One Man and his Fag-o-Cycle

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Mon Apr 27, 2020 12:40 am

Cyclist deaths double during lockdown – at twice the average for the time of year

Cyclist fatalities since the UK lockdown began on 23 March are running at more than double the average for the time of year, road.cc can reveal, with 14 cyclists in Great Britain and one in Northern Ireland losing their lives in road traffic incidents.

...

Given that the roads are much quieter than usual, with traffic reverting to levels not seen since the 1950s, the spike in cyclist deaths does seem counter-intuitive.

However, a number of road traffic policing units across the country have highlighted issues such as an increase in speeding as some motorists take the opportunity of empty roads to ignore speed limits, as well as suggestions that drivers more likely to pose a risk to others are still out there while more law-abiding motorists remain at home.

In other words, there might be fewer drivers out there, but there is now a greater proportion of the ones who cause the most harm.

https://road.cc/content/news/cyclist-de ... ear-272987

Take care, AC!

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Tue Apr 28, 2020 2:58 am

My friend, I'm generally out and about between 2-6 AM when, even during what are termed normal times, there's a scarcity of pedestrians, cyclists, horse-driven carts and self-propelled motor-driven vehicles on the public highways.

I am a competent bicycle mechanic and and carry with me tools and spares sufficient to fix any unforeseen mechanical fault other than a broken frame or blown tyre. We're talking lottery odds of that happening.

I'm never much further than 5 miles away from home and, in the unlikely event of a mechanical failure, what's the worst that could happen? I'd either have to lock my bike up where it was and walk home, (easy), carry or push my bike home, (not easy but do-able), or 'phone Mrs. Camel to come and get me, (do-able but extremely fucking scary and I'd rather be nicked and pay a fine.)

I'm safe and sound.

robinson · Post by **robinson** » Tue Apr 28, 2020 6:36 am

Witness wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 12:40 am
Cyclist deaths double during lockdown – at twice the average for the time of year
...
However, a number of road traffic policing units across the country have highlighted issues such as an increase in speeding as some motorists take the opportunity of empty roads to ignore speed limits, as well as suggestions that drivers more likely to pose a risk to others are still out there while more law-abiding motorists remain at home.

In other words, there might be fewer drivers out there, but there is now a greater proportion of the ones who cause the most harm.
https://road.cc/content/news/cyclist-de ... ear-272987

That's sort of true, but it depends. It's not true everywhere. But I would say if you cycle, you are indeed at greater risk now. Based on my 60+ hours a week, out and about at all hours, over all kinds of roads and highways.

Hotarubi · Post by **Hotarubi** » Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:58 am

Witness wrote: ↑Mon Apr 27, 2020 12:40 am
Cyclist deaths double during lockdown – at twice the average for the time of year

Cyclist fatalities since the UK lockdown began on 23 March are running at more than double the average for the time of year, road.cc can reveal, with 14 cyclists in Great Britain and one in Northern Ireland losing their lives in road traffic incidents.

...

Given that the roads are much quieter than usual, with traffic reverting to levels not seen since the 1950s, the spike in cyclist deaths does seem counter-intuitive.

However, a number of road traffic policing units across the country have highlighted issues such as an increase in speeding as some motorists take the opportunity of empty roads to ignore speed limits, as well as suggestions that drivers more likely to pose a risk to others are still out there while more law-abiding motorists remain at home.

In other words, there might be fewer drivers out there, but there is now a greater proportion of the ones who cause the most harm.
https://road.cc/content/news/cyclist-de ... ear-272987

Take care, AC!

Also cyclists are going through stop lights more as they assume the roads are clear. I consider that an own goal.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:55 pm

I hear you all. On one hand, cyclists have come into a lot of bad habits (similar to scooters, skates and other dumbasses on wheels); on the other the 4-wheelers tend to pay little attention to cyclists. I know, having been one: learned to drive very defensively.

Let's have some pleasant news instead:

First wild stork chicks to hatch in UK in centuries poised to emerge

More than 100 birds have been living wild in England as part of conservation scheme

https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... -centuries

Cranes make comeback in Britain's wetlands

The graceful crane - the tallest bird in the UK - is making a comeback into Britain’s wetlands thanks to re-introduction and habitat restoration.

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-52384853

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Tue May 05, 2020 9:43 am

Hotarubi wrote: ↑Tue Apr 28, 2020 9:58 am Also cyclists are going through stop lights more as they assume the roads are clear. I consider that an own goal.

