Irish Times letter: A rough ride in the cycle lane

flickerx

Letter today in the Irish Times. Interesting reading considering the recent thread about bus drivers using cyclists as target practice on the N11.

http://www.irishtimes.com/letters/index.html#1224256099828

tomasrojo

The road surfaces for motor vehicles are better maintained and smoother.

Which is why we should use the road where possible. Such as the N11.

hobochris

tomasrojo wrote: »

Which is why we should use the road where possible. Such as the N11.

One thing I will say on this While I have no problem with cyclists using the road(we stay out of each others way and everyone is gets to where they are going), I wish there was an education drive or a road Safety advert aimed at new commuter cyclists/new bikers(as many new cyclists cycle like they drive a car.. blind).

In the motorcycle world we have a safety practice drilled into any motorcyclist who has had training called the lifesaver(its basically checking your blind spot before committing to any maneuver), while many experienced commuter cyclists(like bikers) do do lifesavers as its common sense, many others don't.

Sadly though this precious nugget of information hasn't made it down to the ranks to the newbie commuter cyclist, I have seen many cut across lanes without looking behind them, forcing any vehicles passing them to drop the anchors..

Its not just new cyclists though some newbie motorcycle riders(who in there depths of wisdom :rolleyes: haven't sought training) also seem to do this, which is why I think there should be a safety advert informing everyone who uses any type of two wheeled transport about the lifesaver practice.

Sadly though from previous dealings with the RSA on similar safety matters I'd put money on this campaign idea ending up "on file".

tomasrojo

I would love to see training, based on Cyclecraft. That would be great.

seamus

A frickin leaflet with basic tips delivered to every home would be *something*. Anyone got a phone number for John Gormley?

cosmic

I used to cycle that route 9 years ago (ugh, now I feel old ) and I remember thinking that the bike lanes were in a state back then. I've cycled it a few times recently and noticed that the same cycle lanes haven't been modified since then. That's shocking! :eek:

tomasrojo

seamus wrote: »

A frickin leaflet with basic tips delivered to every home would be *something*. Anyone got a phone number for John Gormley?

The Galway Cycling Campaign did a really good leaflet a few years back, based on Cyclecraft. Covered a surprising amount in a very short space.

adodsk

do they not run the cycling proficiency test in schools?

seamus

adodsk wrote: »

do they not run the cycling proficiency test in schools?

Cycling pro-wha?

Aside from a brief promotion of the big red mushroom-shaped helmets at one point and a warning about not getting on your bike until you had left the school grounds, cycling was never discussed at school, afair.

tunney

hobochris wrote: »

One thing I will say on this While I have no problem with cyclists using the road(we stay out of each others way and everyone is gets to where they are going), I wish there was an education drive or a road Safety advert aimed at new commuter cyclists/new bikers(as many new cyclists cycle like they drive a car.. blind).

In the motorcycle world we have a safety practice drilled into any motorcyclist who has had training called the lifesaver(its basically checking your blind spot before committing to any maneuver), while many experienced commuter cyclists(like bikers) do do lifesavers as its common sense, many others don't.

Sadly though this precious nugget of information hasn't made it down to the ranks to the newbie commuter cyclist, I have seen many cut across lanes without looking behind them, forcing any vehicles passing them to drop the anchors..

Its not just new cyclists though some newbie motorcycle riders(who in there depths of wisdom :rolleyes: haven't sought training) also seem to do this, which is why I think there should be a safety advert informing everyone who uses any type of two wheeled transport about the lifesaver practice.

Sadly though from previous dealings with the RSA on similar safety matters I'd put money on this campaign idea ending up "on file".

This isn't just newbie bikers - its motorists too. Lots of people just don't check if a lane is occupied (by a car, bike, cyclist) when they change lanes.

Indicators are an indication of a desire to move, not a mechanism to automatically bestow a right to move.

Chips Lovell

hobochris wrote: »

I wish there was an education drive or a road Safety advert aimed at new commuter cyclists/new bikers(as many new cyclists cycle like they drive a car.. blind).

I think a series of tv adverts would be a very useful initiative. Perhaps one aimed at cyclists themselves and another aimed at motorists. Key points to get across should be to stress that cycling isn't dangerous as long as you follow a few basic safety practices, e.g look, signal and make sure you have room before changing lane, use lights at night, not move up the inside of HGVs etc. For motorists stress that bikes are traffic too and the same precautions should be applied when overtaking as with any other vehicle.

WicklowRacer

flickerx wrote: »

Letter today in the Irish Times. Interesting reading considering the recent thread about bus drivers using cyclists as target practice on the N11.

http://www.irishtimes.com/letters/index.html#1224256099828

On the upside, the N11 cycle lane into town is some of the best urban singletrack I've ever ridden....

emtroche

hobochris wrote: »

I wish there was an education drive or a road Safety advert aimed at new commuter cyclists/new bikers

Also how bout everybody doing some kind of cyclist awareness course (on a bike) when they do their driving test.

tomasrojo

There is a slight problem there, in that there are some people who can drive, but not cycle.

Cyclist.ie said that they'd like to see "improved driver instruction, training and testing regimes that include safe interaction with cyclists". I think your suggestion would fall under that.

Jawgap

adodsk wrote: »

do they not run the cycling proficiency test in schools?

Yes. My kids have just finished it and it goes to prove that "safety is a matter of attitude" - even though that sounds trite.

The eldest one (hereinafter referred to as the sensible one) took all the training to heart. He diligently checks his bike and his kit every time we go for a cycle and berates me for not checking mine or for failing to make the correct hand signals at junctions.

The youngest one (nuttyboy) thinks helmets are to be worn at a jaunty angle and won't be terribly interested in hand signals until one is developed that communicates to everyone that "I'm about to pull a wheelie." Naturally enough he goes nowhere on his bike unsupervised!

hobochris wrote: »

.......the lifesaver(its basically checking your blind spot before committing to any maneuver), while many experienced commuter cyclists(like bikers) do do lifesavers as its common sense, many others don't.

Sadly though this precious nugget of information hasn't made it down to the ranks to the newbie commuter cyclist, I have seen many cut across lanes without looking behind them, forcing any vehicles passing them to drop the anchors..

Its not just new cyclists though some newbie motorcycle riders(who in there depths of wisdom :rolleyes: haven't sought training) also seem to do this, which is why I think there should be a safety advert informing everyone who uses any type of two wheeled transport about the lifesaver practice.

Sadly though from previous dealings with the RSA on similar safety matters I'd put money on this campaign idea ending up "on file".

+1. If all cyclists did lifesavers out of habit and stayed away from going down the left side of HGVs a lot could be done to correct the perception that commuting by bike is dangerous.

ED E

Cycling education in schools? FO! Not a chance. Wear a helmet, dont cycle on the grounds, lock it in the shed.

I know loads of lads who dont know how to cycle safely at all, should be at least a theory test, but in practicality thats never gonna happen.