Lies, damn lies, and statistics about red light jumping
Do 57% of UK cyclists jump red lights? One motoring organisation claims so – on very flimsy evidence…
Full story over at the Guardian…
Archive for the ‘Cycle Law’ Category
57% of UK cyclists jump red lights?!
Monday May 14, 2012Bike Aggression Urged
Friday August 19, 2011Bill Owen, Welsh Cycling’s president, has urged cyclists to show more aggression whilst out on the road to ensure drivers are aware of them…
BBC News: Dangerous Cycling
Wednesday April 13, 2011“MPs could introduce a new offence of causing death by dangerous cycling. But how much of a danger do these two-wheeled travellers really pose?” [BBC News]
… continued over on the BBC News site.
Anti-Helmet
Monday March 14, 2011
Cycling groups launch petition against Northern Ireland bike helmet law
Campaigners say the law would deter cyclists which would affect public health, the environment and traffic levels. [Guardian]
I’m against compulsory cycle-helmets. I don’t want one, I don’t need one. If I’m cylcing on a racing/road bike then I would probably get one due to the speed of the ride, but when I’m on my Trek or Dahon I don’t want to wear a helmet.
My ‘helmet or not’ poll is still running…
Cycle Helmet Poll Stats Update
Sunday May 24, 2009
In January I posted a poll on whether or not people wear cycle helmets. After months of hectic voting (!!!), the current count being a massive (!) 17 votes, the results are as above. Only one of the voters has voted like me, stating that they don’t wear a helmet.
The poll is still running so if you haven’t yet taken part then there’s always time to do so. Looks like most people cycle with skull-safety in mind and protect their head.
I’ve just read that the statistics show that severity of injury “increase with helmet use”:
Individual cyclists may have benefited from wearing a helmet … but the odds would seem to be against it.
When large population samples are examined, it is difficult to detect any noticeable improvement in cyclist casualty trends. Worryingly, what change is to be found would seem to suggest that injuries, and sometimes injury severity, increase with helmet use. [Cycle Craft]
More helmet statistics and information on the following sites:
- Bicycle helmets: review of effectiveness (Department of Transport)
US Cycle Law
Friday September 19, 2008I think we in the UK have it pretty easy! Having previously checked out our cycle laws, I thought I’d have a quick look at the cycle law in the United States… it’s not quite as straight forward as over here.
Although I haven’t read and compared each, most States have their own cycle laws – as shown by MassBike’s State Law page. Hmm, it all looks pretty complex. But, I suppose if you live in one State then you’re just going to ride in your locality. I doubt the laws really change too much state by state but you never know… I wonder if the people who cycle the US, coast to coast, actually check out the changing laws along their route?
I like this one in Massachusetts, seems fair:
You may ride on sidewalks outside business districts, unless local laws prohibit sidewalk riding.
I do, however, prefer the simplicity of the UK Highway Code – it can’t get much clearer than that little book.
