Typical "lycra lout", the amount of these idiots I see going through red lights at junctions/pedestrian crossings, riding up onto the pavement to avoid traffic lights, it was only a matter of time before they killed someone! They moan about inconsiderate driver's but I see more cyclists flouting the Highway code than motorists! They should have some sort of compulsory training before being let loose on public roads and have insurance, MOT and a license, like the rest of us!
Instead of cycle lanes that eat up valuable road space, better educated and trained cyclists, would make all the difference.
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While I wouldn't stereotype all cyclists ( I would say the vast majority ride safely and responsibly , although there are irresponsible idiots like the one in this case , just as there are irresponsible drivers ) I do think that one of the main problems is the lack of accountability because there is no set way of identifying cyclists , as there is with motor vehicles , all of which must by law display a registration number .
I have long advocated that , as well as holding third party insurance , road-going cyclists ought to be identifiable , and the simplest way of doing this is to make compulsory the wearing of a hi-viz vest , with their 'registration number' displayed clearly on the back . The number would belong to the cyclist and not the bicycle ( many cyclists have more than one ) .
Once red light jumpers and other offenders could be identified by traffic cams many of the offences seen everyday would largely disappear overnight .
For the many who cycle to work and other places regularly , the cost of this registration should still be less than the cost of using other modes of transport , so should not be off-putting . The registration could be linked to insurance , too , so that by taking someone's number you can obtain their insurance details .
Since , unlike motor vehicles , cycles don't tend to venture so far from their home area ( I know some do ) this could perhaps be administered by local councils , in return for which they could benefit from some revenue stream .
Cycling away from roads , for recreation , could be left unregulated , for those who just wish to cycle casually , but those who regularly use their cycles on the road would be obliged to register . While young children could reasonably be exempted , older children ( high school age ) could be expected to register , but with the fee either discounted or waived altogether whilst still attending school .
Taking this a stage further , it might also be not unreasonable , before completing the registration process and issuing the vest with registration number , to incorporate taking a cycling proficiency test and requiring the pass certificate to be produced as part of the registration procedure .
If this became law , and a cyclist was seen on the road , not displaying their vest with number , the police would be entitled to stop them and ask why , with the possibility of charges or bike confiscation if no satisfactory explanation .
This could also help to combat cycle theft , since the system could allow for registering the bike's frame number against the owner's registration , and if a bike turned up somewhere after being stolen , it would be easy enough to check the frame number and , with luck , trace the owner .
Re the case in point , while I agree the cyclist deserves all he gets due to taking a cycle without proper brakes on the public road , what gets me , beyond the tragic circumstances and outcome , is his apparent arrogance and lack of contrition .
I once experienced something similar , while I was legitimately crossing on a zebra crossing , a cyclist approaching at some speed shouted 'watch out , I've no brakes' , to which I shouted back 'well you shouldn't be on the road then' . He passed within a couple of feet , but thankfully without colliding .
