Do 57% of UK cyclists jump red lights? (or Irish ones?)
One motoring organisation claims so – on very flimsy evidence.
Two-thirds of commuters think UK roads are ‘not safe enough for cycling’
Survey finds that just 10% use their bikes as their main form of transport, but 35% would switch to cycling if roads were less dangerous. Read article
It would be surprising if the perception in Ireland was much different
A white ghost bicycle parked at Kings Cross in London
Risky cycling rarely to blame for bike accidents, study finds
A tiny proportion of accidents involving cyclists are caused by riders jumping red lights or stop signs, or failing to wear high-visibility clothing and use lights, a government-commissioned study has discovered. Read article
Cyclists’ lobby group CTC said the report needed to focus on driver behaviour rather than issues such as cyclists wearing helmets.
Is it worth buying British bikes?
It is (just about) possible to find bikes that are British-made in part, but is it a pointless exercise or a good use of your money? If you owned a bike before the 1980s in the UK, the chances are it was British-made. If you own one today, it most likely isn’t. Read article
No much chance of an Irish one either, but check out Men’s Sheds; they’re doing work on second-hand bicycles …
What defines Dutch cycling?
Cycling is similar all over the world… or is it? Even in utility cycling the Dutch have some cycling habits that are quite exceptional. What defines Dutch cycling? A lighthearted look at cycling in the Netherlands. A society will only develop habits like these when people do not have to … See video
Helmets ‘useless’ in major bike accidents, says new study
That is the message coming out of a new study which suggests protective headgear is useless in the event of a serious accident. ‘Looking at evidence, it does not matter if people are wearing a helmet or not, any serious accident on a bike is likely to kill them,’ said Dr Carwyn Hooper, from St George’s University of London. Read article
Appropriate Response to Rising Fuel Prices
This paper evaluates policy options for responding to rising fuel prices. There is popular support for policies that minimize fuel prices through subsidies and tax eductions, but such policies harm consumers and the economy overall because they increase total fuel consumption and vehicle travel, and therefore associated costs such as traffic and parking congestion, infrastructure costs, traffic crashes, trade imbalances and pollution emissions. Read paper
Capital’s bike scheme expanded for summer
THE first phase of the Dublin Bikes expansion scheme will get under way this summer with 1,000 new bicycles expected on the streets by early next year, writes Mark O’Regan. Read article
Fair weather cyclist
(UK) Times safety campaign proves that cycling is now mainstream
Unusual campaigning stance by the paper will reach a different audience from typical cycle campaigns. Read article