London is set for some fine weather over the weekend, with highs of 21°C for both Saturday and Sunday; It might be a great time to plan your cycle ride.
As you are planning your route, don’t forget to plan your cycle insurance. Velosure Cycle Insurance includes nine features, one of which being cycle rescue as standard – a quality product from as little as £3.98 a month
To check out the other amazing eight features that are included as standard with Velosure, click here or call 0800 083 3035.
Velosure is a Trading Style of Lawshield UK Ltd (No. 3360532). Registered in England & Wales at 850 Ibis Court, Lakeside Drive, Centre Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1RL.
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
A video has recently emerged on YouTube of a bus driving instructor, employed by a major bus operator in London, advising a learner driver to allow 1 inch of space for every 1 mile per hour when assessing the safe distance needed to negotiate traffic.
In the video, the instructor explains to the learner that: “if the gap is 12 inches, we do 12 miles an hour. If it’s 1 inch each side, we do 1 mile an hour.” He then quizzes the learner on how fast he should go if the gap is 3 inches, to which the slightly bemused driver gives an incorrect answer.
There are some calls for concern that if trainee drivers are being taught that bus drivers consider 1 inch to every 1 mile per hour as a safe passing distance, it could cause an accident. The Highway Code explains that all motorists should give vulnerable road users, i.e. cyclists, as much space as they would a car.
This comes after Metropolitan police have been highlighting the blind spots that bus drivers are subject to, as well as the potential dangers caused by their mirrors. The video, uploaded by Arriva, suggests the design of London’s current generation of Routemasters makes it difficult for drivers to see cyclists, sometimes obscuring them from sight altogether.
Although, with the Police and Arriva drawing attention to the fact that the buses designs are flawed, potentially causing accidents, many people are wondering why they are allowed on the road at all.
The uploader of the initial driving instructor video, Tom Kearney, did not agree with the Police’s message. Mr Kearney is a pedestrian and cyclist safety campaigner and has been since he was struck by a bus in 2009, sending him into a coma. He stated: “It is unacceptable for Arriva to foist that myth about mirrors having to be deficient because they would hit people. There are plenty of mirrors on the market that would allow a bus driver to see much better on the near side and are ‘collapsible’ upon impact with pedestrians, but they would be more expensive than the obviously-deficient mirrors TfL and the Traffic Commissioner allow Arriva to get away with.”
More revealing yet is that on Mr Kearney’s campaigning blog, a post from an anonymous bus driver asserted that the current mirrors fitted to London buses are in fact illegal under EU law.
There is now a hashtag campaign on twitter “#LondonBusWatch”, aimed at getting people to tweet when they see dangerous bus driving, in the hopes of increasing pedestrian and cyclists safety on the road.
These concerns for city cyclists safety help highlight the importance of having great cover. At Velosure our Urban Cycling Insurance policy has been designed and developed by our dedicated team of cycle insurance experts who are focused on providing an excellent customer service.
For more information about Velosure Cycle Insurance, visit our website, or call 0800 083 3035 to speak to one of our friendly cycle insurance team.
Velosure is a Trading Style of Lawshield UK Ltd (No. 3360532). Registered in England & Wales at 850 Ibis Court, Lakeside Drive, Centre Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1RL.
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Ben Hobbs says the Specialized Echelon helmet saved his life. (Image courtesy of mirror.co.uk)
A cyclist who was told he was ‘lucky to be alive’ after surviving a horrific crash, has released an image of the shattered helmet that saved his life to serve as a warning for other cyclists to take safety seriously.
Lifelong cyclist Ben Hobbs, 46 was struck by a recycling van on his commute to work in Devon. The large vehicle collided with the father of two, and he suffered a broken spine, ribs, sternum and a head injury.
Ben is now urging others to share the image to emphasise the importance of wearing protective gear when riding. He also explained:
“I’ve heard cyclists say that helmets are not the be all and end all because they only cover certain places but the helmet certainly worked for me.”
Ben is now still recovering from the incident which occurred on 19th March. He says his survival is down to the helmet. Mark, Walker, first responder for South Western Ambulance Service, said of the incident:
“He is a lucky man. If it had been his head that had hit the van he wouldn’t be here today. He was wearing the helmet in the correct position and it took the pressure of the impact. This is a powerful image which shows the important of wearing a helmet on the road.”
At Velosure Cycle Insurance we strive to ensure cycling safety awareness is a top priority. We are a Cheshire based, leading UK cycle insurance provider who are serious, committed, and passionate about cycling. We are proud sponsors of #peoplesteam, home of the Velosure #SafeCycling 2015 campaign for cycling safety. Designed by cyclists for cyclists, keeping you and your cycle safe is our goal.
Velosure is a Trading Style of Lawshield UK Ltd (No. 3360532). Registered in England & Wales at 850 Ibis Court, Lakeside Drive, Centre Park, Warrington, Cheshire, WA1 1RL.
Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
As the weather takes a turn towards snow, rain and high winds, are cyclists prepared.
You might have additional layers of clothing to keep you warm, and have allowed a little extra time for your planned journey, but have you got cycle insurance for accidents and cycle breakdown?
Don’t forget cycle insurance and cycle rescue as the weather bites
Insurance from a reputable cycle insurance provider such as Velosure Cycle Insurance costs from as little as £4.59 a month. Keep yourself and your cycle safe and check out Velosure, see what cycling insurance can do for you, and how little the costs would be.
Check out the facts about cycle insurance before the Winter weather catches up with you.
If you havent considered cycle insurance, take a look at the Velosure website at http://www.velosure.co.uk
Sometimes you don’t consider the whole picture when popping out for a cycle ride – Are you covered for public liability? Do you have free legal assistance, Do you have cycle rescue if your cycle breaks down?
You could be covered for all of this and much more from as little as £4.59 a month!
Velosure Cycle Insurance 