There are 4 messages totaling 458 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

  1. / HGV fatals (3)
  2. / HGV fatals - Aggregation of Marginal Gains?

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 15 Sep 2015 07:15:51 +0100
From:    burton richard <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: / HGV fatals

Simon,

This sounds horrendous and congratulations and thanks to whatever deity is
relevant for your survival, and best wishes for a speedy recovery.

I trust the police were involved?

>
>    On 14 September 2015 at 23:21 Simon P J Batterbury
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
>    This is slightly raw since I am hospital after being hit on wednesday by
> an HGV doing 60km/h. Miraculously, after spinning through the air (the bike
> was destroyed under the wheels), I came out with broken ribs, delated lung,
> concussion and a broken leg. The accident circumstances were different ( I was
> at 90 degrees to the truck) and what saved me was wearing a backpack with a
> load of university papers and a laptop - these cushioned the blow and broke
> ribs , instead of worse. Doesn't safety advice say not to wear a backpack and
> to use panniers? I could have been dead or paralysed without it.
>    The Lifesaver issue seems to ring true . also scannign the forward field
> of vision - that would have helped in my case.
>    I am writing a cathartic blog posting and will post it, now that i am
> enjoying a painful but unexpected second lease of life.
>
>    Dr. Simon Batterbury | Associate Professor, Environmental Studies| Dept.
> of Geography | 221 Bouverie St (rm L2.33) | University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC,
>    +61 (0)3 8344 9319 | simonpjb @ unimelb.edu.au |
> http://www.simonbatterbury.net
>
>    ________________________________________
>    From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list
> [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Dave Holladay
> [[log in to unmask]]
>    Sent: Tuesday, 15 September 2015 7:59 AM
>    To: [log in to unmask]
>    Subject: Re: CSRG Manchester - Manchester new tram tracks / HGV fatals
>
>    I've a meeting in Barnsley on Wednesday, and would like to drop by en
>    route to catch up if that's OK.
>
>    Would like to see how we can tie in some known detail which seems to
>    correlate and point to further research.
>
>    1) at least 80% of HGV-cycle fatal crashes in London are initiated by an
>    impact between the front nearside quarter of the HGV and the rear
>    offside quarter of the cycle.
>
>    2) immediately prior to an impact in this area the cyclist will be in
>    the position of least visibility from the driving position - viz masked
>    by the nearside A pillar, (ironically) the cluster of external mirrors
>    placed to remove the blind spots across the front and down to the rear
>    and side of the truck, and the entire solid panelled front nearside
>    corner and door of the truck.
>
>    3) there are indications that the cyclists are also unaware of the
>    approaching truck because they do not maintain good all round
>    observation by both aural and visual checks, especially the rearward
>    over the right shoulder visual check, which is known by motorcyclists as
>    the Lifesaver - which pretty bluntly tells you why you need to keep
>    doing this in busy traffic.
>
>    4) 10 years ago a robust 5000 response survey of cyclists clearly
>    highlighted 2 points
>    i) female respondents answered that they

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 15 Sep 2015 07:31:44 -0400
From:    David Gordon Wilson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: / HGV fatals

My sympathy and congratulations on surviving!

(I have been hit by nine motor vehicles in the US since coming here
from the UK).

Dave Wilson
David Gordon (Dave) Wilson
MIT room 3-256, 77 Massachusetts Ave.
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139-4307, USA
Phone:  617 253 5121;
Email: [log in to unmask]; OR
21 Winthrop Street WINCHESTER MA 01890-2851, USA; Ph.: 781 729 2203;
Email: [log in to unmask]


On Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 6:21 PM, Simon P J Batterbury
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> This is slightly raw since I am hospital after being hit on wednesday by an HGV doing 60km/h. Miraculously, after spinning through the air (the bike was destroyed under the wheels), I came out with broken ribs,  delated lung, concussion and a broken leg. The accident circumstances were different ( I was at 90 degrees to the truck) and what saved me was wearing a backpack with a load of university papers and a laptop - these cushioned the blow and broke ribs , instead of worse. Doesn't safety advice say not to wear a backpack and to use panniers? I could have been dead or paralysed without it.
> The Lifesaver issue seems to ring true . also scannign the forward field of vision - that would have helped in my case.
> I am writing a cathartic blog posting and will post it, now that i am enjoying a painful but unexpected second lease of life.
>
> Dr. Simon Batterbury | Associate Professor, Environmental Studies| Dept. of Geography | 221 Bouverie St  (rm L2.33) | University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC,
> +61 (0)3 8344 9319  | simonpjb @ unimelb.edu.au | http://www.simonbatterbury.net
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Dave Holladay [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 September 2015 7:59 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: CSRG Manchester - Manchester new tram tracks / HGV fatals
>
> I've a meeting in Barnsley on Wednesday, and would like to drop by en
> route to catch up if that's OK.
>
> Would like to see how we can tie in some known detail which seems to
> correlate and point to further research.
>
> 1) at least 80% of HGV-cycle fatal crashes in London are initiated by an
> impact between the front nearside quarter of the HGV and the rear
> offside quarter of the cycle.
>
> 2) immediately prior to an impact in this area the cyclist will be in
> the position of least visibility from the driving position - viz masked
> by the nearside A pillar, (ironically) the cluster of external mirrors
> placed to remove the blind spots across the front and down to the rear
> and side of the truck, and the entire solid panelled front nearside
> corner and door of the truck.
>
> 3) there are indications that the cyclists are also unaware of the
> approaching truck because they do not maintain good all round
> observation by both aural and visual checks, especially the rearward
> over the right shoulder visual check, which is known by motorcyclists as
> the Lifesaver - which pretty bluntly tells you why you need to keep
> doing this in busy traffic.
>
> 4) 10 years ago a robust 5000 response survey of cyclists clearly
> highlighted 2 points
>      i) female respondents answered that they

