AIBU to think its time for big national cycle safety campaign

[Lilylightfoot]

Light up your bike! ? See and be seen! Type of thing, at this time of year. it could save some lives.

FFS - another flimsy excuse for a cyclist bashing thread. Cheers!

Yes,Wellington-I am inclined to agree with you.Partly it is that a cycling proficiency course on its own on its own is nowhere near enough to make a safe cyclist.When I took it,(a long time ago!) I had already been cycling around my home and had gradually progressed from short rides to going further.Cycling proficiency added knowledge onto what I already knew.
My DCs haven't cycled on their own much because of where we live,so they were still not safe after the course because they didn't have the experience.

I cycle and drive and knew in theory all the issues round being seen.Then I was driving home at twilight and passed a cyclist - he had reasonable lights and dark cycle gear with high-vis patches on it,and flashing bits on his pedals - I was surprised at how hard to see he was still,and because he was in black with nothing on his arms his signals were pretty much invisible.
So now i have more lights and hi vis.It is easy as a cyclist to forget that just because you can easily see-and hear- cars,they can't necessarily see you...

Edinburgh has had a great car/bike safety campaign going on for the last few months. There are a range of posters on the back of buses each with a simple message - Cyclists, make yourself more visible! Drivers - watch out for cyclists before you turn left! Cyclists - be aware of blind spots large vehicles have! Drivers - stay out of cycle lanes/boxes! (I am paraphrasing). There are really quite a few of them, I like the idea that it is everyone's job to keep themselves and others safe.

Can I ask why it is not law to wear a helmet?

There is always a big debate about that StripyShoes.

A lot of the big cycling organisations are pro-helmet but anti compulsion. The reasoning being that a helmet enforcement law reduces cyclist numbers and this reduction makes it more dangerous for existing cyclists due to driver unfamiliarity. Australia is often used as an example for this scenario, where introducing a safety measure

There are also questions about how effective a cycle helmet is at preventing serious injury.

Thirdly, making safety equipment compulsory reinforces the stereotype that cycling is a very dangerous activity. IME it's not dangerous whilst being a fantastic mode of transport and form of exercise.

Interesting points, ina, thank you for explaining.

FFS - another flimsy excuse for a cyclist bashing thread. Cheers!