Ken wants bicycles to have number plates!

[Radar]

I ran into a pedestrian today, or rather, she ran into me. Completely stupid.

I rode about 15 miles in my lunch break today to go and collect a parcel. Busy roads, massive roundabouts, buses all over, all fine. I pop home and then on my way back to work, stop at the lights. Woman by the side of the road looks at me. Looks at the red man. Looks at the red light. Looks at me again. Lights change to green, I set off, she walks right into me

So, what did she say to explain herself ??

Erm, I saw you but I ran into you anyway

Erm, I saw you but I couldn't be arsed.

 

[cybertect]

What are these 'cycle network' things anyway?

Sounds highly suspect.

I think this kind of thing should be stamped out immediately.

 

[cybertect]

Or are you suggesting that horses should have registration numbers painted across their arses?

There is a much better solution for them.

I demand compulsory DNA sampling of all horses!

 

[mauvais]

So, what did she say to explain herself ??

Erm, I saw you but I ran into you anyway

Erm, I saw you but I couldn't be arsed.

She just mumbled sorry and looked really glum. I was well confused! I just kind of 'autopilot gestured' at the lights a lot with a look of 'you're insane' and asked 'what ARE you doing?' in a really puzzled voice, then the lights were changing so I thought 'sod it' and carried on going!

 

[cybertect]

My 2p on the topic

The idea is unfortunately barking mad.

- utter over-reaction. Red light jumpers are a bloody pain (crossing Tooley St in the morning provides plenty of ready examples) and a hazard to other road users, but I don't see this as a proportionate response.

- if it only applies to bicycles in London, what happens if I live just across the border in Surrey and commute into the centre of town on my bike (as I have done regularly in the past). Do I have to register first or am I banned from the city forever?

- administration costs. Who pays? Do I have to register my bicycle for a Statutory Off Road Notice if I've left it in the shed for 12 months?

- I fear the mention of radio transponders earlier in the thread may prove prophetic. It seems to be the direction TfL are heading in for Congestion Charging of cars. Will there be any way of getting around town without your movements being monitored by the state?

Valid points have already been made about discouraging the use of bikes.

As ever (like the speed camera debate, IMHO) the problem is being addressed by putting technical and administrative systems in place rather than effective enforcement of people's road behaviour in its totality by police on the ground.

Ken's political capital with me, which was very high after the late GLC's Fares Fair scheme in the 1980s, is now depleted entirely.

 

[likesfish]

obvious solution is too have sheds more coppers onthe streets who can caution or nick twats if there on two wheels or 4 wheels or 2 feet
that would be too expensive I'd go for the clarkson option of miniguns at junctions if only backed up with anti tank mines in cyclelanes (a bicycle won't set off an anti tank mine too light a 4x4 kaboom )

 

[detective-boy]

I ran into a pedestrian today, or rather, she ran into me. Completely stupid.

No, no, no, no, NO! Please try and keep up.

Cars cause more death / injuries / damage than motorbikes.
Motorbikes cause more death / injuries / damage pedal cycles.
Pedal cycles cause more death / injuries / damage than pedestrians.

Therefore (a) pedestrians can NEVER be at fault and (b) pedestrians are not / should not be in any way held accountable for any death / injury / damage arising from their actions because, by definition, it cannot be their fault.

 

[fredfelt]

No, no, no, no, NO! Please try and keep up.

Cars cause more death / injuries / damage than motorbikes.
Motorbikes cause more death / injuries / damage pedal cycles.
Pedal cycles cause more death / injuries / damage than pedestrians.

Therefore (a) pedestrians can NEVER be at fault and (b) pedestrians are not / should not be in any way held accountable for any death / injury / damage arising from their actions because, by definition, it cannot be their fault.

Therefore a motorcycle can never be at fault in an accident with a car?

Think your logic is a little flored! I was with you for the premis but the conclusion has to be rethought!

 

[Crispy]

Should have put a rolleyes in there d-b (you were being sarcastic, right?)

 

[Jonti]

I ran into a pedestrian today, or rather, she ran into me. Completely stupid.

I rode about 15 miles in my lunch break today to go and collect a parcel. Busy roads, massive roundabouts, buses all over, all fine. I pop home and then on my way back to work, stop at the lights. Woman by the side of the road looks at me. Looks at the red man. Looks at the red light. Looks at me again. Lights change to green, I set off, she walks right into me

She was prolly off with the fairies, rather than cognitively challenged as such. That's my guess, having very nearly done the same thing. When it's happened to me, my head has been in turmoil, with part of me waiting, impatiently, for the green light. But my darting eyes are glancing at the wrong lights just when they turn green -- and the impatient waiting-to-walk process kicks in ...

 

[detective-boy]

Therefore a motorcycle can never be at fault in an accident with a car?

Of course it can. If you read all the related threads you'll find a number of posters vehemently denying that a pedestrian can EVER cause any harm to anyone. Likewise you'll find people arguing that a cyclist can't EVER cause any harm to a motorbike or car.

Which is arrant bollock. Hence my sarcasm. (The was a clue!)

 

[fredfelt]

Of course it can. If you read all the related threads you'll find a number of posters vehemently denying that a pedestrian can EVER cause any harm to anyone. Likewise you'll find people arguing that a cyclist can't EVER cause any harm to a motorbike or car.

Which is arrant bollock. Hence my sarcasm. (The was a clue!)

OK. First thing monday morning and I missed you tone of voice!

 

[lighterthief]

Here's a response from Ken (I didn't send the email, but I'm sure this response is a fairly standard one):

Thank you for your email.

Since 2000 Transport for London has committed a
significant increase in investment in cycling - from
£5.5 million in 2000 to £26 million this year. This
has enabled a massive expansion of cycle lanes, bike
parking and routes through parks and canals. This has
resulted in an unprecedented increase in cycling in
London, up by over 72 per cent in the last five years.
It is my aim to continue to promote cycling in
London.

Whilst the vast majority of road users follow the
rules, there is a small minority who are irresponsible
and do not show courtesy to others. This applies to
motor vehicles parking in cycle lanes or monopolising
the 'advance stop' space allocated for cyclists at
junctions - and it also applies to cyclists going
through red lights and riding on the pavement.

Transport for London have been looking at ways to
address these issues and will shortly be launching a
'Share the Road' campaign, encouraging all road-users
to obey Traffic Regulations and advising them of the
penalties for not doing so. I hope that this campaign
will lead to better standards of driving and riding
and a greater level of courtesy shown by road users to
one another. However, it is expected that targeted
police enforcement will still be required to catch
cyclists and drivers who refuse to obey the rules of
the road.

I can see from yours and other responses to my
comments that a registration scheme would not be
popular with cyclists. Other road users -
particularly pedestrians - are increasingly frustrated
with the small number of cyclists who break the rules.
I do not want to have to introduce a registration
scheme, and therefore responsible cyclists and cycling
organisations must work with me to persuade the
minority of cyclists who
do not currently obey the rules of the road to take a
more responsible approach.