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"Letters: Cyclists should gear up for a crackdown"

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  1. Rob
    Member

    http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/news/letters-cyclists-should-gear-up-for-a-crackdown-1-4535893

    "
    It is about time something was done about this. The cycling groups in Edinburgh are very voluble about how there should be more money spent on cycle lanes, and Councillor Lesley Macinnes says they are spending money to ensure that this will be done, but, what about the pedestrians who suffer the anti-social behaviour of this group of “road” users.

    There are many people who walk in the city with unseen disabilities, Deafness, partially sighted etc. What are the council doing to protect these people and the other residents of Edinburgh who like to walk in safety?
    "

    My emphasis.

    Comments are disabled, presumably because he answered all his own questions.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  2. jules878
    Member

    No idea who author "William Greig Whyte" is, but Mr Google highlights at least two other letters published in EEN/Scotsman over the years moaning about cyclists!

    Saturday 29 August 2009

    REGARDING the ongoing debate about cyclists in Edinburgh ignoring road safety, I was walking along London Road recently, at the junction of London Rd and Easter Road I watched as a cyclist wove through traffic that was stopped at the traffic lights and proceeded to go through a red light, ignoring the pedestrians who were trying to cross Easter Road and riding through them. It is actions such as this, as well as cycling on the pavements, that put people in this city against this particular section of road users. William Greig Whyte, Piersfield Grove, Edinburgh

    AND ALSO

    Thursday 01 May 2014

    Drivers should not be assumed guilty party WITH reference to the recent issue of making drivers automatically responsible for any accident involving cyclists until they prove otherwise, this is entirely wrong. It is the practice in the UK that you are innocent until proven guilty. The suggested approach to any incident involving cyclists is flawed. Cyclists MUST take responsibility for their own safety by obeying the rules and laws of the road; by recognising that red lights mean stop; that it is very dangerous to weave in and out of traffic; that the pavements are for pedestrians, unless otherwise indicated. Not all disabilities are obvious, members of my family are hearing impaired and if a cyclist rides on the pavement, people with this disability cannot hear them. And lights are a requirement, not an option. I admit that all drivers are not saints, but they are licensed, pay tax for their cars and fuel, and must have insurance and an MOT if the car is older than three years. Cyclists do not need to meet these standards; perhaps they should, then they can complain! William Greig Whyte, Piersfield Grove, Edinburgh

    Posted 6 years ago #

  3. chdot
    Admin

    "

    What are the council doing to protect these people and the other residents of Edinburgh who like to walk in safety?

    "

    The simple answer is not enough.

    Of course as 'we' all know, Mr. Whyte, CEC and so many other people/orgs largely ignore the real problems and exaggerate those caused by people on bikes.

    There have been many threads on here about 'cyclists' responsibilities' - and the whole notion of whether 'bad' cyclists make things worse for 'better' riders.

    "

    Cyclists MUST take responsibility for their own safety by obeying the rules and laws of the road; by recognising that red lights mean stop; that it is very dangerous to weave in and out of traffic; that the pavements are for pedestrians, unless otherwise indicated.

    "

    Well yes, but the idea that these are the biggest danger is myopic.

    Not clear whether 'weaving and out of traffic' is a genuine concern or just a (common) misconception about it not being 'right'/legal.

    Mr. Whyte does represent people who can be both misguided and feel genuinely disadvantaged.

    I just wish that orgs that campaigning on 'cycling' and 'walking' (and 'sustainable transport') would work together more closely and champion pedestrian issues (e.g. crossing times/light sequences) more effectively.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  4. chdot
    Admin

    More backlash than crackdown, but this sort of thing will have more detremental effects on 'vulnerable road users' by further poisoning minds than any amount of RLJing -

    "

    Cyclist receives INSTANT justice after abusing motorists and THIS happens

    "

    In the Express if anyone really wants to look.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  5. gembo
    Member

    Copenhagen, Amsterdam have designed out conflict? Or they are more laidback than celts and Anglo Saxons?

    Posted 6 years ago #

  6. HankChief
    Member

    Anyone want to write a letter to the EEN acknowledging his relevant points but debunking his collective responsibility arguments...

    Posted 6 years ago #

  7. Trixie
    Member

    The recent letter left me confused when I read it. Surely if squads of kamikaze cyclists are endangering vulnerable pedestrians then he would welcome segregated cycle infrastructure to keep these menaces off the footpath? Complete with tactile paving and well marked and policed for parked cars so that pedestrians can be kept safe.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  8. Morningsider
    Member

    Odd how cycling is always identified as causing some kind of problem by opponents, yet their solution is always to do nothing about it - making especially sure that no money is ever spent solving that problem.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  9. gembo
    Member

    I think the letter writer wants cyclists to follow the Highway Code. It is a weak argument, why should cyclists do this when Drives flout this all the time? Causing more risk to pedestrians than cyclists.

    His other weak arguments around cyclists not paying road tax also show a degree of ignorance.

    Visually impaired people have a tough time getting around, every sympathy for them. We should all be in it together. we should all look out for each other. Some days I am so zen that if a white van drives right up to me waiting at lights and is so keen to get in front I just wave him through when the lights change. Some days less zen.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  10. mgj
    Member

    He may be wrong about whether cyclists should have collective responsibility but a sizeable section of drivists do apply that. We can try and argue that is unfair, but we should recognise it is unfortunately true...

    Posted 6 years ago #

  11. gkgk
    Member

    The circulation is chopping in half every 4 years just now. About 15k at moment. I wonder at what point their weird bee-in-bonnet letters stop mattering to us.

    Posted 6 years ago #

  12. Klaxon
    Member

    Continuing to publish letters like this however does do a good job of driving regular, repeat visits to their website

    Posted 6 years ago #

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