100%

I think all of the above demonstrate a clear point: many people who use London's streets (in whatever way) are completely self-absorbed when they are making their everyday journeys.

A few years ago I was knocked off my bike by a driver who jumped a red. I was very lucky not to have been seriously injured or even died. The driver was eventually prosecuted for driving without due care and attention.

What did I learn? Do I hate all drivers? No. I learnt that life is simply too precious to risk a phone-call/text for, or for jumping a red or breaking the law on the road just to get somewhere that few minutes quicker (incidentally I NEVER jump reds).

No-one is invincible and it could happen to anyone so easily (as demonstrated in the initial post). Please at least do not create opportunities for accidents; it's simply not worth it.

"At a junction. When crossing the road, look out for traffic turning into the road, especially from behind you. If you have started crossing and traffic wants to turn into the road, you have priority and they should give way (see Rule 170)."

No 8, here: https://www.gov.uk/rules-pedestrians-1- ... ad-7-to-17

Not that I see it observed very well. I think far too many people don't learn this rule.

I'd also like to add that the number of cyclists will only increase both naturally through the increase in population and also through the limitations of public transport.

I think slowly but surely, driving a private car in and around London will become more difficult, expensive and slower. Most of the road redesigns involve narrowing the space for cars. I think it's an inevitable process of getting non-essential motor vehicles off the road.

Another observation is "the weaving in and out of traffic" points about cyclists and motorbikes. It's because their 'traffic flow' if you like is different than that of a car or other motor vehicle which takes up more space. Pretty much over any given distance in central London I will be just as fast as a car. Mainly because when I car has stopped or slowed for lights etc I gain distance in the available space. I'm also faster away from the lights. I can do this without breaking the law, running lights etc just following and anticipating the 'flow' of the traffic.

Clearly as a driver too I get annoyed when other cyclists run red lights because I know it winds other road users up. As a human being I too get annoyed when the VW Passat estate pulled out without warning on Webb's Road this morning, in front of 3 cyclists, a mum and two children, who were correctly position in luminous jackets.

There's no winners in the "them v us" argument. Awareness and improving standards of behaviour by all is the only solution.

It's not just cyclists & 4x4s either, others drivers don't adhere, pedestrians step out without looking, motor bikes weave in & out where there is barely space.

I agree with juliantenniscoach that nobody should be on mobiles or use headphones etc as it's just so dangerous. Lots of white van drivers have mobiles clamped to their ears as well.

Perhaps the "Driving Awareness Training" should be mandatory for everyone?

It's tricky because it depends on timing. For example if the motorcycle has indicated and is in the process of the turn then you should not step out. If however you've stepped out before, then the motorcycle indicates, then it is your right of way. Tricky.

A couple of people have made the key point that we all need to be aware and considerate to each other whatever your mode of transport. Adhere to the law and you won't go too far wrong. It's pointless trying to keep score and judge what "cyclists" or "4x4" do wrong because we are all individuals and often qualify for all modes of transport.

My original request was for everyone, from pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers to get off the mobile when on the road. It's against the law now for good reason for drivers. For pedestrians and cyclists it's got to be in your/our interests to be more aware of what's going on around you. Your morning coffee meeting isn't that important in the context of an accident.

I d like the answer to that question too!

Seeing as we are talking road safety I have a question

A few times in the last month or so I've been crossing a side street only to have a motorbike turn into the street from a main road.

I'm already crossing the road before it starts to turn in.

Yesterday a motorbike beeped me even though I'm pretty sure I have right of way, in that if I am already crossing and it subsequently turns into the road then as I am already crossing it has to wait for me.

Is that right?

I was about to get grumpy then thought better of it!

Well said BFW

I am a Cyclist and driver (of car and scooter) and the WORST thing is cyclist with headphones and music on. They can't hear the traffic around them and it is so dangerous !

I commute every day from SW11 to the City sometimes by scooter and sometimes on my bike and I do have to say that my fellow cyclists do think they own the streets and that rules don't apply to them. They overtake without looking behind, they take the entire lane which is actually not just for cyclists but for buses, taxis and scooters too, and they jump red lights. Interestingly I have now seen quite a lot of policemen on the way to work stopping cyclists but I am not sure how much this will help.

I say all of this from a Cyclists point of view !

In the french highway code (not sure if it is the same in the english one) it says that whoever is the slowest has priority as you should be able to control your vehicule. So: a pedestrian over a cyclist, a cyclist over a car etc.

I agree more courtesy on both side and adhering to the highway is what is needed alongside with more cycle lanes.

As both a cyclist and driver it's important to try and see things from both sides.

It irks me (and probably the genuine cyclist) when I see another cyclist jumping a red traffic light; not having lights on after dark and so on.

However Apples4Jam you must be driving somewhere completely different to the majority of us....really
"I actually see far more cyclists wobbling about on their bikes while talking on their mobile phones these days than I do motorists I have to say"
I find that hard to believe.
I drive a fair amount and the number of people in cars on their mobile phones must be 100x that of cyclists.

NYE.
Regards your point a) d) e) - for cyclists ...read cars.
I've lost count the number of times I've seen this.
We can all make pro and con lists.

As Jamie rightly says we need to be more polite to each other.
Cyclists are far more vulnerable though of course this doesn't mean they shouldn't adhere to the Highway Code.

Most importantly hope the person is ok who was involved in the accident.

As a daily cyclist and having in the past been a daily car driver (now only occasionally in London) I have had experience from both sides.

There are negatives and positives to either side of the argument but what mainly stands out to myself is the majority of peoples attitudes in general. I think everyone needs to be more considerate and tolerant of one another. No situation is ever clear cut and a lot more could end with a better outcome if people didn't have such a self importance and had more patience.If everyone were more present and aware in what they were doing the roads would be far safer.

In my opinion, cyclists should be allowed to ride anywhere they like, even if it's the 'wrong' way down a one-way street. They should, of course, be expected to adhere to traffic lights and cross walks as far as possible. The UK could learn a lot from the Netherlands, where the bike rules the road. They have a much more relaxed and healthy culture, both of which we could benefit from in London.

I wish I had a web cam for every cyclist that I have seen:

a) jumping red lights,
b) cycling on the pavement when there are small children, pushchairs & other pedestrians that dare to use pavements,
c) going down one way roads the wrong way,
d) not signalling, &
e) ignoring pedestrian crossings