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Cyclists beware the A3
6:20pm Friday 15th February 2008
Comments (26)The A3 is the most dangerous road for cyclists in London, with an average 74 accidents a year, new figures show.
According to statistics released under Freedom of Information laws, the Met Police were alerted to 744 accidents on the road from London Bridge across south-west London between 1996 to 2006.
The A23, which includes Streatham High Road and Purley Way, was the second most dangerous with 623 accidents.
The figures revealed more than 34,000 people were involved in cycling accidents over the 10-year period and 156 were killed.
But the number of people involved in serious accidents has been falling, from 566 in 1997 to 373 in 2006.
Your Say YourYour Local Guardian
Recreationalcyclist, London says...
5:44pm Sat 16 Feb 08
When looked at in terms of accidents per km, its high, but not that high.
Cyclists should remember that the rules of the road apply to them too and the situation would be a while lot better.
My Fair Lady, Putney says...
4:10pm Sun 17 Feb 08
ric, kingston says...
8:38am Mon 18 Feb 08
you cant do that in london with the amount of idiots behind the wheel of a car.
yeah you might have the right of way. but when your dead. you cant argue your case.
my advice for cyclists is to always assume someone hasnt seen you. and never ride close to big vehicles.
i wouldnt recomend cycling in london to people that dont have a lot of experience on bikes. stick to richmond park.
recreationalcyclist, London says...
1:52pm Mon 18 Feb 08
If you looked into the particulars of the accidents, I wonder how many were actually the cyclists own fault.
recreationalcyclist, London says...
1:52pm Mon 18 Feb 08
If you looked into the particulars of the accidents, I wonder how many were actually the cyclists own fault.
recreationalcyclist, London says...
1:55pm Mon 18 Feb 08
If you looked into the particulars of each accident, I wonder how many were actually the cyclists own fault.
Bob, Cheam says...
5:25pm Mon 18 Feb 08
Magoo, says...
6:39pm Mon 18 Feb 08
LUCY wrote:Its really difficult riding through red lights and weaving in and out of traffic whilst giving hand signals. I do try but the signals I give are not often appreciated
IS IT REALLY ANY WONDER THAT THERE IS THAT MANY ACCIDENTS? YOU SEE SOME OF THE IDIOTS WEAVING THRU TRAFFIC, GOING THRU RED LIGHTS AND NOT BOTHERING TO DO HAND SIGNALS AS TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING!! I AM A CYCLIST MYSELF AND HAVE BEEN CYCLING FOR NEAR ON 25YRS WITH NO ACCIDENTS SIMPLY BECAUSE I OBEY THE LAWS OF THE ROAD AND I RESPECT CAR USERS ASWELL! ITS MY CHOICE TO CYCLE AND I AM NOT OF THE KIND TO THINK THAT \'EVERYONE SHOULD CYCLE! BUT THERE IS A LOT OF CYCLISTS OUT THERE THAT ARE PURE AND SIMPLE \"MUPPETS\"
cyclist, says...
8:31pm Mon 18 Feb 08
Jonathan, Tooting says...
9:18pm Mon 18 Feb 08
There are stupid and dangerous people everywhere - in cars, on bikes, and on foot. Cycling is a great way to get around London, it's healthy, it's free, it's fun and it's good for the environment.
ric, kingston says...
9:13am Tue 19 Feb 08
london bridge is actually the A3 if you look at a road map.
its longer than you think ;)
Jon Fray, Kingston says...
10:52am Tue 19 Feb 08
recreationalcyclist, London says...
8:41am Wed 20 Feb 08
cyclist wrote:"safer to do so" what planet are you on... pedestrians crossing the road won't expect you to ignore the red lights, cars wont anticipate you cycling into the junctions....... Red lights are there for a reason.
