tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post6108896546732097505..comments2024-03-28T11:13:48.581+00:00Comments on i b i k e l o n d o n: Got your burka on? Great, let's go cycling!ibikelondonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-16491124093681413892016-05-13T09:40:29.400+01:002016-05-13T09:40:29.400+01:00Excellent, well written post. I often find myself ...Excellent, well written post. I often find myself screaming at supposedly pro cycling articles and news stories because of their poorly structured arguments full of hole which allow easy picking and justification by the motoring brigade to knock down any augments presented with. Well done.Automotive Buddyhttp://automotivebuddy.com/top-best-motorcycle-helmet-review/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-81941508552565205992015-08-07T09:23:56.212+01:002015-08-07T09:23:56.212+01:00my doctor says I have to wear a wide brimmed hat i...my doctor says I have to wear a wide brimmed hat in the sun so a cycle helmet is out of the question. I'm very noticeable in the hat. In winter I rely on brightly coloured leggings - being of an age when these are deemed no longer permissible by Jenni Murray &co. Local alcoholic told me she nearly ran into me at night, so I always wear the loomie waistcoat I got free from Calor after dark. Can't someone make some cycling gear (brimmed helmets,summer leggings) for all the people who have to protect themselves from UV?Chimerahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03884717351186666044noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-89121691450438963012012-05-28T08:24:04.312+01:002012-05-28T08:24:04.312+01:00If your jersey is cheap cycling clothes usually to...If your jersey is <strong><a href="http://www.xtremebicyclist.com/" title="cheap cycling clothes" rel="nofollow">cheap cycling clothes</a></strong> usually too limited, it will irritate sensitive skin zones and and cause you to be itch while riding.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08110397838863029612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-20706777767107447772012-02-10T08:13:19.658+00:002012-02-10T08:13:19.658+00:00Cycling helmets are possibly the most important pi...Cycling helmets are possibly the most important pieces of <b><a title="cycling clothing" href="http://www.xtremebicyclist.com/" rel="nofollow">cycling clothing</a></b> and should be worn at all times whether you are riding <b><a title="cycling gear clothing" href="http://www.xtremebicyclist.com/" rel="nofollow">cycling gear clothing</a></b> mountain biking courses or out on the roads.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08110397838863029612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-19452246774964410772012-02-01T06:02:01.980+00:002012-02-01T06:02:01.980+00:00These are generally cycling clothing reasonable pr...These are generally <b><a title="cycling clothing" href="http://www.xtremebicyclist.com/" rel="nofollow">cycling clothing</a></b> reasonable priced and as soon as you've enjoyed <b><a title="cycling gear clothing" href="http://www.xtremebicyclist.com/" rel="nofollow">cycling gear clothing</a></b> one, you probably will never choose to ride your bike without one.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08110397838863029612noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-8878525421954811872011-09-20T13:18:31.002+01:002011-09-20T13:18:31.002+01:00I think everybody on the road should always weir h...I think everybody on the road should always weir high visible vests. Especially in the dark or in the winter time. Kids are hard to see in the winter as nearly all their coats are dark of colour. It can safe lives!!! Visible Safety first!!!!<br /><br /><br />http://www.greensideonline.com/shop/Hi-Visibility_Jacket.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-60381536064834638232011-05-20T09:32:42.729+01:002011-05-20T09:32:42.729+01:00I don't mis-understand you, and I support your...I don't mis-understand you, and I support your more general points. What I find frustrating is that the cycle campaigning people speak so negatively of things like helmets and hi-viz.<br /><br />Yes, I long for better road safety, more and better segregated infrastructure, and for the onus of our safety to be on vehicle drivers, but we don't have that. I would love to feel so very safe that I don't need hi-viz.<br /><br />But I don't, and until I do I will wear such things.