Another cyclist killed in London

[heero_yuy]

The difference being that motorists have a number plate and so can be identified and (hopefully) prosecuted for motoring offences. There is no identifying the cycling malefactors so they get away with breaking any number of motoring laws until they get flattened, then it's always the drivers fault.

[Julian]

Originally Posted by Stephen

Aside from your spelling and grammer there is so much wrong with this post, yes cyclists do silly things and I have been nearly knocked over crossing at a green man.

However motorists are also guilty of similar, ie jumping red lights, speeding up at amber lights, undertaking to name a few. They have passed driving tests so in your words should be safe and know better. One cyclists nearly ran me over yes but at crossings it happens daily with cars, who speed up at the sight of an amber light. When in fact they should be slowing down as it is a sign the lights will go red any moment.

I've seen cars side-swiped at junctions because they have speed to an amber light.

Yes cyclists need to be more careful, but the car and lorry drivers need to be just as careful as they think they are invincible in their metal boxes.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

The difference being that motorists have a number plate and so can be identified and (hopefully) prosecuted for motoring offences. There is no identifying the cycling malefactors so they get away with breaking any number of motoring laws until they get flattened, then it's always the drivers fault.

That's one reason why I believe more drivers will take to using dashcams. Cyclists/bikers have long exploited their use to highlight poor driver behaviour and the boot will increasingly be on the other foot. Clearly dash cam footage isn't going to be of much practical use in trying to get compensation for minor damage to a vehicle caused by a bicycle but in more serious incidents it may well prove vital in establishing blame and securing prosecutions. Perhaps as more errant cyclists/bikers are caught in this way, standards of behaviour on the road will improve.

[heero_yuy]

It's curious that with all the gadgets weighing down new cars these days that a dash cam isn't standard.

Originally Posted by Osem

That's one reason why I believe more drivers will take to using dashcams. Cyclists/bikers have long exploited their use to highlight poor driver behaviour and the boot will increasingly be on the other foot. Clearly dash cam footage isn't going to be of much practical use in trying to get compensation for minor damage to a vehicle caused by a bicycle but in more serious incidents it may well prove vital in establishing blame and securing prosecutions. Perhaps as more errant cyclists/bikers are caught in this way, standards of behaviour on the road will improve.

It could also go the other way, as I commute to work by car most days, and I would say that car drivers often don't look/check for cyclists.

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

The difference being that motorists have a number plate and so can be identified and (hopefully) prosecuted for motoring offences. There is no identifying the cycling malefactors so they get away with breaking any number of motoring laws until they get flattened, then it's always the drivers fault.

So should everyone that uses the highway (inc pedestrians, pushchair users, disabled carriages, kids scooters, roller skaters etc) have a registration plate so they can be identified for irresponsibly damaging cars when they bounce off them?

Originally Posted by Hugh

It could also go the other way, as I commute to work by car most days, and I would say that car drivers often don't look/check for cyclists.

Indeed.

[heero_yuy]

Originally Posted by Kursk

So should everyone that uses the highway (inc pedestrians, pushchair users, disabled carriages, kids scooters, roller skaters etc) have a registration plate so they can be identified for irresponsibly damaging cars when they bounce off them?

Now your just being silly. You know exactly what I meant.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by Hugh

It could also go the other way, as I commute to work by car most days, and I would say that car drivers often don't look/check for cyclists.

I think I've already made that point in several posts. It's for that very reason that cyclists ought to be even more careful as I am sure you are if you believe drivers aren't paying enough attention. In towns, cyclists can an do come at you from all sorts of directions, often hidden behind other vehicles or without lights/reflective clothing at night so it's extremely difficult to be aware of all of that whilst at the same time paying attention to road signs, pedestrians and other road users. IMHO the onus is on ALL road users to behave more responsibly and be aware of those around them. No one group has the monopoly on idiocy or selfishness.

Car drivers are rightly told they need to allow more room and space for larger vehicles to manoeuvre, stop etc. On that basis cyclists ought to be made aware that motorists can't just stop of change direction as easily as they can. Just a little more thought and consideration on all sides would go a long way to solving the problem.

[Kursk]

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

Now your just being silly. You know exactly what I meant.

I admit to being silly to illustrate the silliness of a registration system for bikes. Quite apart from the probably unmanageable administration, there really is no need except to satisfy the misery of motorised vehicle drivers who just want bikes out of their way. Really, it's just not going to happen.

In more serious vein, these cycling deaths in London are a tragedy and something must be done to save cyclists' lives and to spare lorry drivers the devastating effects of having killed someone, albeit accidentally.