University Project

[adz_222]

Hi, I just joined up to this forum and loving the response people are giving. Everyone seems nice and helpful so I thought i'd try getting information out of you guys (if you have 5 mins..)

Im a Final year student at Hertfordshire University and my major project is to do with issues concerning safety within cyclist. Im trying to outline problems within cyling and in turn will need to create a product which acts as a solution.

As I drive mostly I havent really been behind the wheels on a bike like most of you guys have. I live in london and realised from my research accidents are common in urban areas.

Well ive limited myself to two areas at the moment. One being specific lighting within Bicycles, and secondly trying to improve the issue of HGV's(heavy goods vehicles) accidents with a pedal bike.

I was hoping to get as much information as possible to add to my research folder as this would be beneficial for my final grade. Thanks guys

[hubgearfreak]

there's not a poduct that will help; that isn't already available and in use.

what we need is legislation, whereby the bigger vehicle is held responsible unless proven otherwise. this'll stop the bullying, might is right ethos and make motorists a lot, lot more careful

[gaz]

.

[vorsprung]

Stick a PIR detector on the LH side of the Lorry. When a kamkazi cyclist undertakes, as the lorry turns left, the PIR will trip an alarm in the cab.

Here's another one. Get a rocket propelled grenade and a guidance system that locks on to the exhausts of BMWs. Then devise a recoilless system for mounting the RPG on the handlebars. I think the advantages of this are obvious.

And another. devise a hand grenade, which, when thrown at a car window will attach. It does not explode but recites all the relevant sections from the highway code concerning cycling 2 abreast, using paths etc etc. So next time some jolly motorist decides to tell me about his unique interpretation of the highway code I won't need to shout or be annoyed, I just throw the book at him.

[Swizz69]

I'll second hubbers.

Ditto first two replies.

A culture change is needed, not a product - the problem is outside the bubble of bicycle & rider.

Edited to add: Do you have any ideas in mind?

[softpedal]

Make it a legal requirement that blind spots dont exist up the the side of hgv's either by the use of mirrors or camera's. It wont make them look but will take away the blind spot arguement.

[andrew_s]

If we are into legal changes, make it so that any driver who is involved in an accident causing serious or fatal injuries loses his licence unless he can show that a careful and competent driver would have been unable to avoid the accident. Return directly to learner, obviously in need of more training.
No need to mention bicycles at all.

[hubgearfreak]

that's a good one andrew. spot on

[reohn2]

adz_222
The answers are as above,but if you want to know anything about cycling, theres no substitute for experience,get a bike and cycle .

[ferrit worrier]

If we are into legal changes, make it so that any driver who is involved in an accident causing serious or fatal injuries loses his licence unless he can show that a careful and competent driver would have been unable to avoid the accident. Return directly to learner, obviously in need of more training.
No need to mention bicycles at all.

I understand what your saying but perhaps rather than "involved" we should look at "Causes" after all an inocent party could be "involved".

The issue with the blind side of HGV's that turn left and trap a cyclist has a number of scenarios, The HGV is stationary but away from the near side curb with left hand indicators on cyclist comes down the inside, lights change, driver cant see rider and moves off, cyclist gets caught up. IMHO he should not have been there. Cyclict waits at junction, HGV pulls alongside lights change, HGV beats cyclist round corner, cyclist gets caught. Now that's where the law and the education of the driver comes in, as you say return to learner, again IMHO driving without due care, or worst case scenario, Death by dangerous driving.

[mercurykev]

How about designing see through polycarbonate doors for HGVs to eliminate the major blind spot.

[hubgearfreak]

after all an inocent party could be "involved".

i het your point FW, and i partly understand it.
however, i'd sooner see innocent victims of a harsh law having to retake their test being extremely cautious in the meantime, rather than innocent victims having their bones crushed under a too lax law.

as a driver, pedestrian, father and a cyclist, i'd willingly be subject to a law that can withdraw my priviledge to drive, if it protects my family's and my right to life, to cycle & to walk.

[frank9755]

I live in london and realised from my research accidents are common in urban areas.

What research?

Your conclusion is wrong!

Accidents are not common. They happen very, very infrequently. Sometimes they are tragic.
If you start from the premise that accidents are common, any solution you propose is likely to be flawed.

HGVs turning into cyclists is the most frequent type of accident. As others have said, the cause is behavioural and won't be solved by a gimmicky gadget. It is flaws in behaviour on all sides:
- HGV drivers not being aware that they have to share the road with cyclists
- Cyclists putting themselves in danger by being in the wrong place
- Highway engineers not prioritising cyclist safety in putting railings on the inside of junctions, thereby creating literally a death-trap between HGV and railing

If there was one thing I would do it would be to get some red paint, colour all those green cycle lanes which encourage cyclists to approach junctions on the inside (blind side) for an HGV-length back from the junction, and write DANGER ZONE in it.

Good luck with your project, but I fear you are starting from an incorrect premise, and looking for a gimmicky solution to what is a human problem.

[531colin]

As I drive mostly I havent really been behind the wheels on a bike like most of you guys have:

I think you have identified and described the problem brilliantly in a few keystrokes. There are generations of drivers on the road who have never had to cycle for transport to work, school, scouts, whatever, because in this modern affluent society Mum gave them a lift to school and scouts in her car, Dad bought them a car by the time they were 6th formers, and they drive to uni. and/or work. There may or may not be a culture of bullying in 10 Downing St., there most certainly is on the roads. The taxis bully the cars, the 4x4s bully the taxis, the trucks bully the 4x4s, and God help the cyclists.
To you this may be a Uni. project. To us, it may be life or death; the difference between a pleasant ride or terror.
You are looking to design a plausible widget to guarantee cyclists safety (or at least a pass degree).
We need legislation, effectively enforced, to make drivers responsible for people they casually maim.

May your God go with you.

[horizon]

hi adz.222: as others have suggested, when you cycle the most amazing things happen: one of these is that you come up with loads of good ideas as you pedal along (necessity being the mother of invention). Try it.

However, I am prepared to share some of mine with you: if you edit your post to remove the "you guys" (it's a pet hate of mine) I promise I will send you three reasonable ideas.