Pisses me off when I see that: they give the rest of us a bad name and it's something I never do. That, and cyclists out at night without lights. Why put yourself and others at risk for the sake of a £3 pair of clip-on LED lights? If you can afford a bike, you can afford some lights for it.

Doctor X · Post by **Doctor X** » Tue May 05, 2020 6:07 pm

I debated mentioning how much I laugh when I see both cyclists and motorcyclists wearing masks but not a helmet.

馬鹿につける薬はない。

雨に。

– J.D.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Wed May 06, 2020 2:52 am

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Sat May 09, 2020 7:42 am

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Sat May 09, 2020 1:41 pm

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Thu May 14, 2020 9:40 pm

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Sat May 16, 2020 7:27 am

Good Morning from a spooky Cringle Park...

... and Lancashire Hill...

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Sun May 17, 2020 12:53 am

Fid · Post by **Fid** » Sun May 17, 2020 1:57 am

I could be wrong but those seem to be adapted from prison work machines.

Rob Lister · Post by **Rob Lister** » Mon Jun 15, 2020 11:58 am

Mustie is a Junk Genius. He has a whole series on this particular build.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Tue Jun 16, 2020 12:05 am

sparks · Post by **sparks** » Tue Jun 16, 2020 1:02 am

tumblr_pd8wfzXwW11uca0jl_500.jpg

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Fri Jul 31, 2020 3:51 pm

Possibly

NSFW:

.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Tue Aug 04, 2020 8:55 pm

Anaxagoras · Post by **Anaxagoras** » Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:07 pm

NSFW:

robinson · Post by **robinson** » Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:09 pm

That’s safe for work

If you are self employed lol

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Tue Aug 04, 2020 11:12 pm

↑ Photo by David Dubnitskiy.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Wed Aug 05, 2020 7:55 pm

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Wed Aug 05, 2020 8:06 pm

sparks wrote: ↑Tue Jun 16, 2020 1:02 am tumblr_pd8wfzXwW11uca0jl_500.jpg

An NBL par excellence.

I'd love to see her cycling along a sandy beach...

sparks · Post by **sparks** » Wed Aug 05, 2020 11:51 pm

Almost a smidge too tall, wonder if she was 'shopped a bit?

ceptimus · Post by **ceptimus** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:40 am

The sparks NBL's arms and hands way too skinny. Emaciated. She needs to eat more.

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 5:10 am

ceptimus wrote: ↑Thu Aug 06, 2020 4:40 am The sparks NBL's arms and hands way too skinny. Emaciated. She needs to eat more.

At my age, all I ask for are four limbs and a pulse.

And I'd be willing to negotiate about the limbs.

sparks · Post by **sparks** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 6:25 am

Here she is again, squashed down about 30%.

tumblr_pd8wfzXwW11uca0jl_5001.jpg

robinson · Post by **robinson** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 12:40 pm

Now the wheels are round

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Thu Aug 06, 2020 10:00 pm

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Wed Aug 19, 2020 6:01 am

Good Morning from Reddish Vale!

ceptimus · Post by **ceptimus** » Wed Aug 19, 2020 7:05 pm

Abdul Alhazred wrote: ↑Wed Aug 19, 2020 12:31 pm Very nice, and it is indeed reddish.

In the morning, so sailors take warning.

It's (most often) shepherds over here in the UK, not sailors.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:55 pm

Your pictures of Reddish Vale are way better than what I've seen on Google maps – perhaps you should upload them there.

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:35 am

Witness wrote: ↑Wed Aug 19, 2020 8:55 pm Your pictures of Reddish Vale are way better than what I've seen on Google maps – perhaps you should upload them there.

That's probably because I'm the only loony with the dedication to show up there at dawn every day, waiting for shots like this.

robinson · Post by **robinson** » Thu Aug 20, 2020 12:58 am

I love you for that

asthmatic camel · Post by **asthmatic camel** » Thu Aug 20, 2020 2:51 am

And another thing....

I can't perform my usual role there as the visitor centre is closed until further notice.

So... I'm spending my time picking up all the shite left by the great unwashed who'd never usually visit.

It really, seriously pisses me off. How difficult is it to put a beer can in one of the numerous bins provided? Or take your kids' full nappies home with you?

There's shite everywhere, every day.

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:27 pm

↑ Same everywhere. One of the reasons I hate crowds, brings out the worst in us.

sparks · Post by **sparks** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 2:24 am

Christ Almighty yes!

Witness · Post by **Witness** » Fri Aug 21, 2020 9:59 pm