Christopher Sauvarin - Enthusiast

Member since 21 Jan 2008


  • Recent comments

    • IAM boss hits back at BA's claim that red light release was "bogus"

      Well-said Dave Holladay. The IAM has done us all a grave disservice by promulgating such a flawed survey. The idiots believe it and will doubtless use it as 'evidence', despite it only being 'evidence' that shows the IAM is incompetent and subsequently cannot retract it and admit its own incompetence. Motorists cause the lion's share of death and injury on the roads, yet this is deemed acceptable, indeed unavoidable, when it is no such thing. How are we ever going to get motorists to obey the Law when all they can expect is a slap on the wrist?

      Christopher Sauvarin 21/05/2012 17:21:16

    • Prepare for red-top hate: IAM says half of all cyclists run red lights

      Graeme King, You are exactly correct, however there seems to be a widely-held but incorrect perception among motorists that motorists are generally law-abiding while cyclists are all inveterate law-breakers. Sadly, rubbish surveys are exactly what is not needed and merely create much heat without shedding much light. It is a tragedy that such appalling surveys are ever allowed to see the light of day. I wouldn't be surprised if the survey was featured on their website by the Association of British Dunderheads aka cyclist-hating bigots.

      Christopher Sauvarin 14/05/2012 14:17:30

    • Prepare for red-top hate: IAM says half of all cyclists run red lights

      I suspect that Carlton may have been hinting at this: Red Alert: Motorists Drive Through 278 Red Traffic Lights a Minute - 22nd August 2011 5.2 million drivers have passed through a red traffic signal in the last month Amber gamblers: Almost one in ten drivers doesn’t slow down for amber lights New research from Direct Line car insurance reveals that motorists are driving through 12 million red lights each month on British roads – the equivalent of running 278 red lights every minute *. Over 5.2 million (14 per cent) motorists admit that they drive through an average of two red traffic lights each month. Over 760,000 (two per cent) motorists habitually drive through red lights if they feel the road is clear and there is no traffic. As a result of their reckless behaviour at red lights, drivers risk clocking up over 36 million penalty points (three for each offence) and fines from fixed penalty notices totalling £721** million every month. A worryingly high number of motorists, dubbed ‘amber gamblers’, are putting their lives and other road-users at risk by failing to slow down for traffic lights about to turn red. Almost one in ten (nine per cent) motorists don't reduce their speed when approaching amber lights, with four per cent admitting to putting the accelerator to the floor to race through the lights. Over 1.5 million (four per cent) motorists admit to getting ‘a thrill’ when driving through amber traffic lights that they know will have turned red before they have passed through the crossing or junction. Over 500,000 drivers risk being ‘rear ended’ as they stamp on their brakes as an automatic response whenever they see amber traffic lights.... http://www.directline.com/about_us/news_22082011.htm http://www.webcitation.org/65guz89OR

      Christopher Sauvarin 14/05/2012 13:56:00

    • J E James targeted by 'test ride' thief, Whyte 146 stolen

      Perhaps it is an idea to take extra precautions with such expensive bikes? When I've taken a bike for a test ride, I've supplied my passport. Although that's not foolproof, but it's better than the set of keys trick.

      Christopher Sauvarin 17/04/2012 14:02:08

    • Does saying cycling is dangerous harm the bike business?

      For the reality of the '13,000 mile network of cycle routes - the National Cycle Network' see: http://www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com/2011/03/this-is-not-cycle-path.html As Amoeba says in the comments: "Sadly, the reality of comparing cycle facilities in the UK with those in NL is like comparing chalk with cheese. I prefer cheese to chalk any day and if the cycling statistics are any guide, so do other people who would otherwise be tempted to ride bicycles." And David Hembrow explains why.

      Christopher Sauvarin 16/03/2012 16:10:34

    • Does saying cycling is dangerous harm the bike business?

