Cycling injuries on the rise in Brighton and Hove

3:00pm Monday 30th November 2009

   Comments (20)   Have your say »


A campaign group has called on a council to improve road safety after
figures revealed the number of cyclists being injured has increased.

Between April and June of this year, 47 cyclists were injured in
Brighton and Hove, compared with 44 over the same period last year, a
rise of 6.8%.

Despite the increase, the figure is still well below the national
increase in cycle casualties of 4,806, which equates to 9%.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council, which supplied the
figures, said the authority believed the rise was caused by more
people using bikes.

Adam Pride, secretary of Brighton cycle group Bricycles, said:
“Brighton is a cycling town which is meant to be encouraging more and
more cyclists but the council has got to ensure the roads are safer
for them, particularly those who have only recently taken up cycling.

“Until we reach a critical mass in the number of cyclists on the
roads it will rise.

“In Holland, where there are more cyclists, the number is much lower.

“The number of injuries will rise as more people take cycling up.”

A spokesman for the city council said: “At the moment we do not have
data to indicate if there has been a proportionate increase in the
use of cycles, which we believe to be the case.

“The council works closely with other agencies and partners to reduce
casualties on the city’s streets, an example being the recent
Brighten Up campaign, jointly run by the council and Sussex Police to
target cyclists riding at night without lights.

“The enforcement led to 116 fixed penalty notices being issued by the
police and those stopped were given vouchers to collect free cycle
lights from the council.

“The responsibility for making the city’s streets safer to use rests
with all road user types.

It is a shared responsibility and until everybody accepts that and
does their bit to address road safety instead of blaming everybody
else, we will never be able to have a significant impact on the
unacceptable carnage on our roads.”

There have been no cycling deaths in Brighton between January and
June but in the rest of the UK the number of cyclists killed or
seriously injured increased by 19% to 820.


YOUR SAY

YourArgus


salty_pete, Withdean says...
3:22pm Mon 30 Nov 09

So all the hundreds of thousands of taxpayers money spent "to improve
road safety" have done absolutely no good at all then. Can we now
remove the unnecessary cycle lane in Grand Avenue and thus improve
road safety.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Rostrum, Hove says...
4:26pm Mon 30 Nov 09

It would help if cyclists followed the high way code.
Did'nt use their mobile phones.
Didn't listen to their MP3 players.
Went the right way down one way streets.

etc etc.

A lot of the time they're their own worst enemy.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


andygunner, brighton says...
4:55pm Mon 30 Nov 09

Whoever the bloke is who rides home along church road westbound about
6pm every night like a total lunatic, you will be the next to add to
the injury list and its your own fault. You race cars, weave in and
out of vehicles at lights and are a hazard to others and yourself....
what you dont get, is that most drivers wont see you undertaking them
unless they are checking their mirror to make a left turn. one day,
you will be undertaking and the driver wont realise. undertaking is
illegal for car drivers and cyclists too.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


davyboy, abingdon, oxon says...
5:01pm Mon 30 Nov 09

Rostrum wrote:
It would help if cyclists followed the high way code.
Did'nt use their mobile phones.
Didn't listen to their MP3 players.
Went the right way down one way streets.

etc etc.

A lot of the time they're their own worst enemy.
i was about to say the same thing. take responsibility for your own
actions! use lights at night, hi-vis clothing, stop at red lights,
use cycle lanes where provided, and don't blame everyone else. if you
watch where you are going, you will not ride into pot-holes. the
highway code applies to ALL road users, including cyclists.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Wilftop, Brighton says...
5:03pm Mon 30 Nov 09

I was just about to say the same thing as Davyboy. Wear hi-vis & use
lights. I see so many still with dark clothing & no hi-vis or lights.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


ICantThinkOfAName, LANCING says...
5:21pm Mon 30 Nov 09

Were these injuries sustained when the cyclists were on the road, in
cycle lanes, on pavements, crossing traffic lights at red or going
the wrong way down one way streets. Did they wear helmets and high
visibility clothing. Only when this is know can the problems be
rectified.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


monty sidewinder, brighton says...
5:34pm Mon 30 Nov 09

when you go to move position in your lane or to overtake a parked
vehicle you look in your mirror - if your riding a motorbike you also
look behind before you move to overtake, it's called a 'lifesaver
look' - i see very few cyclists do the lifesaver look and most just
cycle out and around parked obsticles without a thought as to what
might be behind them and seeing as pushbikes dont have any mirrors,
looking behind themselves might save a few more of them getting hit
by cars etc. the council should make this anti car city safer by
regulating the cyclists. make them perform an adequate proficiency
and road craft test and then issue permits to them- like tax discs
and then they should abide by the road laws like the rest of us and
if they ride on the pavement and run red lights they should be banned
from riding a bike and have thier bikes impounded.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


