Author Archives: aseasyasriding

The ‘primary position’ – putting UK cyclists between a rock and a hard place

Posted on May 9, 2011 by aseasyasriding

Don’t worry if a driver is beeping at you. In fact, it’s good. It means the driver is aware of your presence, and has seen you. I may not have the wording exactly right, but the above is the essence … Continue reading →

Posted in Cyclecraft, Cycling policy, Road safety, Transport policy | 46 Comments

In praise of Peter Hitchens – or, reaching out across the political divide

Posted on May 5, 2011 by aseasyasriding

Peter Hitchens is someone I rarely find myself agreeing with, but when it comes to an assessment of the destructive influence on the United Kingdom of the motor car and its untrammelled promotion as means of transport, the man is absolutely … Continue reading →

Posted in Car dependence, Cycling renaissance, Transport policy | 3 Comments

John Franklin in action

Posted on May 3, 2011 by aseasyasriding

I mentioned in a recent post that John Franklin – the author of Cyclecraft, and prominent U.K. advisor on cycling policy and design – appears to have one governing principle, which is that cyclists should be on the roads, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Cyclecraft, Cycling policy, Infrastructure, John Franklin, Road safety | 27 Comments

Where does this end? The increasingly weird logic of road safety

Posted on May 2, 2011 by aseasyasriding

Road.cc are reporting the arrival of a new bicycle helmet, the ‘Angel’ (so named, presumably, because it makes a cyclist more virtuous?) Here it is, in all its glory. Below the story is a comment, which I can only assume … Continue reading →

Posted in Helmets, Road safety, Transport policy | 7 Comments

Blue badge abuse in West Sussex

Posted on May 1, 2011 by aseasyasriding

If you wish to apply for a disabled blue badge in West Sussex, you can fill out this form. Until recently, the first page of this form carried the statement  Please note – in order to meet our criteria, your … Continue reading →

Posted in blue badge abuse, Horsham, Parking, West Sussex County Council | 3 Comments

How a driver destroyed the closing barriers at a Horsham level crossing

Posted on May 1, 2011 by aseasyasriding

On January 8th this year, a driver smashed into the level crossing barriers at Littlehaven station in Horsham. The story was covered by the BBC here. Drivers have been urged not to jump red lights at level crossings after a … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, Horsham, The judiciary | 4 Comments

Royal transport modes

Posted on April 30, 2011 by aseasyasriding

In a tenuous connection with the Royal wedding weekend, here is a picture of the Dutch royal family, recklessly endangering their offspring by not cladding them in high-visibility vests and helmets. By contrast, here is a picture of Prince Charles … Continue reading →

Posted in Helmets, Road safety, The Netherlands | Leave a comment

Elderly driver causes crash, wishes to stop driving – magistrates allow her to continue

Posted on April 29, 2011 by aseasyasriding

From the local paper, the West Sussex County Times, 14th April 2011 (this story is not available online) – An 85-year-old driver has admitted she was to blame for a crash which left three people injured near Cowfold. Margaret Sharpus, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, Driving ban, The judiciary | Leave a comment

Anatomy of the death of a cyclist – William Honour

Posted on April 27, 2011 by aseasyasriding

I mentioned in yesterday’s post on Cyclecraft that I generally avoid dual carriageways (along with single-carriageway trunk A-roads) as much as I possibly can. I don’t think this is irrational. The relative approach speeds of vehicles behind me, and the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cyclecraft, Cycling policy, Dangerous driving, Road safety, The judiciary, Transport policy | 13 Comments

John Franklin and Cyclecraft – Cycle safely by turning yourself into Mark Cavendish

Posted on April 26, 2011 by aseasyasriding

Next month I am planning to take some Bikeability Level 2 classes. My main motivation is not really the training itself because I feel, perhaps hubristically, that I am a competent ‘vehicular’ cyclist, fully versed in the speed and positioning … Continue reading →

Posted in Cyclecraft, Cycling policy, Cycling renaissance, Infrastructure, John Franklin, Road safety | 42 Comments