Cycling in Sydney Australia
London Times cycling campaign
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on -
wow, from a Murdoch tabloid too!
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Permalink Reply by Jakster on -
yup, thier editor let it slip past while giving evidence in court on phone tapping.....
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Permalink Reply by Carlos Kramer on -
Nice to see. A real change from "the war on cyclists" that the rags here seem hell bent on promoting.
The Times has launched a public campaign and 8-point manifesto calling for cities to be made fit for cyclists:
- Trucks entering a city centre should be required by law to fit sensors, audible truck-turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.
- The 500 most dangerous road junctions must be identified, redesigned or fitted with priority traffic lights for cyclists and Trixi mirrors that allow lorry drivers to see cyclists on their near-side.
- A national audit of cycling to find out how many people cycle in Britain and how cyclists are killed or injured should be held to underpin effective cycle safety.
- Two per cent of the Highways Agency budget should be earmarked for next generation cycle routes, providing £100 million a year towards world-class cycling infrastructure. Each year cities should be graded on the quality of cycling provision.
- The training of cyclists and drivers must improve and cycle safety should become a core part of the driving test.
- 20mph should become the default speed limit in residential areas where there are no cycle lanes.
- Businesses should be invited to sponsor cycleways and cycling super-highways, mirroring the Barclays-backed bicycle hire scheme in London.
- Every city, even those without an elected mayor, should appoint a cycling commissioner to push home reforms.
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Permalink Reply by Matt on -
Wow, "save our cyclists". Now that is a powerful phrase to see in a headline.
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Permalink Reply by PeterT on -
First of all thanks for the links.
A few observations :
It seems there are probably more cyclist participation there. - so Australia seems to be a few years behind to reach those numbers - perhaps when a 'User Pays" road pricing system is implemented.
More than 27,000 cyclists have been killed or seriously injured on British streets in the past 10 years. - that's averaging 2,700 a year, a pretty damning statistic - but doesn't specifically state the deaths vs "seriously injured"
The question is; what sort of statistical values are needed before the public gets activated?
Another key facet is it's when it strikes home or close enough to people who care and have the means - in this case
"Times journalist Mary Bowers was just yards from arriving at work on her bike when she was hit by a lorry. "
I'm imagining a scenario of Times colleagues getting to work sighting the scene that precipitated in Times championing this.
It's depressing to think that the only thing that will lead to change is essentially more deaths / injuries.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on
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"It's depressing to think that the only thing that will lead to change is essentially more deaths / injuries."
Happily that isn't true. Cyclists are relatively militant in the UK and have achieved quite a bit of change already by protesting/campaigning/voting. Although deaths have clearly catalysed "The Times" it is far from the only reason for attention.
It will be interesting to see how the lorry and road ill-design issues pan out. I'd expect Londoners to start torching trucks if the casualties aren't stopped, not a scenario that's terribly likely in Sydney.
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Permalink Reply by Kimberley on -
One of the things I really prefer about riding in Sydney to London, the lack of lorries, or at least the fact that there are not as many here.
London was a huge building site when I was there (Olympic construction?), so there were cement mixers and large vehicles carrying heaving building supplies everywhere. Couple that with the very poor road design (fences on the sides of intersections that cyclists get squished against) and the fact that many of the lorry drivers are paid some sort of time rewards (so I have heard), means it's a very dangerous place to ride.
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Permalink Reply by Bob Moore on -
Very powerful manifesto and video too. Do you think the Herald might adopt this in Sydney? Should give this a good go. From the video and others reports I gather cycling in London is quite risky due to the much bigger and denser nature of the City compared with Sydney, but the points are still relevant here.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on
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I agree, we ought to develop a similar manifesto and culture media
London's easier to ride in, in my experience. Paris too.
They can be a bit intense, but drivers mostly do care not to clobber cyclists and peds.
Peds will take streets over in London if it gets too congested, and drivers put up with that. Usually.
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Permalink Reply by Martin Geliot on
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more UK stats, for Peter, and some comments to look at
Someone does say the manifesto points could do with some research, I think so too.
I wouldn't suggest using them as they are, especially not here.
But an excellent starting point for discussion
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Permalink Reply by Richard (Poncho) on -
The O'Farrell government has been quick to reduce regulations & penalties for motorists with the effect of increasing road casualties.
I wonder if local cycling injuries have risen as a result?
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Permalink Reply by Bob Moore on
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So which points do you think need changing? I think the last few points are very good. Partic. the "cycling commissioner" idea. Maybe less emphasis on trucks , although still need mentioning. Vulnerable RU legislation could be included.
Re large trucks, a B Double was parked all day in Balmain Rd today, saw the driver get out and hop into his own small car with personalized no plate GOER.
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