DougM, Brighton says...
5:41pm Mon 30 Nov 09

It doesn't matter if you're lit up like a Christmas tree - car
drivers still don't look; they still overtake cyclists and then turn
left in front of them; they still overtake cyclists when they can see
that the cyclist has an obstacle to negotiate in front of them; they
still cut up cyclists in their rush to get to the back of the next
queue; car drivers still are seen driving whilst texting and phoning;
car drivers are seen by me (in my van) every day jumping red lights
and making illegal moves.
Until their reckless and dangerous driving is cracked down upon, and
until drivers are given compulsory annual eyesight tests the 2538
deaths caused by dangerous driving will increase next year.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


davyboy, abingdon, oxon says...
6:00pm Mon 30 Nov 09

DougM wrote:
It doesn't matter if you're lit up like a Christmas tree - car
drivers still don't look; they still overtake cyclists and then turn
left in front of them; they still overtake cyclists when they can see
that the cyclist has an obstacle to negotiate in front of them; they
still cut up cyclists in their rush to get to the back of the next
queue; car drivers still are seen driving whilst texting and phoning;
car drivers are seen by me (in my van) every day jumping red lights
and making illegal moves.
Until their reckless and dangerous driving is cracked down upon, and
until drivers are given compulsory annual eyesight tests the 2538
deaths caused by dangerous driving will increase next year.
these are also valid comments, but it takes two to tango. every road
user has to take responsibility for their actions. if you speed past
a cyclist, then turn in front of them, you are committing the offence
of driving without due care and attention, and, if you were to injure
the cyclist, could be heading for a ban. you are right Doug, there
are many drivers who commit the offences that you mention, and are
never caught, so we must all improve our roadcraft!



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Fercri Sakes, Hove says...
6:50pm Mon 30 Nov 09

salty_pete wrote:
So all the hundreds of thousands of taxpayers money spent "to improve
road safety" have done absolutely no good at all then. Can we now
remove the unnecessary cycle lane in Grand Avenue and thus improve
road safety.
Sorry, me and many other cyclists use that path and we don't want to
get run over by people such as yourself. Can you explain why road
safety would improve if you removed this path?

Me and quite a few other Brightonians who have shed our cars for
bikes have purposely moved to areas with good cycle links in the
vicinity. We want to stay alive as well as fit.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


TheInsider, Brighton says...
7:39pm Mon 30 Nov 09

Think once, think twice, think bike.
Cyclists are vulnerable and yes it's really infuriating when they
pedal along without lights and running red lights, but some drivers
are just as bad.
As a car, motorcycle and cyclist I try to share the road with all users.
There is no such thing as an accident someone is at fault and
sometimes its a motorist and sometimes the cyclist.
But the more cyclists are on the road, the fewer cars so motorists
should support cyclists as it gives cars a clearer route.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Hugh Rinall, Brighton says...
8:16pm Mon 30 Nov 09

Suggest the cyclists are educated in traffic law and stop behaving
like selfish idiots!!!!!!!!



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Ashley, Sussex says...
9:13pm Mon 30 Nov 09

I agree with most of the above, riding standards in Brighton are
appalling - and I speak as a cyclist, as well as a pedestrian and
driver.
.
This is not helped by a ridiculous network of cycle lanes and paths.
Mixing bikes and pedestrians is ludicrous for both pedsetrians and
cyclists.
.
How much did it cost to install and maintain the cycle lane in Dyke
Road? And it is routinely blocked by parked cars for its whole length.
.
If there is to be no parking enforcement then don't have a cycle
lane. What a futile waste of money.
.
Enforcement (or lack of it) is the issue when it comes to riding on
the pavement, failing to obey traffic signals and having no lights.
.
The saddest thing is that serious cyclists are tarred with the same
brush. The majority of riders that are to blame are not 'cyclists'
they are 'people riding bikes' and there is a distinct difference.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Ashley, Sussex says...
9:15pm Mon 30 Nov 09

