- News
- Reviews
- Bikes
- Accessories
- Accessories - misc
- Computer mounts
- Bags
- Bar ends
- Bike bags & cases
- Bottle cages
- Bottles
- Cameras
- Car racks
- Child seats
- Computers
- Glasses
- GPS units
- Helmets
- Lights - front
- Lights - rear
- Lights - sets
- Locks
- Mirrors
- Mudguards
- Racks
- Pumps & CO2 inflators
- Puncture kits
- Reflectives
- Smart watches
- Stands and racks
- Trailers
- Clothing
- Components
- Bar tape & grips
- Bottom brackets
- Brake & gear cables
- Brake & STI levers
- Brake pads & spares
- Brakes
- Cassettes & freewheels
- Chains
- Chainsets & chainrings
- Derailleurs - front
- Derailleurs - rear
- Forks
- Gear levers & shifters
- Groupsets
- Handlebars & extensions
- Headsets
- Hubs
- Inner tubes
- Pedals
- Quick releases & skewers
- Saddles
- Seatposts
- Stems
- Wheels
- Tyres
- Health, fitness and nutrition
- Tools and workshop
- Miscellaneous
- Tubeless valves
- Buyers Guides
- Features
- Forum
- Recommends
- Podcast
news
City of London (licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 by Colin and Kim Hansen).jpgCity of London urges "irresponsible cyclists" to curb their speed
“Irresponsible cyclists” in the City of London are being urged to drop their speed, with the City of London Corporation, which governs the Square Mile, warning that their behaviour is threatening initiatives aimed at promoting cycling, such as the ban on vehicles other than buses and bicycles at Bank Junction.
That initiative, which began in May last year and applies between 7am and 7pm on weekdays, has resulted in the number of road traffic casualties halving at the junction, and the City of London Corporation will decide in the coming weeks whether to make it permanent.
But it warns that a small number of inconsiderate cyclists at peak times are jeopardising that and other potential safety initiatives through riding at excessive speed, and is calling on riders to adhere to “considerate cycling” on its streets.
A statement from the Corporation, quoted on trade journal BikeBiz, said: “Our message is simple – in the City, please ride at a speed where you can easily stop if a person walking happens to step out.
It said that efforts to get more people cycling, such as the changes at Bank junction, were “under threat due to the behaviour of a small minority of irresponsible cyclists. Travelling over 10mph is simply not acceptable.”
The Corporation continued: “In terms of danger the biggest issue is that some cyclists travel too fast for the crowded environment we experience at peak times, and it must be expected that pedestrians may step out at any time.
“Attitudinal studies show that the majority of road users see cyclists as the biggest cause of concern.
“We are also seeing that collisions between pedestrians and cyclists are the cause of an increasing number of injuries, which is a priority to address since this type of collision tends to lead to two injuries, as both the pedestrian and cyclist are injured.
“Studies show that the vast majority of cyclists are responsible and polite, and we call on this silent majority to help us promote considerate cycling.”
Those issues were highlighted in the Corporation’s Road Danger Reduction and Active Travel Plan 2018-23, which outlined a Vision Zero for road casualties by 2041, including through issues such as preventing cyclists being injured through ‘dooring’ by promoting the Dutch Reach technique to licensed cab drivers and private hire drivers and their passengers.
The Corporation also launched, last November, four “road etiquette principles” to coincide with the start of Road Safety Week and targeted at reducing the number of people killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions in the Square Mile.
Aimed at all road users, the four principles urge people to:
Look around – keep your eyes open and focus on what’s around you.
Be aware – the City of London’s a busy place, so always expect the unexpected.
Be considerate – remember other road users are people too.
Less haste – take an extra second to think about what you’re doing and any potential hazards.
The “considerate cycling” campaign will be formally launched at next week’s inaugural City Cycling Festival, running from 13-15 June, and hosted at Guildhall jointly by the Corporation, the LCC and the International Cycle History Conference.
Among the events on the programme at the City Cycle Festival will be a panel discussion chaired by Alderman Alison Gowman entitled, “Why do so many people have a problem with cyclists and what can be done about it?”
The panel will include comprise cycling author and BikeBiz editor at large, Carlton Reid, cycling journalist and road.cc contributor Laura Laker, Rachel Lee from the everyday walking charity Living Streets, Ashok Sinha of LCC and Jackie O’Donovan who runs the waste disposal business O’Donovan Waste.
NB: An earlier version of this story said that the "considerate cycling" initiative was being run in conjunction with the LCC.
We have been informed by the LCC that this is incorrect and are happy to put the record straight.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- jamesha100 3 hours 36 min ago
I have been in Belfast for work this week and have been shocked by the congestion around the city centre. There are lots of frustrated drivers...
- David9694 3 hours 58 min ago
Cyclists should be made to have insurance etc https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/24757516.four-vehicles-seize...
- A V Lowe 4 hours 30 min ago
On a bus the driver has a fully glazed double set of doors that give a direct view of any cyclist or pedestrian travelling right into the left side...
- matthewn5 4 hours 55 min ago
A friend in my cycling club has a new Ribble Allroad, I think the model with 105, and when I asked how he was finding it (before reading this...
