lord winston calls for cycling licences to improve road safety

[mjr]

I don't think so

So you've a bell (rule 66) and pedal reflectors (rule 60) and always wear a reflective < sash? (rule 59) You never drink on the move or take a foot off a pedal (both rule 66)? You use cycle facilities (rule 61), only use the left lane at roundabouts (rule 77) and only park your bike in conspicuous locations? (rule 70)

Let's be frank, there is quite a lot of evidence-free shoot in the current highway code.

 

[winjim]

So you've a bell (rule 66) and pedal reflectors (rule 60) and always wear a reflective < sash? (rule 59) You never drink on the move or take a foot off a pedal (both rule 66)? You use cycle facilities (rule 61), only use the left lane at roundabouts (rule 77) and only park your bike in conspicuous locations? (rule 70)

Let's be frank, there is quite a lot of evidence-free shoot in the current highway code.

Yes, those are the rules I was referring to. But my earlier point was that beyond a general familiarity with the HC, there was nothing specific about cyclists in either my driving lessons or test.

 

[classic33]

So you've a bell (rule 66) and pedal reflectors (rule 60) and always wear a reflective < sash? (rule 59) You never drink on the move or take a foot off a pedal (both rule 66)? You use cycle facilities (rule 61), only use the left lane at roundabouts (rule 77) and only park your bike in conspicuous locations? (rule 70)

Let's be frank, there is quite a lot of evidence-free shoot in the current highway code.

And you wear "a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened"?

Rule 59

 

[mjr]

And you wear "a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened"?

I decided to stick to the more controversial ones and avoid getting binned off to the ghetto

 

[classic33]

I decided to stick to the more controversial ones and avoid getting binned off to the ghetto

Covered by Rule 59, which says you should.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

Is he proposing that it will be necessary to obtain and hold a cycling licence for 10 years before you can apply for a driving licence? So if you get a cycle licence aged 18 you have to wait till 28 before you can apply for a provisional driving licence? May raise better driving habits amongst those who wouldn't normally have cycled at all.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

No surely if that was the case, then it ought to be 3 years on cycle, 3, years on moped, 3 years on a motorcycle less than 33bhp, then 3 years unlimited motorcycle then you can apply for your car license,

 

[Ming the Merciless]

No surely if that was the case, then it ought to be 3 years on cycle, 3, years on moped, 3 years on a motorcycle less than 33bhp, then 3 years unlimited motorcycle then you can apply for your car license,

You missed out ebike

 

[lane]

Because police have nothing more important to do at the moment than enforce this.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Because police have nothing more important to do at the moment than enforce this.

You could say that about a lot of things

 

[lane]

You could say that about a lot of things

You could - but my point is why bring in some new pointless regulation that the Police do not even have the resources to enforce?

 

[Deleted member 26715]

You could - but my point is why bring in some new pointless regulation that the Police do not even have the resources to enforce?

It's not my idea, I was being facetious maybe I missed the or or or so you understood

You may want to check out https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/l...s-to-improve-road-safety.247091/#post-5572198

 

[icowden]

It wasn't so much as the fact it was not included in the test, it's the comment that anyone over 35 had total disregard for cyclists BECAUSE it wasn't included in the test.

That was absolutely *not* what I said. I said that pretty much everyone over 35 who drives applies their rules and (unless they are a cyclist) tend not to know about

• wide passing,
• cycle lanes are optional,
• peletons cycle like that for safety,
• if a cyclist takes prime it is likely to be for safety and usually the cyclist will try to get out of the way as soon as it is safe to do so
• The road may be dangerous for cyclists due to poor surface repair
• just cos the sign says 30, it doesn't mean that you have to drive at 30
• if you overtake a cyclist on the run up to traffic lights expect them to tootle back past you
• always check mirrors before opening doors

etc etc. There is a good post on the safety board at the moment where there was a close pass by an HGV. The driver likely thought nothing of it as the bike was in the bike lane and he was in his lane. I am much more careful and courteous to bikes now that I cycle than I was 20 years ago when I didn't. Cycle awareness should be part of the driving test, and it definitely wasn't "back in the day".

Don't forget that there are still people driving (e.g. the DofE) who like my 100 year old nan may have failed their test for not practicing due care when overtaking a horse-drawn carriage.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Anyone over 35 didn't really have anything about cyclists in their driving test so they apply "their" rules to the road.

That was absolutely *not* what I said. I said that pretty much everyone over 35 who drives applies their rules and (unless they are a cyclist) tend not to know about

Yes it is see your own quote nowhere there doesn't it say 'pretty much'
But for info I found it highly insulting, as somebody who is 59 this year, it will be 43 this year since I passed my first test, I am one of very few people who passed his Moped test even when there was no real need, I also have a full Motorcycle license along with an advanced IAM, I also hold a full Car license & have in the past held LGV & PSV licences which I only allowed to lapse on age.

So just to confirm thought you believe that because the under 35's had a hazard perception test it makes them better drivers?

 

[snorri]

I could be wrong, but I'm sure Professor Winston is a heart specialist, surely he realises that cycling keeps people healthy and out of hospital,

Perhaps it's concern for the hearts of the impatient drivers further stressed by the sight of cyclists making faster progress through congested motorised traffic that is motivating the esteemed Lord ?