DougM wrote:
It doesn't matter if you're lit up like a Christmas tree - car
drivers still don't look; they still overtake cyclists and then turn
left in front of them; they still overtake cyclists when they can see
that the cyclist has an obstacle to negotiate in front of them; they
still cut up cyclists in their rush to get to the back of the next
queue; car drivers still are seen driving whilst texting and phoning;
car drivers are seen by me (in my van) every day jumping red lights
and making illegal moves.
Until their reckless and dangerous driving is cracked down upon, and
until drivers are given compulsory annual eyesight tests the 2538
deaths caused by dangerous driving will increase next year.
However, I also agree with DougM.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Ashley, Sussex says...
9:17pm Mon 30 Nov 09

TheInsider wrote:
Think once, think twice, think bike.
Cyclists are vulnerable and yes it's really infuriating when they
pedal along without lights and running red lights, but some drivers
are just as bad.
As a car, motorcycle and cyclist I try to share the road with all users.
There is no such thing as an accident someone is at fault and
sometimes its a motorist and sometimes the cyclist.
But the more cyclists are on the road, the fewer cars so motorists
should support cyclists as it gives cars a clearer route.
I also agree with TheInsider... well said.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


Ashley, Sussex says...
9:19pm Mon 30 Nov 09

Hugh Rinall wrote:
Suggest the cyclists are educated in traffic law and stop behaving
like selfish idiots!!!!!!!!
I agree with this - and they should be joined on the course by car/
van/lorry/bus drivers - and motorcyclists.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


bug eye, hove says...
11:29pm Mon 30 Nov 09

grand avenue cycle lane is appauling as traffic crosses its path
every few meters to go into large residential driveways. also
pedestrians crossing the road or getting out of their parked cars
have to walk across the cycle lane that is very obscured. I parked
there a few weeks ago and stepped toward the pavement across the
cycle lane as a lunatic biker coming down hill at break neck speed
nearly knocked me over and could have injured himself. the cycle
lanes are very poorly marked or divided, how often do you see
unsuspecting tourists doodling along the seafront cycle lane because
it blends in with the pavement, or they are queuing to cross the road.



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


caeos, sussex says...
11:35pm Mon 30 Nov 09

if it will allow this link to the bbc video
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/local/cambridgeshi
re/hi/tv_and_radio/n
ewsid_8386000/838646
8.stm

Inside Out takes a closer look at some near misses between cars and
bikes on the streets of Cambridge with on-board cameras.
The Inside Out programme will be broadcast on BBC1 at 1930 BST on
Monday 30 November.
or iplayer
sw - body loss!



QUOTE » | REPORT THIS POST »


caeos, sussex says...
11:46pm Mon 30 Nov 09

http://www.bbc.co.uk
/programmes/b0071mjk and watch this


--
Alan (Fred) Pipes FRSA
fred@...
if I'm away, try: alan.pipes@...
www.fredpipes.com
blog: www.fredblog.co.uk
NUJ member since 1975

On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 18:35, Richard Turnbull
<richardturnbull@...>wrote:

>  its now available to watch at
> http://www.itv.com/ITVPlayer/Programmes/default.html?ViewType=1&Filter=1293
> will sit down later to see it, thanks Fred
>

I like the cabbie complaining about having to pay for his fuel - so unfair!


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

20mph sense

6:51pm Monday 16th November 2009

   Comments (0)   Have your say »


The correspondent who was concerned about the effect of a 20mph speed
limit on busy motorists (The Argus, November 10) is mistaken in
thinking the benefits of a citywide limit would all be for cyclists.

In March 2008, Portsmouth adopted a speed limit of 20mph for
residential streets without the use of speed humps.

This decision was made by the community, not just the council.

Initial results announced at the Portsmouth – Britain’s First 20mph
City Conference were extremely positive. Total road casualties have
fallen by 15% and total accidents by 13%.

Groups who have particularly benefited are children under 15
travelling in vehicles (down by 22%) and the elderly (casualties aged
70 or over down by 31%). More data needs to be collected but this
pattern is reflected by other 20mph adopters such as Hull, where
child casualties have fallen by 74%.

Limits of 20mph make sense for all vulnerable road users and many
Brighton and Hove residents would very much like to see a 20mph limit
outside their front door.

