The road markings don't do much to help this cyclist in heavy traffic on Thorpe Road. Photo: Bill Smith

Poll: Are cyclists safe on Norwich’s roads?

David Freezer Monday, June 11, 2012
10:49 AM

Following the second death of a cyclist in Norwich this year, campaigners are calling for more awareness of cycle safety to be raised among drivers and cyclists.

A cyclist in his 40s died in a two-car crash on the North Walsham Road, on the northern outskirts of Norwich, last Tuesday night.

It follows 21-year-old Sam Crisp, suffering fatal head injuries after his bike was in a crash with a car in Sprowston Road, on Thursday, May 3.

The two deaths come as official statistics for the past year, from May to April, reveal a steady increase in the number of cyclists who have been killed or seriously injured (KSIs) on Norwich’s roads in the past three years.

The figures are tempered by the fact that the number of cyclists continues to rise year-on-year in Norwich, as the city’s cycle network continues to expand and improve.

Chairman of Norfolk's Casualty Reduction Partnership, Alec Byrne. Photo: Bill Smith.

However, there were 10 KSIs in Norwich in 2011-12, up from nine for the same period in 2010-11 and seven in 2009-10.

There has also been a steady increase in slight injuries over the same timescale, rising to 81 for 2011-12, up from 76 in 2010-11 and 74 in 2009-10.

Alec Byrne, pictured, chairman of the Casualty Reduction Partnership, which includes Norfolk County Council, police, ambulance and health services, said: “These recent deaths are tragic and our first thoughts are always with family and friends. Over recent months we have seen fewer injuries to people in cars, but this has been offset by a rise in casualties among vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

“This may well reflect the number of people changing their modes of travel. It’s important not to overstate this, because the numbers are still small and the majority of people killed or seriously injured are car occupants travelling on rural A and B roads.”

Mr Byrne said that key measures needed to halt the trend include education and training, particularly of young and old drivers and cyclists, with a new Norfolk-wide road safety campaign set to be launched later in the year.

Jeff Jordan, 67, of St Clements Hill in Norwich, was keen to stress that the rise in statistics went hand-in-hand with the rise in the number of cyclists in the city.

Mr Jordan is one of the members of the Norwich Cycling Campaign, which battles for cyclist rights and the improvement of the city’s cycle network.

He said: “These are very small numbers to establish a trend from and a rise of one (KSI) in a year is not a very big rise, but of course every death is absolutely tragic.

“This latest death is really typical of the most dangerous places for cyclists to ride, because it is a main road, it is fast and it is not a very wide road.

“One of the roads we are about to press the council for a cycle route for is a similar road, between the Cromer Road roundabout and the airport park and ride site.”

Mr Jordan added that Thorpe Road, east of the city, was also a notoriously difficult road for cyclists to safely navigate, with the junction with Harvey Lane being particularly dangerous.

The figures are released ahead of the national Bike Week campaign starting on Saturday, running through until Sunday, June 24.

And the statistics for Norwich tally with a similar steady rise for the whole of Norfolk, which show there were 34 KSIs in the county in 2011-12, up from 27 the year before, which was actually a drop from 32 in 2009-10.

The slight injuries rose to 209 in 2011-12, from 181 in 2010-11, which was also a drop from 188 in 2009-10.

- Do you think Norwich is a safe cycling city? Write to Evening News Letters, Prospect House, Rouen Road, NR1 1RE or email eveningnewsletters@archant.co.uk

42 comments

"Monkeynuts" lol Cyclists know exactly what they are doing in regards to breaking the laws of the road, but they blatently choose to ignore it, and that being so, I have no time for cyclists whatsoever..eventually Cyclists will learn...

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Footyboy16

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Some of the comments made are frankly rediculous!! If a cyclist is not obeying the law, then it doesn't make it ok to put their lives at risk by dangerous drivers. Unfortunately cyclists are expected to share cycle lanes with Buses, who thought that was a god idea.

