The problem is institutional pedestrianism & that cyclists do not care for their own safety and so cannot be expected to care for anyone else's safety. Many believe themselves invincible & omniscient.
In the dark, taking a cross section of the London Area , 80% of cyclists have no front light*, 80% of cyclists have no red rear light* or reflector and 80% of cyclists ride on the footway at a time when many street lights are dimmed presenting colour temperatures which make vision harder. Where cyclists do have front lights they are often too faint to be of any real use. * Excludes 'Boris Bikes' .
When a cyclist on the footway comes to a blind corner (whether legal or not) they tend not to slow down in case another cyclist is mirroring their action.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has named 2011 as the 'Year of Walking'. There were no signs of any attempt to even the playing field or take any new positive actions. Coaltion Government plans to make it 'safer' for cyclists are likely to put pedestrians at even more risk with no lobby groups solely dedicated to protecting pedestrians and without conflicting interests to stand up for pedestrians rights.
The London Cycling Campaign 2012 'Go Dutch' petition has as one of its sponsors The Dutch Government. Interference in British politics like this in any other case would be totally unacceptable and front page news.
Pedestrians don't count.
There is a 'green' opinion that anything a cyclist does is O.K., taking a view that there is virtually no Carbon Footprint once the bicycle is built and that Pedestrians are NOT 'Green' except in some limited circumstances such as replacing a 5 minute car journey, 2 bus stops, 1 underground stop or a walk along a 'Greenway' or preselected leisure walking route.
There are NO lobby groups and nor have there been any dedicated solely to the interests of pedestrians without other conflicting aims. The two major claims to support the interests of pedestrians are from Sustrans, a cycling based organisation and Living Streets (The Pedestrians Association) which as The Pedestrians Association sought to protect the pedestrian from the motor vehicle with many of its activities partly funded by the cycling lobby and industry including the London Cycling Campaign. Although it has very belatedly brought out a cycling policy it did not counter petition to preserve the clauses in the London Local Authority and Transport for London (No.2 ) Bill 2007/2008, which is still going through parliament, regarding a fair, enforced penalty for cycling on the footway when it is illegal, and the ability for dealing with badly parked cycles which are also a major danger to the public and would be subject to emergency Enforcement Orders if street furniture (with bits projecting or dangerously placed)*. Following petitons by the London Cycling Campaign these clauses were removed from the Bill. Now as Living Streets (The Pedestrians Association) also promotes the Naked Streets policy, which is also promoted by the Civic Societies and has now been rebranded by them as 'Civic Pride'.
Unbelievably, in practice it is legal for Cyclists and Stage Carriage Operators (including whilst uninsured and carrying passengers) to cycle whilst 'judgement impared' drunk as they cannot be breathalised, unless voluntarily in which case a Police Officer needs to show no improper influence. The opinion of the Police Officer will be taken which is not fair for either the Cyclist or the Police Officer. The old tests of walking a straight line or 'The Leith police dismisseth us' may apply. Cyclists and Stage Carriage Operators all ready regularly ignore traffic law putting themselves, pedestrians & motorists at severe risk; being drunk enough to be driving a motor vehicle illegally is more of a danger to a cycling cyclist than being drunk enough to motor.
In the rare occasions that a PCSO or Warranted Police Officer stops or calls to a cyclist on the footway it is usually a smile and 'off' or 'get of the bike' with NO mention of the alternative of riding legally on the carriageway. The cyclist usually smiles at the officer, being in on the joke, and as soon as the officer turns their back has a snicker (Beavis and Butthead style), gets back on their machine and continues along the footway. No record is kept and if it is pointed out that the cyclist is back on their machine the usual two answers are that either they have done their job by indicating that they have to get on their bicycle or that they have now passed them and nothing can be done, thus putting the law into disrepute. In even rarer cases a £30 FPN (Fixed Penalty Notice) is issued. No interest is taken of no lights in the dark or other illegalities. Other than in a couple of obsure 'Safer Policing' areas within England PCSO's have no power to deal with cyclists with no lights in the dark and, everywhere, no powers regarding any other traffic infringement or faulty bicycles. I have never seen a cyclist with no lights or breaking traffic law in the carriageway stopped or called to, even when pointed out to an officer.