Becky Reynolds, Bricycles, Havelock Road, Brighton



--



Safer streets

6:56pm Monday 16th November 2009

   Comments (1)   Have your say »


Nigel Davis and Christine Bell (Letters, November 10) are absolutely
right that we shouldn’t allow cyclists to dictate transport policy in
this city.

However, many communities and thousands of residents across the city
are deeply concerned about road safety on their streets.

Consequently, in the past couple of years alone there have been
nearly 100 calls from communities for action by councillors to reduce
the speed of traffic where they live. Surely the duty of a
responsible council is to listen and to do its best to respond.

The cross-party agreement by the council’s environment scrutiny
committee on Monday, November 9, to set up a panel that will take a
thorough look at this issue demonstrates it is doing just that.

This panel will look at what we can learn from the initiatives of
cities across the country, including Bristol and Portsmouth to name
just two.

These cities are successfully making their streets safer by setting
20mph speed limits on many residential roads. Crucially they are
doing this with the support of both communities and the police.

Of course all cities are different but we must take every opportunity
to learn what we can from best practice elsewhere.

The link between road safety and the speed of traffic is well
established. Making our streets safer for everybody, be they
pedestrians, cyclists or vehicle occupants, must surely be a priority
for us all.

With 141 people killed or seriously injured on the roads of this city
last year, tragically 13 of these children, doing nothing is not an
option.

Ian Davey Green Party councillor for St Peter’s and North Laine,
Green spokesman on transport



bug eye, hove says...
9:42pm Mon 16 Nov 09

you will find the link between safety and accidents is stupid people,
quite often cyclists and pedestrians. responsibility should be the
order of the day, if you are going to walk across the road without
looking you may get hit. equally if you are going to drive like a mad
man you may kill someone or kill yourself. education, not dictation.

--

School chaos

6:59pm Monday 16th November 2009

   Comments (1)   Have your say »


On Friday, while driving out of my road and passing the local infant/
junior school, I hit a child who appeared from behind another car.

There were dozens of cars everywhere. The parents present were
wonderful as were the teachers. Thankfully I was driving very slowly
and the little boy was not hurt but the shock will stay with me for a
long time and I suspect with the child as well.

The council, the schools or parents should put a stop to the car
chaos that occurs twice daily outside our schools before a child is
killed.

Any reasonable person can see that something must be done. Would
parking a few streets away be so awful? We campaign to stop child
abuse, child poverty and bullying etc so come on, let’s protect our
children by stopping the car chaos outside our schools.

Roberta Greed, Moyne Close, Hove




--
Alan (Fred) Pipes FRSA
fred@...
if I'm away, try: alan.pipes@...
www.fredpipes.com
blog: www.fredblog.co.uk
NUJ member since 1975

its now available to watch at
http://www.itv.com/ITVPlayer/Programmes/default.html?ViewType=1&Filter=1293
will sit down later to see it, thanks Fred

Rich





________________________________
From: Richard Turnbull <richardturnbull@...>
To: brighton_area_cyclists@...
Sent: Sun, 15 November, 2009 13:29:53
Subject: Re: [brighton_area_cyclists] Tonight programme last night


looks like it should be up on their iplayer in the next couple of days...
http://www.itv. com/ITVPlayer/ Programmes/ default.html? ViewType= 1&Filter=
1293

____________ _________ _________ __
From: Tom Coady <tom.coady@gmail. com>
To: brighton_area_ cyclists@ yahoogroups. co.uk
Sent: Sat, 14 November, 2009 17:50:26
Subject: Re: [brighton_area_ cyclists] Tonight programme last night

On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 11:00, Alan (Fred) Pipes <pipes@brighton. co.uk>wrote:

> Interesting and entertaining prog on ITV last night about who a panel
> would judge to be to blame in various cyclist v motorist encounters,
> in the context of the proposed 'motorist always to blame'

Missed it :(
http://www.itv. com/news/ tonight/episodes /driversinthedoc k/default. html

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

It's a good idea but I do find that instructibles can overly complicate thigs!