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Crazy

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
@Stephen must agree with monkeynuts. There are too many drivers that don't have good enough skills to be driving. Being able to make good judgements and overtake safely is a skill that is lacking in a lot of drivers. Personally I can't think of an instance where I have truely been held up by a bike, in most cases you drive slower until you can over take, but all that means is you spend less time waiting at the next junction behind other cars, total journey time is usually the same.

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James Gibby

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
@stephen watson ofcourse the driver would be blamed, if its not safe to over take DON'T overtake. As for giving way...Perhaps its not practical or possible for the cyclists to stop at the side of the road while there's a truck behind them, perhaps they will be turning off a mile up the road, perhaps the truck driver should plan his route better ect.. The point is..don't overtake if its not safe too. Why this is a problem for some is beyond me. We all have a right to use the roads and part using the roads means you make allowances for slow and vulnerable road users (not just cyclists). The cyclists have a legal and moral right to be on those roads just as much as the truck driver, he should wait, or simply plan his journey better.

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monkeynuts

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
imagine you are driving a 40-50 foot lorry on a A road behind a series of bikes say travelling at 20-30 miles per hour the road is wide enough to pass normally if it is straight and clear BUT what if it is straight then bendy how long have you got to wait to pass the lorry is loaded so takes an age to build up the speed to pass and to allow room to pass literally blocks oncoming traffic who gives way??? not the cyclist i bet but the driver would be blamed for nearly knocking the cyclist off consideration is needed on ALL sides

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stephen watson

Tuesday, June 12, 2012
@Andrew Clements Absolutely! - I should have expressed my comment better - My issue is with the comment that cyclists are braking the law by doing so, and we can both agree that somewhat of a sweeping statement that's incorrect as (in some, maybe most situations) its perfectly legal to cycle in "no more than two abreast" (to quote the highway code) Saying that - its not something I personally advocate either. @lockers he sounds like an ass, as a cyclist its not something I would do. Not all cyclists are like him :)

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monkeynuts

Monday, June 11, 2012
As a pedestrian, time and time again I find issues with cyclists of many ages, but the worst are the chaps aged up to about 45 or so. Just a couple of weeks ago I was going to use the zebra crossing outside St Andrews Hall. I went to step out, and as I did, there was a cycle bombing along from Charing Cross direction, I froze as it headed towards me as I did not know which way it was going to go, I could see that there was no intention to stop on his part. I stared at this ignorant idiot as he swerved around me and then was amazed to see him glaring back as if I had done something wrong. He made no attempt to slow down and clearly expected me to simply not be in the way. These idiots that see cycling as purely exercise and anything in their path had better just stay out of the way, well, next time I think I might just make sure they come off. It'll hurt but it may be worth it. Completely un-self-aware most cyclists

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lockers

Monday, June 11, 2012
@Monkeynuts, it's not within the rules in all situations to ride two abreast, but similarly not against the rules to ride two abreast in some circumstances. The highway code states cyclist should ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends. The other day I followed a pair of slow moving cylclists on the sort of road where if a car and motorcycle approach both have to slow a bit and two cars meeting means one is going to drive up to the bank and stop while the other crawls past, and the gentleman cyclist paid no attention to the fact I was behind him he was hardly doing the majority of cyclists any good with that bit of PR. As I used to live in Stevenage I appreciate the roads around Norwich are far from great for pedestrians, cyclists or motorists when compared to a relatively newly planned town or city, so we just have to work with what we have.

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Andrew Clements

Monday, June 11, 2012
@footyboy16 it is perfectly legal and acceptable for cyclists to ride two abreast - by doing so they effectively take up the same size a car. according to the road law you should give cyclists atleast 6ft of space while overtaking. So basically they are acting as a slow moving car and should be treated as such. As for filtering.. Also legal.

