bernal (@Eganbernal) June 24, 2020
This is a skill every self-respecting cyclist should have, according to Juliana Buhring, who posted a video of fellow ultracyclist Kristof Allegaert performing the same trick back in 2017.
Hampshire Police slammed for “be seen” cycling advice video that refers to a cyclist as an “it”
Wear a helmet, get a bell and “be seen” – these are some of the central pillars of advice in a Thames Valley Police video.
Hampshire’s Roads Policing Unit says the video illustrates how, “everyone can play their part in keeping vulnerable road users safe.”
Cycling has become very popular over recent months. The roads are a shared space and everyone can play their part in keeping vulnerable road users safe. This important video illustrates this aspect of cycle safety #RSU @HantsPolice @HantsRoadSafety https://t.co/DrwiTXSTCb
— Hants Roads Policing (@HantsPolRoads) June 24, 2020
The video goes on to advise drivers to leave 1.5m when passing a cyclist, but even this segment has been slammed by many Twitter users for repeatedly referring to a cyclist as an “it”.
How does cycling feel when you're pregnant?
Olympic road race silver medallist and 2015 world champion, Lizzie Deignan, will be talking about juggling being a mum and a professional cyclist on Cycling UK’s live women’s cycling panel event this week.
It’ll be live on Facebook at 1pm on Friday. You’ll find it here.
The interview’s part of Cycling UK’s ongoing series, “Bants, Bikes and Being Female,” which has been going out on Facebook and YouTube.
Host, Anna Glowinski, said: “We wanted to create a safe space where women could discuss anything and everything about cycling without fear of being judged or made to feel stupid for asking the ‘wrong question’.
“The series has been hugely popular so far and I’m delighted that Lizzie will be joining us to give her unique perspective on cycling after childbirth and how she incorporates cycling in her family life.”
Other guests appearing alongside Deignan include women’s health physiotherapist, Charlie Stone, mountain biker and new mum, Lucy Follett, and urban cyclewear shop owner and cycling mum, Caz Nicklin.
Decath-gone
Decathlon in Stockport is looking a lot emptier than usual. Staff say sales of bikes are up a hundredfold! pic.twitter.com/cFl4y43QdI
— Walk Ride Heatons (@WalkRideHeatons) June 24, 2020
Decathlon UK CEO Eric Mazilier last week apologised for bike shortages and said the firm was hard to find a solution.
They aren’t the only cycling retailer struggling to meet demand either.
Evans Cycles have been enduring a bit of a kicking on social media from customers complaining of delays, while Winstanleys Bikes received a flurry of negative reviews on TrustPilot for similar issues.
Around 1.3 million people – five per cent of UK consumers – have bought a bike since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis according to research carried out by GlobalData.
Video: Phil Gaimon lists the top 5 most common bike/car collisions and how to (hopefully) avoid them
Advice for both cyclists and motorists here, delivered in Gaimon’s usual dry style. (There’s an awful lot of, “also, put your phone down.”)
Royal Parks Police stop cargo bikes in Kensington Gardens
No vehicles adapted for trade may be used in the Royal Parks unless they’re authorised.
Two @MPSRoyal_Parks stopping commercial cargo bikes in Kensington Gardens. They were taking details and warning the riders. Nothing wrong with the police, but I feel that law needs to be changed to apply only to motor vehicles, not cargo cycles. pic.twitter.com/3VOMhyxTsc
— ⚫ CyclingMikey aka Bike Gandalf 🇪🇺🇳🇱🇿🇼 (@MikeyCycling) June 25, 2020
Hull cycle lane bollards get nod of approval from World Bollard Association
Both please: thanks.#WorldBollardAssociation https://t.co/p1KAMIBdTy
— World Bollard Association™ (@WorldBollard) June 25, 2020
If you don’t follow The World Bollard Association on Twitter, it isn’t necessarily the most discriminating judge.
Crap cycle path
A fine example of the oeuvre has been flagged by Dr Ian Walker.
I just sent this picture in reply to a message but I’m posting it again because A WHOLE SERIES OF ACTUAL HUMAN BEINGS PUT THAT CYCLEPATH SIGN ON THAT LAMPPOST AND GOT PAID TO DO SO. @BristolCouncil pic.twitter.com/SCIdTomdHm
— Ian Walker (@ianwalker) June 25, 2020
Wands of Westminster: Millbank now has a mandatory cycle lane from Lambeth Bridge to Parliament Square
First wands on a Westminster borough road? Magic!
Millbank now has a mandatory cycle lane (peak hours only) for its entire length from Lambeth Bridge to Parliament Square – and this section even has protection 👏
Let’s hope the other wands are on back order and arrive soon… pic.twitter.com/Gu9PTdr2Xh
— Westminster Cycling Campaign (@Westminster_LCC) June 25, 2020
Cycling investment should be in Government’s top 5 priorities say advisors
Government advisors, the Committee on Climate Change, say that investment in cycling and walking must be one of the top five priorities for the year ahead.
