Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
'Space for cyclist' initiative launched to improve driver and cyclist safety
http://news.met.police.uk/news/space-for-cyclist-initiative-launche...
Great initiative, look out for these stickers "Thanks to the support of Havebike and London Cycling Campaign, 2000 car stickers with the words 'I give space for cyclists' will be given to motorists on the day and at Exchanging Places events"
Cycle Safety Team officers from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command will go to any location, at any time, on any borough, based on intelligence and complaints, to ensure drivers properly obey the rules of the road.
first driver pulled over was uninsured!
Recovery on scene to pick up 1st car stopped on initiative which happened to be uninsured #SpaceForCyclists @MPSRTPC
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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Don't read the comments.
I was approached by a woman on Green Lanes a couple of weeks ago who started her conversation with me off on the cyclists version of "I'm not a racist but..." and wondered why I got so defensive. The mindless hate I am subject to nearly every day as a cyclist is very depressing. It's good to see the Police doing something about making it an activity for the less thick skinned.
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Permalink Reply by ThaiDi on
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I agree, so glad this campaign is happening. I wish the driving test included a umpolsory day spent cycling on roads so drivers realise what it's like to be a cyclist. Also TFL bus drivers, so they realise how frustrating it is to get leap-frogged only for the bus to pull in at a stop 50 metres ahead!
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Permalink Reply by Konrad B on
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"Cycle Safety Team officers from the Met's Roads and Transport Policing Command will go to any location, at any time, on any borough, based on intelligence and complaints, to ensure drivers properly obey the rules of the road."
But will cyclists obey the rules of the road - will they stop at traffic lights; will they stop at pedestrian crossings; will they stop riding on pavements - I doubt it.
As a pedestrian I am always a bit nervous of using a crossing if a cyclist is approaching because I know that in 90 per cent of the time they won't stop and that I am expected to get out of the way even though I have priority - on zebra crossings and pedestrian crossings.
"first driver pulled over was uninsured!" - cyclists never are!!!!
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Permalink Reply by JoeW on
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There are thousands of insured cyclists in London - every member of the London Cycling Campaign is for example.
You're right there are loads of bad cyclists though. Though to be fair you are more likely to be killed by lightning than by a collision with a cyclist.
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OK so some cyclists are insured but probably only a very small minority. You quote the London Cycling Campaign members as having insurance but there are only 12,000 members of the LCC this is only a very small proportion of the number of cyclists in London. A TFL report in June 2015 quoted by the BBC gave the number of cycling journeys in London per day as being 610,000, how many cyclists does this equate to I have no idea but probably a lot, lot more than the LCC membership and how many of the non-LCC cyclists are insured?
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Permalink Reply by LSquared on
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There is a lot of confusion about insurance.
If someone injures you or damages your property you can sue them for damages. There is absolutely no requirement that someone has insurance in order for you to claim damages.
The fundamental point of (personal liability) insurance is to protect the insuree from claims, so that if a claim is made against them, the insurance will pay it rather than themselves.
The reason insurance is mandatory for drivers is that cars can cause so much damage that it is very unlikely the individual would be able to pay damages and would be forced to declare bankruptcy, leaving the injured party without compensation. Bad for everyone. Therefore, the law has stepped in to ensure anyone driving a car is covered for the damage they might cause.
You may want to consider why mandatory insurance has not been considered necessary for cyclists or pedestrians, while not only is it mandatory for drivers, but claims are so frequent that an entire industry and set of common practices has evolved between insurers.
By the way, a lot of home insurance policies include personal liability cover, so many cyclists are covered whether they know it or not.
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Permalink Reply by Ed Butler on
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I wouldn't be so sure about that - I'm a cyclist who regards the biggest danger on the roads as being not buses and lorries, but other cyclists of the aggressive sort, and fast food delivery guys driving very fast on mopeds, invariably with L plates - a lot of them are absolute shockers with no regard for the rules of the road - I've often been overtaken by them with inches to spare and they specialize in only stopping at traffic lights at the very last second and frightening the life out of anybody who's already started to cross.
And while I'm at it, what about the numbers of cyclist you see wearing earphones? Absolute madness - you need to be totally attentive to be safe while cycling in London - listening to and watching everything around you.
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Personally, I'd like to see a ban in place on food delivery riders being allowed to work on L plates. L plates are an essential part of learning to ride. But they are abused for commercial gain in my opinion.
I see moronic cycling every day on my way into work, including very near misses with light jumpers.
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Permalink Reply by John D on
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Agreed. I often wonder if the delivery drivers' insurance covers riding while working. Mine wouldn't.
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It's usually covered by the company, they add it into their PL insurance cover.
I know that Pizza Hut have a special CBT training programme mandated by the insurers.
My view is that if it's a business essential then having a full A1 licence should be too.
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In case you're unaware, it's very illegal to drive a car without insurance. Take a look at some relatively recent statistics for the number of drivers who are uninsured. That's probably about 10% in Haringey.
Conversely, there's no legal obligation at all for cyclists to be insured. However, many actually are, either through public liability included their home insurance, or specific cover through membership of cycling organisations. Think my own is £2M, which would hopefully cover most incidents.
Also, I think your anecdotes about zebra crossings are typical of confirmation bias. I reckon if you confidently strode out at them assuming cars would stop your legs would be in bits.
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So my statement about cyclists not obeying the rules of the road are just anecdotes i.e. not based on reliable evidence. Well I can assure you that my observations are based on hard evidence - I see this rule breaking with my own eyes. The point about zebra and other crossings is that I know from experience that 99% of the time cars etc. will stop for me, I don't have this confidence with cyclists. With cyclists I know that there is a good chance that they will ignore my right of way and continue cycling. This happens all the time e.g. at the light controlled crossing on Wightman Road near the Harringay Station.
And if cyclists are such law abiding citizens why do they also not obey the no cycling signs on the footbridge at Harringay Station - I suppose I must be imagining this - another example of my "confirmation bias" - whatever that means.
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