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monkeynuts

Monday, June 11, 2012
It boils down to understanding, care and consideration of other road users, whatever vehicle you use. Like most cyclists, I also drive and understand the frustrations drivers face with some cyclists. I wear hi viz, helmet and I'm lit up like an xmas tree and obey the rules of the road. More and more drivers have no regard for other roadusers safety, as long as they get home on time. Just today I was nearly clipped by a van who accelerated to get past me before an oncoming vehicle. I also waited by parked cars for oncoming traffic, and when it was clear I continued only to be met by a taxi who saw me coming but carried on as if a car has more right than a cyclist, forcing me on the pavement. Cycle boxes at lights are usually filled by a car if you're lucky enough that the cars behind it have left the cycle lane clear to get there (please check your LH mirrors). Most cycle lanes are a boneshaking lamppost strewn joke that usually end just after you've got on them forcing you to rejoin the highway increasing danger, this is why many cyclists don't use them. Don't get me started on drivers who speed past only to slam on the brakes to turn left accross me. Educationcampaigns on both sides. Spot fines for cars stopping in cycle boxes, any vehicle going through red lights. Also car drivers and cyclists swapping one day a month would enlighten many!

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properjob

Monday, June 11, 2012
does a speed limit apply to these sunday morning racer bikes????? just an observation

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stephen watson

Monday, June 11, 2012
Nearly hit one this morning. Stationary at a red crossing when he came from behind me on my offside. Crossed in front of me me with total disregard for the pedesrtians that were crossing. Yes some cars do it but if they have a bump at least they are insured (or should be). Some cyclists have got hoodies up and iPod in, totally unaware of their surroundings. Are they really so suprised when they get knoocked off?

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Andy T

Monday, June 11, 2012
If Cyclists abeyed the rules fo the road they would be safe, but they don't, on a daily basis you see them jump red traffic lights, ride two abreast, and constantly weave in and out of traffic, so unfortunately cyclists bring it on themselves..

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Footyboy16

Monday, June 11, 2012
A few observations as a cylist and motorist. An idiot using any mode of transport is still an idiot, I would rather they were on a cycle as they can do less damage. We currently have perfectly good laws to deal with all these issues, they are just sporadically enforced (on motorists and cyclists), which is the main issue. Cycle paths are usually designed by motorists for the benefit of motorist and in a lot of cases it has been proved that UK cycle infrastructure actually makes cycling less safe not more safe, so don't be too surprised if cyclist avoid them if they know what they are doing. Research on cycle helmets and hi-vis do not show any conclusive evidence that they make a difference to KSIs (if anything there is a small increase for helmets) , so be careful about complaining about lack of hi vis or helmets they may know more than you do about how to be safe.

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James Gibby

Monday, June 11, 2012
Tony Sutton: "Car & lorry drivers also go the wrong way down one way streets". Err....no they don't mate. Thats because unlike the vast majority of cyclists, drivers have actually read a copy of the highway code at some point! And while we're at it, is there a more pathetic sight than a fully grown adult weaving in and out of busy city pavements on a bike whilst wearing a cycle helmet? Just what is it these morons think is going to hurt them on a pavement that requires them to wear head protection except say, I dunno, a soft and squidgy pedestrian minding their own business? Cyclists need to grow up and obey the same rules that apply to everyone. The Highway Code applies to ALL ROAD USER'S, not just cars, buses and lorries!

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Scania

Monday, June 11, 2012
Sorry - I think there is a problem with the site, I only posted the note once. It's happened to Jon as well..........My 2nd note in response to bookworm hasn't appeared, but I daren't post it again!

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Martin Scott

Monday, June 11, 2012
A few observations as a cylist and motorist. An idiot using any mode of transport is still an idiot, I would rather they were on a cycle as they can do less damage. We currently have perfectly good laws to deal with all these issues, they are just sporadically enforced (on motorists and cyclists), which is the main issue. Cycle paths are usually designed by motorists for the benefit of motorist and in a lot of cases it has been proved that UK cycle infrastructure actually makes cycling less safe not more safe, so don't be too surprised if cyclist avoid them if they know what they are doing. Research on cycle helmets and hi-vis do not show any conclusive evidence that they make a difference to KSIs (if anything there is a small increase for helmets) , so be careful about complaining about lack of hi vis or helmets they may know more than you do about how to be safe.

