Very Sad :-(

http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent_messenger/news/Marshal-killed-in-race-crash-1178/

 

Very sad that anyone dies on the road for sure

But once again why are cyclists allowed to race on public roads, there are going to be more crashes related to cyclist road races as they are increasing exponentially. My View motorists and Motor Cyclists need to get together and really start trying to get them banned, the more accidents related to cyclists races will just push for lower speed limits etc, and give more power to cyclists on the road who not pay any road funds, or insurance, and worse of all give them that power of a Cyclist is right in any form of an accident ,in my view is dam right stupid.

I do not have any problems of genuine cyclists who respect other road users, use the roads as most other road users do, what I object to is large group road races who ride 2 and 3 abreast, in packs of 20 and more, on any roads let alone small lanes, who cause massive hold ups in traffic, increasing the accident potential 100 fold, and just expect the right of way where ever they are, including carrying on riding at speed of no intention to stop at junctions and roundabouts.

 

I think it's more of educating cyclists. Police should slap them with fines and or put points on their license if they have one, if they run lights, ride with undue care and attention...etc... as they are a still a vehicle.

Cycle packs and 2-3 abreast without care for other road users...I agree...pita and should not be allowed...as you say, no respect for others...and I think should be fined aswell.
I think some countries only allow 2 abreast, but need to drop to single file if causing an obstruction...

As for paying for road funds, if they are a tax payer they do pay and have a right. 'Road Tax' is actually Vehicle excise, and there is no real link between that and road funding,....and hasn't been for ages, although it was once upon a time, many moons ago...

Vehicle excise is just anther general tax, that gets thrown into the vacuum cleaner of government revenue generation, that gets divvied up....

 

For me it is not really about costs, though the millions and 10's of millions are going to be invested in making roads safer for cyclists at everyone's expense is sort of wrong, but not my main concern, My main concern is large group road races, time trails that take place every week on public roads, they are dangerous for all road users, even small groups of 3 and 4, riding 2 and 3 a breast on any road, is potentially a high risk scenario. The more accidents is just one step closer at present to put more onus on car and motorbike riders where it is not their fault, on top of more speed restrictions, which are all ready way to restricted for certain times of the day in lots of places.

I also personally think it is wrong for very large groups of motor bikes to be out as well on public roads although the reasons are genuine (mostly rides in Respect) in most cases, still very high accident risk.

 

heh! Hoppielimp can you educate someone who is in racing mode

 

Hmm, how is a time trail not a race? you are racing against yourself at least to better your time, and also I guess it is a your time which you want to better over other cyclist's time's? how can that not be classified as racing? I might also add the word as in competitor, means you are competing, what other sport (with wheels I guess) can we think of, that if you are competing you are not racing to win?

 

Cycle lanes, and all cyclists must register their bikes and have a disk, like our tax disks. At the moment they can't be identified, how many peeps do they mow down in London and they are not insured.
How about £10 a year, it could go towards creating more dedicated lanes, found outside and you're fair game.
I'm a cyclist as well and I do see bad behavior on all sides.

 

It is just ridiculous, one Law for one and one for others. see it has not been amended since 95, quite a lot of difference now and then, it is almost a weekly occurrence now days.

Though is that generally for the big British events like the Olympics, and world racing, etc. though I am sure a cop out for all and sundry, ironic that they only have to inform the police, does not say the police can say no.

 

Good reading, so contridictory

"A cycle race on a public road is prohibited by section 31(1) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 unless the race is authorised by or under regulations under that section. The powers of the police in this area stem from the Cycle Racing on Highways Regulations 1960 (as amended in 1963, 1980, 1988 and 1995). These Regulations now take effect as though made under section 31. Regulation 5 authorises a bicycle race on the public highway subject to ‘the standard conditions’ which includes a condition that the length of the circuit is at least 10 miles. If the standard conditions do not apply, then the police may authorise the race pursuant to a power under regulation 7."

From this site http://thecyclingsilk.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/so-what-powers-do-police-actually-have.html

 

I'm sure you're all aware of this but it was a motorcyclist who was killed and he was riding on the wrong side of the road when he crashed. How has this ignited a debate about behaviour of cyclists generally?

Please don't take this as criticism or read my remark as inflammatory, I genuinely want to know.

 

If the cycle race was not taking part, he would not be there, he was a Marshall at the race. My personal view

 

Threads get bent and everyone jumps in, same as a conversation. We need an umpire ... simples!