Are Cyclists to Blame For Bad Cycling Safety?

London is treacherous for cycling and as such we will be exploring the different points of view as to just who is to blame for this situation. Reckless drivers? Unwary pedestrians? Or gung-ho cyclists themselves with little care for their own survival.

Cyclists and Traffic Lights

Red. Green. Two very different colours. Stop, go- two very different motions. The latter is likely to end badly for all road users when combined with the first colour. Unusually, there seems to be an extreme lack of understanding of this concept amongst the velocipede fraternity. They even have a little box before most junctions to hover in quietly out of the way of motorists.

Some have the clever idea of getting off and becoming pedestrians to use the crossing- which is impatient but actually perfectly appropriate.

Left Turns

This really isn’t the cyclist’s fault. But if a lorry is turning left, don’t take this as a moment to state your right of way. Obviously this is also a limitation of cycle lanes since they don’t cover a crossing, just as cyclists don’t want to and shouldn’t have to stop every time to look both ways.

 

 

Lights

Hardly any cyclists in London seem to use lights. While Santander Cycles have the clever green bike on the pavement in front of them, most personal bikes have nothing. London may be well lit but a driver’s glance in the mirror won’t notice a moving shadow. Also, pedestrians need to be able to see you coming.

 

 

Bell-End

Persistently ringing your bell at pedestrians is rather rude and annoying. However, given they are likely wearing earphones the chances of an atomic bomb rousing their vacant minds is slim. As annoying as it is, slowing down and anticipating their suicidal tendencies rather like a driver is safer than a swerving into traffic.

 

Lycra doesn’t make you superman

You may be wearing more spandex than the full Rocky Horror cast, but your timewarp qualities are as limited as your fleshy skin is fragile. Your fancy road bike is still likely to fall over no matter how many NASA materials are in it.

 

 

 

Wear a Helmet

Kind of makes sense? Some say you are less likely to have an accident without a helmet, owing to the compensative risk psychology. Basically your lack of protection means you’re more aware. However, get in an accident- which let’s face it probably isn’t going to be your fault- and an external shell makes a lot of sense.

 

 

Don’t be a Dick

This is one for all our articles on the culprits of cycling safety, as much as general guidance for life. Some people are dicks to cyclists. However, many cyclists are dicks to other people. The result is frustration enhanced by rushing around in your boil-in-the-bag MAMIL getup. One aggravated misjudged moment could cost you a lot more than not returning that middle finger.

Headphones

Hearing is a vital sense. As every cyclist knows from dosey-shit pedestrians, earphones completely remove someone from their surroundings, especially as they’re also looking at their phone. The same is true of cyclists.

While rocking out to Pantera is sure to get your mileage up, or Radio 4 podcasts make your exercise time educational, you won’t hear some important sounds of surroundings.

Just…   don’t cycle?

Obviously, this is not a productive response. But is it worth it? London has one of the best public transport systems in the world (much as we discredit it). How many cyclists wear gas-mask style respirators to avoid inhaling the city air? Maybe they’re on to something. Do the exercise and economic benefits really outweigh the potential costs? Some go for the pavement-friendly commuter scooter.

 

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