I think what bothers me most is that there's not going to be any 'protocol' for how to deal with this - the situation where both people step in the same direction when walking towards each other on the pavement could end so much more painfully here... :)
The protocol is that you swerve violently and shout "WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD!" at them, they don't understand English so either ignore you or give you a wide-eyed vacant stare, and both of you continue on your way, with them wondering what the problem is and why the crazyman was shouting at them, and you feeling extremely pissed-off and (depending on how near a miss it was) shaky.
I think enforcing the law by stopping and fining people where currently allowed would be a good start, and much more sensible than licencing people to cycle. Are you going to want a pedestrian license too?
You're right, enforcing the current laws would work too. Shame they rarely do. At least I've seen them try once of twice.
As to if you where going to liscense cyclists, I think you could only practically do it as a liscense to ride in the city centre or similar, and have it revoked for no lights etc etc. I doubt though the cost of setting it up and the almost certainly poor way such a think would be managed would ever make such a scheme worth will.
As for pedestrians, while many are suicidal, they rarely display the same level of absolute contempt for the law as if doesn't apply to them that many university students display. I think pedestrians are just more intimidated by the squish factor of cars.
I personally don't see what is so hard about stopping at red lights, and have lights on you bike. But it seems that a large number struggle.
I wonder what the stats are for no light/pavement cycling/red light jumping in oxford/cambridge. I'm guessing it must be 10's of percents.
Echoed, plus increased awareness that traffic laws apply to bicycles, too.
I've seen the following, in Reading (though thankfully at a quiet junction, so no actual harm done):
The scene. A mother and child (of about 6/7), are both riding independently. When the two purposely jump a red light at a junction: Child: 'Hey mum, don't we have to stop at red lights' Mother: 'No dear, that only applies to cars, not to us'
I'd naively assume rules-of-the-road and that both cycles should stick to their respective lefts.... That said, if the other cyclist was aware of basic rules of the road, he wouldn't be in your cycle lane!
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(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 11:24 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 11:33 am (UTC)IME, anyway. :-/
(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 11:37 am (UTC)There was a reason I removed the audio track, to spare our younger listeners... ;-)
(Actually, I yelled "Other side!", but it's not really distinguishable over rattles and road noise)
(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 12:45 pm (UTC)We really should enforce a cycling license soon.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 01:42 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 01:56 pm (UTC)As to if you where going to liscense cyclists, I think you could only practically do it as a liscense to ride in the city centre or similar, and have it revoked for no lights etc etc. I doubt though the cost of setting it up and the almost certainly poor way such a think would be managed would ever make such a scheme worth will.
As for pedestrians, while many are suicidal, they rarely display the same level of absolute contempt for the law as if doesn't apply to them that many university students display. I think pedestrians are just more intimidated by the squish factor of cars.
I personally don't see what is so hard about stopping at red lights, and have lights on you bike. But it seems that a large number struggle.
I wonder what the stats are for no light/pavement cycling/red light jumping in oxford/cambridge. I'm guessing it must be 10's of percents.
(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 05:05 pm (UTC)I've seen the following, in Reading (though thankfully at a quiet junction, so no actual harm done):
The scene. A mother and child (of about 6/7), are both riding independently. When the two purposely jump a red light at a junction:
Child: 'Hey mum, don't we have to stop at red lights'
Mother: 'No dear, that only applies to cars, not to us'
o_O
(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 11:34 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2006-12-11 01:39 pm (UTC)The CAA's comment was: It is perhaps fortunate that both aircraft turned the wrong way!