Cyclists urged to stay safe

5:00pm Friday 12th October 2012 in News

Cyclists urged to stay safe Cyclists urged to stay safe

POLICE are urging cyclists to stay safe as the nights start to draw in.

Nearly one third of cycling fatalities occur when it is dark, say police.

PC Daniel Reynolds, of Cheshire Police, said: "There has been a huge increase in the popularity of cycling following on from the Olympics, and with this legacy in mind, we want to ensure that people are enjoying the sport safely.

"We are therefore looking to work with cyclists and educate them about the dangers of riding at night or in poor visibility without lights."

Legally, cyclists must have white front and red rear lights lit when using their bike at night or in poor visibility, in addition to a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors.

Police also recommended that cyclists wear light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see them.

For more information on bike safety go to cheshire.police.uk.

Comments(28)

old-codger says...
8:20pm Fri 12 Oct 12

MAKE NOTE CYCLISTS...
Legally, cyclists must have white front and red rear lights lit when using their bike at night or in poor visibility, in addition to a red rear reflector and amber pedal reflectors.

It is also illegal to ride on the pavements ringing your bell to get pedestrians out of your way...

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Sameoldsameold says...
9:41am Sat 13 Oct 12

So tell that to the community police officers who are always riding their bikes on the pavements

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MrWhite says...
10:19am Sat 13 Oct 12

Or maybe they can stay safe by just not riding at all? After all do they pay insurance, road tax, have an MOT? Errr no but I do, and if someone hits them its all the drivers fault? And if they hit a pedestrian its all the pedestrian's fault for being in the way...

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old-codger says...
12:02pm Sat 13 Oct 12

Well said MrWhite, As for the old bill Sameoldsameold they are included in my
MAKE NOTE CYCLISTS comment.. They should know better but they dont, They do it and thats why they dont enforce it.
I am a cyclist and my bike is serviced every year so brakes, lights etc etc are in order, If contact your home contents insurer they will insure you against hitting something or somebody for as little as £15 per year. Every country in Europe except this one make cyclists have an yearly MOT and they recieve a number plate and insurance for aprox £25 per year. I pay willingly for peace of mind.

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Melonfish says...
12:33pm Sat 13 Oct 12

My bike looks like a rolling disco and if i wear any more high vis you could see me from space ;)
in the cycling community we call those night riders "Cycle ninjas" and its well agreed that they are a statistic waiting to happen.
get lights, get high vis, DO NOT BE A STATISTIC. (oh and stop running red lights, cycling on the pavement and bloomin indicate!)

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Cleopatra says...
1:47pm Sat 13 Oct 12

Why do motorists keep whinging about cyclists not paying road tax? As I understand it road tax is meant to contribute to maintaining roads in good repair (if it does or not is another thing).
Compared to cars, vans, trucks and buses, a bike is extremely lightweight and can hardly do any damage to the road so why the hell should cyclists be expected to contribute to the upkeep of the roads. Just a matter of sour grapes, big baby tantrums, I have to pay so they should!

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chunkymunky says...
4:41pm Sat 13 Oct 12

MrWhite wrote:
Or maybe they can stay safe by just not riding at all? After all do they pay insurance, road tax, have an MOT? Errr no but I do, and if someone hits them its all the drivers fault? And if they hit a pedestrian its all the pedestrian's fault for being in the way...
Eerrrr actually mr white many cyclists also pay all of the above as one are also car owners!

Typical response from a bigoted ignorant and probably a terrible driver!!

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live_wire says...
6:31pm Sat 13 Oct 12

mrwhite what on earth are you waffeling on about. not everyone in this world has the luxury of a car.

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MrWhite says...
9:14pm Sat 13 Oct 12

Maybe not everyone has the luxury of a car, but it doesn't mean you should be allowed to blatantly break laws and bend rules to allow you to drive unrestricted and UNINSURED on a public road causing danger to the motorists who PAY for the upkeep of the roads, PAY for insurance incase they hit someone (unlike cyclists) and PAY to make sure their vehicles are safe to be on it (the majority anyway)
As for cyclists paying all of the above becuase cyclists are car drivers as well, I can't remember the last time my local garage asked me if I had a bike that wanted an MOT too, or it's next service? Or when my car insurance said that it covers riding a bike on a road.

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chunkymunky says...
2:48pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Mot's and insurance have nothing to do with road tax and bike users use of the road.....which was the point of your original rant!!

Seems to me you just have a bee up your chuff about cyclists! Insurance doesn't apply to cyclists because the risk of damage to property or life is minimal.....unlike a fool like you driving round shouting at other road users!!

