Police stress cycle safety as Wiggo crashes
CALLS are being made for cyclists to be wary of the dark nights drawing in.
Gloucestershire Constabulary is warning bike owners to ensure they have their lights fitted before leaving on their journeys, with it getting dark as early as 4.30pm now.
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injured: Olympic Cycling Gold medalist Bradley Wiggins.
This comes just days after Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins was knocked off his bike, suffering cracked ribs and a dislocated finger.
Police in the county have reported a rise in the number of cyclists caught without lights and are reminding people of the safety concerns of pedalling in the dark.
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PCSO Steve Harris said: "We are aware that a number of people, including adults, ride bikes without lights and wherever we come across this in the first instance we try to ensure that they buy lights straight away and return to the station to show us they have been fitted.
"In the past this has been a very successful approach but if someone persists in riding without lights we have and will issue penalty notices."
Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood, a keen cyclist, said: "It is very important for cyclists to be as safe as they can be and to be aware.
"They also need to be visible in the dark. Drivers are not telepathic, if they can't see you they might hit you.
"We need to continue the support shown to young cyclists and educate them how to cycle safely.
"We also need to make sure drivers are aware equally.
"There are many ways to tackle this."
Meanwhile, Gloucester MP Richard Graham, is also a keen cyclist. He said: "I think the main issue is most people have lights fixed to the back of their bikes, but front ones are usually detachable.
"This makes them easy to steal if left on, and it is often tricky to remember to keep taking them off and put them back on again.
"Regarding the Gate streets, people need to be reminded of the rules so it is good to see police are acting on the reports."
Andrew Williams, owner of Williams Cycles shop in Cheltenham, said: "It is that time of year when cyclists can get caught out without lights.
"There are many different lights you can buy now without having to break the bank. Some of the LED ones are as good as a car headlight.
"You can get ones that are fixed, or removable ones. We always stress safety points to our customers but the main thing is to be aware."
Comments
by IsitJimKerr
Monday, November 12 2012, 9:04AM
“Apologies, I wasn't trying to defend the driver, I'm a cyclist too, I was just trying to say what I had heard.”
by number_46
Sunday, November 11 2012, 10:20PM
“The gate streets are North, South, East and West gate.”
by number_46
Sunday, November 11 2012, 8:46PM
“Someone's been knocked off their bike; why do people insist on wheeling out the trite rubbish about cyclists with no lights and jumping red lights etc. Next thing it'll be compulsory insurance and "road tax" (neither of which prevent accidents). The whole debate so often descends into poorly thought out tribal rantings of half literate idiots.
I'm a driver and a cyclist, I have lights, don't jump red lights and have insurance, yet I've still been knocked off my bike! We need a lot more tolerance BETWEEN cyclists and motorists; a lot less police tolerance of poor driving AND cycling.”
by Alfredo_
Sunday, November 11 2012, 7:48PM
“@howells1904 - "7am in the morning", eh? Is there another time of day at which "7am" can occur? I also wonder if those brainless idiots know the difference between "there", "they're", and "their".”
by howells1904
Sunday, November 11 2012, 6:20PM
“Yes it's that time of the year again,brainless idiots with there Bradley Wiggins gear on,wrap around sun glasses, ( 7.00 am in the mornings)hundreds of pounds worth of Halfords bike and yes youve got it, no lights.
what is it ,are they all on a suicide mission. NB RED at traffic lights mean STOP.”
by safeandnice
Sunday, November 11 2012, 5:05PM
“where are the 'Gate streets'?”
by Lord_Gaga_
Sunday, November 11 2012, 3:22PM
“WHAT XXXXXXXXXXXX DIFERENCE DOES IT MAKE WHAT SPEED HE WAS GOING?”
by Paul_45
Sunday, November 11 2012, 3:09PM
“Yes, he may have been going relatively fast for a cyclist.
It is also reported that he was riding a mountain bike, not a road bike, http://tinyurl.com/blxfefy
His speed is not likely to have have been that great considering the heavier frame and wider tyres and would provide greater resistance than the skinny tyres of a lightweight racing bike.
But any decent driver will take their time to assess the speed of approaching traffic before deciding to pull out. And will also take the time to make sure we've seen all the traffic!
A cursory glance whilst deciding where our next delivery is or whether to eat the crisps or pastie first isn't enough.”
by IsitJimKerr
Sunday, November 11 2012, 1:09PM
“I'm told on good authority that Wiggo was out training. He cycles VERY fast, so it could well be that the driver saw the bike, and allowed proportionately the right amount of time for an average cyclist, yet we all know Wiggo is far from average................!”
by OnTheSofa
Sunday, November 11 2012, 7:59AM
“sorry - url got mangled I think
http://tinyurl.com/d62tphh”