It is legal for a person under 10 to cycle on the footway. It is accepted that a person between 10 and 15 inclusive can cycle on the footway. They cannot receive a £30 FPN but can be prosecuted under the full law. As it is accepted that a person 25 or less buying alcohol must show some form of identity and younger people a Citizen card or similar it is logical that anyone under sixteen who looks over should need to carry photo ID if they intend to cycle on the footway.
Some misunderstandings of the laws by Uniformed Police Officers and PCSO's.
It is legal to cycle on the Footway (Pavement) unless cycling at speed.
A person under 18 cannot be told to use the carriageway in case the police are sued if there is an accident.
It is illegal for any person over 9 to cycle on the footway unless signage indicates that it is legal. There are also some accepted extra statutory exemptions. A Police officer or PCSO in pursuit of their duty (using Police discretionary powers), a person between 10 and 15 years of age inclusive . (A person under 16 can be told to walk their bicycle if misbehaving.)
The full law offering a penalty of up to £500.00 via the courts has been repealed. (In some rare cases bylaws can exceed this.)
As no law exists specifically banning cyclists or Stage carriage Operators using Mobile Phones and it is legal to use them in motion.
Utter nonsense.
When pointed out to a PC that Stage Carriages are blocking the entry lane to a cycling counterflow lane the PC referred to it as a 'technical offence' despite the fact that any cylcist would have to enter the road pushing their machine (unlikely) or cycle along the footway or past the No Entry sign.
Watching a PC at a London junction, at night for about 2 minutes, it looked like a scene from a 'Keystone Cops' film. A 'gang' of 6 'Boris' Bikes went through a red traffic light, other assorted cycles went through a red light including 2 without lights and cycles shot along the footway and a cycle went the wrong way down the middle of a one way street some without lights.
In watching not more than 1 hour of 'Traffic Police' television whilst switching channels I have heard officers say on two occasions that drivers with withdrawn licences should have 'got on their bike'.
PCSO's attached to the Safer Transport Team claim that they do not have the delegated powers to issue £30.00 Fixed Penalty Notices that other PCSO's do. I have not confirmed this.
If we stop a cyclist on the footway or the carriageway we may be attacked and if a cyclist has an accident due to us stopping them we may be sued. (PC)
'I have issued £30.00 PCN's' (Sounded like - some of my best friends) (PCSO)
It is not as serious for a cyclist to break traffic law as it is for a mtorist to break traffic law. (PC)
It is legal for a cyclist to cycle the wrong way up a one way street. (PC)
When told that it is legal to cycle 'Judgement Impared' Drunk and that cyclists cannot be breathalised the view of a PC was that the smell of breath on a cyclist would be sufficient.
Police Officers have described Cycling Laws as Technical or Controversial. In conversation with a PCSO & a PC FPN's were described as a last resort. The 10 Police Officers attached to the Cycle Task Force funded by TfL who are partly tasked to enforce cycle laws seem to offer a presentation rather than enforce the laws with no feedbackif the cyclist is stopped again by another PCSO or PC as details are not normally taken by those other officers.
There is no repeatable answer to these.
The Police.
'Safer Policing' team leafelts in wards in Westminster & Kensington and Chelsea identify cycling on the footway as being a greater problem than mugging and other offences for pedestrians.
When asked by a London Borough Area Conmmittee in 2011 for the number of cyclists caught on the footway by Police staff it was refused as 'a waste of police time'.
This is due to rare occasions of cyclists being told to get off their machine whilst riding on the footway , with no notice taken of no lights if in the dark or almost immediate return to cycling illegally on the footway.
Pedestrians.
Many pedestrians believe that it is legal for cyclists to cycle on the pavement as they see so many there and PCSO's & Police Officers ignoring them. They also have their own horror stories of cyclists antics.