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James Gibby

Monday, June 11, 2012
I thought cyclists only rode on footpathes, at least they do round here.

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gerry mitson

Monday, June 11, 2012
As a cyclist yes I am neutral on the question of how safe the roads are. Some roads are a pleasure to cycle on others make me feel very vulnerable. Where I feel vulnerable I would appreciate a cycle lane. The fact that I feel vulnerable means that I believe there is a justification for a cycle lane. That said only the other day someone in a car demonstrated that a 'pleasureable' road can be hazardous. Equally if I used the hazardous road at a different time I might not wish for a cycle lane there. I agree that there should be some level of basic education for cyclists but I also am reluctant to put barriers in the way to new cyclists wishing to employ an alternative travel mode to the motor car. A very basic level of education is required to drive a car and look at how inadequate that is? The problem is the carbon based bipedal life form that operates either form of transport.

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George Ezekial

Monday, June 11, 2012
I sometimes use the city on my bike(oh the crime), and take the law into my own hands I wheelie up one way streets, creep up behind people and whistle past them so they jump out of their skins, traffic lights what are they ?? I am representative of every cyclist on the road and only doing what every good cyclist does - this rant is about as valid and useful as a number of the comments against cycling below, bottom line is the city has some cycle infrastructure that has not kept pace with the times, volumes and all the major directions of travel so is not helping drivers, pedestrians or cyclists – we need to look to Cambridge and Holland for some assistance in helping all user groups to be able to travel more environmentally friendly and cheaper

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Jimmy Hupperby

Monday, June 11, 2012
Sorry - I think there is a problem with the site, I only posted the note once. It's happened to Jon as well..........My 2nd note in response to bookworm hasn't appeared, but I daren't post it again!

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Martin Scott

Monday, June 11, 2012
It's unfair to make a sweeping statement that no cyclists wear protective or high visibility gear nor have lights. As I leave the village in the morning I regularly pass two cyclists, both have helmets, lights fitted (working if not brad daylight) and have high-vis jacket band, however on a different part of the journey I often see a cyclist with no high vis, no helmet etc and he simply does not stop at the Drayton Road Ring road junction. I've seen many cars have to swerve or brake heavily to avoid hitting him as he crosses against the lights. Ditto cyclist that ride for recreation and so want to chat riding two-abreast. So there are good cyclists and bad ones, and probably most are in the mid ground. The same is true of car van drivers etc. I prefer to wait until I can see past the cyclist and then pass as do many other drivers but you sometimes meet an oncoming vehicle driver that seems to think it is fine to pull out and overtake a cyclist with oncoming traffic or no visibility. Nobody is without blame, I'm sure there are cyclists that would prefer I don't overtake them when I do and drivers behind that would prefer I overtake much sooner, it's just a matter of establishing when you feel it is safe to do so without putting somebody's life in great danger. Cycle paths, when they are attached to the side of a road they don't really work well as many drivers seem to just think they are part of the road, but I can understand why pedestrians are less safe when sharing a path with cyclists, however, a pedestrian hit by a cyclist is much more likely to survive than a cyclist hit by a car, so I can see why taking cycle paths away from the main carriageway is safer overall.

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Andrew Clements

Monday, June 11, 2012
Sorry - I think there is a problem with the site, I only posted the note once. It's happened to Jon as well..........My 2nd note in response to bookworm hasn't appeared, but I daren't post it again!

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Martin Scott

Monday, June 11, 2012
Sorry - I think there is a problem with the site, I only posted the note once. It's happened to Jon as well..........My 2nd note in response to bookworm hasn't appeared, but I daren't post it again!

