Saturday 28 June 2008

Ignoring a red light.

Another interesting story from the Daily Telegraph.

It's difficult to see what possible rationale there can possibly be behind the Cycle Touring Club's claim that the Highway Code forces cyclists to break the law. Cyclists these days seem to regard the highway code (let alone the law) as an entirely optional extra without any official sanction anyway.

The only justification there could possibly be for legalising the crossing of red lights on pedestrian crossings by cyclists (I was knocked down in such circumstances last year) is that the law is so little observed as to be meaningless, and anyway it would free up the police to devote more time to catching real criminals. No doubt Jacqui will share her thoughts, along with whoever the Minister of Transport happens to be at the moment, before too long.

6 comments:

Political Umpire said...

I haven't read the link yet, but I do recall reading (it may have been wild speculation on the newspaper's part) that women cyclists suffer far more fatalities than men in part because they are more observant about red lights; whilst stationary they are often hit by lorries as they are out of the latter's line of sight (of course lorry drivers' observance of road rules tends to make cyclists look like paragons of virtue ...)

Stephen said...

Round here, the traffic lights tend to have clearly marked zones for cyclists. It makes no difference whatever to the behaviour of the cyclists though.

Unfortunately, a good percentage of cyclists these days seem of the opinion that they are under no obligation whatever to consider other road users, let alone pedestrians.

(by the way, I've just had an email from jmb who says to tell you to get over to his place pretty sharpish!)

Political Umpire said...

Yes I had an email from JMB too, who said you'd been posting on her wine advice. Thoroughly civilized sort JMB, of my parents' generation and a fellow antipodean as well. I thought her advice sage and have watched your little exchange with interest. Will try and post on it this week; my attempts before now have been thwarted by work pressure and presently are under siege from an overtired 2 year old!

Stephen said...

What it is to be young, eh?

Political Umpire said...

Indeed, though I'm not sure he quite appreciates the easy way he has it!

The other distraction has been trying to set out a more detailed explanation of my position re Great War pardons. I have now done so, and await your demolition of my case!

Stephen said...

i meant you, young man, not the fledgeling Umpire! No wonder you think that the Great War was so long ago...

I'm working on my response even as you post your comment.