Forum Topic

Near misses and risk-taking filmed at crossings

Has to be a good chance that's "you know who" ???https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg3jy6vejepo.amp

Michael Good ● 223d74 Comments

Yes, I do understand the meaning of the word impunity."Cyclists can break the law with impunity because they very rarely get caught, and if they are caught in some blitz they are only cautioned rather than punished."Cyclists have been fined for going through red lights, so it's incorrect for you to say they can break the law with impunity.I'll agree that some cyclists act as if they can break the law with impunity, but then so do you when you speed.And yes, it is easier to identify and prosecute a law breaking motorist than a law breaking cyclist, and it's going to stay that way for a long time.

Andrew Jones ● 215d

Yep and Frost just loves the world where people can break the law with impunity    Well Frosty, you’ll have your way soon when our government starts releasing criminals after serving only 40% of their sentences. Criminals rule supreme in your world.

Steve Taylor ● 215d

Steve's world, What a beautiful place to be.

Mark Frost ● 215d

OMG!  You still don’t understand. It just doesn’t sink in with you. Do you not understand the meaning of ‘impunity’ ??When I break the law I don’t do it with impunity because I am aware that my registration plates can be caught on camera and I can be traced and prosecuted and I am fully prepared to accept my punishment. That’s the big difference between motor cycle registration and bicycles which aren’t registered.  Cyclists can break the law with impunity because they very rarely get caught, and if they are caught in some blitz they are only cautioned rather than punished. Motorists caught on camera will receive their penalty notices in the post so they can’t drive with impunity unless they have fake plates.

Steve Taylor ● 215d

As a self-confessed law breaker yourself, it sounds like you are breaking the law with impunity already!

Andrew Jones ● 215d

“Occasional ‘blitzes’ on red light ignoring cyclists is (IMHO) the only realistic, affordable and practical ‘solution’.”But it isn’t a solution because the cyclists continue to break the law every day and night.  Less than 1000 of the villains have been cautioned in London in 9 months! 

Steve Taylor ● 215d

That sort of thing could work if a hand held reader was held close to the electronic tag (bit like microchipped pets) but it’s unlikely to work at a distanceif the sensor/reader is more than a metre or two away.Would help with reuniting stolen bikes with their owners.Occasional ‘blitzes’ on red light ignoring cyclists is (IMHO) the only realistic, affordable and practical ‘solution’.

Andrew Jones ● 215d

“ Why not an electronic tag fitted to the bike / inside the frame? Could carry such information as name and address of owner and status of insurance etc.”Yep. Why not?  A very good idea indeed. Better than have the cycling villains flout the law every day.

Steve Taylor ● 216d

“You really hate it when your opinions come up against facts, don't you?“What facts? Just your opinion that it’s a stupid idea because you want to break the law or have others break the law and possibly kill someone?

Steve Taylor ● 216d

“Motor cycles are wider than pedal cycles, and will normally have rear mudguards large enough to carry a registration plate. “Yes, yes, yes. Same old same old.  A little bit of redesign could easily solve that ‘problem’. Where there’s a will there’s a way but the Lycra bums will fight it all the way because they want to break the law with impunity.

Steve Taylor ● 216d

That doesn't help if you are a pedestrian suffering from a near-miss from a pavement cyclist and want to report them. However it is possible that an electronic tag of the sort you suggest could help reduce bicycle theft - except the thieves would probably soon work out how to re-programme the tag.

Richard Greenhough ● 216d

Why a registration plate though? Why not an electronic tag fitted to the bike / inside the frame? Could carry such information as name and address of owner and status of insurance etc. Much easier to implement and could be linked to the the many ANPR cameras.

Chris Blackwell ● 216d

You really hate it when your opinions come up against facts, don't you?

Mark Evans ● 216d

"Under the back of the saddle?"I think the saddlebag might get in the way there. "If they can be fitted to motor cycles, why not pedal cycles?" Motor cycles are wider than pedal cycles, and will normally have rear mudguards large enough to carry a registration plate.

Richard Greenhough ● 216d

Another moronic post from Evans.

