Those on two wheels
Page 2
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
I’m teaching my two-year-old daughter how to cross the road safely. We stand at the pedestrian crossing and she enjoys pressing the button and waiting for the red man to turn green. Then, when the traffic has stopped, we walk across the road safely.
At least that’s how it’s supposed to work. Except on Saturday we were halfway across the road when a cyclist ignored the red light and almost took us both out. My daughter not only learned that some cyclists are a law unto themselves, but unfortunately also learned a new four-letter word.
I’m sick of watching cyclists jump red lights. I see it every day on my way to work and it drives me mad. If I ran a red light in my car I’d face a maximum fine of £1,000, receive six penalty points or be disqualified from driving. If, and it’s a big ‘if’, a cyclist is caught ignoring a red light, he or she will get a £30 fixed penalty.
Is it any wonder why so many cyclists are injured or killed when a large proportion of them openly flout the Highway Code? The Times is running its ‘Save Our Cyclists’ campaign and one of the things it is calling for is that trucks entering a city centre be required by law to fit sensors, audible truck-turning alarms, extra mirrors and safety bars to stop cyclists being thrown under the wheels.
I don’t think that demonising trucks is the way to go. Perhaps a better place to start would be the widespread education of those on two wheels. Will Shiers