Cyclists are on the pavements AGAIN! Why do cyclists think the rules don't apply to them?!

From what I've seen, I don't think a lot of them know what the rules actually are. I rarely see them obeying traffic lights, for example.

That's what a cycling city means darling. Cycling on pavements but being polite abt it.

St John's Lane is shocking for cyclists, I'm surprised there aren't more accidents there, and the others you mention aren't any better. I don't cycle any more but then it's frightening enough at times just being a pedestrian. I think the council is going to trial some 20mph zones here but the main roads are being left at 30 mph limit...

Having recently witnessed an incident in the vicinity of Gaol Ferry Bridge I decided to carry out an un-official observational survey of cycling habits and the results surprised even me. Over the course of two evenings between 5pm and 6pm I counted cyclists and noted a few things down such as whether they had lights on their cycles, were wearing helmets, reflective clothing and whether they obeyed traffic signals. The area included was Prince St, Cumberland Road, Gaol Ferry Bridge and Coronation Road. 103 cyclists were observed.

The results:

77 (74%) had no or inadequate front lights.
48 (47%) had no or inadequate rear lights.
85 (82%) were not wearing helmets.
91 (88%) were not wearing reflective clothing.

It should be noted that the observations were carried out after it was dark and when lights should be displayed and reflective clothing worn to minimise the risk of being hit by other vehicles. The fact that so many had no or inadequate lights after dark and so many were wearing dark clothing shows either a shocking ignorance or a cavalier attitude to their own safety and the safety of others.

5 were seen to be using mobile phones as they cycled.

11 were wearing MP3 players or similar. In one case they were so involved in whatever "bangin' choons" they were listening too they completely ignored the ambulance trying to pass them all along Prince St as they cycled up the middle of the road until it turned left at the Cumberland Rd/Prince St roundabout.

Of the 17 that were observed approaching lights that were on red only 3 stopped, the remaining 14 continued through the lights, in one case narrowly avoiding being hit by a bus turning into Prince St. That's 82% of those who were approaching lights failed to stop.

5 thought it was perfectly ok to cycle up the pedestrian half of Gaol Ferry Bridge in the dark as pedestrians were trying to use the bridge.

I know (having read the letters in the Evening Post) that cyclists seem to think they are being victimised but having observed what I did I really think that a lot of them need to read the Highway Code and do a lot more to ensure the safety of themselves and other road users.

The Kaptain's analysis must ring true for the majority of motorists and pedestrians that use those roads.

Cyclists are quick to accuse other road users of ignoring their needs or endangering them, but so many of them show no regard for their own safety. Many of them take no responsibility for being seen by other road users. Motorists don't drive around after dark without headllamps on or ignore traffic signals.

Cyclists should appreciate that the more vulnerable you are as a road user, the more responsibiity you have to take for your own safety, not just assume that everyone else will do it for you. You rarely see pedestrians just stepping off the curb against a red light and expecting everyone else to take responsibility for their safety.

The worring thing is that there are increasing calls for strict liability on motorists in collision with cyclists, so that no matter what the circumstances of the accident, the motorist is held responsible. That's one of the most ridiculous suggestions I've heard so far from the cycling lobby! It would be grossly unfair.

Kaptin_Von - I think you have too much time on your hands!

If you need something to fill that time, I have a house that needs painting!