Cyclists
When the law is pointed out to cyclists 80% ignore it, 10% are dumbfounded that any law should apply to them and on occasion look open mouthed at the same being told to following unconnected cyclists and around 20% either threaten or weigh up the possibility of violence to being told the law. Cyclists on the footway are rarely little old ladies of 80 too scared to cycle on the carriageway and I have never been told by a cyclist that they are too scared to cycle on the carriageway although many cyclists have proudly told me (when not with a cycle) that they ride on the footway at night because they have no lights (Not that they need to buy lights.).
Whilst I believe that the law should be enforced for cycling on both the footway and carriageway I get worried when I see a small child or a parent with a small child or baby on board cycling on the carriageway and that carers with children below 12 can also cycle on the footway provided that they are in control of the child and also people unfit to cycle on the carriageway. Where Cyclists have a concession to ride on a shared footway rather than a safe well laid out segregated footway they must return to the carriageways soon as the concession ends. I would agree that many cycle lanes on the highway are too narrow and that some junctions need a redesign however most cyclists are chance-takers.
Conclusions
being edited See also cycle signage
Whilst some roads are not ideal for cyclists and their antics and the Cycling Super Highways often seem lacking Footways are for Pedestrians (Hint - 'foot' ways) and where there is a CONCESSION to allow cyclists on the footway and there is not a clear segregated area for both cyclists must be encouraged to return to the carriageway as soon the CONCESSION runs out.
Road Traffic Laws need to be enforced. Whilst Andrea Leadsom, MP has a bill to deal with cyclists after they kill a pedestrian it really does nothing to protect pedestrians or motorists from cyclists ignoring laws and taking unnecessary risks. Warranted Police Officers feel that enforcing Road Traffic Law as far as cyclists are concerned is beneath them whether on general or traffic duty**. Although PCSO's in London have devolved powers (only whilst on duty) to issue FPN's (Fixed Penalty Notices) to cyclists on the pavement they rarely even draw the attention of illegal cyclists and even then do not inform cyclists that they must ride on the carriageway treating it along with the cyclist as a joke. They have no powers regarding cycle lights and ignore them if they do stop a cyclist in hours of darkness. (In a few odd 'neighbourhoods' in other parts of England they have powers to issue FPN's for lighting). If Police Officers do not want to enforce Road Traffic Laws ( a road usually includes pavements [footways] and carriageways) including those on the carriageway further powers should be given to PCSO's. No record is kept of warned offenders so that they can continue to do break the law with impunity.
** The Metropolitan Police Cycle Task Force added 10 Police Traffic Officers to the existing 30 Officers in 2011. These 10 officers only are the only officers dedicated to enforce Traffic Laws affecting cyclists (but their duties also include actions by motorists against cyclists.
It is not illegal to be 'Judgement Impared' Drunk in charge of a Cycle or Stage Carriage ( a Pedicab which may be carrying fare-paying passengers). The laws need to be brought in line with motor vehicles. It could be argued that the level of alcohol in the bloodstream should be lower as cyclists are at more risk than motorists, tend to be risk takers under normal conditions and can put pedestrians and other road users at more risk than usual. (A motorist knowing themselves to be unfit to drive who is parked in a car park and asleep behind the wheel can be prosecuted for drunkenness.) If similar laws are brought in regarding Drugs it should likewise be extended.
The Coalition Government has brought in a Naked Streets / Civic Pride policy of minimal street signage which will save considerable costs. This is likely to lead to even more incomplete or misleading signage than at present. [ To quote Albert Einstein "Keep it as simple as possible, but no simpler". ] Signage MUST be clear, complete and not misleading.
Where contraflow cycling is allowed signage must be clear, roads must be suitable and unless laws are brought in to exclude cycles over a reasonable width only carriageways which will accept Stage Carriages (Pedicabs) should be signed. Cyclists who abuse the additional roadspace by jumping onto the footway on these roads need the laws to be enforced. Where contra-flowing cyclists must keep towards the centre or left of a single lane if no approaching traffic and the left lane if more than one lane.
