11 out of 33 cyclists...

This morning when I drove to work I passed 33 cyclists on my 10km journey to Manchester city centre.  Firstly, I should say that I think it's brilliant that people can, and do cycle to work and I take my hat off to them. However, I am about to have a small and pointed rant which I acknowledge is being made from someone sat in their petrol consuming VW Polo. And for those of you already forming an opinion of me, due to child collection commitments I am unable to cycle to work; and if I am completely honest I would be a national hazard, as remaining on a bike for more than 500 metres has never been my strong point.
 
So, my rant - it's a bug bear of mine and has been for years. Of the 33 cyclists I passed 22 were in cycle helmets - 11 were not.  WHY???? Why do people cycle on busy roads and not wear cycle helmets. If you use the roads, whether to walk, cycle, drive....whatever your reason - you are choosing to participate in an activity which effects the safety and lives of your fellow road users. We should all do our utmost to keep ourselves and each other safe. By wearing a seat belt I am making sure that I am giving myself the best possible chance of avoiding injury in the case of an accident thus protecting myself and the person who unintentionally may have driven into me.  Why do some cyclists not offer their fellow road users the same level of respect?  I know, I know, that some drivers are flippin inconsiderate of cyclists but the majority of us are very considerate and we deserve the same level of consideration in return. All it takes is someone clipping a cyclist with their wing mirror, and if they fell or swerved in the wrong way without a helmet then potentially two families lives are ruined. Awful.  
 
Why is it not illegal? I have had this debate with various cyclists and most seem to agree with me but those that don't have a variety of counter arguments - " it means my hair is a mess"  - Seriously? " A helmet doesn't mean I'm definitely safe" -  Well that's like saying "I'll drink drive - it doesn't necessarily mean I'll crash". (Yes I'm being dramatic but I feel strongly about this) . We should all look after each others safety as best we can. I know there is a big campaign to lobby parliament to make not wearing a cycle hat, like a seatbelt, illegal, but as yet it is not.
 
I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this?
 
I could now move on to my more recent issue which is why cyclists don't use the cycle lane but I think that's another blog.  I also have issues with those who don't indicate; people who throw rubbish from cars; the lady that drove past me yesterday smoking with her tiny baby in the car and also middle lane hoggers. So you see I don't just have issues with cyclists it's more a general road user thing. Though the decison to not wear a cycling helmet just seems like such a potential waste  - if you bear in mind that over 17,000 cyclists were injured or killed last year in reported accidents.A figure not to be ignored.


Monday
16 July, 2012

By Rachael Woodman

Rachael Woodman

Comments

#1 R Woodman @ Jul 18, 2012

Thank you for your comment - cleary far more infomed on the topic than I am . I agree thas there is a lot in terms of infastructure that needs to change. Surely though there must be evidence that a cyclist is safer in a hat that not? Although I totaly take your point that this will not effet the wider issues surely its still worth wearing one? I have done a little research this morning and one detailed study done in America in the mids 90s using hospital emergency rooms concluded "Bicycle helmets, regardless of type, provide substantial protection against head injuries for cyclists of all ages involved in crashes, including crashes involving motor vehicles". As I say though I very much recognise the wider point you are making and see its merit.

#2 martin hogan @ Jul 17, 2012

Deaths of cyclists has risen in recent years as more take to two wheels but the facilities for cyclists have not improved and many have not taken any proficiency test, so are in fact not safe on busy roads. Vehicle drivers are also not trained to deal with bikes, adding to the problems. Are helmets useful? In some cases but if you have a half ton of metal riding over you, not much. Most cyclists are moving too slowly to cause themselves or others much damage, a vehicle will have little respect for a helmet, which is not tough enough to hold off the weight or velocity. To make cyclists safe, we need proper cycle paths, much wider than the current ones. The UK needs to build up, not across, thus increasing population density, giving wider roads and less reason to drive. The move to large academy schools and out of town malls will make life in the UK increasingly difficult and a cyclist with a helmet is not going to improve government policy

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