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Martin Scott

Monday, June 11, 2012
"It still angers me that many cyclists jump red traffic lights" - carlorry drivers does the same. "cycle the wrong way down one way streets" - carlorry drivers does the same too. "fail to use lights, hand signals " - Again, carlorry drivers does the same too as well (apart from hand signal, but no signals so same thing...) Fact - some people do some of them. el84's comment is spot on... "Lack of enforcement". Shame the love, everyone will be happy. And don't go on about "cyclist does not pay road tax! get off the roads!!" - there is no "road tax" since 1937 (Winston Churchill got rid of it) - all tax payers funds the roads which means cyclists have the same right to use the roads as everyone else. Share the road with them. The "tax" that you are paying is VED, based on how dirty your car is outputting from the exhaust pipe to the air. Electricity car is £0 VED. So is bikes too, as both of them are clean therefore paying no VED.

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Tony Sutton

Monday, June 11, 2012
I was and am both car driver and cyclist and used to do 12 mile commute on my bike but despite observing all the rules of the road covering myself in yellow refective stuff and helmet I was still carted off in an ambulance on 3 occasions with broken bones, I think car drivers are so surrounded by gadgets and increasingly isolated from the outside world that they just miss seeing bikes, all the drivers taht hit me were prosected which shows who was guilty, have now given up on cycling on roads and just use the long distance cycle paths

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blister

Monday, June 11, 2012
*Martin

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John L Norton

Monday, June 11, 2012
How many times are you going to post the same comment Mark? Surely once is enough.

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John L Norton

Monday, June 11, 2012
A car is a lethal weapon, it kills, treat it as such please. Oh @ Jon failing to observe the rules of the road sometimes is not punnishable by death. Please take some perspective.

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Crazy

Monday, June 11, 2012
I'm not defending cyclists who jump lights or do other crazy things, but the difference is that if a motorist does such things they have a 1 ton vehicle which causes carnage - the cyclist gets hurt! Some motorists use their mobiles whilst driving (note not all!) - this is extremely dangerous and should have higher penalties.

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Martin Scott

Monday, June 11, 2012
Did'nt one die in a country lane not in Norwich

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billytheolympicbookie

Monday, June 11, 2012
One thing I do take issue with is the leisure cycling promoted on very unsuitable Norfolk roads. A quiet Norfolk lane with high banks may seem ideal for a cycle, but being created by Dobbin and a cart they are barely suitable for cars and when a skein of holiday makers wobbling along with their kids, none of them used to cycling much, is hidden by a sharp bend, even 20 mph is too much. A review of our road speed limits and the provision of road side or even "behind hedge" paths is really needed. The extra traffic the new developments generate and the moved in treating narrow lanes like race tracks ( plus the failure of councils to maintain existing footways) mean it is no longer safe to walk or cycle on many roads. This sort of initiative would have been of far greater value to the people of Norfolk than the money spent on creating a coastal path.

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Daisy Roots

Monday, June 11, 2012
It is wrong to bicker who does what, there are faults on all sides, the important thing is to make the roads safer for all roads users. In my opinion where possible off road cycle routes are the best alternative. This is not always possible in inner urban areas but should have been possible in the suburbs and could still be between new developments and the city fringe. If Cambridge can do it so can Norwich. Hard core cyclists will probably say road edge paths are best but not every cyclist is a lycra clad and muscled up-the physical conditions of some of the road sides make them pretty nasty for many cyclists. In good times an ongoing plan to extend footways to make dual cycle and footway routes with colour coded tarmac would have been ideal. I think it is a brave cyclist who tackles city roundabouts and junctions on a regular basis considering how rubbish the average driver is with lane discipline and signalling

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Daisy Roots

Monday, June 11, 2012
There are many complaints about cyclists cycling the wrong way down one way streets or pavements, take Magdalen Street for example. We complained about it on Duke Street, they've now put in a cycle path but they still dont all use it. I had one old gentleman cycle from Colegate on to the path across the crossing outside the Golden Star (ignoring the cycle path) and then cycle in front of me and up the pavement towards the top of Duke Street. Also had a lady yesterday, when she reached a T junction, went up the path, used the pedestrian crossing and then cycled half way across before riding on to the road. The trouble is there are some safe cyclists but theres nothing in place which stops just anyone from being allowed to cycle on the road.

