“Poll after poll has shown that the biggest reason for people not wanting to cycle is perceived danger. And anyone who has dared to ride a bike on unprotected roads will soon discover that a large part of this danger comes from pure illegality, not least the vast proportion of drivers who speed, especially on residential roads.
This neatly leads us to the other factor highlighted by the report, and its reaction to it: the howls of outrage if people politely suggest that people could perhaps be less of a danger to others when they drive.
Before the report’s launch, the only one of 10 recommendations highlighted in the media was the idea of removing the so-called tolerances in speeding offences, whereby you can currently go about 10% plus 2mph above a limit and not be penalised.”
The link to the parliamentary group report (.pdf file) is here.
I got into cycling a few months ago, but I’m pretty much done with it at this point. Last week I was nearly hit twice on a 10 minute ride…
I love it, but it’s just not safe, and I find that it’s just a stressful experience at this point. It’s also not just cars, pedestrians have zero respect for a cyclist on a road or shared cycle path.
I’ve had people just walk out into the road and expect me to go around… people wouldn’t do that with a car ffs.
Then I’m getting shouted at on a shared path because someone had to move slightly to one side, despite the rules being that no one has right of way.
Government wants me to cycle? The government can get fucked.