Steve Taylor ● 216d

If you were to ask me whether an inability to spell missdemeaner or advocacy of number plates for pedal cycles is a better indication of if someone is a moron, I'd be pretty confident of the answer.No country in the world has a universal requirement for number plates on bikes. Switzerland did have a registration system but abandoned it over a decade ago. Some prefectures of Japan have it but mainly for the purpose of reducing bicycle theft. In other countries it is used as a way to regulate commercial usage.Let's just say that, having learned that no such system is operating anywhere in the world successfully but that doesn't convince you it is a daft idea, there are a whole host of negative consequences that you need to consider, even if you don't believe discouraging people from cycling is a bad thing. Cost and bureaucracy is probably next on the list - how many civil servants do you think the system will need to employ and how much paperwork is it going to generate. There is also the issue of equity - even a relatively cheap licence is still likely to be material to a less well off person as any fixed charge is.The main problem, which should be obvious to anyone who ventures outdoors, is enforcement. Non-hired e-scooters are supposed to be illegal on our roads yet they are ubiquitous. The police don't have the time or resources to deal with people flouting this law. Are you seriously telling me they will start chasing down anyone they spot on a bike without a number plate.This is a stupid idea, that will deliver lots of expense to the taxpayer, inconvenience to citizens and no appreciable benefit. It would be the Brexit of public transport and I suspect the cross over of those supporting both is significant.

Mark Evans ● 216d

“ well it’s pretty academic whether you are prepared to or not, because if you didn’t pay, you would get penalised in another way once you’d refused to pay the fine.”Precisely my point. That’s why it’s important that cyclists are penalised in the same way and the simple way to enforce that is by registration plates.

Steve Taylor ● 218d

It was a rhetorical question Steve. You said you were prepared to pay any speeding fines you get … well it’s pretty academic whether you are prepared to or not, because if you didn’t pay, you would get penalised in another way once you’d refused to pay the fine.You say you’re prepared to pay the fines because when you do (knowingly) speed you don’t think you’ll get caught.Some motorists (and there are plenty of them) drive through amber signals illegally ( and before anyone says it, yes I know there are situations when driving through amber signals isn’t illegal) because they can be pretty confident they won’t get done for it, even though they are acting illegally.I’ve done this myself occasionally - no camera, no other traffic, cyclists, pedestrians etc. in the vicinity, and even though I could stop in time (with no risk of causing an accident) I choose to carry on through an amber signal illegally. If I thought I’d be stopped for it, I would have complied.

Andrew Jones ● 218d

Thanks for the feedback.

Mark Frost ● 218d

“ Steve wanting to reintroduce the death penalty for the slightest misdemeenour”That’s a total lie, Mark. I have never advocated the death penalty. You may wish to learn how to spell misdemeanour so that you don’t emphasise the fact that you are a moron!

Steve Taylor ● 218d

“ You wouldn’t be prepared to take the consequences of breaking the law if you had a tracker fitted to your motorcycle which resulted in you getting 3 points every time you exceeded the speed limit though would you Steve?”Of course not, Jonesy, but that’s a bit of a silly question, if you don’t mind me saying, because if you want to start talking ‘trackers’ why aren’t you talking trackers for ALL vehicles instead of just limiting them to motorcycles? It will probably come to that in years to come but at the moment we are limited to cameras and laser guns to check speed. And for prosecutions, registration of vehicles is vital or the system doesn’t work.

Steve Taylor ● 218d

You wouldn’t be prepared to take the consequences of breaking the law if you had a tracker fitted to your motorcycle which resulted in you getting 3 points every time you exceeded the speed limit though would you Steve?

Andrew Jones ● 219d

“ how a registration plate large enough to be read by a passer-by could be fitted to a pedal cycle.”Why not?  If they can be fitted to motor cycles, why not pedal cycles?  Under the back of the saddle?  God knows there are enough fat a&;s£s on saddles these days which are much, much wider than saddles. I saw enough of them spreading their huge backsides on saddles today in Richmond park as I sped past them hogging the roads.

Steve Taylor ● 219d

“As opposed to the way you ride your motorbike ? “That’s right and I am prepared to pay any fines for speeding but I don’t jump red lights or ride on pavements or ignore roundabout rules etc etc. I don’t endanger other peoples lives.

Steve Taylor ● 219d

Only the most swivel-eyed of velophobic loons seriously believe in registration for bikes. The last government is probably the least serious we will see in our lifetimes and even they could not be persuaded by the fanatics to begin to contemplate it.

Paul Campbell ● 219d

Physically impractical and even Physically impractical and even registration would be ludicrous. I'd imagine there is a digital solution (chip in the frame that links to your phone) but not really much appetite for it apart from Steve wanting to reintroduce the death penalty for the slightest misdemeenour.

