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@Chris_Boardman @BritishCycling @peaksandpuddles @DVLAgovuk A thread of humble ideas to make cycling safer. Based on rides thro' suburbia into Ches and Derbys. Motorists jumping lights, cutting-in or pulling-out, opening doors etc; people who you’d happily, y’know... 1/7
Stats table.
M=male, F=female.
Chav = 17-25 with hoodie, thumping music, often the smell of cannabis from open window, a common anthropology here.
~70+ = aged.
Lorry = HGV or artic.
? = driver not seen.
Me = me; I’m not faultless.
2/7
M=male, F=female.
Chav = 17-25 with hoodie, thumping music, often the smell of cannabis from open window, a common anthropology here.
~70+ = aged.
Lorry = HGV or artic.
? = driver not seen.
Me = me; I’m not faultless.
2/7
Taxis, buses, HGV lorries = 1%, no problem. These drivers are subject to more testing/licensing than the average motorist. I THEREFORE CALL FOR ALL MOTORISTS TO RESIT DRIVING TEST AT 5-YR INTERVAL. CPD is now normal in most responsible occupations involving risk. 3/7
Drivers either end of age spectrum do not appear aware of the risks to other road users posed by their driving. I THEREFORE CALL FOR LEGAL DRIVING AGE LIMITS OF 25 TO 70. With increasing vehicle travel, speed and congestion, responsibility and responsiveness are critical. 4/7
White vans are a 26% problem; its not just a colour, its a culture. Van drivers appear not to care whether a cyclist gets in their way, or know where LH side of their van is. I THEREFORE CALL FOR ALL VAN DRIVERS TO BE DRIVING-TESTED TO HGV STANDARD. 5/7
Difficult one, female drivers of normal cars. (I know, the other problem groups are mostly male, but incidents with male drivers of normal cars only 11%). I have no politically correct solution to this 26%. 6/7
MY OVERALL CONCLUSION IS THAT THE DRIVING TEST REGIME IS OVER FIFTY YEARS OUT OF DATE, AND SHOULD BE CRITICALLY OVERHAULED TO REFLECT OUR CROWDED ROADS. 7/7
