4 ms·

I wish. If drivers stuck to traffic regulations it would be safer for cyclists. The number of cars I see jumping red lights while cycling is obscene, the number

I wish. If drivers stuck to traffic regulations it would be safer for cyclists. The number of cars I see jumping red lights while cycling is obscene, the number of drivers who deliberately closed pass cyclists is also obscene. And that’s before we get to drivers who deliberately injure cyclists, like the guy who deliberately ran me down and hospitalised me for the crime of not wanting him to overtake me while passing through a narrowing in the road that wasn’t wide enough for both of us.

zimpenfish 3y ago
Anecdatum: A week ago, I went to the supermarket across the road. It's a staggered crossing on a main road (Old Kent Road) (with a stupidly designed junction.) In two crossings, I counted 15-20 cars that jumped the red light - either "accidentally" (by entering the junction without a clear exit) or deliberately (speeding up, not slowing down when it changes to yellow, etc.) That was about 5 minutes of time out of a two hour peak period - I'd be amazed if you didn't get several hundred an hour if you sat there and counted. There are, alas, no cameras on this junction - probably because MetPol would be doing nothing but processing these violations 24/7...
- avianlyric 3y ago
  Ha, I think I know the junctions you’re talking about, near the ASDA right? I avoid going near Old Kent road in anything except a car. That road is an absolute death trap filled with drivers who seem to have no regard for anyone not enclosed in steel, and even then you need to have your wits about when driving. It strikes me as insane that road with so much pedestrian traffic, lined with shops, in a part of London where only something like 30% of the population drives, has so few provisions for pedestrian or cycle safely. With pavements barely wide enough for walking, covered in obstructions, and road markings that looks more like an IQ test, than anything helpful.
  - zimpenfish 3y ago
    > I think I know the junctions you’re talking about, near the ASDA right? Exactly that one, yes. > I avoid going near Old Kent road in anything except a car Yeah, I used to cycle it a fair bit 10-15 years ago but I wouldn't bother these days either (plus there are decent cycleway options for avoiding it.)

zimpenfish 3y ago

Anecdatum: A week ago, I went to the supermarket across the road. It's a staggered crossing on a main road (Old Kent Road) (with a stupidly designed junction.) In two crossings, I counted 15-20 cars that jumped the red light - either "accidentally" (by entering the junction without a clear exit) or deliberately (speeding up, not slowing down when it changes to yellow, etc.) That was about 5 minutes of time out of a two hour peak period - I'd be amazed if you didn't get several hundred an hour if you sat there and counted. There are, alas, no cameras on this junction - probably because MetPol would be doing nothing but processing these violations 24/7...

avianlyric 3y ago
Ha, I think I know the junctions you’re talking about, near the ASDA right? I avoid going near Old Kent road in anything except a car. That road is an absolute death trap filled with drivers who seem to have no regard for anyone not enclosed in steel, and even then you need to have your wits about when driving. It strikes me as insane that road with so much pedestrian traffic, lined with shops, in a part of London where only something like 30% of the population drives, has so few provisions for pedestrian or cycle safely. With pavements barely wide enough for walking, covered in obstructions, and road markings that looks more like an IQ test, than anything helpful.
- zimpenfish 3y ago
  > I think I know the junctions you’re talking about, near the ASDA right? Exactly that one, yes. > I avoid going near Old Kent road in anything except a car Yeah, I used to cycle it a fair bit 10-15 years ago but I wouldn't bother these days either (plus there are decent cycleway options for avoiding it.)