How tragic that the toll of cyclist injuries and deaths continues.
perhaps a more powerful warning device on bikes is needed. A little cycle bell is inadequate. You can get compressed air “bull-horns” enjoyed by football fans and (last night of the ) promenaders. I may be a little deaf due to years of disconnecting red suzies but I’m sure one of these foghorns would alert me to the cyclists presence.
The most valuable asset available to cyclists is commonsense. And it’s absolutely free with no need for any additional infrastructure.
I put the foghorn suggestion on the cyclechat forum, this was the only reply:
Euro,
Agreed it is very tragic, but if the cyclist has to resort to sounding a compressed air horn, something has already gone very badly wrong, either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place, or the driver has not been observant enough.
Alan…
Euro:
I put the foghorn suggestion on the cyclechat forum, this was the only reply:Euro,
Agreed it is very tragic, but if the cyclist has to resort to sounding a compressed air horn, something has already gone very badly wrong, either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place, or the driver has not been observant enough.
Alan…
Why do trains, buses, emergency vehicles, police, all motor vehicles in fact, have the use of a decent horn?
It’s to enable a warning sound be issued when things do go wrong as they inevitably will, as long as humans are in control of vehicles.
The above quote from the cycling forum is yet another example of cyclists expecting to be protected from themselves by some kind of ‘ethereal bubble’, and an attitude that belongs in a world a good deal more perfect than ours ever will be!
No wonder they keep falling like flies if they cycle like idiots and take an attitude like that with them!
(Yes, I am aware not all cyclists do have such an attitude.)
Just most of them.
Big hello to the cyclist going on his merry way along the Mancunian Way flyover yesterday in Manchester. It’s a motorway so he shouldn’t have been on it anyway, but even if it wasn’t a motorway it amazes me how some cyclists seem to completely neglect to consider risk in favour of using their rights. I often see cyclists riding up the middle lane of this section of road on the A34 when it splits for the M60:
maps.google.co.uk/?ll=53.39459, … =12,0,0,0 (Streetview) 
I cringe everytime. I have no issue with cycling and would do more of it if I could, but with a family at home you wouldn’t catch me riding in places like that. Just rank stupidity imo.
Truckulent:
Euro:
I put the foghorn suggestion on the cyclechat forum, this was the only reply:Euro,
Agreed it is very tragic, but if the cyclist has to resort to sounding a compressed air horn, something has already gone very badly wrong, either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place, or the driver has not been observant enough.
Alan…
Why do trains, buses, emergency vehicles, police, all motor vehicles in fact, have the use of a decent horn?
It’s to enable a warning sound be issued when things do go wrong as they inevitably will, as long as humans are in control of vehicles.
The above quote from the cycling forum is yet another example of cyclists expecting to be protected from themselves by some kind of ‘ethereal bubble’, and an attitude that belongs in a world a good deal more perfect than ours ever will be!
No wonder they keep falling like flies if they cycle like idiots and take an attitude like that with them!
(Yes, I am aware not all cyclists do have such an attitude.)
Just most of them.
In fairness, it did say "either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place … "
Euro:
I put the foghorn suggestion on the cyclechat forum, this was the only reply:Euro,
Agreed it is very tragic, but if the cyclist has to resort to sounding a compressed air horn, something has already gone very badly wrong, either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place, or the driver has not been observant enough.
Alan…
What he actually means is ‘I can’t be bothered to even acknowledge this suggestion as logically sound, why should I fit this device to my bike (it might not match my lycra) when everyone else should give way to me, heaven forbid I recommend a perfectly valid last resort safety measure when its up to others to look out for me’.
Due to this quote being from another forum and the poster is unlikely to reply I have tempered and softened my response to allow for this persons stupidity and lack of foresight which is based on an arrogance and mental state writing cheques his body will be unable to cash… just another statistic waiting to fall foul of Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection.
Dipper_Dave:
Euro:
I put the foghorn suggestion on the cyclechat forum, this was the only reply:Euro,
Agreed it is very tragic, but if the cyclist has to resort to sounding a compressed air horn, something has already gone very badly wrong, either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place, or the driver has not been observant enough.
Alan…
What he actually means is ‘I can’t be bothered to even acknowledge this suggestion as logically sound, why should I fit this device to my bike (it might not match my lycra) when everyone else should give way to me, heaven forbid I recommend a perfectly valid last resort safety measure when its up to others to look out for me’.
Due to this quote being from another forum and the poster is unlikely to reply I have tempered and softened my response to allow for this persons stupidity and lack of foresight which is based on an arrogance and mental state writing cheques his body will be unable to cash… just another statistic waiting to fall foul of Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection.
He’s actually got a valid point, and he makes it without having a needless go at truck drivers. Don’t forget, if you’re blowing a horn on a bike, the hand you’re using isn’t available to steer or operate the brakes …
Your probably right, although if something has gone ‘badly wrong’ or is about too the need to steer or brake may be secondary to jumping out the way. Plus the air tank would be empty as they would be used all the time when pedestrians jump out at them on zebra crossings.
We will just have to carry on as normal looking out for each other as best we can.
Did anyone see the ITV Daybreak programme this morning where the reporter stood in the bike lane and caused inconvenience to two cyclists ?
Tragedy, but all to familiar, the truck drivers are being scorned upon by Boris.
He is pushing for a total lorry ban in London, and these awful tragedy’s give him the fuel he needs.
personally, I would love to be banned from London.
Euro:
I put the foghorn suggestion on the cyclechat forum, this was the only reply:Euro,
Agreed it is very tragic, but if the cyclist has to resort to sounding a compressed air horn, something has already gone very badly wrong, either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place, or the driver has not been observant enough.
