photos Archives - Page 2 of 3

Cyclists and red lights

November 1, 2016April 30, 2015 by tejvan

Mention cycling and red lights and many people will immediately see ‘red’ for want of a better expression. In 2013, over 4,000 cyclists were issued with fixed note penalties for jumping red lights.

Red light jumping is also prevalent amongst motorists. In 2006 the then Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, said 43,500 fines were issued for drivers caught jumping red lights (London.gov.uk).

Given the emotive nature of the issue, some may be surprised to learn that red light jumping is less prevalent than people’s perceptions (like the people who tell you ‘all cyclists never stop at a red light’). This is partly because ‘bad behaviour’ sticks in the mind much more than following the rules.

According to TFL between 1998 to 2007, 4% of pedestrian injuries were the result of red light jumping by cyclists. Whereas 71% occur when a car driver jumps a red light and 13% when a motorcyclist does. (CTC) Which shows that cycling through red lights does put others in danger, at the same time highlights the fact most road casualties are the result of motorised vehicles.

Waiting at the lights

On your marks!

A mixed bag of cyclists

April 28, 2015 by tejvan

Some may have impression cycling is primarily done by middle aged men in lycra. Fortunately, that is not the case. When taking photos of cyclists in Oxford, I often think of H.G. Wells quote

“Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.”

H. G. Wells

You can think of many reasons to encourage cycling, but there is also just the basic joy of seeing someone ride a bike. I don’t know why.

Nice way to get to school

Spot the cyclist. Don’t forget to take out trouser from sock.

Wrapped up for the first day of spring.

The family car with a difference

April 2, 2015 by tejvan

Family transport. A neat way to carry family around.

Comes with free air conditioning and portable sun-roof.

A birds eye view of traffic

January 28, 2015 by tejvan

Last year I was teaching in a building from St Clements – it gave a birds eye view of traffic down below. The funny thing is that everything seemed so calm and relaxed viewed from above. A very different perspective to ground level!

The amazing thing about this set of photos is that in nearly every case, cars, taxis and buses were respecting the advanced stop boxes. I’m sure this never happens when I’m at ground level.

Advanced stop signs make it easier for cyclists turning in different directions.

Two days in Yorkshire

December 9, 2014 by tejvan

In case you are wondering what Christmas present to buy your family member who is a keen cyclist, I’m sure this book would be much appreciated and go down very well…

200 photos of the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

Two days in Yorkshire at Amazon.co.uk (£35!)

A good cycle path

November 21, 2014 by tejvan

Cycle path over Donnington Bridge offers a rare segregated cycle way for people to cycle without having to ride with traffic.

No near misses here.

At rush hour, there is heavy congestion on this road. The cycle path offers a convenient way to beat the traffic jams.

A fair number of cyclists use this path.

Quicker by bike.

The cycle lane is often used by children and people getting to school. It also helps that there are quiet cycle paths by the river and other back roads which connect a local school.

Cycling along.

It’s a good feeling to go past stationary vehicles.

An integrated cycle path – another rarity – when the path ends, there are decent options, you aren’t immediately thrown into fast moving traffic.

I don’t understand the attraction of sitting in a traffic jam.

Quicker with one leg.

Although, it is surprising how many still use the pavement.

There is also a (non-segregated) cycle path on the other side of the road. This is good because of you’re on that side of the road, you don’t want to have to cross the road, just to use the cycle path. Still, it is often too narrow because wide cars spill over into the cycle lane. It’s a shame it’s not a foot wider.

Cars often follow suit, if one person moves into cycle lane, everyone else tends to. This is quite an inviting sight for a cycle commuter.

A frosty scene on Donnington Bridge.

The cycle path by the River Thames, which offers a traffic free way into the centre of Oxford. Just a shame it’s very bumpy and often muddy. But, it offers great views of Christ Church Meadow

Related

Photos from Tour de France Yorkshire

July 7, 2014July 7, 2014 by tejvan

Some selected photos from the Tour de France in Yorkshire.

Thanks to photographers who offered creative commons photos.

See also: Blog from day 1 | Blog from day 2

Buttertubs pass packed to the rafters. – photo: Dave Haygarth, flick cc.2.0

Stage Two Winner – Vicenzo Nibali, – just outside Addingham. Photo: Lynne Pettinger flickr

Geraint Thomas on Holme Moss, stage two. photo Duncan Palmer, Flickr

Grinton Moor, stage one. Photo Adam Bowie, flickr

Top of Cragg Vale, after stage 2. Photo Dave Haygarth, flick cc.2.0

Near the top of Cragg Vale. Photo Dave Haygarth, flick cc.2.0

Buttertubs pass Dave Haygarth, flick cc.2.0 (click to enlarge)

Buttertubs pass Dave Haygarth, flick cc.2.0

Silsden Town centre. Photo amsterdame flick cc.2.0

On the road to Harrogate. Photo Adam Bowie, flickr

Thomas Voekler on Holme Moss, stage two. photo Duncan Palmer, Flickr

Stage Two, on the road to Sheffield. Photo Event Coverage – Eventcoverage, flickr

Photos cycling in Oxford

June 12, 2015May 16, 2014 by tejvan

Some of my favourite cycling photos from Oxford in the past five years.

Cyclists do help reduce congestion.

A good way to get to work. Donnington Bridge.

Patient cyclists.

Off to the exam. (More photos of cycling in subfusc)

High Street

At the lights. Sandwiched between van and bus.

Everyone cycles in Oxford.

Turning right

Cycling through the rain photos

February 19, 2014 by tejvan

Some selected photos from the wettest winter since King Canute went on a canoeing trip up to the fjords and waterfalls of the Lake District.

Nice mac and Wellington boots to keep dry.

There must be a rainbow somewhere. This delivery guy rides through the rain, with the sun shining through in the background.

It’s alright in the buggy carriage

One way to avoid the rain – cycle faster.

Welcome to the floods

Please keep access clear for the flood waters.

A traffic jam of cyclists

November 13, 2014February 6, 2014 by tejvan

I’m impressed at the patience of these Oxford cyclists in rush hour. Who says the British can’t still queue?

I have to admit I would have a temptation to sprint along the inside and then sprint away from the lights. But, when everyone is so well behaved it wouldn’t feel right to spoil the good natured patience. I tend to avoid the ‘cycling queue’ by going straight on and turning right later on. Definitely, when you see people acting courteously it influences other people to do the same. Similarly when some start flouting the laws it has a big influence on other people.

Right hand lane waiting for lights to change. Left hand lane is straight on up the high street.

The only problem with this feeder lane is that cyclists are coming up the middle between two lanes of traffic. But, at least the traffic is usually slow moving around here. (20mph speed limit, which isn’t exceeded by too much)

This is a dangerous possibility. The huge and very long London Tube bus was wanting to get in the left hand lane, but cyclists were squeezing through on the inside (along the dotted cycle lane). It’s not clear who has right of way or who should give way in this situation. Eventually the bus driver got frustrated with waiting and started beeping his horn, hoping some cyclists would stop allowing him to get in left hand lane. But, if one cyclist goes on the inside, other people often follow suit. (same principle with car drivers overtaking on the wrong side of road)