That is the message coming out of a new study which suggests protective headgear is useless in the event of a serious accident. ‘Looking at evidence, it does not matter if people are wearing a helmet or not, any serious accident on a bike is likely to kill them,’ said Dr Carwyn Hooper, from St George’s University of London. Read article
Category Archives: UK Posts
UK
Fair weather cyclist
(UK) Times safety campaign proves that cycling is now mainstream
Unusual campaigning stance by the paper will reach a different audience from typical cycle campaigns. Read article
2000 people in a mass bike ride in central London
Police estimate up to 2000 people took part in a mass bike ride on Wednesday 22 February 2012 in central London, where a mile-long river of cyclists highlighted the need for radical change in many of London’s streets.
Cycling is unsafe in UK urban areas, says poll
The majority of Britons believe it remains unsafe to cycle on urban roads and want major safety measures such as wholesale 20mph speed limits and more cycle lanes, according to an opinion poll.
The research, carried out by the national cycling and green travel charity Sustrans, found that 56% of people felt cycling on roads in built-up areas was not safe, and fewer than 20% regularly did this. Read more
National road charging is inevitable, warns head of UK motoring group
A national system of charging people to drive on the roads is inevitable as part of a package of measures to cut congestion and pollution, the head of the UK’s leading motoring lobby group warned on Tuesday. Read article
The ‘ghost bike’ revolt: Families demand action on cyclist deaths
Minister accused of failure to act as protest against rise in fatalities gathers momentum. Read article
Bristol’s Railway Path is becoming a victim of its own success
Building more quality safe space for cyclists along main routes will prevent them all crowding onto one path.
“If you build it they will come” has not always been true of the great British cycling facility. The bafflingly inappropriate pavements, muddy tracks and steps are usually no more attractive than riding on busy roads with fast cars and big trucks. Read more
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UK: NHS part-funds city 20mph limits
Liverpool’s Primary Care Trust is to part-fund the implementation of 20mph speed limits across residential roads in the city. The PCT will contribute £400,000 towards the £1.4m anticipated cost of the council programme to implement 20mph signed-only limits over the next four years. The Trust will also fund a £265,000 programme of perception surveys and community engagement work. Continue reading UK: NHS part-funds city 20mph limits
Should you talk on your phone while cycling?
If my phone rings while I’m cycling, normally I won’t answer. I’m basically concerned for my safety – I’m not sure I could co-ordinate riding along and digging my phone out of my pocket at the same time. Unfortunately some callers seem to have an uncanny knack of knowing when I’m on my bike, and will keep phoning until I stop. I think the record so far is five calls before I finally gave up and pulled over. If you see someone riding along with a Vampire Weekend ringtone playing on repeat – that’s me. Continue reading Should you talk on your phone while cycling?