Cyclist get knocked over by RLJ

Trouble is it was a cyclist who did it.

http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/all-cy...-at-red-lights

"Marie" wrote in message
...

Trouble is it was a cyclist who did it.

http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/all-cy...-at-red-lights
================================================== ====

What is also shocking is that so many people commenting on that story on the
LCC website seem to think that cycling through red lights is acceptable.
One poster even thinks that "carefully" jumping a red light is safer than
waiting. What?!

On Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:56:50 -0800 (PST), Marie
wrote:

Trouble is it was a cyclist who did it.

http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/all-cy...-at-red-lights


The cyclist in question, being on the outside of the outside lane, would not
have been able to see if there were any cyclists or pedestrians crossing at
this crossing.

Was his name Mason did it say?

If a law does not apply to cyclists - then there is no need to use common
sense.

On Sat, 26 Nov 2011 09:56:50 -0800 (PST), Marie
wrote:

Trouble is it was a cyclist who did it.

http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/all-cy...-at-red-lights

From the brief description, I would guess the incident happened he
http://g.co/maps/7qp43

It is a crossing I know very well, and motor traffic is frequently
backed up. The traffic lights are high up and a cyclist would have to
be blind not to notice they were red.

"Bertie Wooster" wrote in message
...

On Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:02:57 -0000, "Mr. Benn"
wrote:

"Marie" wrote in message
...

Trouble is it was a cyclist who did it.

http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/all-cy...-at-red-lights
================================================= =====

What is also shocking is that so many people commenting on that story on
the
LCC website seem to think that cycling through red lights is acceptable.
One poster even thinks that "carefully" jumping a red light is safer than
waiting. What?!

Not at pedestrian lights, but at many road junctions this 'tis sadly
true.

Carefully jumping a red lights almost eliminates the risk of an HGV
left hook. The left hook happens when a law abiding cyclist is
patiently waiting at a red light and an HGV driver pulls alongside,
possibly checking his delivery papers, the pulls left into the path of
the cyclist. If the HGV is a normal HGV with guard rails the cyclist
may be lucky and get away with a few broken bones as he is bounced
away from the wheels. However, if the HGV is a skip, tipper truck or
cement mixer, all too often the law-abiding cyclist ends up under the
wheels, never to recover.
================================================== =

There is an easy and legal solution to that Tom. Dismount, walk your bike
past the junction on the pavement, remount on the road past the
light-controlled junction and cycle away again. It's not that difficult,
costs only a minute in time and and it avoids breaking the law and setting a
bad example to other cyclists. If a lot of cyclists in London are seen
ignoring red lights (which is the case), it can only encourage otherwise
law-abiding cyclists to do the same which is not a good thing.

Your safety when travelling is the most important thing, not saving 1 or 2
minutes on your journey time. You could easily spend 6 weeks in hospital
after having an accident.

On Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:43:44 +0000, Bertie Wooster wrote:

On Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:02:57 -0000, "Mr. Benn"
wrote:

"Marie" wrote in message
...

Trouble is it was a cyclist who did it.

http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/all-cy...-at-red-lights
================================================ ======

What is also shocking is that so many people commenting on that story on the
LCC website seem to think that cycling through red lights is acceptable.
One poster even thinks that "carefully" jumping a red light is safer than
waiting. What?!

Not at pedestrian lights, but at many road junctions this 'tis sadly
true.

Carefully jumping a red lights almost eliminates the risk of an HGV
left hook.


So it is OK if you break the law - as long as you do it carefully.

On Nov 26, 10:55*pm, "Mr. Benn" wrote:

Your safety when travelling is the most important thing, not saving 1 or 2
minutes on your journey time.

That's perfectly correct. The lowest risk course can be to go through
(and need not inconvenience others).

You could easily spend 6 weeks in hospital
after having an accident.

I have challenged people before to try and explain the risks compared
to junctions without lights - which are in the majority. Nobody has
yet managed. Are you up for it? (And if you think you are, consider
only the physical situation. The "if it's illegal it must be
dangerous" argument doesn't qualify.)

"dr6092" wrote in message
...

On Nov 26, 10:55 pm, "Mr. Benn" wrote:

Your safety when travelling is the most important thing, not saving 1 or 2
minutes on your journey time.

That's perfectly correct. The lowest risk course can be to go through
(and need not inconvenience others).

You could easily spend 6 weeks in hospital
after having an accident.

I have challenged people before to try and explain the risks compared
to junctions without lights - which are in the majority. Nobody has
yet managed. Are you up for it? (And if you think you are, consider
only the physical situation. The "if it's illegal it must be
dangerous" argument doesn't qualify.)
============================================

Try arguing that with a road traffic officer who has more knowledge and
experience of road safety than either of us.

On Nov 26, 10:43*pm, Bertie Wooster wrote:
Carefully jumping a red lights almost eliminates the risk of an HGV
left hook. The left hook happens when a law abiding cyclist is
patiently waiting at a red light and an HGV driver pulls alongside,
possibly checking his delivery papers, the pulls left into the path of
the cyclist. If the HGV is a normal HGV with guard rails the cyclist
may be lucky and get away with a few broken bones as he is bounced
away from the wheels. However, if the HGV is a skip, tipper truck or
cement mixer, all too often the law-abiding cyclist ends up under the
wheels, never to recover.


I always make sure I am in the ASL and in the centre of the lane at
traffic lights, so the only HGVs that can come alongside me are in the
overtaking lane.
Any left turning HGVs would have to come up behind me and not
alongside.

--
Simon Mason

On Sat, 26 Nov 2011 22:55:43 -0000, "Mr. Benn"
wrote:

"Bertie Wooster" wrote in message
.. .

On Sat, 26 Nov 2011 18:02:57 -0000, "Mr. Benn"
wrote:

"Marie" wrote in message
...

Trouble is it was a cyclist who did it.

http://lcc.org.uk/discussions/all-cy...-at-red-lights
================================================ ======

What is also shocking is that so many people commenting on that story on
the
LCC website seem to think that cycling through red lights is acceptable.
One poster even thinks that "carefully" jumping a red light is safer than
waiting. What?!

Not at pedestrian lights, but at many road junctions this 'tis sadly
true.

Carefully jumping a red lights almost eliminates the risk of an HGV
left hook. The left hook happens when a law abiding cyclist is
patiently waiting at a red light and an HGV driver pulls alongside,
possibly checking his delivery papers, the pulls left into the path of
the cyclist. If the HGV is a normal HGV with guard rails the cyclist
may be lucky and get away with a few broken bones as he is bounced
away from the wheels. However, if the HGV is a skip, tipper truck or
cement mixer, all too often the law-abiding cyclist ends up under the
wheels, never to recover.
================================================= ==

There is an easy and legal solution to that Tom. Dismount, walk your bike
past the junction on the pavement, remount on the road past the
light-controlled junction and cycle away again. It's not that difficult,
costs only a minute in time and and it avoids breaking the law and setting a
bad example to other cyclists. If a lot of cyclists in London are seen
ignoring red lights (which is the case), it can only encourage otherwise
law-abiding cyclists to do the same which is not a good thing.

I don't entirely disagree. But when an HGV pulls alongside there may
not be enough time to dismount, squeeze between the railings and HGV
to the pedestrian gap and push across the road before the HGV begins
its left hook manoeuvre.

Unfortunately, the dead do not make very good witnesses at explaining
their version and their intentions immediately before being crushed.
That is, of course, a benefit to the HGV driver who can then victim
blame.

Your safety when travelling is the most important thing, not saving 1 or 2
minutes on your journey time. You could easily spend 6 weeks in hospital
after having an accident.