Category Archives: Road safety

The BBC are still having trouble with their language

Posted on August 8, 2011 by aseasyasriding

In June, following the conviction of a driver who killed a cyclist by ploughing into him while rummaging in his footwell for a dropped satnav, I noted how the BBC chose to report the death, at the time. A charity … Continue reading →

Posted in Road safety, The media | 2 Comments

The sick farce of concurrent driving bans

Posted on August 5, 2011 by aseasyasriding

The story of the police officer who, sent flying through the air by the driver of a stolen car, immediately got to his feet to pursue and arrest said driver, has made the national news this week. The police officer, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, Driving ban, Road safety, The judiciary | 10 Comments

‘Taking the lane’

Posted on August 2, 2011 by aseasyasriding

The Guardian have a piece up on their bike blog addressing the awkward question of ‘primary position’ – a topic I have previously addressed here and here. In both my pieces, I accepted that assertive road positioning is, in general, the … Continue reading →

Posted in Cycling policy, Cycling renaissance, Road safety | 5 Comments

Protest ride today on Blackfriars Bridge

Posted on July 29, 2011 by aseasyasriding

Incredibly, it seems that Transport for London are entirely disregarding the welter of criticisms their plans for ‘improving’ Blackfriars Bridge have received over the last few months, and are simply pressing ahead, regardless, with their preferred scheme. This evening. In … Continue reading →

Posted in 20 mph limits, Cycling policy, London, Road safety, Transport for London | 3 Comments

Are some motoring fines so low they actually encourage law-breaking?

Posted on July 10, 2011 by aseasyasriding

If you manage to get caught travelling at anything up to 50 mph in a 30 mph area by a speed camera, you will, most typically, receive a fixed penalty of £60. However, if you decide to make your number … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, Road safety, The judiciary | 3 Comments

A friendly warning from Thames Materials

Posted on July 6, 2011 by aseasyasriding

“Cyclists – Beware of passing this vehicle on the inside” Presumably because the driver could be drunk, using his mobile phone, and have 20 previous convictions for driving while disqualified? Putz, of Barnet, North London, was previously jailed for six months … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, London, Road safety | 4 Comments

Michael Isherwood – another cyclist death, another scandalous sentence

Posted on July 5, 2011 by aseasyasriding

Let us imagine the case of a train driver who fell asleep at the controls of his train. Let us further imagine, as a result of being asleep, he fails to stop at a red signal, causing an accident which … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, Road safety, The judiciary | 2 Comments

The chutzpah of Richard Tracey

Posted on July 1, 2011 by aseasyasriding

In a letter written to Danny of the Cyclists in the City blog, Richard Tracey, the Conservative group transport spokesman on the London Assembly writes that it is important to be clear that many Londoners do not have unlimited choice over … Continue reading →

Posted in Car dependence, Infrastructure, London, Road safety, The Netherlands, Transport for London, Transport policy, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Another HGV death

Posted on June 28, 2011 by aseasyasriding

Freewheeler has written a post today reporting the sad news that the cyclist Peter McGreal has died, a week after he was struck by a hit-and-run lorry driver in Bethnal Green. The driver was subsequently arrested on a charge of causing … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, London, Road safety | 1 Comment

Some recent London drivers

Posted on June 27, 2011 by aseasyasriding

If they’re not nearly rear-ending a cyclist as they blast through a red light or they’re not driving an HGV while using a mobile phone they’re driving with their hands clasped behind their seat, while virtually horizontal. All videos from … Continue reading →

Posted in Dangerous driving, London, Road safety | 4 Comments