<br /><br />And I think the reason I've commented and continued this discussion (and thank you for engaging, I do appreciate your replies and explanations) is that I get a bit fed up of cycle campaigners making me, and others who feel the same way as me, feel like we're "sad", "ridiculous", "impractical" and...in the case of the article you quote, something that's so rude I'm not even going to quote it.<br /><br />I love being part of the online network of cycle campaigners - you guys are mostly inspiring, informative, engaging and lots of other brilliant things, but every now and then I read something like this that makes me feel like I'm at odds with you guys. Like I'm doing something wrong.<br /><br />I'd just like a little more respect for people who feel vulnerable and want to protect themselves. There are so many great, amazing, positive things to say about cycling and its potential that I don't think cycle campaigners need to resort to writing negatively.<br /><br />No further comments from me. Thanks for the debate - you've been very gracious, and I hope my comments have helped in some way.<br /><br />I'm not off to re-tweet links to your articles about how cycling brings freedom - they brought a smile. :-)magicroundabouthttp://blog.wintle.me.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-26110010156983428382011-05-19T15:54:20.946+01:002011-05-19T15:54:20.946+01:00I don't understand the rage felt by 'keen ...I don't understand the rage felt by 'keen cyclists' against hi-viz.<br /><br />Anything that helps to make a potentially dangerous activity safer is a good thing. <br /><br />Saying 'we shouldn't have to' is irrelevent - and implies that we do actually need to. <br /><br />Where are your stats to back up the claim that hi-viz does nothing to protect?Olinoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-62305415384941563602011-05-18T16:53:22.686+01:002011-05-18T16:53:22.686+01:00You misunderstand me, magicroundabout, my point is...You misunderstand me, magicroundabout, my point is that unlike wearing protective gear to avoid breathing in loft insulation, which is right and sensible, high-vis (and not reflective, which is something different) doesn't *have* to be necessary, and indeed in an idealistic world (see Holland or Copenhagen) shouldn't have to be. The point I am trying to make is not that you shouldn't wear the stuff, even if I do think it's ineffective and pretty hideous to look at, but that as the vulnerable party why is the onus on us to protect ourselves from the attacker? We wouldn't say a girl in a short dress deserves to be raped, likewise we should't say people who choose not to wear high-vis gear deserve to be hit by cars. By all means, make yourself visible (I find a good set of lights, an upright bike and riding defensively does the job for me) but let's put more onus on the perpetuators of danger looking out for the vulnerable instead of the other way round.<br /><br />Yes, high-vis is I am sure sensible in certain circumstances, but it is a sad indictment on the status of our ability to 'share the road'.ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-53837625067739699152011-05-18T15:13:38.736+01:002011-05-18T15:13:38.736+01:00And in the meantime?
Cyclists need to be seen. C...And in the meantime?<br /><br />Cyclists need to be seen. Cyclists have a responsibility to be seen (see Highway Code rule 59).<br /><br />Yes, we should be pushing hard for safer roads and better infrastructure, but until we get them I don't think we should be branding hi-viz and reflectives as "ridiculous and unpractical". To me, they are highly practical and effective ways of making myself safer at night. Far from being a barrier to cycling, they ENABLE me to go out on my bike when it's dark.<br /><br />I think suncream is slimy, smelly and annoying, but, sadly, I need to protect myself from the sun's UV rays.<br /><br />I think my wellies are uncomfortable and a bit stupid-looking, but my garden's quite muddy and I don't want to ruin my best shoes when I'm digging.<br /><br />I've been clearing some mess out of my loft recently. It's an enclosed space that gets very hot and is full of irritating loft insulation. But I'm up there in long-sleeved tops, goggles, and a facemask. I look totally ridiculous and get really hot and sweaty but you know what, my eyes don't itch, I don't end up coughing my lungs up and I don't come out in a fibre-glass induced rash.<br /><br />Sometimes our environment needs us to don protective clothing to stay safe. It might look a bit daft, it might be ubiquitous, but I think people should accept that as a trade off for being a bit safer in a dangerous environment.magicroundabouthttp://blog.wintle.me.