| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Lower Richmond Road | |
| Posted by: | M Blissett | |
| Date/Time: | 17/12/09 23:16:00 |
| I don't drive. As long as the journeys I make are quicker by bicycle (+tube/train), I don't see the point. Of course, cycling in London I've seen all kinds of people doing stupid things. I'm fully aware that cars can't stop instantly (if I wasn't I'd be dead), and I'm also aware of how long it would take me to stop. I've seen pedestrians running into the road without looking, teenagers pushing each other into the road, dogs loose near busy roads, etc. The three times I've been close to colliding with a pedestrian I'd already slowed down having seen the hazard. Me + bicycle weighs about 80kg. Unfortunately, I see three or four car drivers *every* *day* _intentionally_ doing stupid, selfish things. The worst is probably a general unawareness of the traffic ahead. Why do large numbers of car drivers race to the next set of lights when they can see the queue ahead? Worst (for my safety) is trying to overtake a cyclist when there's not enough room -- like when there's a pedestrian crossing/refuge in the centre of the road, or near (or even on!) a junction, or in a multilane queue of traffic. This is closely followed by drivers trying to squeeze past to overtake, not even crossing the centre line. Typically, they do this in order to join the queue of traffic at the lights. It's simply unnecessary -- even on a clear road, there's plenty of time for a car to make up the 10 seconds lost time waiting to overtake (and who cares about 10 seconds?). At best it's ignorance and a complete lack of awareness, at worst a complete lack of regard for other people. In either case, it's risking other people's lives for a negligible personal gain. Lower (non-motorway) speed limits and more responsibility on motorists when they have accidents with non-motorists is an excellent way to save lives. This isn't a minority against the majority -- we are all pedestrians! I was in Sweden recently. From the point of view of a pedestrian, the difference between Swedish drivers and British drivers is amazing. Drivers in Sweden will stop if they see a pedestrian waiting at the side of the road. I think a speed limit of 30km/h (19mph) helps here -- it's easier to stop, and more relaxed. |