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kingswells.guest
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| 30 Jun 2006 03:40:38 |
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| Cycle deaths rise as more beginners climb into the saddle
From the Times 30/06/06
THE number of cyclists killed on the roads has risen to its highest level for six years, prompting concerns that the sharp increase in novice riders switching from four to two wheels may be responsible.
Overall road deaths fell by 1 per cent last year to 3,201, the lowest level since records began, according to figures published by the Department for Transport.
Cycling was the only mode of transport to record an increase in deaths last year, up 10 per cent to 148 from 134 in 2004. The number of cyclists seriously injured rose by 2 per cent to 2,212.
It was the second year running in which cycling deaths rose substantially. In 2003 there were 114 fatalities.
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (Pacts) said that the increase in inexperienced riders, especially since the bomb attacks on public transport in London last July, could be factor in the increase in deaths.
In the month after the July 7 attacks, sales of bicycles in London rose by 20 per cent.
Rob Gifford, director of Pacts, said: “We urgently need the Government to commission a specific study into why cycle deaths are rising.
“The rise in novice cyclists could be responsible and the results of the study would tell us where to target resources.”
The total distance travelled by bicycle has remained static in most parts of Britain but is rising fast in London, where the number of cycling trips has grown by 50 per cent since 2001, from 300,000 a day to 450,000 a day.
Brake, the road safety charity, said that an increase in the number of 20mph zones was the best way to get cyclist deaths on a downward trend.
Mary Williams, Brake’s chief executive, said: “It is no surprise that cyclists, one of the most vulnerable groups of road users, are dying in increasing numbers. Britain’s roads are still plagued by speeding drivers, as well as law-breaking uninsured, unlicensed, drunk and drugged drivers.
“There is an urgent need for 20mph limits in all our towns and villages, off-road cycle paths for cyclists, and much tougher traffic law enforcement.”
She said that despite the general increase in cyclist deaths, child cyclist fatalities had fallen by 20 per cent.
“All our surveys of children and parents demonstrate widespread fear of speeding traffic, and many parents now prefer to cocoon their children in 4x4s rather than risk their lives on foot or bicycles.”
The number of motorcyclist deaths fell by 3 per cent to 569 and the number of car-user deaths was 1,675, close to the 1,671 figure for 2004.
Pedestrian deaths were unchanged at 671.
Edmund King, director of the RAC Foundation, said that it was disappointing that the overall road-user death rate had hardly changed, falling by just 20 from 3,221 in 2004 to 3,201 in 2005. He said: “New thinking is needed to improve driving standards, pedestrian education and poor road and junction design.
“Campaigns aimed at children and motorcyclists seem to have paid off. We now need also to focus on improving cycle safety and encourage car manufacturers to prioritise pedestrian safety as well as occupant protection.”
Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “While we are pleased that the overall number of deaths has fallen again, we are deeply disturbed that more pedal cyclists have died.”
ROAD VICTIMS
3,201 the total number of deaths on Britain’s roads in 2005, down 1 per cent on 2004 and the lowest total since records began
148 cyclists were killed last year, a 10 per cent increase on the year before
1,675 the number of car users killed (unchanged)
671 the number of pedestrians killed (unchanged)
569 motorcyclists died on Britain’s roads last year, down 3 per cent on 2004
141 the number of child deaths, down 15 per cent
109 lorry users died last year (no change)
9 people died travelling on buses or coaches, down from 20 in 2004 |
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kingswells.guest
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| 02 Jul 2006 05:42:29 |
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| gosh !!! |
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kingswells.guest
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| 02 Jul 2006 18:57:00 |
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| nice tits !!!:msn_toung |
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kingswells.guest
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| 03 Jul 2006 06:26:50 |
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| Kingswells is full of Sun readers, you just have to watch them flying off the shelves of the co-op every morning. |
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kingswells.guest
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| 12 Jul 2006 10:41:24 |
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| The family of a cyclist killed when a speeding lorry crashed into him have criticised a sheriff for failing to protect other bikers.
Gardener Stephen Barclay, 40, was delivering organic vegetables when he was knocked off his bike on the Ullapool to Tore road last April.
A fatal accident inquiry was held and Sheriff Alasdair MacFadyen's written judgement was made public on Wednesday.
Mr Barclay's family said it did "nothing" to prevent other accidents.
The self-employed gardener, who was also a part-time nurse in Inverness, was struck by a large lorry driven by Angus MacPhail.
McPhail was fined £1,000 and banned for a year after he admitted careless driving.
He had been distracted, most likely by a ringing mobile phone, seconds before colliding with Mr Barclay's bicycle.
In his judgement, Sheriff MacFadyen said: "Mr Barclay's death occurred as a result of an avoidable road traffic accident.
"Excessive speed and inattention were the causes of that accident."
However, Mr Barclay's family and friends criticised the sheriff for failing to make any recommendations.
They had wanted action on the use of mobile telephones by the drivers of large goods vehicles.
They also wanted tougher legislation on employers of lorry drivers to ensure their compliance with speed limits, which are lower than for cars and motorbikes.
The family questioned the enforcement of speed limits by Northern Constabulary and highlighted the need for more road signs for lorry drivers.
'Very disappointed'
Katherine Barclay, the victim's sister, said: "Sheriff MacFadyen had been given an opportunity to do something about the number one issue in the Highlands.
"Given his deliberations from the FAI for our brother it seems certain that cyclists, pedestrians, and others at risk on Highland roads will continue to be injured, maimed or killed.
"Sheriff MacFadyen's findings do nothing to help change this. We are very disappointed that he has not found any area for recommendations or further investigations at a higher level."
Dr Stuart Smith, a family friend, added: "The determination is depressingly weak.
"It lacks objectivity, is full of contradictory reasoning and Sheriff MacFadyen has reached perfunctory and incompetent conclusions from his cherry-picked evidence.
"He has predictably and conveniently scapegoated MacPhail and incredibly argues there are no bigger issues to address than the mere human error of one person.
"Everyone in the Highlands, except it seems the Sheriff and procurator fiscal, recognises virtually all HGVs drive at 60mph on trunk roads.
"Sheriff MacFadyen does not have the courage to tackle the issue of mobile phones. He cravenly pretends nothing can be done."
Existing law
In his conclusion, the sheriff said: "Clearly drivers of all vehicles, and particularly large, heavy vehicles, should take account of the presence or likely presence on the public road of other road users, including cyclists.
"The law and practice governing the conduct of drivers in such situations is already settled.
"Mechanisms already exist for the enforcement of best practice and conduct both by the police and employers.
"Accordingly, having carefully considered the evidence and the submissions made on behalf of all parties, including Mr Barclay's family, I am of the view that there are no useful recommendations which I can make.
"That is because had the existing law been complied with and existing good practice followed, the likelihood of Mr Barclay's death occurring would have been greatly reduced if not eliminated."
For those who need it spelled out - the point of these pointings is to highlight just how much protection paint on roads affords cyclists. None. |
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kingswells.guest
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| 13 Jul 2006 03:46:17 |
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| golly gosh !!!:msn_wink: |
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kingswells.guest
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| 13 Jul 2006 08:31:31 |
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| I suspect the sarcasm has earned you a fair number of hidings over the years. |
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