You could always get these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bar-End-LED-auto-shut-off-bike-lights-RRP-8-95_W0QQitemZ37\
0290231169QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportsLeisure_Cycling_Bike_Lights?hash=item56370\
48781



--- In brighton_area_cyclists@..., "Adam Pride" <adampride@...>
wrote:
>
> Looks a bit complicated to make for what it is (speaking as someone with a
> lot of experience of PCB's, micro-processors, etc.) but I think a good idea
>
>
> http://www.instructables.com/id/Bar-End-Brake-Light-BEBL/
>
> Best Regards
> Adam Pride
> mailto:adampride@...
> www.bricycles.org.uk
> Bricycles: The Brighton, Hove and District Cycling Group
> www.brighton-hovecycleforum.org.uk
> The Brighton & Hove City Cycle Forum
> and please check out: www.carbusters.org
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

Looks a bit complicated to make for what it is (speaking as someone with a
lot of experience of PCB's, micro-processors, etc.) but I think a good idea


http://www.instructables.com/id/Bar-End-Brake-Light-BEBL/

Best Regards
Adam Pride
mailto:adampride@...
www.bricycles.org.uk
Bricycles: The Brighton, Hove and District Cycling Group
www.brighton-hovecycleforum.org.uk
The Brighton & Hove City Cycle Forum
and please check out: www.carbusters.org



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

For background to the programme see

http://www.itv.com/news/tonight/episodes/driversinthedock/default.html

and do note that instead of the RAC Foundation or another mainstream
motoring body, the page has a link to the ABD, a minority group that
has so few members it won't reveal its true number.

On 15 Nov 2009, at 13:29, Richard Turnbull wrote:

> looks like it should be up on their iplayer in the next couple of
> days...
> http://www.itv.com/ITVPlayer/Programmes/default.html?ViewType=1&Filter=1293
>
>
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Tom Coady <tom.coady@...>
> To: brighton_area_cyclists@...
> Sent: Sat, 14 November, 2009 17:50:26
> Subject: Re: [brighton_area_cyclists] Tonight programme last night
>
>
> On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 11:00, Alan (Fred) Pipes <pipes@brighton.
> co.uk>wrote:
>
>> Interesting and entertaining prog on ITV last night about who a panel
>> would judge to be to blame in various cyclist v motorist encounters,
>> in the context of the proposed 'motorist always to blame'
>
> Missed it :(
> http://www.itv. com/news/ tonight/episodes /driversinthedoc k/
> default. html
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>
>
> ------------------------------------
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> brighton_area_cyclists-unsubscribe@...
>
> Yahoo! Groups Links
>
>
>
>

looks like it should be up on their iplayer in the next couple of days...
http://www.itv.com/ITVPlayer/Programmes/default.html?ViewType=1&Filter=1293





________________________________
From: Tom Coady <tom.coady@...>
To: brighton_area_cyclists@...
Sent: Sat, 14 November, 2009 17:50:26
Subject: Re: [brighton_area_cyclists] Tonight programme last night


On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 11:00, Alan (Fred) Pipes <pipes@brighton. co.uk>wrote:

> Interesting and entertaining prog on ITV last night about who a panel
> would judge to be to blame in various cyclist v motorist encounters,
> in the context of the proposed 'motorist always to blame'

Missed it :(
http://www.itv. com/news/ tonight/episodes /driversinthedoc k/default. html

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Joyce Edmond-Smith

--- On Sat, 14/11/09, Alan (Fred) Pipes <pipes@...> wrote:


From: Alan (Fred) Pipes <pipes@...>
Subject: [brighton_area_cyclists] Tonight programme last night
To: brighton_area_cyclists@...
Date: Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 11:00


 



Interesting and entertaining prog on ITV last night about who a panel
would judge to be to blame in various cyclist v motorist encounters,
in the context of the proposed 'motorist always to blame'
legislation! They also managed to get one of the Top Gear blokes on a
bike, who actually enjoyed the experience and has since bought one
(to put in the back of his Range Rover!). Also compared and
contrasted the UK cycling experience with the much better Dutch one...

fred

--
Alan (Fred) Pipes FRSA
fred@fredpipes. com
if I'm away, try: alan.pipes@gmail. com
www.fredpipes. com
blog: www.fredblog. co.uk
NUJ member since 1975











[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 11:00, Alan (Fred) Pipes <pipes@...>wrote:

> Interesting and entertaining prog on ITV last night about who a panel
> would judge to be to blame in various cyclist v motorist encounters,
> in the context of the proposed 'motorist always to blame'


Missed it :(
http://www.itv.com/news/tonight/episodes/driversinthedock/default.html


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Sat, Nov 14, 2009 at 14:11, Alan (Fred) Pipes <pipes@...>wrote:

> Green councillor Ian Davey said:
> “You just have to look at the railings outside the railway station
> everyday to see how it has taken off.”
>

I guess that's a metric of sorts, but it's more an annoyance than an
achievement.
In any case I suspect only a small proportion are "short-term"
I saw Southern staff have their own bolt cutters to deal with the overflow.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Cycling in Brighton and Hove increases by a quarter

1:00pm Saturday 14th November 2009
By Tim Ridgway »

Cycling in Brighton and Hove has increased by more than a quarter in
the last three years.

