Collisions with cyclists double during lockdown

QUOTE:
The number of road collisions involving cyclists has doubled since lockdown began, according to new insight from Co-op Insurance.

The insurer is anticipating that following the government’s announcement of a £2billion package to create emergency bike lanes and streets to support the transport network, sales of bicycles will continue to increase and could lead to novice riders venturing onto busy roads.

As part of its commitment to help keep communities safe, the insurer in partnership with road safety charity, Brake, is therefore urging both motorists and cyclists to take extra care when on the roads.

The claims made regarding the doubling of cyclist collisions is based on Co-op Insurance data between 20 March and 28 May 2020.

Nick Ansley, Head of Motor Insurance at Co-op, said: “It’s clear that lockdown is prompting many people to start new hobbies and forms of exercise including cycling and whilst this is great to see, it’s unfortunately leading to an increase in collisions.

“We’re therefore urging motorists to give plenty of space to cyclists and be mindful of all other road users when driving. We’re also reminding cyclists to remain safe and alert by following road safety guidelines when using the roads to help improve the wellbeing of communities.�

Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns at Brake, said: “These new figures from Co-op Insurance, indicating a huge increase in claims for collisions with cyclists, are very concerning. We implore all drivers to always keep well within speed limits and to be extra vigilant as people use local roads for their daily exercise.

“It’s vital that drivers are aware of the risk they pose to other, more vulnerable, road users and to make sure they slow down, only overtake when absolutely safe to do so and always leave plenty of room.

“Every crash impacts lives and increases the burden on our stretched emergency services and NHS.�

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post

On Thursday, 4 June 2020 11:16:26 UTC+1, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
The number of road collisions involving cyclists has doubled since lockdown began, according to new insight from Co-op Insurance.

The insurer is anticipating that following the government’s announcement of a £2billion package to create emergency bike lanes and streets to support the transport network, sales of bicycles will continue to increase and could lead to novice riders venturing onto busy roads.

As part of its commitment to help keep communities safe, the insurer in partnership with road safety charity, Brake, is therefore urging both motorists and cyclists to take extra care when on the roads.

The claims made regarding the doubling of cyclist collisions is based on Co-op Insurance data between 20 March and 28 May 2020.

Nick Ansley, Head of Motor Insurance at Co-op, said: “It’s clear that lockdown is prompting many people to start new hobbies and forms of exercise including cycling and whilst this is great to see, it’s unfortunately leading to an increase in collisions.

“We’re therefore urging motorists to give plenty of space to cyclists and be mindful of all other road users when driving. We’re also reminding cyclists to remain safe and alert by following road safety guidelines when using the roads to help improve the wellbeing of communities.�

Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns at Brake, said: “These new figures from Co-op Insurance, indicating a huge increase in claims for collisions with cyclists, are very concerning. We implore all drivers to always keep well within speed limits and to be extra vigilant as people use local roads for their daily exercise.

“It’s vital that drivers are aware of the risk they pose to other, more vulnerable, road users and to make sure they slow down, only overtake when absolutely safe to do so and always leave plenty of room.

“Every crash impacts lives and increases the burden on our stretched emergency services and NHS.�

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow the Highway Code would be better.

On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and
obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow
the Highway Code would be better.

When I learnt to drive most of the time was spent going backwards,
waving an arm out of the window and shuffling the steering wheel. The
test provided very little that was actually useful so everything was
immediately forgotten and the proper driving stuff had to be self-taught.

I know that arm waving has now gone but one hopes that modern drivers
are better equipped.

On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:
On Thursday, 4 June 2020 11:16:26 UTC+1, Simon Mason wrote:
QUOTE:
The number of road collisions involving cyclists has doubled since lockdown began, according to new insight from Co-op Insurance.

The insurer is anticipating that following the government’s announcement of a £2billion package to create emergency bike lanes and streets to support the transport network, sales of bicycles will continue to increase and could lead to novice riders venturing onto busy roads.

As part of its commitment to help keep communities safe, the insurer in partnership with road safety charity, Brake, is therefore urging both motorists and cyclists to take extra care when on the roads.

The claims made regarding the doubling of cyclist collisions is based on Co-op Insurance data between 20 March and 28 May 2020.

Nick Ansley, Head of Motor Insurance at Co-op, said: “It’s clear that lockdown is prompting many people to start new hobbies and forms of exercise including cycling and whilst this is great to see, it’s unfortunately leading to an increase in collisions.

“We’re therefore urging motorists to give plenty of space to cyclists and be mindful of all other road users when driving. We’re also reminding cyclists to remain safe and alert by following road safety guidelines when using the roads to help improve the wellbeing of communities.�

Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns at Brake, said: “These new figures from Co-op Insurance, indicating a huge increase in claims for collisions with cyclists, are very concerning. We implore all drivers to always keep well within speed limits and to be extra vigilant as people use local roads for their daily exercise.