- Rendel Harris 5 hours 4 min ago
Well yes but that's if you're looking at an equation x = n x 3 where n is any number less than 5. If you're looking for a number that is three...
- check12 6 hours 22 min ago
Get them back? They've never gone away for me, cheap tdf winning bikes on eBay with rim brakes and cheap rim brake aero wheels, just don't tell...
- Simon E 7 hours 5 min ago
It used to be called Buy Nothing Day as a protest against the the Black Friday discounting madness. The constant BF adverts, promos and stuff...
- chrisonabike 9 hours 20 min ago
Apologies - you're quite right! Something about presentation and comprehension...
- wtjs 9 hours 41 min ago
You can find out whether they're lying about 'taking action' by asking them what they actually did. When they refuse to tell you, citing various...
Add new comment
76 comments
With a review by government in progress and the Charlie Alliston case fresh in the memory, the decision makers can easily make things a lot harder for the cycling community. I see this as City of London saying "we're trying to help cyclists, don't make it hard for us". The roads are congested and all road users get frustrated with that. The problem is, say what you like to the problem minorities on all sides and they won't change their behaviour. More enforcement all round would be my way forward
Meanwhile, moped gangs are terrorizing the place like Mad Max.
The Corporation also (left un)said "we would also ask pedestrians to lift their eyes from social media and check both ways before stepping out into a busy road in case there is an HGV, car, or worse still, a cyclist travelling at over 10mph".
I didn't realise the Corporation of London had lowered the speed limit to 10mph. I applaud this initiative to make cycling and walking safer.
<anecdote>
I've had two peds step out in front of me while staring into a phone in as many days. I always give a cheery, "Look where you're going!" - yesterday, I was met with, "Shut up.", while today I got, "I'll do what I fucking want.".
</anecdote>
Where's Darwin when you need him?
Or a Kim Briggs award, I'll get my coat.
In a crowded area you should expect people to step out, and anticipate it by riding at a speed that allows you to take evasive action without having to shout.
We ask motors to look out for cyclists, it's our job as cyclists to look out for peds, even iPeds.
Don't be silly, I was told by a muppet riding a bike in Manchester that we have jay walking rules and that it would have been my fault if he had hit me after him coming at speed round a tram which created a blind corner, the stare he gave obviously encouraged me to have a chat with him. He was adamant that as a road user, I, the pedestrian should have watched out for him as it was dangerous and could have resulted in me injuring myself. He was unable to recognise that as a busy city centre we all have to watch out for each other and that it was his action that was dangerous, not mine. This was demomnstrated to him, he still couldn't see it and then he disappeared.
Away with you and your sensible opinion.
Seems to me that this is good advice, but they should probably be directing it at the people in the metal boxes, rather than (or, as well as) the cyclists. I'd imagine that far more pedestrians have been injured or killed by cars than by bicycles in the Square Mile.
I cycle through Bank junction twice a day, five days a week. Things have really improved since the introduction of the vehicle restrictions, although it has been partially lifted of late due to diversions, which is frustrating.
I have to say that my peak speed through the City is well in excess of 10mph but I believe I ride with appropriate care and consideration. I am happy to cycle at a slower pace if all other vehicles are similarly restricted - to be honest, that sounds like a great plan. The City itself is tiny and it would not hugely impact my commute time, especially considering the number of traffic lights.
traffic lights shouldn't be necessary - they're an admission of failure. The entire City should be closed to motor traffic, except for deliveries between 8pm and 10:30 pm, and sweeping up the drunks at 3am. Sheep may safely graze.
I basically agreed with this until I read they wanted cyclists to travel at no more than 10mph.
The city has a 20mph speed limit - WHICH IS NEVER ENFORCED AND IS ROUTINELY BROKEN FFS!!
Not defending any bell ends who do ride with no consideration for others - a minority as they say.
But once again...how can a minority of bad cyclists affect a scheme when a minority of bad drivers (who kill) never would?!?!?! On that note if they let motorised traffic back in (cabbies) are they going to reduce the limit to 10mph and enforce it?!?? Of course they fucking wont.
"The “considerate cycling” campaign will be formally launched at next week’s inaugural City Cycling Festival, running from 13-15 May"
June perhaps?
Forgot to add:
uvatw8e.gif
I'm starting to form a plan, I wouldn't object to driving at 10mph around Manchester/Liverpool/Glasgow/etc city centres if it means more cycling oriented initiatives. I think that as a working visitor I'd be inclined to park up and ride in the cities themselves.
Edinburgh is just shit, so not bothered aboth there.
Thanks god it's just the cyclists doing this. Imagine the carnage if other vehicles ever broke the motorised speed limit.
I wonder why there aren't policemen patrolling and stopping this plague? There always seem to be plenty around when a decent citizen tries to make a phone call whilst stuck in traffic.
I just can't believe them going at more than 10mph - those complete and utter bastards. Hanging's too good for 'em, I say.
Does anyone have access to any KSI figures that these dangerous cyclists have caused?
I think that the majority of incidents at these speeds are not going to cause "serious injury" or death so there is likely to be no record of them in KSI statistics. Taking a quick straw poll round the office, people would be less likely to report "slight injuries" because it is not worth the hassle as cyclists are seen as uninsured. Just because they are not counted or formally recorded does not mean that they do not exist though.
Pages