| A lot of my local country roads that I have been riding on for over 27 years have in the last 12 months had there speed limits reduced for no apparent reason, the hazards are still the same as they were 20 years or more ago except for the traffic density which in itself is increased by the speed limit reduction. The worst case of this that I have seen is the A329 running from Thame (Oxon) to the M40, which was once a 60mph limit with a couple of technical tight bends that had signs recommending a lower cornering speed one of which was 40mph. Now for several miles it is 30mph, nothing along the route has changed the entrance to the Oxfordshire golf course and a farm on one side are the only places of note along this road as they have been for years now.
60mph down to 30mph for miles, WHY, can't see it my self, soon it will be 30mph all the way from Lands End to John O' Groats.
I understand that there is a time and Place for everything and No I don't cut blind corners, thats laziness and on a bike it will get you killed or seriously injured. Percieved danger not just to myself but to others dictates a lot of how I ride. Thats why I do 30mph in built up areas and even slower past places where I expect children will be, like playing fields and schools.
I'll be glad to get over to the IOM in June where the speed limit over the mountain really is unrestricted. Yes I ride fast on country roads but keep it with in my abilities, I know you can't allow for every thing from dear to horse muck, but even at the speed limit people can crash into you. My worse accident was 100 yards from my home as it was then, on a housing estate with my parents following me in their car at about 20mph when a parked car I was passing decided to pull off the pathway and push me into a on coming car, leaving me laying in the road with my thigh snapped and sticking through the skin, giving my parent one hell of a scare.
How long before they ban bikes in the name of safety in our Nanny state.
Kev (having a RANT)  |