London cycle deaths: Chris Boardman wants HGV ban

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Former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has called on Boris Johnson to consider banning lorries from some of London's roads during peak times. Wouldn't it be easier to just ban the lunatic cyclists instead?. Cyclist should play by the rules if a traffic light is on stop you stop you do not carry on. That would help save a lot of lives, that and common sense. :(


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London cycle deaths: Chris Boardman wants HGV ban

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Boris Johnson says he is not convinced about a peak hours lorry ban?


Former Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman has called on Boris Johnson to consider banning lorries from some of London's roads during peak times.
Following the death of six cyclists on London's roads in two weeks, Mr Boardman asked the mayor to honour a "promise" he made by looking at similar schemes in operation abroad.
He said: "The longer we delay, the more lives will be lost."
Mr Johnson told BBC London 94.9 he was not convinced by the argument.
Nine of this year's 14 cyclist fatalities and five of last year's 14 deaths involved a heavy goods vehicle.
In the centre of Paris, where there are restrictions on lorries, there were no cyclist fatalities last year, according to the Prefecture of Police of Paris.
'Do something'Boardman, British Cycling's policy adviser, said in an open letter to the mayor: "When I rode alongside you to help you launch your vision for cycling in March this year, you made a verbal promise to look at the successful experiences of Paris and many other cities in restricting the movements of heavy vehicles during peak hours.
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Chris Boardman said London had an "opportunity to do something now"

"London has an opportunity to emulate and surpass Paris and to lead the way for the other ambitious cycling cities across Britain.
"Let's not waste this opportunity to do something now."
The House of Commons Transport Committee is to hold an oral evidence session on cycle safety on December 2 to "stimulate debate", said chairman Louise Ellman.
Speaking to Vanessa Feltz on BBC London 94.9, the mayor of London said safety must be improved.
He said he was getting on with the programme to invest the "thick end of £1bn" to make cycling in the capital safer.
Mr Johnson said there had to be a "much bigger conversation about HGVs" and the dangers they pose when they turn left.
But he said imposing a peak-time ban risked damaging London companies and creating a "serious influx as soon as the ban is over".
He said that examples from other European cities were being studied, but that he was "by no means satisfied" the idea was the solution.
Headphones a 'scourge'Mr Johnson said the latest person to die was in a collision with a lorry at about midday, not during the rush hour.

London cyclist deaths

2010: 10 deaths, four involving HGVs
2011: 16 deaths, 12 involving HGVs
2012: 14 deaths, five involving HGVs
2013 so far: 14 deaths, nine involving HGVs
Source: TfL

He added: "We are not dismissing any suggestion."
On new safety ideas being considered at Transport for London, he said the issue of people riding bikes and walking in the street using personal electronic devices was discussed frequently.
Mr Johnson said he thought headphones were an "absolute scourge" and that he would consider banning cyclists from wearing them.
"Call me illiberal, but it makes me absolutely terrified to see them bowling along unable to hear the traffic.
"You've got to be able to hear that car behind you or about to come out of the road in front of you," he said.
Mark Ames, editor of cycling blog ibikelondon, accused the mayor of taking attention away from his "inaction".
He wrote on Twitter that the mayor was "a clever man" who had "deflected all attention on his inaction and HGV ban and made a debate about Londoners wearing headphones".
'Add to congestion'The House of Commons Transport Committee chairman Ms Ellman said the deaths of cyclists this year had raised the issue of restricting lorries, and the behaviour of drivers and cyclists.
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Boris Johnson told BBC London he remains unconvinced by an HGV ban

She said: "Many of these casualties involve large vehicles, especially HGVs, and there is now debate about whether they should be banned from city centres at peak times.
"This will have consequences for businesses, which need to be assessed."
Kate Gibbs, spokeswoman for the Road Haulage Association, said: "Lorries have to get in and out of construction sites. Shops have to have goods on their shelves. Even Halfords."
She said restricting lorries from entering the city between 10:00 and 18:00, for example, "would add to the congestion that London roads are already facing".
During the Olympics, deliveries were made to shops and businesses overnight with the usual restrictions preventing noise for residents removed.
But Ms Gibbs said that was not a "workable solution".