TfL has a scheme for HGV drivers to ride cycles to see what it is like for cyclists when they encounter HGV's. A similar scheme is needed for cyclists for them to understand what it is like to walk footways and cross roads safely. Walking cyclists during hours of darkness should be 'attacked' by cyclists with no lights in both directions of the footway and as they cross the road including cyclists on the footway turning suddenly
90% onto a crossing. It would also entail cyclists following the highway code recommendation of drawing attention to themselves in the way that the few cyclists that do so follow - usually a cry of 'Get out the f.....g way' with an occasional 'Gert out of the way you c... whilst walking or at bus stops . It would also entail parked cycles in the most dangerous places possible and cycles ridden between a bus stop and the carriageway.
Parking needs to be subject to common sense. The same safety rules that apply to street furniture must apply to them unless dedicated parking spaces are in a position that will not endanger pedestrians. Councils must make an evaluation before positioning dedicated spaces and whenever
it may be a danger the cycle parked MUST be covered with a black & yellow striped cover. Cyclists who badly park blocking pavements, bus stops, road crossings, guiderails and handrails for the disabled or on narrow footways should ber subject to penalty. Where there is block dedicated parking cyclists tend to arrive there on their machines and when leaving tend to cycle on the footway for a much longer distance. Tourist 'Boris' bikers seem to think that it is legal to cycle on the footway as they see so many other cyclists doing so.
Road Speed Limits do not apply to cyclists. This must be re-dressed.
Many cyclists claim or claim and really believe that The Highway Code does not apply to them. The existing Highway Code is confusing in that that cycling section also advises cylists to refer to the rest of the Highway Code for relevent advice and regulations. What is urgently needed is a published dedicated DfT Cyclists Code.
A decision should be made regarding cyclists on public authority controlled footpaths and where cyclists can be authorised safely and sensible laws brought into force.
It should be compulsory for all cycles, whether old or new, to have bright flashing LED front lights. It identifies cycles from motorcycles and helps identifly the speed of the cycle. There should be suitable lighting necessary for Stage Carriages and similar wide carriages to identify their width.
GOOD PRACTICE
Edgware Road, Paddington Green crossovers to Boris Bike Stands have a white cycle painted on them.
A13, by Aspen Way - sign 'Cyclists return to carriageway'.
In the dark, taking a cross section of the London Area , 80% of cyclists have no front light*, 80% of cyclists have no red rear light* or reflector and 80% of cyclists ride on the footway at a time when many street lights are dimmed presenting colour temperatures which make vision harder. Where cyclists do have front lights they are often too faint to be of any real use. * Excludes 'Boris Bikes' .
When a cyclist on the footway comes to a blind corner (whether legal or not) they tend not to slow down in case another cyclist is mirroring their action.
The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has named 2011 as the 'Year of Walking'. There were no signs of any attempt to even the playing field or take any new positive actions. Coaltion Government plans to make it 'safer' for cyclists are likely to put pedestrians at even more risk with no lobby groups solely dedicated to protecting pedestrians and without conflicting interests to stand up for pedestrians rights.
The London Cycling Campaign 2012 'Go Dutch' petition has as one of its sponsors The Dutch Government. Interference in British politics like this in any other case would be totally unacceptable and front page news.
Pedestrians don't count.
There is a 'green' opinion that anything a cyclist does is O.K., taking a view that there is virtually no Carbon Footprint once the bicycle is built and that Pedestrians are NOT 'Green' except in some limited circumstances such as replacing a 5 minute car journey, 2 bus stops, 1 underground stop or a walk along a 'Greenway' or preselected leisure walking route.
There are NO lobby groups and nor have there been any dedicated solely to the interests of pedestrians without other conflicting aims. The two major claims to support the interests of pedestrians are from Sustrans, a cycling based organisation and Living Streets (The Pedestrians Association) which as The Pedestrians Association sought to protect the pedestrian from the motor vehicle with many of its activities partly funded by the cycling lobby and industry including the London Cycling Campaign. Although it has very belatedly brought out a cycling policy it did not counter petition to preserve the clauses in the London Local Authority and Transport for London (No.2 ) Bill 2007/2008, which is still going through parliament, regarding a fair, enforced penalty for cycling on the footway when it is illegal, and the ability for dealing with badly parked cycles which are also a major danger to the public and would be subject to emergency Enforcement Orders if street furniture (with bits projecting or dangerously placed)*. Following petitons by the London Cycling Campaign these clauses were removed from the Bill. Now as Living Streets (The Pedestrians Association) also promotes the Naked Streets policy, which is also promoted by the Civic Societies and has now been rebranded by them as 'Civic Pride'.