Achieving the UK’s climate goals & rebuilding the economy fit together. Actions we recommend will deliver better public health, improved biodiversity & access to nature, cleaner air, more comfortable homes & highly productive, rewarding employment. https://t.co/IS5wieVxQB pic.twitter.com/2lefmIOyWo
— CCC (@theCCCuk) June 25, 2020
25 June 2020, 08:24
The futures of the Tour de Yorkshire and Women’s Tour de Yorkshire are in serious doubt.
Tour de Yorkshire at risk as councils refuse emergency funds
Welcome to Yorkshire warns it will have to cease operating unless it secures £1.4 million cash injection
25 June 2020, 08:24
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Latest Comments
With so many people using and looking at mobie phones whilst driving and other distractions, may I suggest you always wear Hi viz and stay at home.
The design of the "car" has played a role in this. SUVs and what the Americans call "trucks" are exempt from the pedestrian safety regulations which apply to passenger cars. Had the victim been hit by a car designed in the past twenty years he would have been "scooped" onto the bonnet and either over the roof or off to one side. Still a serious injury risk and potentially fatal but they have the benefit of those passive safety systems to improve their chances. With vehicles with such a high bonnet line as this Volvo has what tends to happen is the person bounces off the bonnet and falls on the road in front of the vehicle where they're then run over. This has happened time and time again and is becoming more of an issue as the numbers of vehicles exempt from the safety standards grows.
@Accessibility for all Reducing the speeds wouldn't have helped in this case as the driver was reported doing 65 in a 40 zone on the approach to the junction, his driving described by the witnesses as erratic and evidently had no intention to stop to give way even though he had been warned by the passenger who apparently shouted "bike" three times just before the collision. He would have likely flown through that junction even if it was traffic light controlled with a red light for him at the time. In my own experience the entire area i.e. east of Lymm towards Warburton and along Dunham Road all the way up to Altrincham and past into Hale Barns, all those wealthy, posh settlements around Manchester Airport are best avoided by road cyclists. A disproportionally high number of psycho drivers must for some reason live in that area because every single time I went there on my road bike in the past, I either got harassed myself or witnessed proper dickhead driving - speeding, close passes, overtaking into oncoming traffic or round a blind bend, accelerating towards pedestrians already crossing the road, you name it. I gave up road cycling in that area years ago and only use the local TPT these days.
In respect of the murder charge: based on him hitting Mr Mullins and making no attempt to help him (this killing him), how would the case compare to a hit and run driver who seriously injures or kills a cyclist, knowingly, and flees the scene without helping? Would this make the cut for a murder charge? Or is there something very different going on here that I’m missing? Genuinely curious because I don’t recall there being a murder charge before for this kind of thing unless it was premeditated. In fact, in my experience most cases like this seem to go the opposite way - where the driver can merely say the sun was in their eyes and get away with a slap on the hands.
@Rendel Harris...and there was me dishing out the praise!
@polainm He must also be an already hardened criminal. It wasn't mentioned during the court proceedings to avoid influencing the jurors and ensuring he had a fair trial, but he had been released from prison shortly before this incident and was couch surfing at his cousin's house days before. Just look at his face, he's only 35, but looks older than his victim who was 56. Must have spent half his adult life in prison.
@jaymack They did offer him manslaughter though but he declined to plead guilty. Without wanting to seem curmudgeonly, yes great that they preferred the most serious charges but hard to see how they could have done differently considering that Richardson got out of the car, saw Mr Mullins was stuck underneath and then got back in and carried on. That clearly moved it above anything that falls under death by dangerous driving.
@thrawed Agree - the UK winters are utterly grim; grey, wet & windy. Not the type of weather you really want to go out and ride. Everything get covered in filth, and takes time to clean it after a ride. Oh for colder, drier & crisper days which can be enjoyable to be out in.
@ymm In my view, lax sentencing of dangerous drivers, especially where cyclists are involved, makes the judge, jury and CPS complicit in UK driver culture. This driver is a sociopath.
@Mr Blackbird i reckon the libido is a bit overrated. I'd let that go rather than a limb or a nice bike.
21 thoughts on “Gaimon’s top 5 common bike/car collisions; Police slammed for “be seen” advice video; Egan Bernal’s new skill; Oncoming motorist takes ‘racing line’; How pedestrians react when you pass; Speeding in London; Decath-gone – retailer short of bikes + more”
That Audi driver needs to
That Audi driver needs to have the driving licence taken away.
However, it isn’t just speeding we need to be concerned about as this report from Essex Police reveals…
https://www.roadsafetysupport.co.uk/news/record-number-drug-drivers-arrested-essex-during-lockdown
I often wonder whether the
I often wonder whether the two, excessive speeding and drug driving arent more closely linked, as speed cameras of course dont stop drivers and do drug tests, but some of the really aggressive driving you can encounter Im convinced is a direct result of those drivers having taken class a drugs.
as the article says its not that more people are drug driving now, its just the police have been able to stop more people recently.
and I think thats the thing that concerns me most riding on the roads thesedays, as its something you as a rider have no control over, you can to some extent seek out safer to ride routes to protect yourself from drivers making bad choices, but you cant ride in a way or pick a route, that stops you encountering drivers whose decision making has already been impacted.