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BBC News - London cycle deaths: Chris Boardman wants HGV ban
 
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Of course the HGV ban would not include buses even though they have been involved in some of the recent deaths.
Almost all motorised vehicles pay road tax and insurance for the privilege of using the UK's roads and yet the ban is directed at those vehicles, would a ban on cycles on the roads be more appropriate.
Or perhaps those cyclists would prefer to pay a road tax, insurance and have a certificate of roadworthyness for their cycles and so have as much right to be on the road as the other vehicles and then have a qualified right to suggest a ban of certain vehicles.
 
CBT for cyclists , I can't see why they shouldn't, if its using public roads then make sure they know the rules of it.

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That's got to be worth three points on his licence straight away has it not or indeed a ban?. Same roads, same laws should apply.
 
Of course the HGV ban would not include buses even though they have been involved in some of the recent deaths.
Almost all motorised vehicles pay road tax and insurance for the privilege of using the UK's roads and yet the ban is directed at those vehicles, would a ban on cycles on the roads be more appropriate.
Or perhaps those cyclists would prefer to pay a road tax, insurance and have a certificate of roadworthyness for their cycles and so have as much right to be on the road as the other vehicles and then have a qualified right to suggest a ban of certain vehicles.

Motorists pay an emissions tax and not road tax mate and as bikes don't give off any emissions.... Well you get the idea.

Some kind of cycle insurance wouldn't be a bad idea though as bikes can cause lots of damage too, but I think the main problem comes from 1. Cyclists who ride on the roads without following the Highway Code (we've all seen cyclists strolling through red lights, wobbling about and just generally being a nuisance) and 2. Ignorant motorists who are just plain and simple anti cyclist and so do not give cyclists the patience and space they need. Whether each other agree or not with the other being on the roads they are legally allowed to be there so it's tough shite. If everyone just played their part then maybe everyone would get home to their families in one piece. I hate seeing one category outright negatively generalising the other not saying anyone here is but it tends to happen.
 
There are plenty of benefits to people cycling. They don't damage the road as much as cars and trucks, they are greener, the cause less congestion and people who cycle are generally fitter and require less NHS resources.

I think there are number of issues to address from better design of cycle lanes, better education for cyclists (how many times have we seen them jumping red light, wearing headphones, illegal turns, wrong way down one way streets like one of the ones recently killed), car & lorry drivers and better design of lorries. As for HGV bans, probably isn't going to make much difference but interesting fact that 80% of HGV involved in fatal or serious injury happen to belong to building trade who also happen to consistently score the worst for driver training and maintenance.

As for insurance, road tax, mot. How do you enforce that for a 10 year old riding to the park ?
 
There are good road users and bad. Their mode of transportation is irrelevant. If you happen to be sat on/in something small then something big could do you a lot of damage so the smaller you are the more vigilant you should be.

Of course, if you happen to be sat on/in something large it doesn't mean the rules don't apply and you don't need to be vigilant too. If everyone took a more defensive approach to road use fewer accidents would result because they would be ready and able to compensate for the idiots.

Knowing the rules and observing them are two different things.

Of course, you can always sit on your little heavenly cloud, flex your newly acquired wings and extend your middle finger while insisting you had right of way...
 
As for insurance, road tax, mot. How do you enforce that for a 10 year old riding to the park ?

You couldn't and it would be ludicrous to attempt it, just as banning the HGVs is a ludicrous idea. Can you imagine how many £Millions would be lost to businesses on a daily basis with such a ban.
My other post was meant in a facetious manner to highlight that if it were to happen it would be a case of the tail wagging the dog.
 
You couldn't and it would be ludicrous to attempt it, just as banning the HGVs is a ludicrous idea. Can you imagine how many £Millions would be lost to businesses on a daily basis with such a ban.
My other post was meant in a facetious manner to highlight that if it were to happen it would be a case of the tail wagging the dog.

some data on HGV restrictions in Paris,

HGV’s haven’t been banned from the Ville de Paris, there are however rules on when HGV’s can enter Paris. If a lorry has a surface area greater than 43m² it can’t enter Paris at all. If a vehicle is between 43m² and 29m² it can enter the city between 10pm and 7am. If it is less than 29m² entry is restricted to between 10pm and 5pm, in other words only excluded between 5pm and 10pm. Vehicles below 29m² using clean fuels have no restrictions as do car transporters which are generally very busy restocking car hire businesses.

