You're safer not wearing a cycle helmet, according to research...

[emmelinemay]

Bicyclists who wear protective helmets are more likely to be struck by passing vehicles, new research suggests.

and what i think is the crux of the matter...
Most adult cyclists know what it is like to drive a car, but relatively few motorists ride bicycles in traffic, and so don’t know the issues cyclists face.

There should definitely be more information on the needs of other road users when people learn to drive, and practical experience would be even better.

and this made me laugh -

To test another theory, Dr Walker donned a long wig to see whether there was any difference in passing distance when drivers thought they were overtaking what appeared to be a female cyclist.

Whilst wearing the wig, drivers gave him an average of 14 centimetres (5.5 inches) more space when passing.

Comments

[liz-lowlife.livejournal.com]

As a hardened cyclist, who generally obeys the rules, I have noticed that peds often step out infront of me, because they simply aren't looking! It's actually quite hard to do an emergency stop when cycling without throwing yourself over the handlebars! Even when I indicate I am turning left, people step out infront of me into the side road, which they would never do if I were driving a car.

I think EVERYONE, from drivers to pedestrians should make more of an effort to learn the Highway code!


LOL! And don't get me started on peds who wander into the cycle lanes!

[emmelinemay.livejournal.com]

peds who wander into the cycle lanes and then yell at you for being there yourself...

[miss-soap.livejournal.com]

When I get my bike I'm going to spend one Sunday riding up and down the cycle lane on Birdcage Walk; it's ALWAYS full of tourists. We could play tourist skittles!

[emmelinemay.livejournal.com]

sign me up for that!

[miss-soap.livejournal.com]

s/aren't looking/can't see.

Bikes can be hidden by other vehicles and you just don't see them when you check. Obviously the answer to this is to check harder, but cyclists can't always assume that it's just total ignorance on the part of the pedestrian.

I've been struck twice by cyclists when crossing on a green man at traffic lights. Both times the cyclist clearly had no intention of stopping at the red lights and both times I got a mouthful of abuse for the incident.

There are assholes on all sides of the argument [as with everything] but cyclists are in a weaker position as regards the rules of the road and therefore need to appear squeaky clean.

[miss-glitch.livejournal.com]

And don't get me started on peds who wander into the cycle lanes!

Okay yes, that is a pretty stupid thing to do!

Same applies to cyclists on the pavement, though...

[juliet]

In terms of the Highway Code - if you're turning L (or indeed R) into a side-street then the crossing pedestrian does have right of way over traffic of both bike & car variety :-)

(I am a long-term cyclist, in London, & stop at red lights etc etc.)

I do like Advanced Stop Lines; and bus lanes. Allowing bikes to turn L on red (much as cars can in I think France) might be an interesting idea.

One of the problems with cycle lanes IMO is that they encourage bikes into the gutter where they're both less likely to get seen by cars, & more likely to have issues with pedestrians. And also more likely to pick up Sharp Objects in tyres...

[emmelinemay.livejournal.com]

they've got right of way if they are already crossing, but not if the vehicle is already turning...

[juliet]

Hmm, I guess maybe I interpret that more generously on the pedestrian-rights side then :) I can't think of many occasions where I've found it a problem, so possibly I'm giving way where I needn't!

Now, people just randomly walking sideways into the gutter (Westminster Bridge I am thinking of in particular here) - *that* I see a lot of. Grr. At least they've widened the bike lane there now so it is actually wide enough to fit a bike in...