Alan…
Seems like a fair point to me to be honest, but I think he doesn’t quite get the use of the horn. It’s not “resorting” to use the horn at all, it’s simply riding with care.
Western people are afraid to use the horn properly anyway as the horn over here is deemed an insult or a malicious way of interaction with other road users.
Snarley:
Tragedy, but all to familiar, the truck drivers are being scorned upon by Boris.He is pushing for a total lorry ban in London, and these awful tragedy’s give him the fuel he needs.
personally, I would love to be banned from London.
Please please please please please this couldn’t come soon enough…
One problem with bicycles is no real statistics on how many are on the roads, or how many we’re on the road say 10 years ago and 5 years ago.
There’s no history or present information for anyone to make an informed decision based on facts.
from my own point of view it seems there’s more people riding bicycles then ever. This is not surprising as cost of motoring sky rockets. More and more people are taking to the bicycle.
And now there’s the massive in increase in retired baby booms all rideing in big packs together like some kind of gange of green Eco hels angles.
The problem is knowone knows relly just how big the increase is in bicycles on the roads.
For all we know there may have been a 100% increase in bicycles using the roads but the number of accidents involving them may have only increased by 10%.
Or worst case bicycle road use may have only increase by say 30% but there being involved in accidents may have increased by 85%, witch would suggest a real worsening lack of road user ability when bikes are involved. Witch would surgest radical action was needed.
Only when bicycles are listed with the DVlA just as cars an trucks are will anyone relly be able to clearly see what the trending issues are in regards to bicycles and accidents.
That may also help to make bicycle riders more responsible. Most seem to think the rules of the roads don’nt aply to them !
Cyclist CPC
7 hours x 5 over 5 years
Day 1. (most important module)
The Benefits (or not) of Lycra.
Why oh why do they wear it, it’s not a great look on a middle aged Granny or Grandad.
(Should be a Criminal Offence to wear it after 30 years old & only Females should wear it !)
Day 2.
7 hours out around London with a Lorry Driver.
Breakfast to be supplied/brought by the Cyclist.
Day 3.
The importance of Bells.
The whole day to be spent on educating the cyclist that they must have a Bell & how to use it in Anger & Panic whilst being squashed by a HGV who’s got his stereo on full blast listening to Black Sabbath, it won’t do any good, but at least it will give 'em something to do whilst they take their last breath.
Day 4.
Highway Code & Practical Practice in a Children’s Playground.
Spend the day Giggling & Playing around in a safe environment. (Don’t forget you PPE- Hi Viz, Helmet, Knee Pads, Elbow Pads, Boots, Gloves, Scarf, Overcoat, Waterproofs & a Full set of Motorcycle Leathers)
Day 5.
Lights.
Day to be spent explaining the use of the Dimmest/Smallest lights available to the general public (after all, we don’t want any body to be able to see the cyclist properly, camouflage is the name of the game !)
After 5 years start the CPC again, charging at least £100 per day (50% to go to Viking Industries Beer Fund for Needy Vikings)
A lot of cyclists (including some HGV(1)s) have replied to my post on:
General cycling discussion
Truck hazard
mostly appreciative and sympathetic, but some abuse.
Worth a look
Euro:
I put the foghorn suggestion on the cyclechat forum, this was the only reply:Euro,
Agreed it is very tragic, but if the cyclist has to resort to sounding a compressed air horn, something has already gone very badly wrong, either the cyclist has put themselves into a very bad place, or the driver has not been observant enough.
Alan…
Just found the thread in question:
cyclechat.net/threads/truck-hazard.143632/
Appears one gentleman has one of these and has been a ‘life saver’.
The discussions seem to follow the same track as on here, albeit with slightly less ranting 
Perhaps the best short term solution is just to get us away from each other in major cities, maybe a timed rush-hour lorry ban and a relaxing of the use of pavement rules for cyclists between certain times when the pavements are quiet allowing cyclists with less confidence or experience to cycle in a safer environment.
Course a relaxing of pavement restrictions would be on the understanding that pedestrians have right of way (yep cyclist in give way shocker) and speed should be kept down (i.e no lycra).
Rush hour lorry ban between 6-10 & 2-7 should cover it.
Probably a good time for me to apologise to Alan for my earlier rant- Sorry Al I was drunk honest…
Wish I knew why cyclists do not think of their own safety, no lights or bright visable clothing. Not only do they put their own lives at risk, but a person suddenly coming across them may not have enough time to avoid them should an accident occur. 
I don’t think all this is about truck drivers or cyclists insomuch that when it comes to junctions, no one knows who has right of way?
Picture a roundabout where pedestrians have a red man on the left 9’oclock exit, because traffic in your approach lane might turn left…
Then there is a cycling superhighway that doesn’t seem to have a “red bike” icon on any kind of crossing… So they scoot straight out, and straight under the wheels of a truck halfway around the corner turning left.
Who’s in the wrong? - Neither the cyclist nor truck driver, but the stupid system for having it “green” for traffic that’s “red” for everyone else standing there. 
Is a cyclist a pedestrian or “traffic”?
Simple clarification, and then total enforcement of this very simple aspect would save many lives I’m sure.
This means mostly “no cyclist is to traverse a red light EVER” as the number one golden rule.
When I was a kid, cyclists used to dismount in order to “jump the lights” by pushing your bike across the pedestrian crossing at the 9’oclock exit.
Even that pales into insignificance when you see the way cyclists just ride straight across without even looking to see if they can possibly be hit by a perpendicular stream of traffic…
I’m sure the only thing stopping common sense prevailing here is that the inquest never looks good with the coroner telling everyone that
“The cyclist broke every highway code in the book, and died because of their own stupid fault”.
Watch the vid, and judge for yourself how many of us should end up being “A driver was arrested at the scene”.