“It’s vital that drivers are aware of the risk they pose to other, more vulnerable, road users and to make sure they slow down, only overtake when absolutely safe to do so and always leave plenty of room.

“Every crash impacts lives and increases the burden on our stretched emergency services and NHS.�

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow the Highway Code would be better.

Oh... the irony...

On 05/06/2020 09:25, TMS320 wrote:

On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and
obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow
the Highway Code would be better.

When I learnt to drive most of the time was spent going backwards,
waving an arm out of the window and shuffling the steering wheel. The
test provided very little that was actually useful so everything was
immediately forgotten and the proper driving stuff had to be self-taught.

You are Mr Toad and where do I get my £5?

I know that arm waving has now gone but one hopes that modern drivers
are better equipped.

On Friday, June 5, 2020 at 9:25:10 AM UTC+1, TMS320 wrote:
On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and
obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow
the Highway Code would be better.

When I learnt to drive most of the time was spent going backwards,
waving an arm out of the window and shuffling the steering wheel. The
test provided very little that was actually useful so everything was
immediately forgotten and the proper driving stuff had to be self-taught.

Same here - I didn't actually have any driving lessons at all as I learned in my Dad's car.

On 05/06/2020 12:09, JNugent wrote:
On 05/06/2020 09:25, TMS320 wrote:
On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and
obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow
the Highway Code would be better.

When I learnt to drive most of the time was spent going backwards,
waving an arm out of the window and shuffling the steering wheel. The
test provided very little that was actually useful so everything was
immediately forgotten and the proper driving stuff had to be self-taught.

You are Mr Toad and where do I get my £5?

I will tell you where to find it when you're ready to go by bike.

But you aren't young enough to have done a different test. Perhaps you
still shuffle and wave your arms around because you do everything you
are told. I imagine you wear gloves and a hat - well, you would
obviously want to since you need the window open.

Do you also find the windscreen wipers stop when going uphill?

On 05/06/2020 14:26, TMS320 wrote:

On 05/06/2020 12:09, JNugent wrote:
On 05/06/2020 09:25, TMS320 wrote:
On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and
obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow
the Highway Code would be better.

When I learnt to drive most of the time was spent going backwards,
waving an arm out of the window and shuffling the steering wheel. The
test provided very little that was actually useful so everything was
immediately forgotten and the proper driving stuff had to be
self-taught.

You are Mr Toad and where do I get my £5?

I will tell you where to find it when you're ready to go by bike.

But you aren't young enough to have done a different test. Perhaps you
still shuffle and wave your arms around because you do everything you
are told. I imagine you wear gloves and a hat - well, you would
obviously want to since you need the window open.

Do you also find the windscreen wipers stop when going uphill?

I *am* surprised that any "aware" cyclist here has the nerve to mention
windscreen wipers.

I'll tell you one thing: the wipers on my car *work*. And there's no way
that I would set off on a journey across a continent without the car
fully compliant with the Construction & Use Regulations.

If only all of us here could make the same honest claim, eh, Mr Toad?

PS: The Mr Toad reference is to your laughable reference back to that
time-honured fallacy "You only learn to drive after you pass your test".
I bet you think you drive better after a few pints as well.

Parp! parp!

On 05/06/2020 13:17, Simon Mason wrote:
On Friday, June 5, 2020 at 9:25:10 AM UTC+1, TMS320 wrote:
On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:

Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and
obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow
the Highway Code would be better.

When I learnt to drive most of the time was spent going backwards,
waving an arm out of the window and shuffling the steering wheel. The
test provided very little that was actually useful so everything was
immediately forgotten and the proper driving stuff had to be self-taught.

Same here - I didn't actually have any driving lessons at all as I learned in my Dad's car.

Why am I not surprised?

An instructor might have explained to you how the car has to be properly
roadworthy.

On 13:17 5 Jun 2020, Simon Mason said:
On Friday, June 5, 2020 at 9:25:10 AM UTC+1, TMS320 wrote:
On 05/06/2020 04:33, Mike Collins wrote:


Maybe if motorists actually stopped at red lights once in a while and
obeyed speed limits this would not happen. Training them to follow
the Highway Code would be better.

When I learnt to drive most of the time was spent going backwards,
waving an arm out of the window and shuffling the steering wheel. The
test provided very little that was actually useful so everything was
immediately forgotten and the proper driving stuff had to be
self-taught.

Same here - I didn't actually have any driving lessons at all as I
learned in my Dad's car.

I might have guessed.