The rise of 27% was revealed by the Government as it announced a
Ł270,000 boost to improving conditions for those on two wheels.

Brighton and Hove City Council received the grant as part of its
cycling town status.

Green councillor Ian Davey said: “There’s no doubt that there has
been a huge increase in cycle traffic in the past few years.

“You just have to look at the railings outside the railway station
everyday to see how it has taken off.”

Brighton and Hove has received Ł1.5million of Government money since
it became a cycle town in 2006.

The latest funding will be spent on travel plans for schools, work on
the seafront cycle route and improving cycle parking at Brighton
station.


--
Alan (Fred) Pipes FRSA
fred@...
if I'm away, try: alan.pipes@...
www.fredpipes.com
blog: www.fredblog.co.uk
NUJ member since 1975

Interesting and entertaining prog on ITV last night about who a panel
would judge to be to blame in various cyclist v motorist encounters,
in the context of the proposed 'motorist always to blame'
legislation! They also managed to get one of the Top Gear blokes on a
bike, who actually enjoyed the experience and has since bought one
(to put in the back of his Range Rover!). Also compared and
contrasted the UK cycling experience with the much better Dutch one...

fred

--
Alan (Fred) Pipes FRSA
fred@...
if I'm away, try: alan.pipes@...
www.fredpipes.com
blog: www.fredblog.co.uk
NUJ member since 1975

On Wed, Nov 11, 2009 at 22:08, Mark
<mark.strong@...>wrote:

> One of the results of the research that has been done is that there is no
> clear proven link with drugs problems. Some thefts are indeed by addicts,
> but others are not (and there are definitely "professionals" out there). The
> article by Inspector Leet in the last Bricycles newsletter has some more
> details
>

Thanks Mark
I had a quick look at a couple on
http://www.bricycles.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=30&Itemid=\
57but
failed to find any reference to Inspector Leet, but I've subscribed to
the RSS feed in case there's any more news.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Hi guys

In case you didn't know, a local Cycle Theft Working Group has been working on
this for a couple of year. I sit on it on behalf of the the cycle forum and
there are also reps from the police, council etc.

The results are generally positive in that the level of thefts is not increasing
while the number of cyclists is. There's a lot more to it than that, of course.

One of the results of the research that has been done is that there is no clear
proven link with drugs problems. Some thefts are indeed by addicts, but others
are not (and there are definitely "professionals" out there). The article by
Inspector Leet in the last Bricycles newsletter has some more details

Mark Strong

--- In brighton_area_cyclists@..., Tom Coady <tom.coady@...>
wrote:
>
> On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 22:29, Paul Bonett <bonettpa@...> wrote:
>
> > I have been riding in Brighton since 1975 and have only lost one bike...I
> > did chase and retrieve a bike from a potential thief about 10 years ago.  I
> > ride daily to work and at work.  Lock it every time!
> >
>
> Thanks for the optimistic anecdote Paul, it's encouraging to know that it's
> possible to go 34 years with only one loss and one chase. I suspect neither
> of us represent  the average experience though, and even with the official
> statistics I assume the losses are under-reported particularly given the
> lacklustre response.
>
> Also thank for the locking tip, but I think this failed to work as a
> deterrent in my case, but I should confess I don't always deploy the most
> effective locks. Going back to anecdotal evidence, I think there are some
> areas where bikes are almost guaranteed to disappear overnight and others
> where it's possible to safely leave a bike for months or years. I don't know
> why this should be but assume there is a correlation with the number of
> people passing who need money to buy non-prescription medication. Assuming
> my theory's correct I guess it's just one of the many costs of prohibition?
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

20mph limit is a needless restriction on motorists

4:56pm Monday 9th November 2009

I see there is an increasing clamour for a 20mph speed limit in
Brighton and Hove, principally from the highly vociferous cycling
group Bricycles, as if there are not enough restrictions on vehicles
in and around the city already.
How is this going to help? Traffic around the centre barely moves
faster than this anyway, with all the traffic “management” systems
and sheer popularity of driving.

