Why do so many cyclists like Dan Walker wear dark clothes making them vulnerable

We noticed how many cyclists were riding on the pavement this morning, despite the fact that there were cycle lanes on both sides of the road, with posts separating them from the road itself.
Yes, cyclists dressed in dark clothing are putting themselves at risk. I also feel that a lot of pedestrians should dress to be seen when crossing the road at night, particularly if they're not using a crossing or at lights.

Worst of all is a cyclist wearing black on a sunny day where there are shadows from trees along the road, the contrast makes them invisible.

Baggs

Victim blaming.

I say that while agreeing that wearing bright clothes while cycling is a good idea but the video suggests that the driver of the car was careless changing lanes.

Why is it victim blaming to point out that everyone should take some responsibility to make themselves as visible as possible on the roads? I remember the old tv ads “wear something light at night” which in those days amounted to a light headscarf or carrying a whit carrier bag. Nowadays there’s so much high viz clothing available that we can all be seen, whether walking or cycling. That doesn’t excuse careless driving of course but it does give other road users more chance of avoiding an accident.
I hope Dan makes a full recovery and buys himself some reflective clothing.

not just cyclists. I've been startled many times when walking the dogs at night by someone wearing dark clothes suddenly coming up behind me. I am not deaf but often I don't even hear them.

I was taught to wear something bright or light so road users can see you because as a cyclists or walker, you are vulnerable. I 🚴‍♀️ and drive a 🚗 so am acutely aware - from both sides of the seats.

As a car driver and keen cyclist, I am always seeing the very typical incorrect points being stated and cyclist blaming. They are not the main cause of accidents - statistically that is very much drivers - cars/lorries/vans. Unfortunately a lot of cycle clothing by the main suppliers is black - I don’t know why. I personally have a number of Proviz items which are highly reflective, and yes we are required to have lights and I put as many as possible on and wear front and rear cameras.

Also, cycle lanes including shared pedestrian/cycle lanes have a speed limit recommendation of 18mph, which sounds generous but a good cyclist on a road bike particularly on flat roads or descending can easily go over that, meaning that they would be dangerous to slower bikes, and deadly for pedestrians if they were to remain on the cycle lane.

Further, many cycle lanes are now in much better condition - I love the cycling superhighways in London - I used CS2 and 3 last weekend, which accommodate a couple of hundred thousand cyclists every week. They feel so safe and are really well planned.

Unfortunately many are not. Many, especially those that go under roundabouts, are often flooded, full of debris where rubbish and glass has been washed down, are often full of leaves, slippery and some are full of drains, many with horizontal gratings, which mean that your tyre on slim tyres on a road bike can get trapped and you are flung several feet from a sudden wheel stop - yes have had that happen, and quite frankly many of the cycle lanes are deadly.

Add to that on shared paths unpredictable young children, often bins out for collection, and other street furniture - just why do they put lanes along a row shared with lampposts? - and you can then hopefully see what using some of these lanes means for the cyclist.

Every time I go out on the road I am subject to a close pass. I feel my life is in their hands every time, and have been hit and nearly hit more times than I can remember. I only report the worst of them on the police online reporting because there are just so many.

So all I ask is that drivers are careful, and consider cyclists, horses and slower traffic rather than the default setting of moaning about being held up by 30 seconds waiting to overtake and only seeing them as a cyclist rather than as a human, and for me, a mother, grandmother, employer etc.

Here I noticed that a lot of cyclists, at least in the 50+ age group
are wearing Day-glo traffic vests.

I myself have sewn Day-glo strips onto my sleeves, the back of my jacket and my rain-wear trouser legs as well.

But in the main, I agree with you. Both cyclists and walkers should wear brighter colours in the winter. I smile when I see dog owners in dark coats, carefully walking a dog on a Day-glo lead and with a bike lamp attached to it's collar. Nice that they protect the dog, but what about themselves?

Fortunately, the local kindergartens use traffic vests for all their children and staff when out walking - the children's vests are stamped with the kindergarten's name and phone no. too, so you know where to ring if you should encounter a little Houdini.

I don't cycle but DH does. His winter jacket is perfect except that the wretched thing is black. So he has bought reflective day glow tape for it to maximise his chances of being seen.

You can insure your dog in case it causes an accident and you are liable for costs.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

We need to prevent irresponsible cyclists from scarpering in the event of an accident (especially if their fault). They need to be registered so they can be held accountable when required. So that means a bicycle driving licence which includes wearing a registration number on their backs so clearly visible. Other vehicles are identifiable, why not cyclists. They should also have insurance to cover them.

Back in the golden days of the 20th century none of this would have been necessary, but the roads today are very different. This country is so crowded. We have many more cyclists, flying dangerously around on pavements, skipping lights etc. It's another world. Maybe if they were registered they might be more careful, at the moment they know they cannot be identified.

