WHEN the Blackpool mass cycle hire scheme was reported on TV on September 15, some of the people who were asked if they would make use of it said “No way, it’s too dangerous.” — quite right!
I’ve been a keen cyclist from being a child. My first big ride was as a 10-year-old back in the summer of 1958. With my new two-wheeler, I left my home in Radcliffe with two friends, to ride to Blackpool — close on 100 miles round trip.
It took us all day. It was the start of my love affair with cycling. I’ve enjoyed the best of it, but also the worst. I’ve been put in hospital no fewer than 12 times by drivers who either didn’t see me, or didn’t make allowances for me (came too close).
In the worst instance I was left fighting for my life with serious head injuries, and yes I was wearing a helmet, and now l won’t cycle without one. It offers little protection if I’m hit from behind by a huge lump of metal travelling at 30mph though. And how many drivers show respect for 30mph speed limits.
My biggest fear when cycling, however, is being hit from behind by a driver on a mobile phone. I often see drivers coming towards me talking on them, and judging by the way some are looking down towards the floor they can only be texting.
In a recent survey it was identified that some 10 million drivers wanted a driving ban for drivers who ignored the mobile phone ban. And why ever not? Observations show that they aren't concentrating on the road ahead, and in many cases not even looking ahead. Also research shows that they can be more dangerous than drink drivers, on account of their reaction time is slowed by 35 per cent.
The launch of the mass cycle hire scheme should have also seen the introduction of driving bans for drivers ignoring the mobile phone ban. In not giving this protection to cyclists, then asking people to cycle is nearly as irresponsible as it would be in asking people to go up Blackpool Tower without safety barriers to stop them falling to their death. Close on 150 cyclists are killed each year and many more are left seriously disabled — a burden on the NHS, social services and the hard up taxpayer!
Allan Ramsay Radcliffe Moor Road Radcliffe
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