Cyclists ‘Die in’ at TfL HQ: On Friday night on twenty ninth November 2013 over a thousand cyclists got here to demand safer roads for cyclists and pedestrians throughout London. 14 cyclists had been killed already that yr on London streets, together with six within the earlier two weeks.
Cyclists usually get a foul press right here within the UK, and proposals and schemes that enhance security for biking typically meet with appreciable opposition from non-cyclists, particularly the place these present joint use of paths by pedestrians and cyclists.
In fact some cyclists are irresponsible – however so too are many not on bikes, whether or not driving autos or on foot. And all of us typically do silly issues. Some might experience by way of crimson lights – however so do some motorists, and the statistics present that round 95% of pedestrians killed or injured in accidents attributable to leaping lights are killed by drivers reasonably than by cyclists.
Motorised autos – automobiles, motorbikes, vans, lorries, buses and many others are much more harmful than cyclists due to their increased mass and sometimes a lot higher speeds which imply that they bring about many occasions extra vitality to any collision – sometimes greater than 10 occasions as a lot, typically very a lot higher.
It’s hardly stunning the of the round 400 pedestrians killed in highway visitors accidents every year within the UK on common solely 2.5 contain collisions with bicycles – even on these shared pavements you might be many, many occasions extra more likely to be killed by a collision with a automobile or different automobile.
Cyclists are – like pedestrians – susceptible highway customers. In contrast to drivers in autos they aren’t surrounded by a protecting shell of metallic, they usually have seat belts and air baggage which proved further security – and its good that they do. However this does all take away them a way from the harmful actuality that each one cyclists – nevertheless well-behaved and skilled – when sharing highway area with them.
It could not after all be possible to supply fully separate avenue networks for autos, cyclists and pedestrians, though it might be good to supply these the place doable, and now we have made some progress in doing so. However there are various extra locations the place separate ‘devoted’ cycle paths can and must be supplied.
Encouraging biking has many positives. It reduces the poisonous air air pollution in our cities – estimated to trigger nearly 10,000 early deaths in London alone, in addition to quite a lot of affected by varied lung circumstances. And by lowering the variety of autos on our roads it cuts the congestion on our roads which regularly brings transport in London to a close to standstill (and which can be extremely polluting.)
And biking offers wholesome train (which might be even more healthy if we lower air pollution by having extra individuals on bikes) serving to to chop the weight problems which, notably amongst kids, is now a serious well being drawback. It has additionally been proven to enhance psychological well being.
Biking can be the most cost effective type of transport apart from strolling, and is usually the quickest method to journey in London for comparatively brief journeys, together with some that the majority of us would discover too far to stroll.
Worries about security put many off biking, as does the climate. However there are comparatively few days when our climate makes biking an actual drawback (and mudguards assist.) Making our roads safer is extra of an issue, however doing so would enhance the standard of life within the metropolis for all of us. Even drivers breathe the identical air and have typically to get out of their automobiles and stroll.
Issues are taking place slowly, however too gradual. We’re getting extra devoted cycle routes. 20mph zones make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists, regardless of the outcry about them in some areas. Enhancements in design of lorries to supply all-round imaginative and prescient are slowly coming in…
Protests such at outdoors the London HQ of TfL on 29 Nov 2013 to protest on the lack of protected highway provision that results in many deaths of cyclists and pedestrians, with a vigil, rally and a 15 minute ‘die-in’ on Blackfriars Highway assist to boost consciousness of the necessity to enhance our highway system and encourage TfL to make a constructive effort to take action. You possibly can learn extra about it in my publish on My London Diary, which incorporates the eight calls for made by these collaborating in addition to an outline of the occasion and plenty of extra footage.
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Tags: 20mph zones, air air pollution, blind spots, cuts congestion, biking, bicycle owner deaths, cyclists, cyclists killed, devoted paths, die-in, Donnachadh McCarthy, well being, well being advantages, wholesome train, London, weight problems, pedestrians, peter Marshall, protest, cut back poluuition, highway design, highway security, protected biking, shared paths, Cease Killing Cyclists, TfL, Transport for London, automobile design, susceptible highway customers
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