It will be almost impossible to monitor as the 30mph limit is usually
quite adequate. Surely police have quite enough to do without this
extra burden.

For busy motorists, including tradesmen, delivery drivers and taxi
drivers, it would make their working day almost impossible, on top of
already draconian parking restrictions.

Bricycles are disappointed that only 3% of residents use bikes. Do
they really expect parents with small children, buggies and shopping
to give up their cars, let alone the elderly or anyone else carrying
anything more than a small rucksack ?

Laudable as cycling is, for most people it is completely impractical.

Bricycles sees the solution as “educating” councillors and the public
and, to this end, sees a 20mph limit as a big step in that direction.

When are they going to accept reality? For a great many people, a
vehicle is a necessity.

Of course, no one appreciates those who abuse either mode of
transport – the boy-racer or the cyclists who blatantly ignore the
Highway Code. But surely a lower limit is just a step too far in the
wrong direction?

Nigel Davis, Hollingdean Terrace, Brighton

--

Cyclists must not dictate policy

4:57pm Monday 9th November 2009

   Comments (0)   Have your say »

Cycling campaigners have called for a 20mph speed limit in the city.
Like most reasonable people, I have no argument with 20mph limits
around schools or residential areas where children play.

Cyclists, however, should not be allowed to dictate road policy in
Brighton and Hove.

A great deal of money been spent on this minority. The once-spacious
streets of Hove have been turned into winding single lane tracks to
accommodate cycle lanes.

People who cycle to work are quite often only “fair weather” cyclists
and are back in their cars at the first sign of rain.

While it is admirable some people do brave the elements and traffic
to cycle to work, they will always be a minority because, let’s face
it, most of us have no intention of ever cycling anywhere.

Christine Bell, Benett Drive, Hove



--
Alan (Fred) Pipes FRSA
fred@...
if I'm away, try: alan.pipes@...
www.fredpipes.com
blog: www.fredblog.co.uk
NUJ member since 1975

On Sun, Nov 8, 2009 at 22:29, Paul Bonett <bonettpa@...> wrote:

> I have been riding in Brighton since 1975 and have only lost one bike...I
> did chase and retrieve a bike from a potential thief about 10 years ago.  I
> ride daily to work and at work.  Lock it every time!
>

Thanks for the optimistic anecdote Paul, it's encouraging to know that it's
possible to go 34 years with only one loss and one chase. I suspect neither
of us represent  the average experience though, and even with the official
statistics I assume the losses are under-reported particularly given the
lacklustre response.

Also thank for the locking tip, but I think this failed to work as a
deterrent in my case, but I should confess I don't always deploy the most
effective locks. Going back to anecdotal evidence, I think there are some
areas where bikes are almost guaranteed to disappear overnight and others
where it's possible to safely leave a bike for months or years. I don't know
why this should be but assume there is a correlation with the number of
people passing who need money to buy non-prescription medication. Assuming
my theory's correct I guess it's just one of the many costs of prohibition?


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

I have been riding in Brighton since 1975 and have only lost one bike...I did
chase and retrieve a bike from a potential thief about 10 years ago.  I ride
daily to work and at work.  Lock it every time!

Paul Bonett
(fingers crossed now of course)
  www.brightonaikido.co.uk
Ittaikan Aikido Dojo
a sport, a process and a way of life...





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

On Mon, Nov 2, 2009 at 14:05, <Paul@...> wrote:

> Well after an invitation from the BBC I spent Friday up in London filming
> for 'Watchdog'. See how I got on this Thursday at 8pm on BBC1. If you've
> never heard of BSOs before have a read of my article (
> http://southcoastbikes.co.uk/articles.asp?article=NO_BSO) on the problems
> with them.
>

Congratulations Paul - nice to see a friendly face between Robinson &
Humphries :)

Great article too. I recently bought a BSO but am returning it partly as its
the wrong size and partly because a mate who viewed it with horror has
promised to get me the real thing from somewhere.

The only flaw in your argument is the incredibly high rate of theft - I must
lose at least a bike a year, and assuming some of these aren't BSO's and
that I'm average, there should be enough bikes to go round by now!
The police don't seem very interested in this crime, but I wonder if the
proliferation of BSOs will make them less attractive to thieves at some
stage?


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]