Level crossings

I noticed today that there have been two cyclists killed on level crossings this week:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/c...re/3177462.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3169698.stm

Colin

On Thu, 09 Oct 2003 14:49:38 +0100 someone who may be Colin Blackburn <colin.blackburn@durham.ac.uk>
wrote this:-

>I noticed today that there have been two cyclists killed on level crossings this week:
>
>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/c...re/3177462.stm

I have not heard of this one before, but it is highly likely that he ignored the flashing red lights
and half-barriers.

>http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3169698.stm

I have heard of this one. Apparently the boy, ignoring the flashing red lights and lowered
half-barriers, zig-zagged around the barriers and was hit by the train.

Three things to note:

1) The barriers come down 10-12 seconds or so before the train passes. It is advisable to wait for
the few seconds it will take the train to pass.

2) Zig-zagging around the barriers means taking a less than ideal path across the rails, maximising
the chances of falling off.

3) The meaning of the flashing red lights is crystal clear. Anyone ignoring them is stupid.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

"Colin Blackburn" <colin.blackburn@durham.ac.uk> wrote in message
newsprwr3c00nm7pzdf@nntphost.durham.ac.uk...
> I noticed today that there have been two cyclists killed on level crossings this week:
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/c...re/3177462.stm
>
> http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3169698.stm

Here's a link to our deadly local one which has seen many injuries over the years:

http://www.thebikezone.org.uk/thebik...pringbank.html

Simon

"Colin Blackburn" <colin.blackburn@durham.ac.uk> wrote in message
newsprwr3c00nm7pzdf@nntphost.durham.ac.uk...

> I noticed today that there have been two cyclists killed on level crossings this week:

I saw them - the reports went to great pains to point out that nobody on board the trains was
injured. No ****, Sherlock.

--
Guy
===

WARNING: may contain traces of irony. Contents may settle after posting.
http://www.chapmancentral.com

David Hansen <SENDdavidNOhSPAM@spidacom.co.uk>typed

> 3) The meaning of the flashing red lights is crystal clear. Anyone ignoring them is stupid.

ITYM 'suicidal'...

--
Helen D. Vecht: helenvecht@zetnet.co.uk Edgware.

In news:bm3u88$li9$1$8302bc10@news.demon.co.uk, Just zis Guy, you know?
<outlook.bugs@microsoft.com> typed:
> "Colin Blackburn" <colin.blackburn@durham.ac.uk> wrote in message
> newsprwr3c00nm7pzdf@nntphost.durham.ac.uk...
>
>> I noticed today that there have been two cyclists killed on level crossings this week:
>
> I saw them - the reports went to great pains to point out that nobody on board the trains was
> injured. No ****, Sherlock.

Well, not everyone knows that trains are safe. After all, you never hear about anyone getting
injured in a car crash, do you. But if there's a train crash, well, then you can't miss it.

> On Thu, 09 Oct 2003 14:49:38 +0100 someone who may be Colin Blackburn
> <colin.blackburn@durham.ac.uk> wrote this:-

> 3) The meaning of the flashing red lights is crystal clear. Anyone ignoring them is stupid.
>
absolutely!

"Just zis Guy, you know?" wrote:

> "Colin Blackburn" <colin.blackburn@durham.ac.uk> wrote in message
> newsprwr3c00nm7pzdf@nntphost.durham.ac.uk...
>
> > I noticed today that there have been two cyclists killed on level crossings this week:
>
> I saw them - the reports went to great pains to point out that nobody on board the trains was
> injured. No ****, Sherlock.

And they weren't wearing h*lm*ts either (the train passengers that is)

John B

"Simon Mason" <simon@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:voasjlbsj9iq8f@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Colin Blackburn" <colin.blackburn@durham.ac.uk> wrote in message
> newsprwr3c00nm7pzdf@nntphost.durham.ac.uk...
> > I noticed today that there have been two cyclists killed on level crossings this week:
> >
> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/c...re/3177462.stm
> >
> > http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/3169698.stm
>
> Here's a link to our deadly local one which has seen many injuries over
the
> years:
>
> http://www.thebikezone.org.uk/thebik...pringbank.html
>

I read on this NG quite regularly the (correct IMHO) assertion that there are no dangerous roads,
only dangerous drivers. How is this different for cyclists?

