Dangerous Cycling – The Nightriders of Hastings

Read More David Hasselhoff stands by his KITT bicycle on Hastings beach at dusk.

Above:  David Hasselhoff and his KITT cycle.  David is asking cyclists in Hastings to stop their dangerous cycling, fit lights or get Hoff their cycles after dark.  Thanks Dave!

 

I feel like I’m going mad.  Am I the only person who is noticing this?  I’m talking about the sharp increase in the number of cyclists who are riding after dark without lights.  Yes, cycling without lights.  After dark.  Both on the road and on pavements.  Why is no-one doing anything?  Why are the police driving past these cyclists without stopping them?

I’m afraid my phone camera is not really up to the challenge of night-shots so please excuse the poor quality images.

A cyclist with no lights using the pavement, Queens Road, Hastings.

Above:  Our theme.  Dangerous night time cycling.  He is about to cross the road using the pedestrian crossing without warning.

 

You won’t find the pro-cycling groups talking about this.  They’re certainly campaigning for more safe zones for cyclists but part of what makes the roads unsafe is the complete lack of awareness of what makes for safe cycling.  I’ll have to post on that.  The way people use the roads is horrific.  Talking to school age children has revealed that none of them has undergone cycle training.  It wasn’t even offered!

In the course of my enquiries, I discovered that the secretary of my property management company had a close encounter (third paragraph down) with a cyclist without lights.

Lest you read this and think I am the Anti-Cyclist, know that I am a cyclist who currently can’t cycle.  And a pedestrian.  I am also ill and have been hit hard by cyclists a number of times.  Cyclists without lights is troublesome for me as a pedestrian, more so as an ill one.  It makes cyclists so much harder to see when they are on the pavements and they are increasingly on the pavements.

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A Postcard from Hastings

Read More A postcard of people breaking the law on bikes in Hastings.

Above: A postcard of people on bikes, merrily breaking the law, in Hastings. Not available for purchase!

A postcard scene of Hastings to show the subject matter of this blog.  Whilst I wrestle with internet problems from moving providers, the wordpress blogging (beast) platform and my illness, I was mucking around and came up with this.

Most of these cyclists are probably, blissfully unaware that they are a real hazard to many folks, or even that they are breaking the law.  Hastings Council has proved unwilling to do anything.  East Sussex County Council are equally unaware and unwilling to do anything.  The police.  Local politicians.  Is anyone paying attention?  I won’t rant anymore.  That will come later!

 

Hastings, 1066 A.D – England’s first pedestrian bike collision

Read More Iconic Bayeux Tapestry - Norman on Horse

This year marks the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Hastings.

There is still some dispute as to how Harold died.  Was he struck in the eye by an arrow?  Was he actually hacked to death by swords?  Or did he survive?

Well, I have some interesting news and am pleased to present this amazing discovery right here.  Whilst doing some repairs on the tapestry, one of the expert restoration weavers discovered something unusual.  A patch of unusual threading.  What came next astounded the experts.

I give you – England’s first bike accident…

Continue reading “Hastings, 1066 A.D – England’s first pedestrian bike collision”