Mutual respect - long-ish

While searching for something unrelated i cam across this gem. Some folk
from both sides of the cyclist/motorist divide may well benefit from taking
heed of its advice. It would make the roads a nicer place for all.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/group...age/dft_rdsafe
ty_504539.hcsp

Motorists and cyclists both have a right to use Britain's roads - a right to
safe and enjoyable travel. Both share a responsibility to understand each
other's needs - and to respond positively.

This information aims to make motorists and cyclists more aware of one
another, and to counter the intolerance that can develop between them - in
short, to establish a climate of mutual courtesy and care

What cyclists would like motorists to know
1.. Cyclists are more vulnerable than motorists - drivers have the major
responsibility to take care. Rain, wind and poor visibility make conditions
worse for cyclists.
2.. Cyclists can feel threatened by inconsiderate driving. They have a
right to space on the road and need extra room at junctions and roundabouts
where cars change speed, position and direction.
3.. Cyclists ride away from the kerb, not to annoy motorists but to:
a.. avoid drains, potholes and debris
b.. be seen as they come to junctions with side roads
c.. discourage drivers from squeezing past when it's too narrow
4.. Cyclists turning right are exposed - and need extra consideration from
motorists, especially on multi-lane roads with fast-moving traffic.
5.. Cyclists can be forced into faster traffic - by vehicles parked in
cycle lanes, at junctions or on double yellow lines.
6.. Cyclists are dazzled by full-beam headlights, like everyone else.
7.. Cyclists can be fast movers - 20mph or more.
What motorists can do
1.. Think bike. Expect to see cyclists, and take care.
2.. Slow down and drive smoothly. Keep within speed limits. Expect sudden
movements by cyclists, especially in windy weather and on bad road surfaces.

Signal: always at roundabouts and every time you pass a cyclist

Watch for riders on the inside when you turn left. Don't cut them up.

3.. Give cyclists space - at least half a car's width - and never force
past them. Be patient - a few seconds for a cyclist hardly affects your
total journey time.
4.. Right-turning cyclists need space and time.
5.. Park considerately. Always look for cyclists before opening a car
door.
6.. Use dipped headlights.
7.. Expect speed from bikes. Think of a bike as a vehicle - it is.
What motorists would like cyclists to know
1.. Motorists get upset if cyclists ride without lights at night, ignore
red traffic lights or hop on and off the pavement.
2.. Motorists usually travel faster than cyclists and may have less time
to take account of hazards.
3.. Motorists may not always see cyclists.
4.. Motorists are made uneasy when cyclists seem hesitant, move out
suddenly or wobble around potholes.
5.. Motorists can feel delayed by cyclist.
6.. Motorists don't always understand that some road surfaces, junctions
or traffic conditions cause problems for cyclists.
What cyclists can do
1.. Follow the Highway Code.
Don't
a.. jump red lights
b.. ride on pavements (unless they are shared paths)
c.. ride the wrong way in one-way streets (unless signs say that cyclists
are permitted to do so)
d.. ride across pedestrian crossings
2.. Think ahead. Anticipate drivers' actions. Catch their eye.
3.. Be visible. Ride well clear of the kerb, wear bright clothing, and
always use lights after dark or in poor day-time visibility.
4.. Show drivers what you plan to do. Always look and signal before you
start, stop or turn. Ride a straight line past parked cars rather than dodge
between them.
5.. Move over, when it's safe and convenient. Two-abreast is often OK, but
try not to hold up other traffic.
6.. Ride positively and decisively. It helps motorists to understand what
you plan to do.
Mutual respect and consideration make for safer and more enjoyable travel.
Always acknowledging a courtesy does make a difference.

Motorists and cyclists both have a right to use Britain's roads - a right to
safe and enjoyable travel. Both share a responsibility to understand each
other's needs - and to respond positively.

Indeed they do, and the greater share of the responsibility *should* lie with
the motorist as he/she is the one propelling a tonne or more of metal at speed
on the road. This does *not* absolve the cyclist of responsibility for his/her
own safety, and nor does it mean cyclists and drivers should ignore the rules
of the road. From my experiences as a pedestrian, cyclist & motorist, it's the
motorists who scare the hell out of me the most as too many think they own the
road and can do as they want (look at the outcry on cameras catching poor
beleageured motorists who speed - it's forgotten they *are* breaking the law).
It's also the appalling way the legal system in this country turns a blind eye
to manslaughter/attempted murder when the weapon of choice is a motorvehicle...

Cheers, helen s


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spot on



--

dirtylitterboxofferingstospammers wrote:
It's also the appalling way the legal system in this
country turns a blind eye to manslaughter/attempted murder when the
weapon of choice is a motorvehicle...

Cheers, Helen s


I don't want to appear carping, as most of what you write I find well
argued, sound and very sensible. Your line on helmets, for instance, follows
a well thought and well considered middle ground.

But, with the above I think you fall into the elephant trap that is the
occupational hazard of many cyclists: the *******s are out to get me!
"Manslaughter/attempted murder" and speaking of "weapons" weaken your
argument. The number of cases where murder or weapon is the legally
appropriate term is miniscule.


If you'd said:

"It's also appalling the way the legal system in this country turns a blind
eye to careless, dangerous and reckless driving even when no-one is injured
and doubly appalling when such behaviour causes injury or death."

Then you are on ground that no-one, not even the most rabidly anti-cyclist
motorist could disagree with - because they too are the victim of such
behaviour. And you take the point onto the normal everyday road environment
instead of focussing on the accident after it happens.

pk

the *******s are out to get me!

Sadly *some* of them *are* out to get cyclists and it's in that context I wrote
as I did.

"Manslaughter/attempted murder" and speaking of "weapons" weaken your
argument.



Not to me. 3500+ deaths on our roads annually, with tens of thousands more each
year injured by motor vehicles is carnage as far as I am concerned. Many
motorists are fine - when cycling I acknowledge courtesy whenever I can
(including writing to the companies of commercial drivers who have shown
courtesy), but nonetheless, there is a minority of motorists who *deliberately*
intimidate cyclists and do try to injure them. One I refer to in particular is
the Carl Baxter case. See
http://www.motorcarnage.org.uk/motor...e/justice.html for details. The
sooner we get motorists (and I am a motorist too) to realise the potentially
lethal nature of propelling a tonne or more of metal at speed into the human
body, the better. If they had used a gun to kill someone - even in an
"accident", I suggest the penalty meted out by the courts could be
substantially stronger then the £100 fines that seem to about what courts want
to mete out when a person is killed/injured by someone wielding a motor
vehicle.

The number of cases where murder or weapon is the legally
appropriate term is miniscule.

That's *exactly* the mind set and situation that should be changed.

If you'd said:

"It's also appalling the way the legal system in this country turns a blind
eye to careless, dangerous and reckless driving even when no-one is injured
and doubly appalling when such behaviour causes injury or death."

Your words, not mine - and you can use whatever words you want :-)


And you take the point onto the normal everyday road environment
instead of focussing on the accident after it happens.

There's the rub - I don't see many as "accidents" to me an "accident" is
something unavoidable, yet all too many cases where cyclists & pedestrians in
particular are killed or injured by someone behind the wheel of a motor vehicle
are not accidents as they could be prevented by the motorist driving legally,
safely, responsibly and with an acceptance of the potentially lethal nature of
what they are doing. And yes, I include myself in this.

Cheers, helen s


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