Forum Topic

There are a lot of cyclists of differing cycling abilities.  Unfortunately the money and the will has not been there to provide as much cycle training as there used to be in the past - especially in schools. There IS cycle training offered by all Councils together with some online training. Too many cars on the road with drivers of differing competence and patience have meant that it has become more dangerous on the roads for us all.  Children who are ferried around by car all the time do not gain the road sense that they would otherwise learn by walking and taking the bus and then being cycled or cycling themselves to school.Cyclists vary considerably in their cycling proficiency between those who are cycling to school or to the shops and those who regularly commute much longer distances.  The excuse for many people to not cycle is always that there are too many dangerous drivers on the roads.  One of their greatest fears is that they will be doored by the thoughtless and careless who fling their car doors open into their path without looking in their mirrors or behind them in their blind spot.In moving to more active travel to reduce pollution and global warming and stay fitter and healthier for longer more space and safer pavements will be created for pedestrians on the pavements who are being terrorised by all sorts of speeding vehicles on those pavements who should not be there.It is stunning the number of motorists who despite the 20mph signs all over the roads still speed and also the motorists and cyclists who run red lights.  Those who are fined for speeding will only have themselves to blame when they have had so long to practise driving at lower speeds.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code 

Philippa Bond ● 776d

Long before the 2012 Olympics when so much was been done on the infrastructure to the Eastern side of London, one of the first things was the opening up and reinvigoration of the Canals  from Kings Cross right round to the Thames.Biggest problem was speeding and unthinking cyclists.So apart from a short burst of enforcement on cycle roadworthiness ( they have to comply with road regulations on Tow paths.  British Waterways came up with a simple set of etiquette rules.The key ones; A bell or horn is mandatory to meet the Canal Bye laws. Has been for almost 100 yearsBW introduced the "TWO TINGS" campaign.  Riders are required to ring twice when approaching pedestrians or other cyclists from Behind but also from the front as a courtesy alert.To always slow right down when passing any one either on foot, seated or on wheels.To always acknowledge walkers and cyclists who move asideTo always pass on the right ( or canal side) where practicable Banners and posters were placed on every bridge and lock and entry point to the towpaths.It was immensely successful backed up with regular enforcement.  I was working over there and used a bike daily to get from one site to the other and it was a transformation 90% of cyclists complied and made things much safer.But it was not rolled out on this side of London although quite a few more responsible cyclists do use this etiquette.But the G U canal is looking a bit worn at the Hanwell- Brentford section with the top surface breaking up and wearing away from heavy use and tyres have churned up the sub base over the past 2 years making it quite dangerous and mucky. Far more of a danger than the closed bridgeHopefully it will be sorted before this too gets roped off.

Raymond Havelock ● 792d