      As impressive as the '13,000 mile network of cycle routes - the National Cycle Network' sounds, it isn't much to shout about. The problem with the NCN is that a significant amount of it is on-road, (some on very busy roads) and while the people who cycle on it already will use it, that's no good for those who want to but are frightened of the traffic. Mostly, unless you are lucky and live close to a part of the NCN, or can put the bikes on a car and drive there, you're pretty-well stuffed. So 13,000 miles is peanuts compared with the Netherlands, and nowhere good enough and the standard of much the NCN is also nowhere near good enough for new riders. Confident cyclists like myself might cycle on it, but then I'm confident enough to cycle in outer and central London and take on the cars, vans, HGVs, buses and Taxis. But I'd much prefer cycle on traffic-free routes where I can relax. I rather suspect I'm not alone.

      Christopher Sauvarin 15/03/2012 12:29:43

    • 'Cycle helmets offer little protection against head injuries'

      The effects of helmet wearing are equivocal, there have been some studies that find some benefit, while other find disadvantages. But there is ample evidence that compulsory helmet wearing is very bad. However, compulsory helmet laws have been shown repeatedly to deter people strongly from cycling and since many people do not receive adequate exercise, the loss of exercise from active travel is really important. 'Evaluation of New Zealand’s bicycle helmet law' - Colin F Clarke Partial Abstract: '….Pre-law (in 1990) cyclist deaths were nearly a quarter of pedestrians in number, but in 2006–09, the equivalent figure was near to 50% when adjusted for changes to hours cycled and walked. From 1988–91 to 2003–07, cyclists’ overall injury rate per hour increased by 20%. Dr Hillman…calculated that life years gained by cycling outweighed life years lost in accidents by 20 times....New Zealand survey data showed that average hours cycled per person reduced by 51%. This evaluation finds the helmet law has failed in aspects of promoting cycling, safety, health, accident compensation, environmental issues and civil liberties.' The evidence shows that forcing cyclists to wear helmets costs lives. The NZ Law is '[e]stimated to have contributed to 53 premature deaths per year (due to reluctance to cycle and hence people not exercising).'

      Christopher Sauvarin 09/03/2012 20:44:07

    • 'Use fuel duty rise to fund transport for all'

      I believe this is a really good idea. Although it will undoubtedly be portrayed dishonestly by vested interests as a renewed war against the motorist. Many people want to cycle or walk, but without a move away from the car-centric transport system we are not going to achieve the essential mass-move away from the car to active transport modes. Only then will the UK begin to reap the huge savings and health benefits from reducing the huge external costs of motoring that are foisted upon society. The motoring public need to be made to understand that they are being subsidised by the taxpayer, not the other way around! While those who use active transport modes - pedestrians and cyclists are boosting the economy, even though many drivers uniquely treat cyclists as a type of social parasite feeding on the handouts from motorists, which is of course getting things backwards, a common mistake made by the ignorant and a popular tactic employed by those who wish to obfuscate. ------ Comparison of the wider cost of transport in English urban areas (per annum, 2009 prices and values) Excess delays £10.9 billion; Collisions £8.7 billion ; poor-air quality £4.5 billion -£10.6 billion; Physical inactivity £9.8 billion; GHGs £1.2 billion -£3.7 billion ; noise-amenity £3 billion-£5 billion . Total external costs £38.1 billion-£48.7 billion. Figures from: The wider costs of transport in English urban areas in 2009 – Cabinet Office http://bit.ly/ygtc1M

      Christopher Sauvarin 07/03/2012 14:40:19

    • Inspirational, info-packed bike infrastructure blog is deleted

      As a reader of David's wonderfully informative blog, I am deeply sorry that it is no more. It is a great loss for cycling in general and in particular for cycling in the UK. David's insight into the woeful state of UK cycling and depth of experience will be virtually impossible to replace. However, if content was being stolen for commercial use (only David and those actually concerned know), it is understandable why David feels so badly treated, after putting-in so much hard work. Whoever was doing this, has done cycling a much greater disservice than David's wonderful efforts. For not only has cycling lost what he had already created, but we have also lost that which will now never come to be.

      Christopher Sauvarin 27/02/2012 08:26:25

    • 77 MPs discuss bike safety and the "joy of cycling" in 3-hour debate

      'it's clear we've crossed the rubicon.' - I think you are correct, I certainly hope you are.

      Christopher Sauvarin 24/02/2012 07:37:52

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