Unbelievably, in practice it is legal for Cyclists and Stage Carriage Operators (including whilst uninsured and carrying passengers) to cycle whilst 'judgement impared' drunk as they cannot be breathalised, unless voluntarily in which case a Police Officer needs to show no improper influence. The opinion of the Police Officer will be taken which is not fair for either the Cyclist or the Police Officer. The old tests of walking a straight line or 'The Leith police dismisseth us' may apply. Cyclists and Stage Carriage Operators all ready regularly ignore traffic law putting themselves, pedestrians & motorists at severe risk; being drunk enough to be driving a motor vehicle illegally is more of a danger to a cycling cyclist than being drunk enough to motor.
In the rare occasions that a PCSO or Warranted Police Officer stops or calls to a cyclist on the footway it is usually a smile and 'off' or 'get of the bike' with NO mention of the alternative of riding legally on the carriageway. The cyclist usually smiles at the officer, being in on the joke, and as soon as the officer turns their back has a snicker (Beavis and Butthead style), gets back on their machine and continues along the footway. No record is kept and if it is pointed out that the cyclist is back on their machine the usual two answers are that either they have done their job by indicating that they have to get on their bicycle or that they have now passed them and nothing can be done, thus putting the law into disrepute. In even rarer cases a £30 FPN (Fixed Penalty Notice) is issued. No interest is taken of no lights in the dark or other illegalities. Other than in a couple of obsure 'Safer Policing' areas within England PCSO's have no power to deal with cyclists with no lights in the dark and, everywhere, no powers regarding any other traffic infringement or faulty bicycles. I have never seen a cyclist with no lights or breaking traffic law in the carriageway stopped or called to, even when pointed out to an officer.
It is legal for a person under 10 to cycle on the footway. It is accepted that a person between 10 and 15 inclusive can cycle on the footway. They cannot receive a £30 FPN but can be prosecuted under the full law. As it is accepted that a person 25 or less buying alcohol must show some form of identity and younger people a Citizen card or similar it is logical that anyone under sixteen who looks over should need to carry photo ID if they intend to cycle on the footway.
Some misunderstandings of the laws by Uniformed Police Officers and PCSO's.
It is legal to cycle on the Footway (Pavement) unless cycling at speed.
A person under 18 cannot be told to use the carriageway in case the police are sued if there is an accident.
It is illegal for any person over 9 to cycle on the footway unless signage indicates that it is legal. There are also some accepted extra statutory exemptions. A Police officer or PCSO in pursuit of their duty (using Police discretionary powers), a person between 10 and 15 years of age inclusive . (A person under 16 can be told to walk their bicycle if misbehaving.)
The full law offering a penalty of up to £500.00 via the courts has been repealed. (In some rare cases bylaws can exceed this.)
As no law exists specifically banning cyclists or Stage carriage Operators using Mobile Phones and it is legal to use them in motion.
Utter nonsense.
When pointed out to a PC that Stage Carriages are blocking the entry lane to a cycling counterflow lane the PC referred to it as a 'technical offence' despite the fact that any cylcist would have to enter the road pushing their machine (unlikely) or cycle along the footway or past the No Entry sign.
Watching a PC at a London junction, at night for about 2 minutes, it looked like a scene from a 'Keystone Cops' film. A 'gang' of 6 'Boris' Bikes went through a red traffic light, other assorted cycles went through a red light including 2 without lights and cycles shot along the footway and a cycle went the wrong way down the middle of a one way street some without lights.
In watching not more than 1 hour of 'Traffic Police' television whilst switching channels I have heard officers say on two occasions that drivers with withdrawn licences should have 'got on their bike'.