Mark Frost ● 219d

"I cycle totally within the law so I have no problem at all with registration."As opposed to the way you ride your motorbike ? Nobody has yet offered a serious suggestion as to how a registration plate large enough to be read by a passer-by could be fitted to a pedal cycle.

Richard Greenhough ● 220d

“ Is this why cyclists fight against registration?”Absolutely. Cyclists who want to break the law fight tooth and nail against registration. I cycle totally within the law so I have no problem at all with registration. Cyclists who oppose registration only do so because they want to cycle with impunity and harass other  road users and pedestrians.

Steve Taylor ● 220d

Chris, I was referring to the massive tool that resides in Grove Park not you.

N V Brooks ● 220d

No it’s not. Plenty of things happen that I don’t like in a democracy. My permission is not required and I don’t whinge about not getting my way years after the event like you and the rest of the entitled car lobbyists of Chiswick.  You are such an irrepressible whinger you even whinge about people doing things you and your family do yourselves like riding Lime Bikes without helmets. I’m sure your children can tell you what massive tools you would all look if you took a helmet with you for your Lime Bike rides. Now you can content yourself with being outraged at not being asked for your permission on Hounslow’s new kerbside strategy … you are gonna love it.

Paul Campbell ● 220d

Ah, the key difference is that you can be fabulous without being a self-obsessed, ageist, misogynistic , disabled-shaming, hypocritical pillock of a "leading light" from Grove Park

N V Brooks ● 220d

Since when WASN’T a motorist tracked down and made to pay for damaging lamp posts of bollards or street furniture?

Steve Taylor ● 220d

Show me where I admit to that and I'll buy you a donut!

Chris Blackwell ● 220d

Cyclists breaking the law resulted in a crackdown in The City. Putting themselves and other road users in danger. Just fancy that!https://www.cityoflondon.police.uk/news/city-of-london/news/2024/april/nearly-one-thousand-cyclists-given-fixed-penalty-notices/

Simon Hayes ● 220d

Referencing me as a massive tool? Not sure I should take offence at that or be flattered!

Chris Blackwell ● 220d

Many cyclists are moronic, myself included. On the other hand I am also fabulous which can't be said of most cyclists so I do have that going for me.

Chris Blackwell ● 220d

If you say so, nice to be prominent at something I suppose. 20 years of discussion is meaningless though if all the objections are ignored and the thing just gets done anyway. And yes, in a democracy my permission IS needed, as is yours.And I whine far less than you.

Chris Blackwell ● 220d

It’s covered by legislation and vehicle drivers pay through their insurance.

Simon Hayes ● 220d

Since when was a motorist tracked down and made to pay for, for example, a smashed bollard or lamppost?

Anne England ● 221d

'I'm a cyclist' and, by your own admission, one who goes through red lights.

Anne England ● 221d

Whine, whine, prominent member (code for massive tool morelike).

N V Brooks ● 221d

Tough. There were 20 years of discussion for a cycle lane. In Chiswick. Way more than enough and your permission is not required to build safe infrastructure for cycling.And yes you are a prominent member of the local car lobby on account of whining about everything that doesn’t preserve car dominance locally for the past seven years on this forum.

Paul Campbell ● 221d

Prominent member? I'm fairly ambivalent to be honest, just don't like having things forced upon me without meaningful discussion (cycle lane / electric cars for example).

Chris Blackwell ● 221d

Why will it take friends and family to make sure they take more care in the future?  Are these cyclists too moronic to be responsible for their own actions?

Steve Taylor ● 222d

The clip was on the national news this morning. While what they did was stupid hopefully a lesson will have been learned. The chances are that they are both local given that Grove Park Terrace isn't necessarily a route that someone from outside the area would have taken. They will be identifiable to their friends and family who hopefully are making sure they take greater regard to safety in future.

Mark Evans ● 222d

One point is the cyclists can remain anonymous, while motorists can be identified and made to pay for their stupidity. Is this why cyclists fight against registration?

Maggie Dodge ● 222d

I see what you did there.

Chris Blackwell ● 222d

I’m aware. And a prominent member of the local car lobby. In the same way as I am a driver and a prominent member of the local cycling lobby.

Paul Campbell ● 222d

What an extraordinary thread, the bar has been raised.

Mark Frost ● 222d

I'm a cyclist.