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 15 Sep 2015 12:11:21 +0000
From:    Simon P J Batterbury <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: / HGV fatals

well done! thnaks

Dr. Simon Batterbury | Associate Professor, Environmental Studies| Dept. of Geography | 221 Bouverie St  (rm L2.33) | University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC,
+61 (0)3 8344 9319  | simonpjb @ unimelb.edu.au | http://www.simonbatterbury.net

________________________________________
From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of David Gordon Wilson [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, 15 September 2015 9:31 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: / HGV fatals

My sympathy and congratulations on surviving!

(I have been hit by nine motor vehicles in the US since coming here
from the UK).

Dave Wilson
David Gordon (Dave) Wilson
MIT room 3-256, 77 Massachusetts Ave.
CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139-4307, USA
Phone:  617 253 5121;
Email: [log in to unmask]; OR
21 Winthrop Street WINCHESTER MA 01890-2851, USA; Ph.: 781 729 2203;
Email: [log in to unmask]


On Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 6:21 PM, Simon P J Batterbury
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> This is slightly raw since I am hospital after being hit on wednesday by an HGV doing 60km/h. Miraculously, after spinning through the air (the bike was destroyed under the wheels), I came out with broken ribs,  delated lung, concussion and a broken leg. The accident circumstances were different ( I was at 90 degrees to the truck) and what saved me was wearing a backpack with a load of university papers and a laptop - these cushioned the blow and broke ribs , instead of worse. Doesn't safety advice say not to wear a backpack and to use panniers? I could have been dead or paralysed without it.
> The Lifesaver issue seems to ring true . also scannign the forward field of vision - that would have helped in my case.
> I am writing a cathartic blog posting and will post it, now that i am enjoying a painful but unexpected second lease of life.
>
> Dr. Simon Batterbury | Associate Professor, Environmental Studies| Dept. of Geography | 221 Bouverie St  (rm L2.33) | University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC,
> +61 (0)3 8344 9319  | simonpjb @ unimelb.edu.au | http://www.simonbatterbury.net
>
> ________________________________________
> From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Dave Holladay [[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Tuesday, 15 September 2015 7:59 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: CSRG Manchester - Manchester new tram tracks / HGV fatals
>
> I've a meeting in Barnsley on Wednesday, and would like to drop by en
> route to catch up if that's OK.
>
> Would like to see how we can tie in some known detail which seems to
> correlate and point to further research.
>
> 1) at least 80% of HGV-cycle fatal crashes in London are initiated by an
> impact between the front nearside quarter of the HGV and the rear
> offside quarter of the cycle.
>
> 2) immediately prior to an impact in this area the cyclist will be in
> the position of least visibility from the driving position - viz masked
> by the nearside A pillar, (ironically) the cluster of external mirrors
> placed to remove the blind spots across the front and down to the rear
> and side of the truck, and the entire solid panelled front nearside
> corner and door of the truck.
>
> 3) there are indications that the cyclists are also unaware of the
> approaching truck because they do not maintain good all round
> observation by both aural and visual checks, especially the rearward
> over the right shoulder visual check, which is known by motorcyclists as
> the Lifesaver - which pretty bluntly tells you why you need to keep
> doing this in busy traffic.
>
> 4) 10 years ago a robust 5000 response survey of cyclists clearly
> highlighted 2 points
>      i) female respondents answered that they

------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 15 Sep 2015 13:12:27 +0100
From:    Alan Munro <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: / HGV fatals - Aggregation of Marginal Gains?

My sympathy too! Simon, that sounds a horrific incident. I am glad it turned out with no serious, long term injury.

