Safer way to cycle

Published: 21 April, 2011

• EVERY death of a cyclist in a road accident is a tragedy (Paula death sparks bike safety pleas, April 7).  

It is also, of course, beyond doubt that all relevant technical modifications to trucks and roads should be made; and that the circumstances of such terrible events need to be fully investigated.  

However, we should give due cognisance to the principle, taught by the Institute of Advanced Motorists, called “defensive driving”. It means a driver needs constantly to be aware of what in any road situation could go wrong.  

A cyclist applying such a principle would make it an absolute rule never to ride on the left of a large vehicle, whether truck, bus or van, or even a car when near a possible turn to the left. And don’t put your trust in cycle lanes: your right to be there will be of no use to you if you are dead.  

The principle of “defensive cycling” should be taught by every parent and in every school. I believe that if it were, and if it were observed, the number of tragic deaths would fall sharply. 

Our real and appropriate feeling for these tragic accidents should not deter us from pursuing this educational remedy. 

It would cost a little, but any money spent on such an approach would be infinitely worth it.  

THOM OSBORN
N7

• THE new bill (creating new offences of causing death or serious injury through dangerous or reckless cycling) starting its passage through Parliament has been triggered by the tragic incident of a pedestrian’s death caused by a cyclist. 

Fortunately, however, this is a very rare occurrence and it is much more common for cyclists or pedestrians to be killed or injured by vehicles. Everyone on our streets should obey the law but we feel motorists are proportionally less likely to be stopped when not doing so – offences such as speeding in residential streets and using mobile phones while driving being prime examples. 

We have instigated a local Road Danger Reduction Campaign to highlight these problems and others, such as motorists in cycle boxes at traffic lights and drivers passing cyclists too closely. We have worked with the police Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and council officers to try to address them.

I am sure these and other cycling related issues will be discussed at our annual meeting on Wednesday, May 11, to which we are delighted to welcome London Assembly member Jenny Jones as our guest speaker. The meeting will be at the Town Hall, in Upper Street, starting at 7.30pm with Jenny speaking at 8.30pm. It is open to all and for more information see our website www.icag.org.uk.

ALISON DINES
Co-ordinator, Islington Cyclists’ Action Group