cycling injuries rise in brighton

From the Argus

A campaign group has called on a council to improve road safety after figures revealed the number of cyclists being injured has increased. Between April and June of this year, 47 cyclists were injured in Brighton and Hove, compared with 44 over the same period last year, a rise of 6.8%.

or alternatively an extra 3 injuries in 3 months, or 1 per month. One. Per. Month.

Adam Pride, secretary of Brighton cycle group Bricycles, said: “Brighton is a cycling town which is meant to be encouraging more and more cyclists but the council has got to ensure the roads are safer for them, particularly those who have only recently taken up cycling."

No Adam. The onus is on the individual to make sure they are competent and safe for the environment, not the other way around. Not that it's really much of a problem anyway.

“In Holland, where there are more cyclists, the number is much lower."

Yes and you know what else is much lower in Holland? The fucking geography! Riding to the top of Elm Grove was classed as a category 4 climb by the Tour de France. How much influence has that had on injuries and accidents?

A spokesman for the city council said:“The council works closely with other agencies and partners to reduce casualties on the city’s streets, an example being the recent Brighten Up campaign, jointly run by the council and Sussex Police to target cyclists riding at night without lights. The enforcement led to 116 fixed penalty notices being issued by the police and those stopped were given vouchers to collect free cycle lights from the council."

Here's a penalty notice for putting yourself in danger and now have a free set of lights? Oh ffs! When a car driver is stopped by the police they have to correct the problem themselves and then prove that they have done so. Why treat other road users differently?