I must admit to be very interested, as both a researcher and cyclist in non cycling-friendly bit of Yorkshire, for an equivalent of the British Cycling's Aggregation of Marginal Gains in terms of an aggregation of things which might bring to bear to make one safer on the road? If one doesn't know the term from cycling sport, it refers to an aggregation of competitive 'gains' through innovative training, frame design, psychological help, diet etc.

In the sense I'm thinking, it would be 'aggregation of gains' of safety on the road through a mix of behaviours, dress, position on the road, technology, etc...

In terms of myself -
Certainly, I use the 'lifesaver' from a brief flirtation with motorcycling and have found it useful.
I also keep a very good eye on car behaviour around me as I do not believe they will actually signal their intentions.
I have gone through the debates of high-viz with other cycling activists and do actually wear brightly-coloured things if possible. I don't care if it's a cop-out in some eyes - it has recognisable 'gains' in visibility shown in rather basic visual perception experiments (and it's why ambulances and fire-engines are painted that way).
We could add - lights during the day? Blinking lights?
Road style?
Junction behaviour?
We might also bring in innovative technological solutions. I have a colleague who has been working on interesting novel drone ideas.

It might be slightly different for rural cyclists - we have to bear in mind that a lot of accidents seem to happen in rural roads.

I do think infrastructure and well-designed roads are the only real solution, as well as actual enforcement of laws for motorists, and campaign for these things, but these things do not seem to be arriving soon for the majority of cyclists.

alan

alan munro
www.munrobius.com


On 15 Sep 2015, at 12:31, David Gordon Wilson wrote:

> My sympathy and congratulations on surviving!
>
> (I have been hit by nine motor vehicles in the US since coming here
> from the UK).
>
> Dave Wilson
> David Gordon (Dave) Wilson
> MIT room 3-256, 77 Massachusetts Ave.
> CAMBRIDGE, MA 02139-4307, USA
> Phone:  617 253 5121;
> Email: [log in to unmask]; OR
> 21 Winthrop Street WINCHESTER MA 01890-2851, USA; Ph.: 781 729 2203;
> Email: [log in to unmask]
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 14, 2015 at 6:21 PM, Simon P J Batterbury
> <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>> This is slightly raw since I am hospital after being hit on wednesday by an HGV doing 60km/h. Miraculously, after spinning through the air (the bike was destroyed under the wheels), I came out with broken ribs,  delated lung, concussion and a broken leg. The accident circumstances were different ( I was at 90 degrees to the truck) and what saved me was wearing a backpack with a load of university papers and a laptop - these cushioned the blow and broke ribs , instead of worse. Doesn't safety advice say not to wear a backpack and to use panniers? I could have been dead or paralysed without it.
>> The Lifesaver issue seems to ring true . also scannign the forward field of vision - that would have helped in my case.
>> I am writing a cathartic blog posting and will post it, now that i am enjoying a painful but unexpected second lease of life.
>>
>> Dr. Simon Batterbury | Associate Professor, Environmental Studies| Dept. of Geography | 221 Bouverie St  (rm L2.33) | University of Melbourne, 3010 VIC,
>> +61 (0)3 8344 9319  | simonpjb @ unimelb.edu.au | http://www.simonbatterbury.net
>>
>> ________________________________________
>> From: Cycling and Society Research Group discussion list [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Dave Holladay [[log in to unmask]]
>> Sent: Tuesday, 15 September 2015 7:59 AM
>> To: [log in to unmask]
>> Subject: Re: CSRG Manchester - Manchester new tram tracks / HGV fatals
>>
>> I've a meeting in Barnsley on Wednesday, and would like to drop by en
>> route to catch up if that's OK.
>>
>> Would like to see how we can tie in some known detail which seems to
>> correlate and point to further research.
>>
>> 1) at least 80% of HGV-cycle fatal crashes in London are initiated by an
>> impact between the front nearside quarter of the HGV and the rear
>> offside quarter of the cycle.
>>
>> 2) immediately prior to an impact in this area the cyclist will be in
>> the position of least visibility from the driving position - viz masked
>> by the nearside A pillar, (ironically) the cluster of external mirrors
>> placed to remove the blind spots across the front and down to the rear
>> and side of the truck, and the entire solid panelled front nearside
>> corner and door of the truck.
>>
>> 3) there are indications that the cyclists are also unaware of the
>> approaching truck because they do not maintain good all round
>> observation by both aural and visual checks, especially the rearward
>> over the right shoulder visual check, which is known by motorcyclists as
>> the Lifesaver - which pretty bluntly tells you why you need to keep
>> doing this in busy traffic.
>>
>> 4) 10 years ago a robust 5000 response survey of cyclists clearly
>> highlighted 2 points
>>      i) female respondents answered that they

------------------------------

End of CYCLING-AND-SOCIETY Digest - 14 Sep 2015 to 15 Sep 2015 (#2015-15)
*************************************************************************