I read a stat somewhere that backs this up, something to do with not jumping reds, riding more timidly and allowing themselves to be bullied into the curb when they should be in the primary position etc. Obviously this isn't all women and a lot of men do it too.

This is the Matt Seaton article on HGVs and dangers to women cyclists - still worth reading

http://lifeandhealth.guardian.co.uk/...039864,00.html

Not sexist, sadly true in a lot of cases. I ride fairly aggressively and take primary whenever possible.
This morning whilst riding through the junction at the top of Clapham High St, about 2 ft away from the curb with a car on my right, i move in slightly to the left only to nearly be hit by an Italian woman on a shopper who was trying to undertake me in about a foot of space. When I politely pointed out to her that what she did was extremely dangerous. She started shouting at how I should look where I was going and generally ranting at me, i bit my tongue, shook my head and rode off - but then thought thats exactly the type of person who will get hit by left turning lorries and it made me kinda sad.

When you see something like this, talk to the other cyclist be his/her witness and both of you report the incident. The driver of bendy buses need to be 1000% aware.

I totally agree.

On the point about awareness, I can understand the left turning blindspot thing, but to overtake and then cut in, they know what they are doing without a doubt. OK maybe they overestimate distances occassionally but when they realise they are too close to the cyclist they should just stop and wait for the cyclist before pulling in, not finish the manouvre. I just don't believe that they don't know what they are doing.

Couldn't agree more. Ironic though isn't it how cycle lanes often encourage cyclists to hug the kerb.

Cycle lanes will only work when they are observed by all road user correctly. Ditto the Advanced Stop Line. Neither of these is ever enforced.

Little known fact: the Highway Code expressly forbids stopping or parking on a cycle track.

240You MUST NOT stop or park on


[cut for brevity]

• a cycle track

If cycle tracks and the ASL were actually observed, and the cycle track had it's own traffic signals it might just work.

Sadly, in many cases the cycle track/ASL does nothing more than place cyclists on the nearside of of other vehicles at a junction.This is the case on the K-Town Road and at the Clerkenwell Rd/St John St junction that has claimed at least one cyclist's life.

erm. I thought the Advanced stop sign was for BMWs and Blue Badge of Death holders.
Did I miss something?

no cycle lane on that part of road, bus lane yes, cycle lane no!

Indeed.

It's for black cabs and white vans too.

Ebony and Ivory,
Side by side....

Is there not an ASL or two on that stretch?

i was in the city a few weeks back, mini cabs stopped in the ASL on ludgate hill, i pulled in front of them, and a cop on a motor bike threatens me with a ticket, and i point out the cars, he says that the law is up to him. light goes and i cycle away really slowly

that bit there isn't with the road works etc. could be wrong

The cycle lane would have to be in the middle of the road there to avoid the left turn issues, which is how it works on the continent in some cases.

think there's generally a clear gender divide amongst cyclists: men desperately over-estimate their skills, women the opposite.

I've had two blokes crash trying to race me on the road and try to overtake by falling under cars ... women tend to be dangerously slow, in the gutter.

Ha ha, I had some prick trying to do the same to me today, on Kentish Town Road, just before the bridge into Camden. He undertook me, found slowing traffic in front and then swung out into oncoming traffic that nearly wiped anything, let alone a smile, off his face.

You should've got his number. What a prick (the cop, not you).

That is not just when it comes to cycling. (In general obviously)

@BMMF

have it. wrote the IPCC.

All Coppers Are Bastards*

*with the possible exception of stevo-com when he is off duty

Good work.

Does stevo-com have full bastard powers, or can he only threaten to be a bastard whilst looking like one? No offence to stevo-com, obviously.

**bike coppers are fat bastards

if women cyclists (some) are 'more timid' you'd think that they wouldn't get anywhere near a HGV.
Flip flops (footwear) and long flowing dresses can't help mobility either ...

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...cle1695668.ece

Women cyclists are far more likely to be killed by a lorry because, unlike men, they tend to obey red lights and wait at junctions in the driver’s blind spot, according to a study.

You don't necessarily have a choice if an HGV drives up behind you, also they move out to the right prior to a left which can be confused as them going right and people move into the gap.

I think the idea is more about hesitation and panic leading to poor choices and general death / mutilated limbs. The same is possible for anyone who rides in that manner.

Flowing dresses are likely to lead to me crashing when they blow up and reveal panty cleavage.

so timid cyclists die because they undertake lorries and get into their blind-zones

and then confident[crazy] cyclists die for doing the opposite and cycling wherever they want...

its just not fair!!!!

Life sucks.

The amount of women riding nonchalantly throught red lights as thought they are protected by an invisable shield amazes me! The worse place to spot it is at the Southampton row lights heading to Clerkenwell, they just ride through on their set throughts in flowing skirts and sandals, not a care in the world!

Want my girl to start riding more, but she has no road sense at all, and is from a country where they drive on the other side! Think I might try the tfl training thing for her, would be paranoid letting her out on her own!!!!

probably the whole theory of car being more wary if the cyclist a females, and if it a male with helmet, less wary?

I found it a good way to teach her is to go out for a ride with her cycling right behind you doing what you're doing, e.g. turning right, hand signal etc.

all it take is a little bit of extra care, and see if she learn fast or not.

Is this a good enough reason to cycle in drag?

just wear a wig and you be fine.

Thought for a second i might still have my cycling proficiency badge some 20 years on... Can't find it tho :(