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-12153075990843745402011-05-18T14:53:08.512+01:002011-05-18T14:53:08.512+01:00Lots of ideas, magicroundabout, it's the getti...Lots of ideas, magicroundabout, it's the getting them implemented that's the hard part!ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-70945359810834557952011-05-18T14:45:23.718+01:002011-05-18T14:45:23.718+01:00"If we have to don ridiculous and unpractical..."If we have to don ridiculous and unpractical clothing merely in order to ward off the unwanted advances of other road users, something is going wrong somewhere... "<br /><br />You have ideas for doing this in a sensible and practical way?magicroundabouthttp://blog.wintle.me.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-53033785841673063382011-05-18T14:25:13.440+01:002011-05-18T14:25:13.440+01:00@Anonymous Oh dear, we really brought the tone of...@Anonymous Oh dear, we really brought the tone of the debate down there didn't we? Did you even read the whole article?<br /><br />If you think hi-vis stops you from being knocked down by lorries which can't even see you (the primary killer of cyclists in London) then I'm afraid you are terribly mistaken.<br /><br />The stats you provide speak for themselves; 3000 seriously injured. How many of those do you think were *not* wearing high vis? Not many, I should think, considering it's prevalence here. Which just goes to show how f*cked up the whole road safety argument goes.ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-33776481499763818202011-05-18T14:20:20.830+01:002011-05-18T14:20:20.830+01:00Hi-vis is common sense. Rough annual London stats:...Hi-vis is common sense. Rough annual London stats: 10 deaths, 3000 seriously injured, let's estimate 30000 knock-ed off shall we? Duh.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-13721808767065978522011-05-18T14:14:18.722+01:002011-05-18T14:14:18.722+01:00@magicroundabout Quite. I don't see it as the...@magicroundabout Quite. I don't see it as the fault of any cyclist that they feel the need to wear this stuff, (we're not into blaming the victim here!) I just think it's sad that it is even necessary. Especially as 'special kit' is just another barrier to cycling. I think reflective and high vis stuff should't be confused. I think reflective material, like decent lights, can be invaluable on a bike, whereas I'd question the need for high vis as it's a bit ubiquitous.<br /><br />Your right that there's lots and lots of research about helmets (on both sides of the argument) but I've never seen any about high vis or reflective clothing. Be careful for what you wish for mind!<br /><br />The purpose of this post is not to put a downer on cyclists who choose to wear reflective or high vis gear, more to try and point out that we've got the road safety equation wrong. As I said; "If we have to don ridiculous and unpractical clothing merely in order to ward off the unwanted advances of other road users, something is going wrong somewhere... "ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-29673659342835248452011-05-18T14:07:37.753+01:002011-05-18T14:07:37.753+01:00I really don't get this. I agree that anyone c...I really don't get this. I agree that anyone cycling is good but you know what, I drive a car too, and as a driver I find it really helpful if people are wearing something that makes them stand out and easy to see.<br /><br />I wear hi-viz, reflective stuff on my bike starting at around dusk because even the most careful driver could easily miss seeing me. <br /><br />I wear hi-viz/reflectives on my bike because, as a driver, I've had several occasions where a "bike ninja" has come out of nowhere at me and I've had to react quickly to prevent something nasty happening. (And, note, I reckon I'm a careful driver, and as a cyclist, I'm always on the look out for more vulnerable road users too!)<br /><br />I wear hi-viz/reflectives because, when I've been driving country roads at night I've come across groups of cyclists on training rides and been incredibly thankful that they're lit up to the max and I can see them a long way off.<br /><br />I'd love to live in a world where hi-viz wasn't necessary. But what you say, Mark, is right: I as a cyclist "don't feel especially safe or welcome on the roads", and until that changes I'm gonna make myself as safe as possible and encourage others to do so too.