'Dangerous' cyclists in Cambridge could be offered online course instead of fine

However, I suspect the course will not be anything like as useful as Bikeability. I'd like to be proved wrong: I think that would really benefit riders.

But if it's all hi-vis, helmets, not jumping red lights (but not telling you the rules are different for toucans), not riding down one-way streets (but not telling you that 'no motor vehicles' doesn't apply to you), telling you to use cycle lanes but not primary position, not cycle on pavements, but not the meaning of shared-use signs, then it will be pretty worthless.

Quote:

Cambridge is synonymous with cycling – with statistics suggesting that over 40 per cent of residents cycle more than three times a week.

If you get 40% of any sizeable population pursuing any activity, you are bound to include a lot of morons and assholes, no matter how inherently virtuous the activity. And you cannot train away stupidity or douchebaggery. Cambridge is the cycling capital of Britain, but that also means it is *the* place to go if you want to see bad cycling: antisocial riding techniques, inconsiderate parking everywhere, lack of maintenance to the point of being dangerous, disregard for pedestrians, and suicidal manoeuvres around motorists. My new favourite: someone has evidently started selling those ebay-special 1000-lumen lights to people on sit-up-and-beg bikes, who attach them to the front baskets, so you cannot now ride down the cycleways alongside the guided bus routes at night without being blinded by dozens of bobbing, rattling searchlight beams. Still, I suppose at least some of them would be driving badly if they weren't cycling badly, which is infinitely worse.

The image used to illustrate this story shows cycle parking, trees and a building at Cambridge station which no longer exist! The are is being redeveloped.

About time.

Can it be extended to any motorist involved in an at fault collision or near miss with a cyclist (where video evidence is available) and all drivers of vehicles over 2T?

All people wishing to achieve a car driving licence should be required to show a level of competence in riding both a push bike and a moped/scooter. Bikeability and CBT would be acceptable standards.

Only once the prospective car driver has ridden bike and scooters will they understand the problems caused by and risks presented by car drivers who have no empathy with 2 wheeled road users.

This can precede or go alongside the theory training but should be presented as verified certificates before practical training can be undertaken.

Anyone else suspect the implementation of a 'Dutch Rudder' operated by Julian Huppert MP?

Would like to see the Police doing something like this in London, for cyclists and motorists

Just ridden home across the City at 7pm and the amount of cyclists riding on roads at night in poor weather with no lights, and dark clothing, is simply staggering.

Especially on badly lit routes like CS3 around Limehouse where you cannot see them coming towards you on what is a narrow, dual lane elevated cycle path.

Did not see any motor vehicles with lights off, but the usual driving into the ASL (even when cyclists in the box) and dangerous manoeuvres like changing lane without indicating.

No signs of Police anywhere, as usual...

Why can't they just roll out bikeability that everyone has access to. I'd love it if the police provided bikeability on a regular basis (e.g. 1st Sunday of every month) for anyone that wants it (at a nominal cost of course, but cheaper to those who have volunteered to be there).

And will they send car drivers on these courses as well? If a driver is witnessed intimidating, overtaking too closely, left hooking or even just mouthing off at cyclists for daring to ride in the middle of "their" road. I think they should go on these so they have an awareness of what its like to cycle as well as the responsibilities that they have as car drivers to make sure vulnerable road users are safe on the roads.

The national standard for bike training is bikeability, so yes, that would involve teaching people to use primary when necessary.

I have absolutely no problem with the principle of training as an alternative option for traffic offences.

interesting one, but what rules are they going to teach? ride in primary position, that is really going to make cyclists popular with car drivers, even if it is the right thing to do. I can imagine a conversation, belligerent cyclist no i am not going to give way i was taught to ride in the middle of the lane so i intend to....

Are they going to roll this out to drivers too, or is it the normal persecute cyclists as they are an easier target, rather than the Police actually having the kahuna's to stop irate motorists?

Of course the answer will be a big NO, because there is an election coming up & they wouldn't want to be seen persecuting motorists.