PCSO's attached to the Safer Transport Team claim that they do not have the delegated powers to issue £30.00 Fixed Penalty Notices that other PCSO's do. I have not confirmed this.
If we stop a cyclist on the footway or the carriageway we may be attacked and if a cyclist has an accident due to us stopping them we may be sued. (PC)
'I have issued £30.00 PCN's' (Sounded like - some of my best friends) (PCSO)
It is not as serious for a cyclist to break traffic law as it is for a mtorist to break traffic law. (PC)
It is legal for a cyclist to cycle the wrong way up a one way street. (PC)
When told that it is legal to cycle 'Judgement Impared' Drunk and that cyclists cannot be breathalised the view of a PC was that the smell of breath on a cyclist would be sufficient.
Police Officers have described Cycling Laws as Technical or Controversial. In conversation with a PCSO & a PC FPN's were described as a last resort. The 10 Police Officers attached to the Cycle Task Force funded by TfL who are partly tasked to enforce cycle laws seem to offer a presentation rather than enforce the laws with no feedbackif the cyclist is stopped again by another PCSO or PC as details are not normally taken by those other officers.
There is no repeatable answer to these.
The Police.
'Safer Policing' team leafelts in wards in Westminster & Kensington and Chelsea identify cycling on the footway as being a greater problem than mugging and other offences for pedestrians.
When asked by a London Borough Area Conmmittee in 2011 for the number of cyclists caught on the footway by Police staff it was refused as 'a waste of police time'.
This is due to rare occasions of cyclists being told to get off their machine whilst riding on the footway , with no notice taken of no lights if in the dark or almost immediate return to cycling illegally on the footway.
Pedestrians.
Many pedestrians believe that it is legal for cyclists to cycle on the pavement as they see so many there and PCSO's & Police Officers ignoring them. They also have their own horror stories of cyclists antics.
Cyclists
When the law is pointed out to cyclists 80% ignore it, 10% are dumbfounded that any law should apply to them and on occasion look open mouthed at the same being told to following unconnected cyclists and around 20% either threaten or weigh up the possibility of violence to being told the law. Cyclists on the footway are rarely little old ladies of 80 too scared to cycle on the carriageway and I have never been told by a cyclist that they are too scared to cycle on the carriageway although many cyclists have proudly told me (when not with a cycle) that they ride on the footway at night because they have no lights (Not that they need to buy lights.).
Whilst I believe that the law should be enforced for cycling on both the footway and carriageway I get worried when I see a small child or a parent with a small child or baby on board cycling on the carriageway and that carers with children below 12 can also cycle on the footway provided that they are in control of the child and also people unfit to cycle on the carriageway. Where Cyclists have a concession to ride on a shared footway rather than a safe well laid out segregated footway they must return to the carriageways soon as the concession ends. I would agree that many cycle lanes on the highway are too narrow and that some junctions need a redesign however most cyclists are chance-takers.
Conclusions
being edited See also cycle signage
Whilst some roads are not ideal for cyclists and their antics and the Cycling Super Highways often seem lacking Footways are for Pedestrians (Hint - 'foot' ways) and where there is a CONCESSION to allow cyclists on the footway and there is not a clear segregated area for both cyclists must be encouraged to return to the carriageway as soon the CONCESSION runs out.
Road Traffic Laws need to be enforced. Whilst Andrea Leadsom, MP has a bill to deal with cyclists after they kill a pedestrian it really does nothing to protect pedestrians or motorists from cyclists ignoring laws and taking unnecessary risks. Warranted Police Officers feel that enforcing Road Traffic Law as far as cyclists are concerned is beneath them whether on general or traffic duty**. Although PCSO's in London have devolved powers (only whilst on duty) to issue FPN's (Fixed Penalty Notices) to cyclists on the pavement they rarely even draw the attention of illegal cyclists and even then do not inform cyclists that they must ride on the carriageway treating it along with the cyclist as a joke. They have no powers regarding cycle lights and ignore them if they do stop a cyclist in hours of darkness. (In a few odd 'neighbourhoods' in other parts of England they have powers to issue FPN's for lighting). If Police Officers do not want to enforce Road Traffic Laws ( a road usually includes pavements [footways] and carriageways) including those on the carriageway further powers should be given to PCSO's. No record is kept of warned offenders so that they can continue to do break the law with impunity.
