Harringay online

Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!

'Space for cyclist' initiative launched to improve driver and cyclist safety

http://news.met.police.uk/news/space-for-cyclist-initiative-launche...

Great initiative, look out for these stickers "Thanks to the support of Havebike and London Cycling Campaign, 2000 car stickers with the words 'I give space for cyclists' will be given to motorists on the day and at Exchanging Places events" 

Cycle Safety Team officers from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command will go to any location, at any time, on any borough, based on intelligence and complaints, to ensure drivers properly obey the rules of the road.

first driver pulled over was uninsured!

Recovery on scene to pick up 1st car stopped on initiative which happened to be uninsured

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Thanks for a bit of common sense L. Yes, there are dreadful people on 4 and 2 wheels and they are the ones you tend to notice. The law abiding, courteous majority tend not to stick in your memory.

*Sigh*. I ride a bike and I'm insured. I ride considerately, I always stop at red lights, I don't ride on pavements, I occasionally shout "be careful!" at the people who step out in front of me without looking, who put me in danger. Am so fed up with this kind of reaction to any kind of safety initiative for people on bikes. Surprised you didn't mention "road tax".

Right, I can't let this go. 90% is absolute rubbish. A number made up on the spot. I cycle every day in London. There are indeed quite a few inconsiderate idiots who think it's ok for them to run red lights or not stop at crossings, but it is nowhere near 90%. The vast majority of cyclists do obey the law. As ever, the people who don't are the people who get noticed. This is lazy generalisation that reinforces the 'us and them' mentality that is making life harder for all road users.

To your point on insurance, many cyclists do have insurance. If we're going to enforce insurance for cyclists then let's do the same for pedestrians too.

Been cycling in London myself for 30 years and I would say it's much lower than 90%.

Actual statistics that say ~10% of drivers are uninsured = "most drivers are perfectly law abiding"

Anecdotal evidence that some cyclists jump red lights/don't stop at zebra crossings = "no cyclists respect the law"

Completely bonkers.

For some reason I really like this: "officers will now be working be in plain clothes, wearing video cameras and riding unmarked bicycles donated by BMW"

British Cycling insurance "rIDE" membership for 7 years. £34 a year covers me for for full public liability and legal costs Anyone who commutes to work would be wise to have insurance. Twice I've had pedestrians walk out in front of me without looking giving me no time to stop, and once a moped driver decided to take an illegal shortcut right across me. Not always the cyclist who is at fault

The problem is for every 1 law abiding cyclist there are 5 or more who simply don't care. The next time you are out on the street do a simple straw poll for yourself. Any time you come to a pedestrian crossing or traffic light count the number of cyclists that obey the traffic laws versus the number that just ignore the laws. My experience is 5 to 1 who break the law. So until the cycling community get their house in order they will not get respect from car drivers. What sticks in many people's throats is the super self righteous cyclists who claim they operate within the law, maybe they do but that doesn't excuse the ones that don't and your actions are totally undone by the cyclists who simply do not care.

Leaving aside your totally made up numbers....

Do you hold all drivers responsible for those who break the law (with, let's not forget, far more serious consequences)?

Do you believe all drivers deserve no protection because some of them break the law?


Do you even notice when a driver takes a mature amber, drives while looking at their phone, or breaks the speed limit...all of which can and do kill people?

No? Then why on earth do you apply different standards to cyclists?

"Then why on earth do you do that to cyclists?"

That's kind of putting words in my mouth - 

I don't - All I'm saying is that for every decent law abiding cyclist there are in my opinion approximately 5 who have no respect for the law. If you could point out where I said anything about holding anyone responsible I'd appreciate the clarity.

What I did say is unfortunately for the law abiding cyclists, all the respect they should have is totally ruined by the careless selfish cyclists.

OH dear. Yes this initiative is much needed, reinforced by all the anger here. It shouldnt  be about them and us. There are bad and good, and I have stopped at plenty of crossings, only for a car to go through. But we all need to use the road and respect each other. I have friends who have bikes but are too scared to use them. it shouldnt be like that. But I tell them, they must make sure they take their space in the road as they teach us on cycle training, but that means ignoring the insults and yelling coming from car windows, as we have made a car slow down. again it shouldnt be like that. For me, I think 95% road users are very courteous and very patient. Fo people who dont cycle it can sometimes be difficult to see how tricky it can be for us on 2wheels

My only bug bare is pedestrians, I wish someone would educate them. I have been knocked off several times over the years with someone jumping out in front of me, and it hurts 

I think you're right Tigha. Roads seem to be angrier and angrier places and people using them get caught up in it. You see people screaming at one another who would dream of doing that if they, say, accidentally bumped into you in a supermarket!

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