An interesting article.
As they highlight with 44% of all cycling accidents happening due to failing to look properly - this is far more down to the skill of managing risk and having good judgement, and so riding safely and properly, than having the need for separate lanes or adding safety items.
1) Should helmets be compulsory?
No IMHO.
Helmets are not necessarily better but make injuries less, however I think it correct that it is down to the individual.
I find wearing one alters how hot I am and if hot I am uncomfortable and it distracts my thought processes. When I wear one it is highly likely to never stay on for long before I feel uncomfortable and find that it is annoying me (& yes it has many vents in).
So I think it quite correct that it is not compulsory.
2) Should high-vis gear be used in daytime?
Just little benefit if any, so no point. However one might argue that a habit that is only for poor light is better practiced all the time than now and again. However imagine a blistering hot day, you don't want anything more on than necessary to help keep cool!
Nights or poor light are usually cooler temperatures, so no it shouldn't be compulsory.
Hi vis is very helpful to see people better, but mostly of greater benefit during reduced light levels only.
Having every pedestrian and every cyclist wearing them would make it less effective for all cyclists. Horse riders are at least usually higher than a car or cyclist so still stand out.
3) Banning headphones
Probably not but I would insist that they are not placed on the ears but just in front so that the traffic noise is lulled but clearly heard when required and necessary. I found that listening to music background was pleasant and helped my cycle rhythm especially when on a long run or if I was a little tried from work. That helped my attention than decreased it.
I'd like to see this research studied before making a sweeping decision based on inadequate data.
However I would like to see it strongly discouraged that a full headset is worn directly on the ears ... However what about motorbikes ... they can have earpieces to hear each other, (and surely much is drowned by the noise of the bike?) but does this also deliver music (to one ear) ? If they can cope with music is this of any significance with this ?
I if know that I really want to listen to something (a phone call ?) can I still cycle safely? Can I provide all additional attention and observance needed to compensate or must I have to stop?
What if I cam cycling on a lonely cycle path - would that rule still apply? And lets face it many cyclists just ride on the pavement so these rules will change then too!
4) Should cyclists ride in the middle of the lane?
Definitely one for the dense urban areas only IMHO. And unlikely. Although on rare occassions it maybe sensible, cyclist wishes to turn right, static traffic and so cyclist goes down the center of the road to make a sensible turn and goes on their way, and the rest of the traffic no longer has to worry about them.
However cyclists are just going 'every where'. To go into the central line to turn right and then have to cross back in front of the traffic when completing the right turn is highly and un-necessarily dangerous and deliberately places them on a collision path with motor vehicles. I see it time and time again! I think it highly irresponsible riding.
There is an an onslaught of cyclists diving around cars on all sides sometimes and it's only when some cyclists get into a car and experience it that they realise how difficult a driver can find it to avoid 'everyone'. No longer are many cyclists riding in any predictable manner at all.
They have decided to 'choose' where they think is safe and go there.
No longer abiding by the rules of the road and safe positioning whatsoever.
[So it is no wonder that cyclists have come to think that they can now just go wherever they think is a good idea. This appalling attitude needs to be changed. There is nothing wrong with cyclists like everyone else waiting in turn to complete a manoeuvre on the roads.]
Geffen's idea of deliberately having a good position is sensible in principal but not the amount. Nothing wrong in being observant to see a driver potential about to alight from a vehicle and pull out enough to be safe momentarily, but not to stay there all the time 'just in case' that's, over & un-necessary compensation!
I'm not surprised that vehicles left less room the more a cyclist was out from the curb... it's human nature to want to try and correct 'injustices' (inappropriate behaviour) ...
5) Flashing lights or steady lights?
I completely disagree with the use of flashing lights for bikes, all the time on every trip as it is un-necessary, unless having to do a particularly awkward or tricky manoeuvre.
To use flashing lights for bikes, because of the help that it provides to observe, fast moving actions of emergency vehicles that have to act in an unpredictable behaviour, isn't right IMHO.
I personally detest the flashing of cycle lights. IMHO they are no more obvious as they are so slow moving. Many are on the pavement anyway so why do I need to be informed of this crucial movement?
I'm surprised that the various Epilepsy organisations are not up in arms about them?
A road user who is looking and observing will see the cyclists perfectly fine with a light and not one that is trying hard to blind them!
Flashing lights are becoming so bright that they are blinding drivers. Reports are found on many public media where cyclists have been flashed by drivers due to the high intensity of the brightness of lights.
A steady light helps you observe better.
Flashing lights demanding greater attention more than likely un-necessarily, shows a lack of trust between groups which can cause frustration and annoyance.
The judgement of your position I agree with the article is easier without the flashing. So if you want to show where you are and provide better detail to road users, use steady lights only.
To cement better relationships between all road users reminding them that no one is of greater importance than another would help. Reminding cyclists that they MUST obey the rules for their safety and that of all road users.
The more segregation the worse it will get, as it implies greater importance and a need to protect, one group over another, which helps to separate trust and potentially justify their fear.
If every cyclist and all road users ride and drive, so that they can stop in the distance that they know to be clear, they will be safe.