Scaring cyclsits

[ScotchEgg]

one truck after the other I find pretty terrifying..

[thirdcrank]

... - could there be any way of contriving to declare Boris (actually born in USA) an Aussie citizen? ...

He could be a sort of pale imitation of Barry Humphries.

[Shootist]

An HGV can not run over anyone without the driver making a mistake - with the possible exception of someone actively trying to commit suicide.

Well, there's no easy way to say it. The above remark is utter twaddle.

But, may I suggest that it is nothing short of suicidal to live your life on the basis that nobody else will make a mistake.

[[XAP]Bob]

An HGV can not run over anyone without the driver making a mistake - with the possible exception of someone actively trying to commit suicide.

Well, there's no easy way to say it. The above remark is utter twaddle.

Why?

But, may I suggest that it is nothing short of suicidal to live your life on the basis that nobody else will make a mistake.

Certainly foolish, not sure I'd go as far as suicidal. Every time I go on the road I trust others not to be stupid, whatever form of transport I'm using - that's part of using the road.

[reohn2]

Back to Bozzer Jozzer:

This current media release isn't so much victim blaming as a rather crude attempt to discredit peaceful protest.

This is the time of year when this buffoon-acting, sly-thinking, self-promoting politician would be best employed in a panto: playing one of the ugly sisters might just suit him.

Spot on!
Whenever a group of people protest against injustice,they're labeled extremists,etc, and that they're protest is counter productive to their cause,it's always been the way with the establishment.
BoJo is worried,the chap is a weasel,weasels do weasely things.

[Pete Owens]

Well the message the protest is sending to the general public is:
"RIDE A BIKE AND YOU WILL DIE"
Which most certainly is counter-productive if you are trying to promote cycling.
(Those health warnings on cigarette packets are not a subtle marketing ploy by the tobacco companies)

Now, Boris would certainly have a point if he quietly pointed this out to the organisers - but by making a high profile speech he is drawing even more attention to the message thus being just as counter productive as they are.

[reohn2]

Well the message the protest is sending to the general public is:
"RIDE A BIKE AND YOU WILL DIE"
Which most certainly is counter-productive if you are trying to promote cycling.
(Those health warnings on cigarette packets are not a subtle marketing ploy by the tobacco companies)

Now, Boris would certainly have a point if he quietly pointed this out to the organisers - but by making a high profile speech he is drawing even more attention to the message thus being just as counter productive as they are.

So how do you suggest London cyclists improve their lot?
Or is their lot so good that it needn't improving!

From the linked article:-

Mr Johnson said the police's Operation Safeway, set up to improve road awareness, had in the past few weeks led to 755 cyclists and 1,392 motorists being fined for offences such jumping lights in London.

[meic]

Cyclists should not be scared of getting crushed by big heavy vehicles but they should be terrified of taking to a cycle without a bit of plastic on their head.

I think that is the official message, am I "on message" now?

[661-Pete]

Well the message the protest is sending to the general public is:
"RIDE A BIKE AND YOU WILL DIE"

Nevertheless it's perfectly true. Just as "DON'T RIDE A BIKE AND YOU WILL DIE" is perfectly true. Assuming that the secret of immortality won't be discovered in our lifetime!

Seriously though, we need to take a commonsense approach to risk. Not a "Risk Assessment" - I've had it to here with those! Of course there's a risk associated with every means of transport. Just as there's a risk in getting out of bed to go to the bathroom (which probably leads to more deaths than cycling through London).

[ScotchEgg]

Risk is good for the heart, as long as it is measured!

[ScotchEgg]

I agree that is a very poor message to convey to the general public.