** The Metropolitan Police Cycle Task Force added 10 Police Traffic Officers to the existing 30 Officers in 2011. These 10 officers only are the only officers dedicated to enforce Traffic Laws affecting cyclists (but their duties also include actions by motorists against cyclists.
It is not illegal to be 'Judgement Impared' Drunk in charge of a Cycle or Stage Carriage ( a Pedicab which may be carrying fare-paying passengers). The laws need to be brought in line with motor vehicles. It could be argued that the level of alcohol in the bloodstream should be lower as cyclists are at more risk than motorists, tend to be risk takers under normal conditions and can put pedestrians and other road users at more risk than usual. (A motorist knowing themselves to be unfit to drive who is parked in a car park and asleep behind the wheel can be prosecuted for drunkenness.) If similar laws are brought in regarding Drugs it should likewise be extended.
The Coalition Government has brought in a Naked Streets / Civic Pride policy of minimal street signage which will save considerable costs. This is likely to lead to even more incomplete or misleading signage than at present. [ To quote Albert Einstein "Keep it as simple as possible, but no simpler". ] Signage MUST be clear, complete and not misleading.
Where contraflow cycling is allowed signage must be clear, roads must be suitable and unless laws are brought in to exclude cycles over a reasonable width only carriageways which will accept Stage Carriages (Pedicabs) should be signed. Cyclists who abuse the additional roadspace by jumping onto the footway on these roads need the laws to be enforced. Where contra-flowing cyclists must keep towards the centre or left of a single lane if no approaching traffic and the left lane if more than one lane.
TfL has a scheme for HGV drivers to ride cycles to see what it is like for cyclists when they encounter HGV's. A similar scheme is needed for cyclists for them to understand what it is like to walk footways and cross roads safely. Walking cyclists during hours of darkness should be 'attacked' by cyclists with no lights in both directions of the footway and as they cross the road including cyclists on the footway turning suddenly
90% onto a crossing. It would also entail cyclists following the highway code recommendation of drawing attention to themselves in the way that the few cyclists that do so follow - usually a cry of 'Get out the f.....g way' with an occasional 'Gert out of the way you c... whilst walking or at bus stops . It would also entail parked cycles in the most dangerous places possible and cycles ridden between a bus stop and the carriageway.
Parking needs to be subject to common sense. The same safety rules that apply to street furniture must apply to them unless dedicated parking spaces are in a position that will not endanger pedestrians. Councils must make an evaluation before positioning dedicated spaces and whenever
it may be a danger the cycle parked MUST be covered with a black & yellow striped cover. Cyclists who badly park blocking pavements, bus stops, road crossings, guiderails and handrails for the disabled or on narrow footways should ber subject to penalty. Where there is block dedicated parking cyclists tend to arrive there on their machines and when leaving tend to cycle on the footway for a much longer distance. Tourist 'Boris' bikers seem to think that it is legal to cycle on the footway as they see so many other cyclists doing so.
Road Speed Limits do not apply to cyclists. This must be re-dressed.
Many cyclists claim or claim and really believe that The Highway Code does not apply to them. The existing Highway Code is confusing in that that cycling section also advises cylists to refer to the rest of the Highway Code for relevent advice and regulations. What is urgently needed is a published dedicated DfT Cyclists Code.
A decision should be made regarding cyclists on public authority controlled footpaths and where cyclists can be authorised safely and sensible laws brought into force.
It should be compulsory for all cycles, whether old or new, to have bright flashing LED front lights. It identifies cycles from motorcycles and helps identifly the speed of the cycle. There should be suitable lighting necessary for Stage Carriages and similar wide carriages to identify their width.
GOOD PRACTICE
Edgware Road, Paddington Green crossovers to Boris Bike Stands have a white cycle painted on them.
A13, by Aspen Way - sign 'Cyclists return to carriageway'.