<br /><br />The slow cycling/segregated cycling groups go on about not wearing helmets because they'd rather do other things that prevent them having accidents in the first place. I see wearing hi-viz as a way of preventing having an accident.<br /><br />There seems to be lots of stats and research on helmets. Anyone got any on hi-viz?magicroundabouthttp://blog.wintle.me.uknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-62902475187036426872011-05-18T10:23:50.216+01:002011-05-18T10:23:50.216+01:00I returned to cycling last year after a long break...I returned to cycling last year after a long break. Living in London I was somewhat lacking in confidence. To begin with I wore a helmet and high-vis, which did make me feel safer. After about 6 months I ditched both as my confidence returned. It transformed my cycling experience!Philip Sidawayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16071708391428257684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-54493568997744968502011-05-17T16:23:41.193+01:002011-05-17T16:23:41.193+01:00By the way, I live and cycle in London and my jack...By the way, I live and cycle in London and my jacket is BLACK!Viviannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-70728324051743215912011-05-17T16:23:01.984+01:002011-05-17T16:23:01.984+01:00Probably the two cyclists here in question live in...Probably the two cyclists here in question live in a city, they cycle to work and they use high viz jackets, which you need mainly in the winter when it gets dark so early. And the jackets are not exactly cheap. Not all of us can afford a "city jacket" and a jacket to match the colour of the countryside!<br /><br />I'm a bit disapointed at the Guardian for publishing this rubbish!Viviannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-75592061731237937552011-05-17T10:37:16.058+01:002011-05-17T10:37:16.058+01:00Hey Kim, I've just seen your post about the T...Hey Kim, I've just seen your post about the Taliban approach to road safety, great minds do indeed think alike! Excellent article.ibikelondonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06978714126105951294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-75917541690042403062011-05-17T09:56:50.104+01:002011-05-17T09:56:50.104+01:00Yes, I agree that placing the onus on the vulnerab...Yes, I agree that placing the onus on the vulnerable is a good thing (if you know you're going to be in a position of vulnerability it makes sense to maximise your safety). My cycling jacket is fluoro yellow because it was that or pink (insert rant about all women's sportwear being bloody pink here) - my boyfriend has a royal blue reflective jacket that also works. To me they work as splashes of colour that a driver may catch sight of more readily than a grey/black combo - but that's an educated guess.<br /><br />Besides - you can't very easily by a cycling-fit windproof waterproof jacket (for women) in any other colour...Cleonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-50435667906134384922011-05-16T16:51:03.194+01:002011-05-16T16:51:03.194+01:00Oh and the burka analogy isn't new, I have bee...Oh and the burka analogy isn't new, I have been using it for over 18 months now... ;-)Kimhttp://kimharding.net/blog/?cat=9noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-65283306232710294632011-05-16T16:47:10.378+01:002011-05-16T16:47:10.378+01:00I agree it is time to end the Taliban approach to ...I agree <a href="http://www.kimharding.net/blog/?p=1407" rel="nofollow">it is time to end the Taliban approach to road safety</a>, it really doesn't help anyone.Kimhttp://kimharding.net/blog/?cat=9noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-28052610029024087672011-05-16T15:31:08.625+01:002011-05-16T15:31:08.625+01:00I feel a lot safer and am much more visible wearin...I feel a lot safer and am much more visible wearing an ugly hi-viz jacket rather than my usual dark clothes. The bright fluoro colour does make it easier for bus, truck and car drivers to see me, therefore I am safer. I don't look or feel very 'cool' (see pic of Hackney cyclist) but I would definitely recommend wearing a hi-viz jacket cycling in certain parts of London.Slow Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04612005390681891103noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7129037502516609710.post-80543360721984597682011-05-16T13:35:57.385+01:002011-05-16T13:35:57.385+01:00I feel much safer cycling in my hi-viz underpants,...I feel much safer cycling in my hi-viz underpants, don't care what anybody says.Philip Loyhttp://twitter.com/philiploynoreply@blogger.com