Cyclists and visually impaired people on the roads
Posted by Denis Deasy, published on 16-07-2008
The recent court case involving a cyclist who was fined over the death of a pedestrian has highlighted the issue of safety on the roads.
I have nearly been run down a few times by cyclists not following the rules of the road.
It seems to be the same scenario each time, waiting at a set of traffic lights for the lights to change, I check the cone underneath the traffic lights which starts to rotate when the green man is lit up. All cars, buses, lorries, vans and motorbikes stop, but the cyclists don’t.
Have I missed some change in the law? Are cyclists exempt from the road traffic acts because they are environmentally friendly?
I think not! but some cyclists seem to think they are, especially men. When I did challenge one male cyclist he didn’t understand my point or apologise for running a red light! On the other hand, when I encountered a woman, she did stop.
Cyclists along with other road users and us pedestrians. need to obey the rules of the road. Some partially sighted people do not use a guide dog or a white cane, instead we rely on our remaining eyesight and other road users to follow the rules of the road.
The following 4 tips will help;
- Cyclists along with other road users as well as pedestrians need to obey all of the rules of the road.
- Cyclists should realise it is very difficult to see them - so they should wear hi-viz clothing and always have the lights on their bikes switched on.
- Cyclists should ring the bell on their bycicles to draw attention to themselves, especially when coming up behind pedestrians.
- Cyclists should, where possible, try and use the roads or cycle lanes, not the pavements.
This will make life a little easier and safter for everyone including blind and partially sighted people.
Top 10 tips for guiding
Tips for guiding visually impaired people.
Your comments (6)
1.
Cyclists should keep off the pavements and everyone would safer as a result - whether visually impaired or sighted. They seem to think that they are above the law!
I understand that an idea is being considered which will allow cyclists to ride down one way streets the wrong way - it's madness!
posted by Verity on 26/08/08
2.
I think it is silly that the laws of the road only seem to apply to cars. Surely as a user of the road a person on a bikle must obey rules too. afterall rules are in place for a reason are they not? If there were no rules then we would be in the state of nature outlined by Hobbes and indeed life would be 'nasty brutish ans short'. However, happily we are not and there is thus no reason why rules should be so often broken by people on bikes. I believe it may be time for more direct action try to grab one as they cross the lights they will soon mend their ways after a couple of harsh words or well aimed kicks. I feel that on this issues we have remained passive for too long we must stand up for ourselves.
posted by Josef Dzhugashvili on 04/08/08
3.
A very interesting article Denis and one with which I fully agree. I doubt there are many blind and partially sighted people who have not experienced some of these problems.
I think it would help if all cycles were registered just as cars are, after all they are using the road too. this would at least mean that a sighted member of the public could take a note of the registration and report to the police. It is a great shame in my view that the test for using a cycle was abandoned some years ago.
posted by Vladimir Ulyanov on 31/07/08
4.
I agree fully with the observations made above by Ian Brown. I live in London and the roads are dangerous more due to the activities of those on bikes rather than cars. This is especially so when bikes ignore red lights and whizz over when it is supposed to be SAFE for people to cross. I saw a wonderful thing in Vauxhall the other day when a man was pulled from his bike after doing this something which I along with many others have often been tempted to do.
posted by Ivan Diot-Boy on 29/07/08
5.
A very coherent piece well done Denis. I think this is a particular problem in London where one is often having to dodge these lycra clad nazis. essentialy it seems that the police have taken the view that the level of this criminality is soo high that they would not hjave enough time and resources to deal with it a shame when there are clear laws in this area. People opting to cycle along the pavement causing fear for didabled people, older people and parents with young children is a problem which also seems to be on the increase.
posted by Ian Brown on 28/07/08
6.
Wow, that is soooo true about cyclists. It’s as is they feel like they own the road, it makes thing so much harder for everyone else. Especially those who have a visual impairment. I think cyclists should be fined for stuff like that, it would send a message out about road safety. It’s not just the cars and motorbikes, cyclists also need to take responsibility. Just because their bikes are not motorised does not mean that they are not dangerous.
Visually impaired would not stand a chance on the road if everyone had that attitude.
posted by Lolly pop! on 18/07/08