Awavey wrote:
Because of my job, I see a lot of statistics and data on road crashes. This reveals some really interesting stuff. One thing I’ve noted is that there is a link between driving offences and criminal behaviour. The simple explanation is that criminals are risk takers and that as such, they’re more likely also to be driving offenders. It’s also of note that criminals are more likely to be drug users and are more likely to be under the influence of drink or drugs while driving their vehicles, which are also more likely to have no insurance or VED paid or to have a valid MOT.
OldRidgeback wrote:
There was a study which looked at people who parked in disabled bays/family bays in supermarkets, when they were able bodied and solo, and a significant proportion of them were wanted criminals.
That driver was lucky it was
That driver was lucky it was Only A Cyclist (TM) – another motor vehicle of any size and their car would have been a write off (and that would be the best case scenario…)
I did like his charming
I did like his charming reaction, reminicent of Modern Toss.
Understandably choice? I’ll
Understandably choice language? I’ll say! Entirely justified.
Yet another driver who should have their licence removed immediately and banned from ever driving again. Never mind, government review etc, etc.
Looking at it again, it seems entirely possible that this was deliberate. Just a bit of fun as they say on Top Gear.
Love the pedestrian reactions
Love the pedestrian reactions video, but it also needs “where’s your bell?” I’m sure there are others…
Quote:
Presumably as opposed to what ‘it’ actually is, which is an unnecessary intrusion onto the road that has no real business being there.
PC Graeme, chapeau!
PC Graeme, chapeau!
Looking forward to an article
Looking forward to an article on what kind of cleat makes the best bottle-opener.
OMG! The Hampshire Police
OMG! The Hampshire Police Video is worse than the Public Information movies of the 1950’s. Earnest, wooden, terrible script, no fun, and factually incorrect. About as likely to achieve behaviour change as a message in a bottle tossed into the sea off Antartica; with a leak.
I’ve never heard of the road safety group mentioned in the vid, Share, and a quick google got no hits either. So Hants police seem to be taking road safety advice from a non-existent organisation; wierd. Nearest I could find was “Share the Road” from Ford, but that quotes Brake https://www.ford.co.uk/experience-ford/about-ford/share-the-road
EDIT; Share seems to be a fb group, but I’ve no idea what knowledge or expertise they have in the field of road safety. https://www.facebook.com/ShareTheRoadsMK/?hc_location=ufi
I didn’t finish it. Found it
I didn’t finish it. Found it faintly annoying. Usual guff about sharing the roads and all road users but then started immediately talking about daylight running lights on bicycles,, bright clothing, and how a helmet might help if you fall off. A person on a bike in civvies might have been a better representative than someone in full Lycra, IMO.
Ann Shrimpton is part of the
Ann Shrimpton is part of the Broughton Cycling Group and the facebook does mention setting up a Road Safety campaign so I assume this is part of that.
It was well-meaning, but
It was well-meaning, but awful. Loads of time focussed on the helmet, when perhaps the time could be better spent on items such as; cyclists can ride two abreast, it makes them easier to overtake safely. Pass cyclists as you would any vehicle; cross to the other side of the road to overtake when you can see the way ahead is clear and it is safe to do so.
What I’d love to see in one
What I’d love to see in one of these videos is a reminder that any reasonably fit cyclist can easily be travelling at 20+mph and therefore overtaking is A) going to take longer than you think, B) likely going to require you to break the speed limit and C) probably not worth it. The number of times I have cars half overtake then just sit beside my back wheel because they’ve realised they actually don’t have time to overtake before the queue/lights/pinch point, suggests this is not in drivers’ minds.
jacko645 wrote:
Talk for yourself. I need gravity assistance nowadays.
If Ian Walker is concerned
If Ian Walker is concerned about that sign (which, to be fair, although stupid doesn’t actually cause much if any grief; certainly no more than the trees) then he might enjoy it further towards the centre. The sign briefly switches the ‘side’ of the pedestrians and cyclists – regardless of exact meaning, that’s caused the odd WTF ? moment from pedestrians and cyclists IME….
“Cycling investment should be
“Cycling investment should be in Government’s top 5 priorities say advisors”
Has this been mentioned in any news anywhere? I’ve not seen or heard it being reported. Looks like the brief window of the media being in favour of cycling, or at least not totally anti-cycling, has slammed shut.
It was on the BBC, though you
It was on the BBC, though you have to go a fair way down the article to find the mention of cycling and walking in a bullet point, and the headline / lead paragraph focuses on increasing car taxes.
Also in the Indy, under a general ‘green revolution’ headline, and in the Grauniad, although you have to go to the last paragraph and a quote from Greenpeace to find a mention of cycling there.
mdavidford wrote:
Thanks. While stuff like this should be headline news, the media ignores it. I trust everyone on this website has written to their MP demanding action?