London is not fun on a grown up bike these days. My analogue speedo doesn't even register below 20 mph and if the ambient temperature is above 25 degrees I am at risk of thermal runaway. Then those delivery twats ride like they really want to die under a vehicle every day. Surely it is time a delivery driver required a full license and maybe even some specific “delivery driver” training? Sorry, have not had my morning coffee yet, post may be deleted if it offends
I have just revisited this whilst having a chat with Mrs Visor and noted that actually all stats had reduced between 2015 and 2024 (less the 125-500 fatal) except for the electric which has massively increased and looks to be the sole reason for the percentage increase.
Good point - well spotted. The description is 'Electric motorcycles or unknown CC'. Possible reasons - not exclusive to each other: - small electric motorbike riders are dying (there are almost zero - ha! - large electric motorbikes) - there are many unknown CC bikes (seems v unlikely) - Surron kids - police don't accurately distinguish between motorbikes and illegal e-bikes
All cycle club rides that I've ridden with require a rear light and helmet, it used to be the case that a strobing light was illegal on a cycle in the UK. Majority of cyclists I know ride with cameras fitted these days, they're cheap and effective should you be 'fetched' off by a driver/motorcyclist in tracking the culprit down on account of generally they don't stop to swap details.
I believe that a strobe light is still illegal on a cycle; however, attach it to a helmet or other item of clothing and the illegality goes away.
Just checked and yes still not legal, unless on your clothing. I don't generally ride with such items. Only time I used lights was when I cycled through tunnels in Japan, which is an utterly terrifying experience even though their driving is far superior to the UK.
I'm glad that dangerous drivers are caught on film by cyclists. But that does change their injuries. Danes believe that strobe light improve accident rates for cyclists by up to 47%. Lets say our friendly ex Vikings are wrong and its only 20%...
If more drivers realised there would be consequences as more cyclists have footage of the incident maybe the figures would decline. I'd say from experience it matters not whether I'm illuminated in daylight or not. Just as with motorcycles car drivers just don't see you or comprehend the speed or distance you are coming at them. Which is possibly for motorcyclists the largest hazard, Ok, so have the Danes actual stats or it's just a 'belief'? Out of all the countries that I've ridden or driven the UK is the worst, not that it's an extensive list but they are all similarly developed.
Increasing the jeopardy for drivers is fine by me provided I have a jury trial and not a magistrate. Re the Danes: "The 2012 Aalborg University Study. In a controlled trial involving 3,845 participants over a 12-month period, cyclists using permanent daytime running lights saw a 19% lower incidence rate of multi-party personal injury accidents compared to the control group. The 2018 Lahrmann Trial. Follow-up research utilizing randomized trials and a new set of participants showed an even more pronounced safety effect. The incidence rate for multi-party personal injury accidents was 47% lower for the group equipped with running lights. Perhaps the strobe effect gives a better distance recognition than a static light, though most cyclists aren't moving that fast. I don't find the driving in the UK to be worse than overseas. I think the congestion exaggerates the frustration. The UK accident rates are some of the lowest in the world IIRC.
Not sure you'd be getting a jury trial for a motoring offence unless it was a very serious incident. You'd possibly need to be up there with Dangerous/Reckless driving. I could have had a jury trial many years ago due to a reckless driving charge. Took the very sound advice of the insurance company provided barrister and had it reduced to careless on condition of a guilty plea at a magistrates. 3 points and a £200 fine back in 84.
