Why a helmet, lights and hi-vis clothing don't necessarily make you a safe cyclist...

MrEarl said:
Here are just a few relevant articles or reports on accidents caused by cyclists. I think it supports the need for tough laws and for those laws to be enforced.

Roger Handy killed by a cyclist going the wrong way, on a one way street
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These are so rare, that it's worth noting them when they occur.

Cyclist in critical condition after collision in Cork


A cyclist is in a critical condition in hospital after she collided with another cyclist outside Bandon in west Cork this morning.


Incidentally, I was cycling into town yesterday when a cyclist on a Dublin Bike passed me on the inside at great speed. If I had pulled in, there would have been a major accident.

Brendan
 
Up until 1999 all bikes sold in the uk had to be supplied with bells, then in 2011 the requirement was dropped after a red tape challenge ,

I do not know the law in Austria but most Bikes are fitted with bells ,I notice before my gran children use a bicycle they always check it is working same goes for there Irish Mother this feed into using the bell , The strange thing is I have seen hired Bikes with no bell over there also ,


The bell appeared to make cyclists and walkers who shares the same space more aware of the danger around them kind of created a more cycle -friendly space for want of a better word,

Out of interest do you have a bell on your Bike and do you use it,

Bell appeared to be used in a friendly way to alert people if they were breaking the law and putting them self and others in danger,
I suspect it's gets people asking what am i doing wrong and over time the will act in a more safer manner,
 
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Maybe the FG goverment will see an opportunity to get in a bit of dosh and make it compulsory for cyclists to have a licence to ride a bike in the different categories of models, etc?
 
Brendan Burgess said:
I have two bells on my bike.

One is a polite: "Hello I am coming and you shouldn't really be walking on a bicycle path"

The other is a much louder one - more: "Get out of my way or I will run you down. "

Brendan
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I did not state that very well
I should have said Out of interest do you have a bell on your bike and do you use it in a friendly way on shared cycle and walking ways

Hello i am about to pass lets be careful thanking you in advance for doing so,
 
RETIRED2017 said:
I did not state that very well
I should have said Out of interest do you have a bell on your bike and do you use it in a friendly way on shared cycle and walking ways

Hello i am about to pass lets be careful thanking you in advance for doing so,
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I do have a bell, and do use it on my daily cycle commute along a shared path. A single "ding" is all that is usually needed to alert walkers of my presence. A lot of the time I get a friendly wave and a "thanks", which is returned.
 
Brendan I think I saw you on your bike breaking a red light in city centre yesterday lunchtime!
 
mtk said:
Brendan I think I saw you on your bike breaking a red light in city centre yesterday lunchtime!
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Hi mtk

Yes. That is quite likely. I proceed through red lights on my bike when there are no cars or pedestrians. I don't break red lights when driving.

Whey didn't you say hello?

Brendan
 
Brendan Burgess said:
Hi mtk

Yes. That is quite likely. I proceed through red lights on my bike when there are no cars or pedestrians. I don't break red lights when driving.

Whey didn't you say hello?

Brendan
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Was on other side of street Brendan ....I will next time now I know you are ok with that .... Some celebs don't like being approached. !
 
Brendan Burgess said:
Hi mtk

Yes. That is quite likely. I proceed through red lights on my bike when there are no cars or pedestrians. I don't break red lights when driving.

Whey didn't you say hello?

Brendan
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Hello Mr. Burgess,

Out of interest, what's the difference between you breaking a red light when cycling and when in a car ?

Are you not breaking the rules of the road in both instances ?
 
MrEarl said:
Out of interest, what's the difference between you breaking a red light when cycling and when in a car ?
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Just to clarify.

Brendan Burgess said:
I proceed through red lights on my bike when there are no cars or pedestrians.
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The problem with doing that in a car is that if someone appears out of the blue you can't stop as quickly.

Which do you think is more dangerous - crashing the tail end of an organge light beginning of a red light in a car or stopping on your bike checking if the coast is clear and then proceeding through?

Brendan
 
Quite a few cities across Europe have enacted laws that allow cyclists to pass through red lights, while yielding to crossing traffic or pedestrians. The result is generally much safer cycling conditions and better flow of traffic as you eliminate the issue of multiple cyclists congregating red lights. You see it here a lot during busy periods, with a few bikes at the head of the queue spread across the advanced stop box, when the light turns green, it can take a while for the cyclists to stretch out before it's safe to overtake.

There has been a campaign to introduce a similar law in San Francisco for years, this made international headlines after a police crack-down on cyclists jumping red lights. Cyclists in response orchestrated a campaign of 100% compliance with red lights and stop signs, and the entire city'd traffic was brought to a standstill.
 
Brendan Burgess said:
Just to clarify.



The problem with doing that in a car is that if someone appears out of the blue you can't stop as quickly.

Which do you think is more dangerous - crashing the tail end of an organge light beginning of a red light in a car or stopping on your bike checking if the coast is clear and then proceeding through?

Brendan
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I'd suggest that they are equally dangerous as they reflect a similar attitude, that is, this rule does not suit me or I disagree with it, I'm in a hurray or whatever - therefore I will not obey it.

I see it from road users all the time, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The roads would be much safer for all users with more frequent and more ruthless enforcement of the existing laws.

I have to say, I was surprised to read this Brendan...........a poor example for the askaboutmoney family.............
 
Leo said:
Cyclists in response orchestrated a campaign of 100% compliance with red lights and stop signs, and the entire city'd traffic was brought to a standstill.
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That is a brilliant idea.

It is much safer for me as a cyclist to proceed safely through a red light than to compete with cars when the lights go green.
 
Romulan said:
The roads would be much safer for all users with more frequent and more ruthless enforcement of the existing laws.
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As a pedestrian, you don't cross the road within 15m of a pedestrian crossing even if there is no traffic coming ? You walk down to the pedestrian crossing, press the button and wait for the light to turn green even if there are no cars anywhere to be seen?

I would suggest that it is far safer for you to cross the road when there is no traffic coming than to cross it when it has turned to green and there is a car speeding towards it. But that is up to you.

Brendan
 
Romulan said:
I'd suggest that they are equally dangerous as they reflect a similar attitude, that is, this rule does not suit me or I disagree with it, I'm in a hurray or whatever - therefore I will not obey it.

I see it from road users all the time, drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The roads would be much safer for all users with more frequent and more ruthless enforcement of the existing laws.

I have to say, I was surprised to read this Brendan.......
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Agreed.

I don't always obey the rules of the road myself, and obviously I can try to justify the decisions I make etc., but the bottom line here is that it's either right or wrong, whether you are in a car or on a bike.

We come from a country that spends more time trying to pull a fast one, get around the laws etc. Just about everyone is guilt of doing wrong in some shape or form, be it the politicians, publicans, gardai, bankers, lawyers, or anyone else you care to name. It's in our make up, and probably something that dates back to when we were ruled by a foreign power and wanted to try and look out for ourselves despite the oppression of the time etc.
 
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