I cycle 9 miles to work most days and, yes, I sometimes cycle through red lights. Once you know your route it's often safer to do so whilst the cars are stationary. However, cycling on the A3 is nothing more than suicidal. There is just not enough room and the difference in speed is too great. Don't do it!!!
I am of the belief that cyclists should be fined the same as motorists for ignoring the rules of the road - that would solve part of the accident problem straight away.
cyclist, says...
10:59am Wed 20 Feb 08
recreationalcyclist wrote:Of course it depends on the circumstances, I would never compromise the safety of other road users, that's why I said "sometimes", i.e. when it is safer to do so! The problem I find is that there is often not enough space at junctions for cyclists as car drivers do not leave enough room. In many other countries in Europe there are far more dedicated cycle lanes which have priority over other traffic, even with their own traffic lights. The real issue in this country is that the government does not do nearly enough to protect the safety of cyclists. Other European countries would never allow cyclists to ride on major roads like the A3, it is far too dangerous!
cyclist wrote: I cycle 9 miles to work most days and, yes, I sometimes cycle through red lights. Once you know your route it\'s often safer to do so whilst the cars are stationary. However, cycling on the A3 is nothing more than suicidal. There is just not enough room and the difference in speed is too great. Don\'t do it!!!\"safer to do so\" what planet are you on... pedestrians crossing the road won\'t expect you to ignore the red lights, cars wont anticipate you cycling into the junctions....... Red lights are there for a reason. I am of the belief that cyclists should be fined the same as motorists for ignoring the rules of the road - that would solve part of the accident problem straight away.
recreationalcyclist, London says...
11:20am Wed 20 Feb 08
"I would never compromise the safety of other road users, that's why I said "sometimes"," - accidents happen because people are not paying attention or people do the unexpected. You can't predict the actions of other road users, and therefore what they will do - thats the purpose of traffic signals, to offer some control.
The fact that you seem oblivious to the fact that what you are doing is wrong worries me - it is never safe.
So enlighten me then cyclist - on what occasions is it safe for you to cycle through red lights.
cyclist, says...
11:49am Wed 20 Feb 08
Come on, you need to use your common sense, sometimes you have to break the rules otherwise you'd never get anywhere!
On the positive side it is quicker for me to cycle to work than to use the car or public transport. Plus it's healthier! If more people did it we wouldn't have all the traffic problems that we do.
recreationalcyclist, London says...
12:08pm Wed 20 Feb 08
Catherine, Croydon says...
1:18pm Thu 21 Feb 08
Concerning traffic lights at crossings: If you're travelling on the road next to cars, then you are a vehicle, and you should stop at the red traffic light. If you're on the pavement and wish to cross the road, then you should think of yourself as a pedestrian, and obey the little green man.
It's not that complicated, is it?
Michael Loveder, Kennington says...
1:58pm Thu 21 Feb 08
ric, kingston says...
11:39am Fri 22 Feb 08
if there was someone about to cross i would say 'go on' to the person on my approach. they would cross and say thanks and i would nip through the red light behind them.
obviously if you come to a crossing with loads of people. you stop.
the closest i came to running people over where the 'idiot padestrains' that cross the road between cars that are in traffic. there are just as many of these idiots as there are 'cycling idiots'.
ric, kingston says...
11:41am Fri 22 Feb 08
really clever that one. cross the road where cars, bikes, cycles are trying to get back on there side of the road.
Ipushovercyclists, London says...
1:13pm Fri 22 Feb 08
"if there was someone about to cross i would say 'go on'"
How very kind of you - they must be so pleased that you let them go before you..... after all, it's not their right of way or anything.
ric, kingston says...
9:05am Mon 25 Feb 08
do you suggest maybe tea and biscuits. get to know them first?
anti cyclists, says...
5:06pm Tue 26 Feb 08
Cycle Hater, London says...
7:38pm Tue 26 Feb 08
Almost 3,500 cyclists a year are injured on London roads
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LUCY, morden says...
10:09pm Fri 15 Feb 08