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MrWhite says...
5:20pm Sun 14 Oct 12

Do you know me? Do you know what car I drive? How do you know I shout at cyclists?

As for the risk of you causing less injury etc, if you are riding on the road, below the speed limit, with a bike that is unfit (no lights etc) and a car has to move to avoid, and maybe they didn't see another vehicle, then why should it be the drivers fault because you can't be bothered to ride on the path, on cycle lane etc?! After all the driver would have had to move becuase of YOU, an obstruction on a public highway (for cars, buses etc, you know motorised vechicles paying to use it!)

However, maybe I will shout at cyclists from now on, just to see if its you.

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chunkymunky says...
5:49pm Sun 14 Oct 12

MrWhite wrote:
Do you know me? Do you know what car I drive? How do you know I shout at cyclists?

As for the risk of you causing less injury etc, if you are riding on the road, below the speed limit, with a bike that is unfit (no lights etc) and a car has to move to avoid, and maybe they didn't see another vehicle, then why should it be the drivers fault because you can't be bothered to ride on the path, on cycle lane etc?! After all the driver would have had to move becuase of YOU, an obstruction on a public highway (for cars, buses etc, you know motorised vechicles paying to use it!)

However, maybe I will shout at cyclists from now on, just to see if its you.
Ha ha ha.....think you better go lay down for 5 before your head explodes!! I also pay for the roads, I drive a car, I pay car tax! I also pay council tax which also goes towards highways etc

You seem to forget.....bikes were using the roads long before motorists were, also the majority of proper cyclist do use cycle ways where available (that's if a car isn't on it....like usual, especially at junctions and lights!!!)

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Cleopatra says...
7:15pm Sun 14 Oct 12

After all the driver would have had to move becuase of YOU, an obstruction on a public highway (for cars, buses etc, you know motorised vechicles paying to use it!)


And, according to the law of the land, cyclists should also ride on a public highway AND NOT PAVEMENTS AND FOOTPATHS which are intended for use solely by pedestrian - that means people walking on foot.

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MrWhite says...
7:44pm Sun 14 Oct 12

So just becuase you pay all of your taxes and insurances like any other driver of a motorised vehicle why dont you have to do the same for your bike? Just as much as a danger, and dont forget car insurance isn't just for others, its for yourself...

Yes bikes may have used roads long before cars but times have changed, people examples such as people use to write on typewriters but who uses them now there are computers? horses use to pull carts etc, but times change, cars are the main users of the road now and while I am not saying they should rule the road I am saying everyone who uses the road should be made to pay the same price and have the same insurances in the case of an accident.

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Cleopatra says...
7:24am Mon 15 Oct 12

You are just not getting it, are you? Road Tax is for the maintainance of roads. Repairs to roads damaged by vehicles such as Trucks, buses, cars and motorbikes. Bicycles are too lightweight to do damage to road surfaces so do not need to help to pay for their repairs i.e damages by the heavier motorised vehicles. Just because you as a motorist are required to pay road tax stop being a baby and spitting out your dummy!

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MrWhite says...
8:47am Mon 15 Oct 12

Cleopatra, re-read the above post, it's about insurance and why cyclists need it.

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l123ee says...
11:31am Mon 15 Oct 12

Mr White.

I ride my bike at least 3 times a week, last year I covered nearly 3000 miles on the road, I also race bike's competitively. To do this I need insurance so your comment about cyclist having no insurance isnt true, my insurance covers me for riding on road or racing.

So get you facts right!!!

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Cleopatra says...
11:53am Mon 15 Oct 12

MrWhite, reread your own posts. To save you the trouble here is what you wrote -

Or maybe they can stay safe by just not riding at all? After all do they pay insurance, road tax, have an MOT?

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frank100 says...
12:18pm Mon 15 Oct 12

MrWhite wrote:
So just becuase you pay all of your taxes and insurances like any other driver of a motorised vehicle why dont you have to do the same for your bike? Just as much as a danger, and dont forget car insurance isn't just for others, its for yourself...

Yes bikes may have used roads long before cars but times have changed, people examples such as people use to write on typewriters but who uses them now there are computers? horses use to pull carts etc, but times change, cars are the main users of the road now and while I am not saying they should rule the road I am saying everyone who uses the road should be made to pay the same price and have the same insurances in the case of an accident.
Are you on drugs? And take note Warrington guardian,p1ss off with your pop up full page ads.

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MrWhite says...
12:35pm Mon 15 Oct 12

frank100 - Accusing someone of being on drugs, very low, obvious you have no valid arguement or contribution bar name calling.

