Guardian piece here tldr - yes it looks very much like he is appealing to the 4x4 driving gammon completely ignoring the DfT "Pouring cold water" on the same proposals back in 2019 as too expensive to implement for very little back.
Then it goes on to say compare the deaths caused by cycling average 2 per year vs 1700 from car deaths.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Grant Shapps "war on cyclists"
(7 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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It’s all related to the absurd ‘protect Boris, deflect from the incompetence of the Gov’ obsession.
But it will have consequences -
“
Overall, the media treatment of cyclists has deteriorated recently. The Mail has routinely run scare stories about bikes for years – but the previously bike-positive Times declared in January that it now supported registration plates.
This media coverage matters. Some studies have linked anti-cycling media coverage to drivers being more aggressive towards cyclists on the roads. So while it’s tempting to write off Shapps’ comments – given how unlikely his ideas are to be implemented – the consequences for cyclists on roads could be much more serious.
“
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/aug/17/cyclists-grant-shapps-culture-wars
Posted 1 year ago # -
I like Peter walker's tweet: 3 times as many people killed by cows as by bicycles. although I suppose someone might point out that cows are tagged...
Posted 1 year ago # -
The one I heard was:
"More than twice as many people are killed by bees and wasps per year than by cyclists. Also, bees can travel at up to 32km/h. Numberplates on bees!"
Posted 1 year ago # -
Daily Mail in England had the crackdown on 'reckless' cyclists a few weeks ago. (Yes we do wreck less)
Scottish Daily Mail used the word 'KILLER' instead.
Cue gammom anger from aged section of population intent on driving everywhere.
Younger people get cycling but not surprisingly often avoid roads. This of course chimes in with random pavements being shared use.Posted 1 year ago # -
Here's an historic commentary given that the first bicycle shop opened in 1819 (203 years ago) and the issue of third party liability has been covered (& first? tested in 1840 in Glasgow)with no issues about requiring either a substantial cash bond (currently £0.5m for a car) or an insurance policy
Just to wind up those rapid Daily Mail readers I would state clearly that I ALWAYS cycle on pavements, mostly carriageways, but my last RTC involved a seriously defective pavement repair done by Scottish Water contractors effectively wrecking a 175 year old pavement which survives in great condition where no utility contractors have touched it - in theory there is a directive to repair it in matching materials for the conservation area conditions.... in practice .... no chance
Its 203 years since the first cycle shop opened in London's Long Acre, (and its still a bike shop - Brompton Junction) with cycles formally recognised in law as carriages per Section 72 Highways Act 1835, with 1888 (Local Government Act) (with case law - 1878, and public liability issues addressed by famous case of 'Mad Pate' riding in to Glasgow from Thornhill, Dumfriesshire in 1840
In over 200 years the liability of cycle users for harm caused to persons or property (third parties) has always been addressed directly by the cycle user, who, unlike a driver, is almost always
(1) identifiable by direct sight from all present at the scene
(2) rarely able to flee after any incident, and easily detained by those present (victim or witnesses)
(3) with almost every adult, in the UK and by family relationships, almost every minor, already covered by the third party liability insurance that is part of their household insurance policy, for everyday utility cycling. As with motor car insurance, the regular policy will cover social, domestic and pleasure, but very specifically excludes use of the 'carriage' in any form of competition (racing, car rallies &c - which require a special licence & insurance supplement), and also exclude use of the 'carriage' for travel at 'work' (*)
(*) Work can include Deliveroo, Just Eat, Urb-it &c riders some of whom are clearly riding Class Q electric mopeds in Glasgow at speeds in excess of the 15mph EAPC limit, and using a 'throttle' control, with no registration, or insurance, and probably no driving licence either. As yet no statements from @PoliceScotland
on their policy on enforcement. I'd also note that Nextbike and other cycle hire systems prohibit use of their cycles for commercial activity, but this seems to be widely ignoredPosted 1 year ago # -
@Neddie - number plates on bees. I am so glad I returned to this site, that has made my Friday
Posted 1 year ago #
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