Simeon Brody
by Adam McCulloch
Like an adrenaline rush before 9am? Fancy cheating death on a daily basis? Try the environmentally friendly way of getting to work.
Do you hate cyclists? Social workers, of course, are not supposed to hate anybody but I wonder if they are immune to the current trend for ‘bike rage’.
This is no minority persecution complex, bike rage is out there, encouraged by radio phone-ins (“there was this bloke, right, he went ‘fru a red light… then went on the pavement!) and one-eyed drivers’ groups (make them wear disco lights and put speed limiters on them!).
Eco-seduction
The thing is we’re supposed to be being eco-savvy; we’re supposed to use the car less, cycling is promoted as a ‘good thing’. Councils accordingly have been erecting cycle lane signs and painting lines in roads, while the charity Sustrans has developed cycle routes nationwide, on and off-road.
But if you are seduced by all this encouragement and want to stay fit, avoid traffic jams, do your bit for the environment, tighten your rear end muscles… a word of warning. You’ll need a sixth sense to spot approaching danger before it hits you… a man about to open his car door, a woman about to cross the road without looking properly with headphones in and unable to hear your bell; a taxi deciding to do a u-turn.
An unfortunate chain of events
I’ve been hit in each of these scenarios over the past 20 years. Once I was even brought to earth by an enraged Alsatian.
Two friends of mine have been badly hurt in the past six months after deciding to cycle to work. Both were knocked out after being hit by car drivers who hadn’t seen them despite their high visibility clothing. In both cases their helmets prevented serious injury. And in the past two days I’ve had to take evasive action on three occasions.
This isn’t an anti-car thing; I’m a car driver too. The point is that although the road is for all of us, the car remains king and cyclists are regularly made aware of their mortality. Meanwhile, the bike stands at the local school remain empty. It’s nothing to do with indolent youth. It’s about self-preservation.
I’m not saying don’t cycle, the benefits are obvious. All I’m asking for is a bit of realism in the exhortations of the green lobby and councils to get on our bikes. Somehow the authorities have to physically separate the car from the bike. Painting lines was never going to be enough.
Good article on how to avoid bike accidents
Interesting article Adam. I appreciate what your're saying, but I feel that maybe you're over stating the dangers of cycling. Yes it can be difficult and even dangerous at times but so can just about any other form of transport. Actively pushing for more cyclists on the road will both depriciate the number of drivers at any given moment, while increasing the number of drivers who know or are related to a cyclist.
I think the risk is certainly worth the gain. When I cycle my 15 miles into work every morning I don't ride hoping that nothing will happen to me, like I don't step in the shower hoping that I don't step on the soap.
the bike shop I work for is helping to promote the governments cycle to work scheme. Another good excuse to start...
This article is "bang on the money"... I was cycling to work last week with my hugely luminous high viz cycling kit and got hit side on by a vehicle sending me tumbling and knocking me out - the paramedic "reassured me" in the ambulance by taking one look at my cracked helmet and telling me that without that I would have sustained very serious head injuries. The police have offered the driver a day in court or the option of taking a driver refresher course.
The point is that I am left with the impression that I should perhaps just stick to throwing out my paper and plastic as my sole contribution to "doing my bit" for the environment - and abandon cycling to work based on the fact that even when you do it completely legally and wear all of the correct clothing you are still taking your life in your hands ... that is until our country gives cyclists the same level of respect as they get in Belgium ...
Hi Adam, good to read this blog, and I'm glad you're bringing the situation us cyclists face every day to the fore. I ride every day, have a trailer and therefore don't need a car, although I do have a driving licence. I found learning to drive was a useful experience as I then understood how difficult it can be to see cyclists.
I agree with some of the comments about cycle lanes in the safer cycling article, I do use them on occasion, but use the road where I have a right to be and it's often safer and quicker. I often use the middle of my side of the road, to prevent motor vehicles overtaking and pushing me into the gutter or parked cars.
I was delighted that our campaign recently to get the new rules of the road modified succeeded... the provisional rules were to force cyclists to use cycle lanes where provided and to criminalise us if we chose the road there. We got this changed, and we DO have the right to be considered 'traffic'.
Keep Cycling Adam!
John, 'The Ethicist' blogger