Cleopatra - So even if you shouldn't pay road tax (I'll agree to disagree) why shouldn't you have checks/services/MOT'
s to make sure the bike is roadworthy? Or insurance against accidents?

l123ee - Good for you (seriously) You are doing the right thing by having insurance but I am 100% sure that not many other cyclists are, my main gripe is that the insurance should be required by law if you wish to use your bike on a road.

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grey_man says...
2:06pm Mon 15 Oct 12

The biggest problem with many cyclists isn't their lack of insurance. It's their complete disregard for other people. Many car drivers have the same mindset. Surely the point should be that everybody should behave less selfishly and dangerously so that everybody can get where they want in one piece, regardless of their mode of transport. This inevitable oneupmanship contest doesn't get us anywhere.

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Melonfish says...
3:02pm Mon 15 Oct 12

well that escalated quickly...

On a lighter note it's worth pointing out nobody actually pays road tax, what with it being abolished in 1937 by winston churchill.

Vehicle excise duty which is commonly mistaken as road tax is actually a tax on the emissions given off by your car and has nothing to do with the upkeep of the roads.

Insurance isn't always a requirement for cyclists what with house insurance usually covering you (check your policies)

grey_man has it spot on, we all use the road so we should all share it and think of others whether we get about on two wheels or 4.

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old-codger says...
6:49pm Mon 15 Oct 12

frank100 says...

12:18pm Mon 15 Oct 12
Warrington guardian,p1ss off with your pop up full page ads.”..

Now that I can agree with.

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Pom1234 says...
8:17pm Mon 15 Oct 12

Ah yes, no insurance, no MOT, no road tax, unroadworthy vehicles, jumping red lights, not using lights, illegally using the pavement, disregard for other road users and pedestrians, speeding, acting as a danger to themselves and other road users.....remind me again which group of road users we are referring to here? All the above could equally apply to motorists as well as cyclists.

Whingers, get a grip. Consider the amount of motorists who evade paying their VED, not the group who aren't eligible for VED. VED dodgers cost the economy in excess of £40m last year. And guess what, they are all motorists!

Road tax does not exist. You may be confusing this with the cost of the upkeep of the roads, which comes out of the public purse and is funded by ALL taxpayers, not just those who own cars.

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annie1275 says...
10:59am Tue 16 Oct 12

I agree Insurance should be compulsary for Cycles....Drivers pay a fortune in VED....
Wonder where the government will get their billions of pounds from when it gets abolished.??.(and that's probably another Tory lie).
If it cost the economy £40m in ved dodgers,be interesting to know how much they actually raked in on ved.

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Pauline McEwan says...
2:09pm Tue 16 Oct 12

My boyfriend is a cyclist and always wears hi-vis and has proper lights on his bike for dark/bad weather. Recently we had 3 cyclists pass us in the dark lanes in Birchwood, one which we only knew was there when he passed me and almost hit me, no lights, dark coloured clothing and bad attitude.

Most cyclists are decent cyclists and considerate but not all of them unfortunately. I do agree that some of them seem to think they are entitled to jump lights and do whatever they like.

I also know a lot of drivers are overtaking them on bends as I've narrowly avoided accidents on my way to work due to inconsiderate drivers overtaking in places that are not suitable, I will hold up all the traffic behind me if there is no safe point to overtake a cyclist no matter how much of a hurry I am in.

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A_LOCAL says...
10:09pm Wed 17 Oct 12

I have been a car driver for 42 years and a motorcyclist for close on 20 years. I have cycled since i was a schoolboy and I am now close to 60 years old. I travel through warrington centre to stockton heath every day by either car or cycle. I ride on SOME pavements to avoid being squeezed off the road by inconsiderate and irresponsible motorists. I once tried cycling over bridgefoot towards bank quay station, between bridgefoot and go outdoors I was nearly knocked off my bike on 3 separate occasions in daylight. One slight touch from a nearside door mirror can cause horrendous injuries to cyclists, I speak from having seen the result. I shall continue to use the pavement in a responsible and safe way until proper cycle lanes are introduced.Sankey Way cycleway is superb. Mr White, it would be a useful exercise for you to use a bike through some of the busy roads at peak hour and you may appreciate what cyclists have to endure. Your comments are best described as poorly informed with little value to the debate in what is a very important issue. THINK BIKE

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Simon27476 says...
9:12am Thu 18 Oct 12

'Cyclists' riding down Marsh House lane/Padgate lane every morning between 6-7 without lights. If you are not aware that cyclists are doing this, you could easily hit one. TAKE NOTE POLICE.

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