Chris Blackwell ● 222d

“ Amazing how they had all that road space to use yet still collided. Imagine the carnage on a narrower cycle lane!”Not really amazing. Moronic behaviour by cyclists is becoming more and more common these days as they display more and more arrogance and disrespect for the law.  This one was particularly funny because thankfully no innocent bystander was injured. Hopefully neither of the morons had to go to A&E and use up our stretched NHS resources.

Steve Taylor ● 222d

That’s because you can’t Chris. You just made a false allegation that you can’t back up. Usual unsubstantiated inane drivel from the local car lobby.

Paul Campbell ● 222d

Please don't wait Paul, I have other things to do and don't want to wade through the reams of anti-cycling anti-motorist stuff just to prove a point.

Chris Blackwell ● 222d

Er, perhaps, but they clearly didn’t have the bike handling skills required. Apparently cyclists never cause crashes and nobody ever gets hurt!

Simon Hayes ● 222d

Simon, my guess is the far barrier on the left was closed or closing forcing the guy form the left into the middle of the road which also may explain why the guy from the right swerved to the left to aim for the gate that was still open.

Adrian Irving ● 222d

Amazing how they had all that road space to use yet still collided. Imagine the carnage on a narrower cycle lane!

Simon Hayes ● 222d

The report from the BBC says the cyclists were rushing (to beat the closing gates presumably)Link below.https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cg3jy6vejepo.amp

Adrian Irving ● 222d

According to Chiswick Calendar - "Engineers from Cadent gas company had been doing work in the road nearby. They did not want to comment, but their van was showing some new scratches."

Richard Greenhough ● 222d

On the contrary Jayne it is you who has missed the point.

Paul Campbell ● 222d

Chris, could you point out where I have told you that cyclists do not jump red lights? I’ll wait ….

Paul Campbell ● 222d

Really? I would have thought that criminal damage is far more newsworthy than two idiots jumping red lights and riding into each other. That only has comedy value .

N V Brooks ● 222d

Was it a car? That’s a lazy assumption, but one we expect from Rancid. Still can’t admit these two eejits were very lucky. I suppose you’d have blamed the train driver if they’d been hit by it.

Simon Hayes ● 222d

Yes Richard, but cyclists misbehaving is far more newsworthy than a car crashing into something.

Michael Robinson ● 222d

If the clip of the cyclists hitting each other can be obtained by the BBC and put on YouTube, is it not also possible to show what happened to the barrier in the first place ? Presumably it was recorded by the same camera.

Richard Greenhough ● 223d

Given that the crossing is covered by multiple CCTV cameras it should not be on the wit of Network Rail to identify when and which vehicles struck it and reclaim the cost of repairs.

N V Brooks ● 223d

"OK it’s time for cyclists to start respecting the roads just like everyone else."Do you mean, respecting the roads just like the driver of the vehicle who took out the level crossing barrier causing it to be closed completely to motor traffic and delaying trains?https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/train-services-delayed-after-vehicle-collides-with-grove-park-level-crossing/

Michael Robinson ● 223d

Yes, the barrier was taken out by a collision with a motor vehicle and the level crossing closed to road traffic until this could be repaired.https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/train-services-delayed-after-vehicle-collides-with-grove-park-level-crossing/

Michael Robinson ● 223d

The guy going right to left smacked his head hard but at least he had the good sense to wear a helmet.The outcome could have been very different otherwise.

Adrian Irving ● 223d

Paul think you are missing the point the clip clearly shows both cyclists were in the wrong and should have stopped this is not untypical of cyclists behaviour. Thankfully it looks like they are both OK it’s time for cyclists to start respecting the roads just like everyone else. Hopefully these 2 individuals will have learnt a very valuable lesson.

Jayne Thorburn ● 223d

Not the only near miss recently.Darn it!

Adrian Irving ● 223d

"Who tells you that Chris?"Well you do mainly Paul.

Chris Blackwell ● 223d

Who tells you that Chris? Francis, you’re right. Except that yet again this shows that drivers have far more impact on society at large when they break the rules. The driver who has broken the barrier at this level crossing has delayed thousands of people taking PT, closed a route for drivers and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. The cyclists just damaged each other.

Paul Campbell ● 223d

And people tell me that cyclists never go through red lights ...

Chris Blackwell ● 223d

Here is the clip. In the interest of balance, the barrier probably wasn't taken out yesterday by a bike so being a moron is not dependent on your mode of transport.

Francis Rowe ● 223d

Love it. Morons!!

Steve Taylor ● 223d