Obey! Transport minister tells cyclists to follow Highway Code… well, he asks leaders of cycling organisations to tell them for him

'Coz it's easier to see people in hi-viz.

I don't want to imagine what legislation changes will have to be made should tragic accident from fifth store Acme piano fall should happen

For context in terms of road user groups, threats to safety and priority ... I live close to a 30mph limit that passes an open playground,  it has one of those flashing speed lights as you enter the 30 zone and pass the opening to the play area. I ride past this flashing sign on most rides, a few times a week.

My estimate is that 60-75% of drivers are flashed going above/well above the limit and though some are slowing and have brake lights on at that point, many do not and just sail through. I might go and do a count one day and write to ask Mr Norman what he thinks of the result and whether it's only this area that has this majority speeding issue*.

I suspect his response (and general policy, removing speed cameras for ex) would be based on the number of voters who drive and the PR impact rather than anything to do with safety, just as this letter to cycling groups is. 

*realistically, why bother : ) 

And I've taken the piss out of my friends in Australia about how their government treat them and how they really don't want people on bikes, now we have this BS.

We are going to be fucked over big time!

Ultimately, as others have written, this wouldn't be so offensive nor so much of a story if the department had written to all the (non statutory, membership) organisations representing "civilian" motorists and the ones representing professional drivers and the ones representing pedestrians.

But they didn't. 

Instead, they chose to demonstrate that they believe in collective responsibility, but only in application to cyclists.

That they believe that the actions of a lorry driver or a car driver or a woman crossing the road without looking are their own business and nothing to do with anyone else using those modes of transport, and yet the actions of Mr Alliston (who I imagine few if any of the readers of road.cc have ever met) fall equally (rhetorically speaking) on the shoulders of everyone else in the country who chooses to ride a bicycle.

I'm mad as hell, and have no idea what to do about it! (my MP is Liam Fox, so writing to him would be a waste of time)

The letter does state that we have some of the safest roads in Europe.  Which also says "I've never used a road outside of a car".

I can look out of my window now, count to ten and see three drivers on their phones or no seat belts. I can do that every ten seconds for the rest of the day. That's without even going outside, riding my bike, driving my car. 

Clean up your own back yard before you even dare to open your mouth. 

Interesting that certain elements of the press picked up and ran with this at a time when the Brexit thing was turning into a big pile of steaming merde. Distraction tactic on the part of the authors and their faithful readership? Of course not, just a coincidence. Let's face it the hyenas have been waiting for just such a messed up individual as the young Allison boy to come along and feed their prejudices.

It looks as if Jesse Norman is going to be busy writing another letter this weekend.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41361351

If they bring about a new dangerous cycling law first, without dealing with the cyclist being injured and or killed by motorists they are being Nothing other than discriminatory towards the masses that cycle, be it commuting or leisure cycling.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/apr/28/headteachers-jesse-norman-eton-government

She has a history of talking bollox too.

Presumably there'll be a national campaign along any moment now reminding people to use the Green Cross Code....

?

This is the country we live in - one part of the government publishes this: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/6-million-adults-do-not-do-a-monthly-...

"The sedentary nature of modern, busy lives makes it difficult for many to find the time for enough exercise to benefit their health."

...while another part of government drafts what is essentially an open letter to all cyclists because one dickhead riding an illegal bike killed someone in a freak incident.

I'm beginning to wonder if Guy Fawkes should be feted as a hero rather than burned on a bonfire every year.

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We have had numerous pedestrians, using the public transport networks, and drivers going about commiting terrorism acts killing and hurting innocent people including children.
So pedestrians and drivers should be stopped and searched as potential suspects and assessed what danger they pose to the public.
No reports of cyclists involved in any such acts but are at risk from dangerous boyracer drivers, furiously revving their engines, swerving, speeding, blocking up roads and spewing out their poisionous fumes and disgusting black smoke causing cancer and harming children in particular.
Despite cyclists facing all these dangers and further dangers from pedestrians knocking off cyclists from their saddles, they still persue witch-hunt against cyclists just to satisfy now even more poweful anti-cylist lobbyists of mainly lazy fat drivers.

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In current times, I am so relieved that I live in part of the UK where transport policy is devolved to a different parliament then the one this idiot sits in.

I don't have a great deal of faith in the Scottish parliament on cycling issues, but it isn't as incompetent as this Westminster halfwit.

Whatever they say, you/me, that is people on bikes are not wanted on UK roads by this goverment. They are puppets for car makers, financiers, oil firms and transport businesses  who also have much of the press in their pockets.    

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I shall be writing to my MP and the Transport Ministry, if anyone wants a copy to sign and send in themselves, let me know and I'll share it somewhere.

And I'm sure the Allistons of this world are members of BC.

Particularly insensitive for them to write to Chris Boardman. Leaving aside the fact that he's just one man and in no way represents all cyclists, particularly those who flout the highway code, the poor guy lost his mum to the driver of a pick-up truck and has publicly lamented the fact that no charges were brought.

Jesse Norman and Chris Grayling are odious twats. 

Rules about clothes? The non-mandatory 'should' rules? God help us.

Second thoughts, I already wear a helmet and yellow gilet during the day - for my safety, and am lit up like a Xmas tree at night.

But the issue that triggered all this was someone without brakes - so some focus on the things that really matter please

The quick guide to the HC he references is also factually incorrect:

https://twitter.com/THINKgovuk/status/901109909768609792

Says brakes (plural) are required. Nope, just one in most cases

Says a front reflector is required. Nope, just a rear reflector

Interestingly, no mention of pedal reflectors