Comments on: Debendification Reality : Higher Costs, Fewer Seats

By: Tim

Tim — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 22:49:06 +0000

Kerbed cycle lanes would be impossible in many parts of London, not through cost but the size of the roads. We have too many narrow streets.
The HGVs are a problem but are needed for the many building sites in London (and more will be needed when crossrail building starts). It would be good if some co-ordination of the times they are used could be made, but it still won’t get rid of them.
Buses also are pulling into bus stops. So an HGV may be trouble at junctions and when passing, but buses often overtake then pull in (a left hook). There are some bus drivers that seem to forget you the moment the front of the bus is past them.
What evidence do you have that I (or Boris for that matter) have some inability to cycle. I’ve been riding in London for five years as it happens

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:54:17 +0000

Indeed, there was another HGV/female cyclist collision yesterday, which ‘fortunately’ resulted only in a broken pelvis. This was at the notorious cyclist blackspot at Southwark Bridge, which amazingly enough is on Boris’s Cycle Superhighway.

http://www.bikeradar.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=15530925

By: Where_art_thou_ken

Where_art_thou_ken — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 15:16:19 +0000

Tim,

I’ve been riding in London for 6 years now on a daily basis. I have no problems with bendy buses – they are no more dangerous than any normal large vehicle.

It seems you share the same inability to ride a bike as Boris obviously does. Sadly you do need common sense to ride safely in any city.

Tom’s analysis is spot on – this whole idiotic episode was a waste of time and money. The roads will be busier and the congestion greater as well as the pollution and all because Boris is a bufoon.

I would have taken those big skip lorries off the streets before attacking the bendy bus. They do kill cyclists regularly and are a menace to our streets.

I do agree however that in foreign cities the cycle lanes are kerbed and therefore the cyclists are much safer. However this would COST MONEY and Boris only cuts spending, not boosts it – unless it’s to help out one of his Eton old boys.

By: Mr Grunt

Mr Grunt — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:37:53 +0000

” What is Going on Around Here ” ? The biggest Hazard for cyclists after collisions with cars is ” Pot Holes in The Road ” Just face reality here and look at the statistic’s . How many cyclists have been hurt , seriously injured or killed by a Bendy Bus ? The Bendy Bus is completely innocent . Pot Holes alone are a bigger danger to cyclist after the car .

Lastly I would like to add that pedestrians have a real fear from cyclists that jump the lights , suddenly appear from nowhere and those that cycle on the pavement . Also the amount of injuries caused to pedestrian’s due to cyclists bad habits is alarming . When you are next in London take the time to observe other cyclist’s and you will see for yourself .

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 10:05:49 +0000

Cyclists jumping red lights certainly isn’t safer for pedestrians…

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:45:52 +0000

@bluepillnation
“cyclists and bendies get on fine in large European cities and towns”
They would be the ones with a poper cycle path network and presumed fault of the motor vehicle in a case of a collision with a cyclist.
Are you saying that cyclist don’t have the right to overtake stationary traffic?
Also the greatest proporsion of cyclists killed by large vehicles in London are female. The cyclists you are talking about are far less likely to be involved in a serious accident.
See also the suppressed TfL report into cycling safety which found it was safer to jump red lights.

By: bluepillnation

bluepillnation — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:53:52 +0000

Tim@3
“The second normal bus driver won’t generally follow the first if he will block the junction/crossing.”

I don’t know where you live Tim, but I see them do it every day when I’m walking to the bus stop – I live just north of Seven Sisters Road.

I think the deal with cyclists and bendy buses was more to do with perceived rather than actual danger – cyclists and bendies get on fine in large European cities and towns. Of course if we’re talking about the kind of cyclist that reserves the right to weave around traffic and in general behave in a dangerous manner then I have very little sympathy for them.

By: Mr Grunt

Mr Grunt — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 13:38:34 +0000

Sorry mate i’m not a cyclist , so forgive me . Im am certain though that this is an expensive way to put right what is a problem for some road users . I think that Education would have been the best solution for this situation because this is an Ugly waste of money when we are going through a recession . I do think that the public should be more understanding and I am convinced that in time , all road users would have respected each other and eventually no road user would have given the Bendy Bus a second thought .

By: Tim

Tim — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:23:59 +0000

Its not a case of not being able to see them. Its what they do that you can’t predict.
I am an experienced road user yet I can’t do much when a bus overtakes me at speed then pulls in and brakes hard (worse if its a bendy). Or if I’m overtaking a stationary bendy which then decides that it will pull out without indicating and try and push me into the central pedestrian island.
Strangly its incidents like these that make almost all cyclists I know in central London look forward to the bendy phase out.

By: Mr Grunt

Mr Grunt — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 12:12:58 +0000

I know for a fact that cyclists are more at risk from death or injury due to accidents with cars . Now look at the injuries and deaths due to Bendy Buses . There is no argument because Bendy Buses dont have a bad record . Im confused as to why cyclists or other road user’s cannot see a ” BIG RED BUS ” coming down the street . An experienced road user usually can predict what others are going to do .