One year on, a post about lorries, cyclists and Paris (deja vu!) | Buffalo Bill's Bicycle Blog


UK is also the only large EU country with no restrictions on HGV traffic (be it overnight, weekends, holiday or daytime).
 
some data on HGV restrictions in Paris,



One year on, a post about lorries, cyclists and Paris (deja vu!) | Buffalo Bill's Bicycle Blog


UK is also the only large EU country with no restrictions on HGV traffic (be it overnight, weekends, holiday or daytime).
Does this ridiculous rule apply to cyclist when HGV's are allowed in the area?. It works both ways really doesnt it?.As for taxing and insuring your bike it is quite simply a case of paying for it when you buy the bike surely?. The plod can aim there radar at the bikes and hey presto more money is made for this pathetic Government to give away.
 
@oneman there is a lot of sense in what is written in the blog and many things that I agree with, but there are also points in there that I also agree with but explain why it wouldn't work here. Such as the culture of the types and size of supermarkets, the way that building new structures rather than adapting existing building is the chosen option in Britain and probably the most important point was that of investment, as was the way with British Industrial business profit in the short term takes priority over investment and that will not be considered until it is too late....................So the biggest problem is Greed.
 
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Cost is always going to be a problem but I think there are at least a few things like cyclist education and HGV road worthiness that could probably be implemented at little cost and would make a difference.
 
sat night thought i had killed a cyclist as i was pulling out of a roundabout.

Luckily my missus screamed which made me stop.

He had no lights on at all and it was just going dark absolutely shit myself.

I hit him but didnt knock him off he bike, the guy was about to ride off shouted if he was ok he shouted back is my car ok????? Cracked number plate and massive scratch on bumper was the damage.

Cycle and proficiency!!!!
 
I admit i haven't rode a bike without an engine for years but most bikes haven't changed a bit ie shit brakes when wet (i know you can get disk brakes) with the old type rubber blocks, tires that look like slicks and very few bother with any type of lighting but what gets me the most is NO compulsory helmet law or some kind of mot system to make sure its safe to ride.
Mind you its not cyclists around me you have to watch its the bloody horse n carts lol
 
He had no lights on at all.

A common problem nowadays. Are they terminally stupid or just suicidal? :(

Maybe I'm wearing rose coloured spectacles here, but in my bicycle riding days (when dinosaurs roamed the earth), all bikes had lighting.
 
sat night thought i had killed a cyclist as i was pulling out of a roundabout.

Luckily my missus screamed which made me stop.

He had no lights on at all and it was just going dark absolutely shit myself.

I hit him but didnt knock him off he bike, the guy was about to ride off shouted if he was ok he shouted back is my car ok????? Cracked number plate and massive scratch on bumper was the damage.

Cycle and proficiency!!!!

Had a few close shaves myself almost running over cyclists.

I have a lot of unlit 60mph country lanes were I live and barely a month goes by with me coming across some idiot who thinks its a good idea to ride without lights and in dark clothing at night. Stupid really as a pair of LED lights costs around 3 quid in Aldi and batteries have lasted a year so far. I've actually got two pairs of lights, one constantly on and one flashing, plus helmet and reflective jacket. At the end of the day, even if its the motorist fault you are the one who is going to come off worse.
 
A common problem nowadays. Are they terminally stupid or just suicidal? :(

Maybe I'm wearing rose coloured spectacles here, but in my bicycle riding days (when dinosaurs roamed the earth), all bikes had lighting.
@nara I'm sure all the bikes had lighting back in your day, but lighting those candles was a pain. :roflmao:
Seriously though, maybe there should be a return to a dynamo light system as I am sure the old dynamo system could be improved upon to make it a bit more efficient.
 
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Seriously though, maybe there should be a return to a dynamo light system as I am sure the old dynamo system could be improved upon to make it a bit more efficient.

Lol, yes. The light output was directly proportional to the speed of travel. :LOL:

...but at least you could be seen!
 
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