CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
London - 4 cyclist deaths in 8 days
(29 posts)-
Posted 11 years ago #
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I thought long and hard about doing this, but on balance I think it's justified.
The Wail has some utterly terrifying, but prurient photos of the aftermaths of the incidents. IMO the ones of the Croydon incident should be forwarded to CEC and Edinburgh Trams as an example of what happens at worst when cyclists, tram lines, and motorised transport meet.
Those who wish can view them here.
Oh, and the fact that the Heil's comments are fairer than those on the average EEN cycling article should give the Chipwrapper's editorial staff food for thought. If they can think, that is.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Now 5 deaths in 9 days...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-24936942
"A man died in hospital at about 04:00 GMT following a collision with a double decker bus in Whitechapel Road near Aldgate East Station in east London, at about 23:30 on Wednesday"Posted 11 years ago # -
And with a sixth still in a critical condition after a bus crash.
London's rider down forum makes for grim reading.
Posted 11 years ago # -
The fact there even is a rider down forum is grim :-(
Posted 11 years ago # -
This is insane. Any other system that resulted in 5 deaths in little more than a week would either be shut down or severely restricted. But because this is the roads and it's all down to individuals' "momentary losses of concentration" (and no doubt some thought that these cyclists are putting themselves in harm's way by cycling in traffic), there's just a bit of hand-wringing (at best) and victim-blaming at worst. It's a disgrace.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Think about the amount of money Network Rail is obliged to spend on level crossings (upgrading, removing and replacing) after fatalities, accidents or even near misses, and then about the massive fines (in the millions) they get for corporate negligence when such crossings are found lacking.
Then think about how the agencies responsible for our roads are apparently under no statutory obligation to make them safe for all and can't be taken to task by any regulator for their blatant failings and ambivalence. If this was happening on railways the regulator would be down on them like a ton of bricks and senior persons would be on gardening leave.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@Focus; it's actually a board on the truly enormous London Fixed Gear/Single Speed forum, but your point is still valid.
The forum switches to a black logo for a few days every time a cyclist dies in London, which has always struck me as a hauntingly effective gesture.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@k And after the accident on the railway, chances are there'd be a temporary speed restriction put in place until the issue was investigated and resolved. Perhaps analogous to a 5mph speed limit being put in place on roads where cyclists have been hurt or killed.
Posted 11 years ago # -
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No more excuses: Cyclists need protection to kerb more London deaths"
Posted 11 years ago # -
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Speaking on LBC Radio, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said the issue "needs to be taken very seriously", although he was not convinced extra regulation was the answer."
http://news.sky.com/story/1168526/london-cycling-deaths-prompt-calls-for-action
Posted 11 years ago # -
@ Darkerside
"@Focus; it's actually a board on the truly enormous London Fixed Gear/Single Speed forum"
Yes, I spotted that. But my point, as you understood, was that it's a bad situation when you actually need a (sub-section) of a forum, rather than the occasional thread for incidents. Just too many. Too many.I have little doubt that Central London is such a hectic place when you have somewhere to go, that too many people take too many risks and have too little time for anyone else's space or safety, regardless of their mode of transport. That's why, even with the tram lines, I am so glad I cycle round Edinburgh rather than London.
I have a couple of friends down there - very active cyclists. I must get them to sum up London cycling for us. No newspaper hype, no carefully-chosen soundbites, just real experiences.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@ chdot
"No more excuses: Cyclists need protection to kerb more London deaths"
I wouldn't normally point out a spelling mistake in an article on such a grim subject, but it's sadly an appropriate one given the subject. Of course, they should have said "curb". But as we know, the kerb is where too many drivers want to push us.
Posted 11 years ago # -
A kerb between segregated cycling lanes and the rest of the traffic would certainly help.
Posted 11 years ago # -
"I wouldn't normally point out a spelling mistake"
I suspect the Metro subs where just being 'headline punny' - but it grates by being not great.
Posted 11 years ago # -
If they were, it would certainly qualify as a very tasteless example of a pun.
Posted 11 years ago # -
'How to make cities safer for cycling'.
Coming up on R4 PM.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I heard it on my way home.
Hmm.
Interview with Boris, Interview with bloke from British Cycling. Boris was not as positive I thought he should be, saying that RLJ and lane swapping by cyclists was a significant contribution, British Cycling chap though that it may be a small contribution, but other things - side rails on lorries, lorry exclusions zones may be more significant. Nothing particularly new.
Posted 11 years ago # -
I caught a bit of the coverage on sky news earlier. Did anyone else hear the comments from Chris Boardman? Something along the lines of, 5 deaths is not actually as bad as everyone is saying, it's just the perspective, cycling is actually quite safe. Just seems like very few of these elite cyclists have ever tried to cycle in a city at rush hour.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Kaya burgess of the times, Peter walker of the guardian who has been very indignant about Boris' commentsand was on the beeb sometime this evening, was claiming that someone (expert) told him benefits outweigh risks 85-1. Piece going in the Saturday guardian.Posted 11 years ago # -
@ KarenJS
"... comments from Chris Boardman? Something along the lines of, 5 deaths is not actually as bad as everyone is saying, it's just the perspective, cycling is actually quite safe"
Unfortunately, damned if he does, damned if he doesn't, as is anyone who either says cycling is inherently dangerous or inherently safe. Say it's safe (to encourage more cycling) and people point to the casualty statistics. Say it's dangerous and people complain that it will put people off cycling. That's the way people are about cycling, I'm afraid.
Posted 11 years ago # -
@focus I agree it's hard to get it right. What irked me about his comments was more the way it came over, but he may have been quoted out of context. He came across as being very dismissive of the fact people had been killed and seemed to be implying there was a fuss being made over nothing.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Just back from 4 days in London for work and each day walked past Aldgate East station where the 5th cyclist was killed.
Sorry to say, I'm surprised there has not been more deaths around this area.
The junction of Commerical Road and Whitechapel Road is horrendous for cyclists jump the red lights and trying to get onto Whitechapel Road while they are at green (I'm not saying the person killed at this junction was jumping the lights) so it came as no surprise this news.
The amount of buses on this road as well would def give me concern for cycling it if I had to commute on this road, there is barely a gap for a bike to get past the buses but still the cyclists try. Twice I saw people getting knocked over because they tried to squeeze past a bus, luckily they were ok.
Posted 11 years ago # -
Number 1 son used to stay in Whitechapel and is in Bethnal Green now so I've cycled through that junction.
The only thing I remember being annoyed about was the no left turn west bound from Whitechapel Rd into Commercial Rd.
Posted 11 years ago # -
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@markbikeslondon: The Mayor is currently answering your questions about cycle deaths on @VanessaOnAir right now. Tune in: http://t.co/jR1G2Ose72
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Posted 11 years ago # -
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@comadad: Stop the Killing: Die-In/Vigil at TfL HQ, 1700-1830 Friday, 29 November 2013 @highburyonfoot @jon_events https://t.co/0T2jnTi6dP"
Posted 11 years ago # -
On Radio 4 Today - woman from RoadPeace saying sensible things - John Humphreys interviewing constructively - both highlighting aspects of 'lorry issues'.
Posted 11 years ago #
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