On Thu, 9 Oct 2003 15:37:00 +0100 someone who may be Helen Deborah Vecht <helenvecht@zetnet.co.uk>
wrote this:-

>> 3) The meaning of the flashing red lights is crystal clear. Anyone ignoring them is stupid.
>
>ITYM 'suicidal'...

That as well, though I suspect that few of these people wanted to kill themselves which is why I
used the word stupid.

Unfortunately it is not just a personal thing. They also affect the train driver that watched them
disappear under the front of their train and those that have to clear up afterwards.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

"Nathaniel Porter" <nathaniel.porter@warwick.ac.uk> wrote in message
> >
> > Here's a link to our deadly local one which has seen many injuries over
> the
> > years:
> >
> > http://www.thebikezone.org.uk/thebik...pringbank.html
> >
>
>
> I read on this NG quite regularly the (correct IMHO) assertion that there are no dangerous roads,
> only dangerous drivers. How is this different for cyclists?

Because of the angle of the rails. When they are wet your front wheel hits a rail, slides away and
you come off. This doesn't a happen in a car. Simon

"Simon Mason" <simon@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:vob416oqemn270@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "Nathaniel Porter" <nathaniel.porter@warwick.ac.uk> wrote in message
> > >
> > > Here's a link to our deadly local one which has seen many injuries
over
> > the
> > > years:
> > >
> > > http://www.thebikezone.org.uk/thebik...pringbank.html
> > >
> >
> >
> > I read on this NG quite regularly the (correct IMHO) assertion that
there
> > are no dangerous roads, only dangerous drivers. How is this different
for
> > cyclists?
>
> Because of the angle of the rails. When they are wet your front wheel
hits
> a rail, slides away and you come off. This doesn't a happen in a car. Simon
>

Then surely you simply go slowly and carefully, perhaps getting off and pushing your bike over if
necessary?

Nathaniel Porter must be edykated coz e writed:

>
> "Simon Mason" <simon@simonmason.karoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:vob416oqemn270@corp.supernews.com...
>>
>> "Nathaniel Porter" <nathaniel.porter@warwick.ac.uk> wrote in message
>>>>
>>>> Here's a link to our deadly local one which has seen many injuries
> over
>>> the
>>>> years:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.thebikezone.org.uk/thebik...pringbank.html
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> I read on this NG quite regularly the (correct IMHO) assertion that
> there
>>> are no dangerous roads, only dangerous drivers. How is this different
> for
>>> cyclists?
>>
>> Because of the angle of the rails. When they are wet your front wheel
> hits
>> a rail, slides away and you come off. This doesn't a happen in a car. Simon
>>
>
> Then surely you simply go slowly and carefully, perhaps getting off and pushing your bike over if
> necessary?
>
>
Strange, I don't fall off, another reason to buy a trike.

--
Ian

http://www.catrike.co.uk

David Hansen wrote:
>
> I have heard of this one. Apparently the boy, ignoring the flashing red lights and lowered
> half-barriers, zig-zagged around the barriers and was hit by the train.
>
> Three things to note:
>
> 1) The barriers come down 10-12 seconds or so before the train passes. It is advisable to wait for
> the few seconds it will take the train to pass.
>
> 2) Zig-zagging around the barriers means taking a less than ideal path across the rails,
> maximising the chances of falling off.
>
> 3) The meaning of the flashing red lights is crystal clear. Anyone ignoring them is stupid.

But shouldn't the driver of a hundred tons of metal doing 70mph be responsible for the safety of
more vulnerable (or even venerable) crossing users? ;-^)

Tony

--
"If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." Mark Twain

"Nathaniel Porter" <nathaniel.porter@warwick.ac.uk> wrote in message
> > >
> > > I read on this NG quite regularly the (correct IMHO) assertion that
> there
> > > are no dangerous roads, only dangerous drivers. How is this different
> for
> > > cyclists?
> >
> > Because of the angle of the rails. When they are wet your front wheel
> hits
> > a rail, slides away and you come off. This doesn't a happen in a car. Simon
> >
>
> Then surely you simply go slowly and carefully, perhaps getting off and pushing your bike over if
> necessary?

Rather than Railtrack or whoever it is this week fixing the problem for good so it presents no
danger to any road vehicle you mean? Yes, I can see the logic in that; it's much cheaper and you
can always blame the silly cyclist for not getting off and pushing their bike across.

Simon