Do We Need Tougher Cycling Laws?

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-41028321
After this case there have been calls for tougher cycling laws but I don't think we need them, we just need to more rigorously enforce the more than adequate ones we have. Eg stop riding on the pavement, through red lights, no lights, no brakes, non road bikes etc. All we have to do is get serious with what we have not introduce more to ignore. This guy was riding an illegal bike for example and should not even have been on the road. Lets start prosecuting cycling offences.

[youngmafbog]

Quite right, until we are enforcing the ones we do have absolute waste of time introducing more.

However once we are enforcing current laws I suspect we may need to return and see what else is needed.

[-Talbot-]

Do you two ever disagree?


Better cycling lanes are needed.

[youngmafbog]

Quite often, try a thread on the Royal family for instance.

[ToraToraTora]

... or the FBWD; http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1567140.html for example

[-Talbot-]

There's no disagreement on that thread.

[youngmafbog]

I think you will find there is. I am happy to trial legalising cannabis TTT is not. Cant get much more of a disagreement than that!

[paddywak]

The laws we have should definately be enforced,they should also bring in some legal form of training for cyclists as many of them just don't seem to realise that they are just as responsable for road safety as any other road user.

[woofgang]

I think what is needed is not law but attitude. While there is a feeling among some, not all, cyclists that cycling in some way is saving the world from global warming and that cyclists are right and everyone else is wrong, then the law will be ignored.

[Pete65]

No.

[ToraToraTora]

yes woofgang but that must start with more prosecutions. Almost every cyclist I see is illegal in some way, usually one of the big 3: 1) riding on the pavement, 2) ignoring red lights, 3) riding without lights.

[gness]

If we were to adopt the attitude The Netherlands has towards cycling and cyclists we'd solve many of the problems and difficulties cyclists have in this country ......which would be to the advantage of motorists and pedestrians too..... but we won't.....:-(

[gness]

Woof......over the past three years I've become involved with and got to know many cyclists.....none of us cycle with that attitude......

[-Talbot-]

youngmafbog
I think you will find there is.




I think you will find there isn't.
A nice lefty love in with you and Jim which is super to see.

Yes we need to invest in some decent cycle routes, gness.

[woofgang]

gness, that’s why I said some, not all.

[jim360]

"I think you will find there isn't.
A nice lefty love in with you and Jim which is super to see."

I know, I'm still walking funny a few days after.

Better enforcement should be fine. That and some insistence that cyclists actually require a modicum of training before they can take to the road. And improving the cycle network so that cyclists can avoid the main roads more easily.

[gness]

We do indeed, Talbot......and we need to look at the way other countries train cyclists from an early age and train learner drivers how to drive with regard for cyclists....

It's not two hours since we followed a car on a good country road and watched the woman driving overtake a cyclist...amazingly giving him some room.....but unfortunately scaring the daylights out of the oncoming motorist who, happily, had a wide grass verge to steer onto and sit for a while to recover......

I do see bad cycling but not from what I call serious and dedicated cyclists who want to live but the most common and dangerous actions are those of the motorist who has to overtake us come hell or high water.....x

[ChillDoubt]

No, the laws are fine, they just need enforcing properly and to build a proper cycling infrastructure.

I'm an avid cyclist but hate seeing cyclists riding without lights and would like to see them properly dealt with.

But as I said on the other thread I'd also like to see to see the same for jay-walking, mobile-using pedestrians.

[jourdain2]

I have just a couple of problems with cyclists. Mainly that a lot don't obey the law. I was driving into Filey the other week and there is a clearly marked cycling lane on both sides of the road. I was stuck behind 2 cyclists riding abreast and both of them were outside the cycling lane and blocking the car lane. What's the point of cycling lanes if cyclists don't use them?

My other grouse is that none or them seem to have bells on their bikes these days. We walk on lanes with sharp bends. Like every one else we keep our dog on an extending lead and pull him in as soon as we hear a car/tractor approaching. The only accidents that have nearly happened have been with cyclists whizzing up silently - they never even yell. What happened to 'give audible warning of approach'? They do seem to be a law unto themselves. Sensible cyclists (and I know they exist - they are the ones who say a cheery 'Hello' as they pass :)) need to bring pressure to bear otherwise there will be a backlash.

Seriously, has the need to have a bell on your bike been rescinded?

[gness]

J....next time we meet I'll bring my combination light/bell.....it's fantastic.... ;-)

Oh and I missed you, Woof.....yes, I read your answer.....and I said that I don't know anyone with that attitude....you do.....I don't....x

[ChillDoubt]

A bell is not required by law, surprisingly.
I use a small siren type which is about as loud as those rape alarms that some females carry.

I Aldo have lights on my bike AND helmet, I've seen how people drive so like to give myself every chance, as evidenced on my near-miss YouTube clip I've posted on here a few times.