Here's my previous post, Baggs. In my experience cycle paths are often very badly maintained and that's one of the main reasons cyclists don't use them. There need to be more cycle lanes, properly kept. We get a lot of cyclists round here on winding roads, many riding two or more abreast in groups. It's like the Tour de France most weekends. They do wear bright clothing and are noticeable.

Thanks, Calli. Same here round the lochs. And car/bus/lorry drivers are very aware and, the most important thing on old, narrow, windy roads, patient.

Rather than Road tax perhaps it is insurance they should be paying? This covers themselves and others. You can have personal insurance that covers you in other situations as well.

Why do people Ill informed, half witted remarks like 'they should pay road tax'. Sort from the fact that there is no such thing as road tax, lots of cars pay zero duty as well. Plus how many people are killed and injured by cars as opposed to cyclists?

Callistemon21

There need to be more cycle lanes, properly kept.
Here a cyclist who insisted on riding on the road despite there being a good, wide cycle path free of obstacles, swerved out unexpectedly, causing a car to swerve, resulting in the death of two people, one a child.
The cyclist was unhurt and cycled away from the scene.

It's common sense to wear bright clothing with a reflective band. See and be seen.

Here's my previous post, Baggs

In my experience cycle paths are often very badly maintained and that's one of the main reasons cyclists don't use them

There need to be more cycle lanes, properly kept

We get a lot of cyclists round here on winding roads, many riding two or more abreast in groups.
It's like the Tour de France most weekends.

They do wear bright clothing and are noticeable.

And before anyone says cyclists don't pay road tax.... most cyclists are also car drivers so they do.

Callistemon21

^Advice to wear bright clothing while cycling or to use a cycle lane is just that, advice.^

But very sensible.

The "Why should I. I'll do what I like?" mentality comes to mind

Freedom to do what the hell I like and bugger everybody else!
The Libertarian philosophy in a nutshell

Even if it's me that gets hurt.

In my experience cycle paths are often very badly maintained and that's one of the main reasons cyclists don't use them.

Rosie51

Oldnproud

To be fair, I think that most cyclists do wear bright clothes, and also have reflective straps on many parts of their gear too. Those in our area do, anyway.

As for bells, yes, cyclists should be either using a bell or a vocal warning as they approach pedestrians. Again, in my experience most do, but there are always going to be some idiots, as there are in any group of people. Not that pedestrians always hear or react well to the warnings, however far away you are when you start trying to alert them to your presence).

Not that pedestrians always hear or react well to the warnings, however far away you are when you start trying to alert them to your presence). And some of those who don't react will be hard of hearing or deaf. My deaf cousin was sworn at and lectured by a cyclist who had 'shouted' they were coming through when she didn't move out of the way. Perhaps cyclists could consider that possibility?

Responsible cyclists do consider that possibility, and all but the idiots give as wide a berth as possible to people who have shown no signs of hearing the warnings. It doesn't explain why so many pedestrians who have quite clearly have heard still glare at you or worse as you actually pass.

Visible clothing and using cycle paths when possible are sensible actions. Road tax maybe not appropriate, but what is is obligatory insurance. Cyclists may often be the victims, but not always and insurance would benefit them as well as anyone with whom they might be involved in an accident

We have no street lighting (one of Norfolk’s beautiful dark sky villages) so have to be very careful on foot or cycling. Fluorescent clothing is vital after dark, and bright clothing by day.

Oldnproud

To be fair, I think that most cyclists do wear bright clothes, and also have reflective straps on many parts of their gear too. Those in our area do, anyway.

As for bells, yes, cyclists should be either using a bell or a vocal warning as they approach pedestrians. Again, in my experience most do, but there are always going to be some idiots, as there are in any group of people. Not that pedestrians always hear or react well to the warnings, however far away you are when you start trying to alert them to your presence).

Not that pedestrians always hear or react well to the warnings, however far away you are when you start trying to alert them to your presence). And some of those who don't react will be hard of hearing or deaf. My deaf cousin was sworn at and lectured by a cyclist who had 'shouted' they were coming through when she didn't move out of the way. Perhaps cyclists could consider that possibility?

In my little hamlet our street lighting is so poor (council saving money and the planet?) it's not even easy to spot those in reasonably coloured gear.

Sounds familiar.

GSM I’m in a University City and not only do the cyclists not wear bright clothing, they don’t bother with lights either and meander all over the roads, changing lanes and bumping up and down pavements to get to various sites.
Thankfully, traffic is quite slow moving, but it’s a miracle no one has been badly hurt or killed.

Advice to wear bright clothing while cycling or to use a cycle lane is just that, advice.

But very sensible.

The "Why should I. I'll do what I like?" mentality comes to mind


Freedom to do what the hell I like and bugger everybody else!
The Libertarian philosophy in a nutshell

Even if it's me that gets hurt.