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Piranha24

Monday, June 11, 2012
cyclists never have lights on the bikes or helmets or reflective clothes.this should be law. cycle pavements are the worst invention ever for walkers.

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bookworm

Monday, June 11, 2012
Two problems idiots in vehicles & idiots on bicycles & that come down to the one issue. Lack of enforcement. Our roads would be safer for everyone if idiots on both bicycles & in vehicles were dealt with before the behaviour results in blood loss . By the time a cyclist has died it's too late to deal with the poor drivingriding. The real issue is not driving riding standards but nothing being done about those standards.

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el84

Monday, June 11, 2012
I'm not defending cyclists who jump lights or do other crazy things, but the difference is that if a motorist does such things they have a 1 ton vehicle which causes carnage - the cyclist gets hurt! Some motorists use their mobiles whilst driving (note not all!) - this is extremely dangerous and should have higher penalties.

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Martin Scott

Monday, June 11, 2012
As someone who drives for a living , the majority in Norwich I have say my piece. The standard of driving in this country by all road users is going down. It seems that we have inherited the bad habits of other European countries Too many road users taking risks with traffic lights etc but my big thing is cycle lanes. My village had a cycle lane made from one end of the village to the other some two miles at great expense because the road is not wide enough to go safely past cyclists with oncoming traffic. I have to say it is rarely used which causes tailbacks behind whilst they meander up the road. If its there use it or subject these thoughtless road users to on the spot fines similar to car drivers. Also when I was young if you had no lights on your bike and were seen by police they did something about it. It seems now to be very much the fashion to have no lights no bright clothing and ride around Norwich at will.

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Sunmark

Monday, June 11, 2012
I'm not defending cyclists who jump lights or do other crazy things, but the difference is that if a motorist does such things they have a 1 ton vehicle which causes carnage - the cyclist gets hurt! Some motorists use their mobiles whilst driving (note not all!) - this is extremely dangerous and should have higher penalties.

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Martin Scott

Monday, June 11, 2012
Agreed. I'm a cyclist but am still aware that red lights apply to me too but lets face it even motorists do it! give that same motorist a bike and you've got a problem. You do seem to be pointing out very obvious problems that "SOME" cyclists have - i'm not about to say cyclists are right because lots aren't but I could name plenty of occassions where drivers fail to signal for roundabouts etc it's not about one being better than the other in all honesty all forms of vehicular travel in norwich is rediculous! I drivetravel all over the country and it's always very obvious when I return to norwich mainly down to the complete lack of awareness of it's motoristscyclists. This isn't limited to anyone form of travel: Taxis - do whatever they want with no reprocussions Buses - Seem to aim for cyclists, pull out when they please and generally think they rule the road General Drivers - Don't seem to know the rules of the road. Cyclists - As above. I think the poll should be "are travellers safe in norwich" rather than cyclists!

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Hudson1984

Monday, June 11, 2012
It still angers me that many cyclists jump red traffic lights, cycle the wrong way down one way streets, why do they think this is safe and somehow does not apply to them? They also use crowded pavements, fail to use lights, hand signals or wear high visibility clothing. It's not about motorists failing to be cyclist aware, it the riders that need educating.

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Jon-Cameron Bates

Monday, June 11, 2012
It still angers me that many cyclists jump red traffic lights, cycle the wrong way down one way streets, why do they think this is safe and somehow does not apply to them? They also use crowded pavements, fail to use lights, hand signals or wear high visibility clothing. It's not about motorists failing to be cyclist aware, it the riders that need educating.

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Jon-Cameron Bates

Monday, June 11, 2012

Poll: Are cyclists safe on Norwich’s roads?

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