Run 'em down
Motorists should be made legally responsible for all accidents involving cyclists, even if they are not at fault, say Government advisers. Cycling England, an agency funded by the Transport Department, wants the civil law to be changed so drivers or their insurers would automatically be liable for compensation claims. The proposal will infuriate drivers, many of whom are angered by the antics of 'Lycra louts' - cyclists who sail through red lights, go the wrong way up one-way streets and intimidate pedestrians on pavements and zebra crossings.
Of course legal liability is somewhat of an irrelevance if I have just driven 2.5 tons of Disco Dave of the head of some twat on a bicycle that jumped a red light. Run ‘em all down & be done with it
Comments
Ahhh, we know all about that law. Same here in the Netherlands... and actually, I must say, I think it is a good idea. Allthough, it increases the gung-ho metality of the lycrians, it (kinda) protects the little ones and, dare I say it, innocent. Moterists ARE more carefull and pay more attention... By paying more attention, I spot Lycrians sooner and allthough not 2.5 tonnes of Disco-Dave, 2.5 tonnes of Swedisch-Sven will do just fine. Actually, try the Volvo, you will see it will leave less obvious marks on the purp, due to the huge sense of safety the Swedes have...
Posted by: Mischa | September 21, 2009 8:46 AM
I grew to hate cyclists whilst working in the Square Mile, seeing them go through red lights at pedestrian crossings etc. Long corporate brolly through the spokes just the ticket..
Posted by: Ed | September 21, 2009 12:03 PM
I just had one of these prats pull out of a junction causing me, and a car coming the opposite way, to slam the anchors on.
And for an apology all we got was a cocky smile. Sod using the middle pedal, next time I'm pushing harder on the right one.
May even make myself some squashed cyclist stickers so I can keep a tally on the outside of the car door.
Posted by: MovingRight | September 21, 2009 1:50 PM
Treated like any other vehicle over here, when on the road and peddled by an adult.
Hit by a 4x4 while violating right of way? The 4x4 owner's insurance company will sue the bicyclist's estate to recover the cost of repainting the brush guard.
Posted by: Kristopher | September 21, 2009 5:25 PM
I got complaints when some I told the self righteous busybody where she could stuff her leaflet complaining about my (admittedly old) Lanny 90. She told me that if I ran over a child or cyclist I could kill them. I told her that I had not managed it yet but if she would care to stand still I'd give it a damn good try. I was under the impression that I was NOT supposed to hit them. Have the rules changed?
Posted by: Michael | September 21, 2009 6:14 PM
It's one of the few reasons to get a Mercedes: that hood ornament makes a dandy gunsight -- even gets you a "lead" if the cyclist is going across your path from left to right.
Posted by: Kim du Toit | September 21, 2009 7:35 PM
Speaking as a cyclist, if one jumps a red light (with the exception of those triggered by magnetic sensors) one should get run over. If one blows a stop sign, getting knocked down.
OTOH, if you cage drivers would pull your heads out of that warm, dark place you have them stuffed, put down the damn cell phone AND the cup of coffee and drive like you had more than one functioning brain cell we would ALL be better off.
I almost got hit today CROSSING AT AN INTERSECTION. Because some army twit (I'm in Baghdad right now) couldn't keep his mind on the task at hand even without the normal distractions of driving (an this was on base, so looking for Hadji or IEDs is NOT an excuse).
I've ridden bicycles and motorcycles in all sorts of weather all over the world. Well, not all over the world, but here and in the US. And cage drivers uniformly are driving with their medulla oblongata.
As someone once said--and I've often repeated--Drive like they're trying to kill you, but haven't managed to yet because they're too drunk and/or stupid.
Oh, and I don't cycle because it's good for the environment. I do it because it's cheaper and it lets me eat more without getting as fat.
Posted by: Billy Oblivion | September 21, 2009 8:53 PM
Billy: As a long time motorcyclist, I'll let you in on a secret ...
Bicyclists and motorcyclists are invisible.
Damned near everyone drives on autopilot ... subconscious handles the boring parts ... and it will only flag for conscious attention if something dangerous is coming ( another car on a collision course ) or something unusual ( an accident, etc ).
Bicycles and motorcycles are neither dangerous ( to a man in a car ) or unusual.
One's subconscious, during autopilot driving, will happily run them right off the road.
Instead of getting mad, deal with it. You are invisible to most drivers, and there is little you can do about it. Believe that and live longer.
Assume you will always be given proper right of way, and you will die ... been there, done that, ( from both sides, knocked off my motorcycle and done the knocking [ twit was violating right of way on a motorcycle with his 6 year old son as a passenger ... no injuries, thank whatever ... ] ).
Posted by: Kristopher | September 22, 2009 5:24 AM