Monthly Archives: March 2011

No traffic controls = civilised streets

Below is a link to some early 20th-century footage shot from a tram progressing along a US city street teeming with people on foot, horse-drawn carts, motor vehicles, trams – all human life is here, in all its beautiful, harmonious … Continue reading

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Today and Ed – joint shame?

The Today Programme’s big interview this morning was Ed Miliband. So now we know what Labour would do about the deficit. Or do we? All I gleaned was that Ed would spread cuts over four years, “and go out and ask the people … Continue reading

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Verdict in bus driver case

Blackfriars Crown Court is near me, so in the hope of a word with the defence, I cycled over, thinking the bus driver was as much a victim as the poor dead cyclist. The catastrophic event will haunt the driver … Continue reading

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Another cyclist killed at traffic lights

A 22-year-old student, Dorothy Elder, met a terrible end on 11 November 2009 at the junction of Southampton Row and Holborn. Bus driver, Leola Burte, is facing a charge of dangerous driving. The bus was stationary at red when Dorothy … Continue reading

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Rules of the road overrule duty of care

Portsmouth wants the DfT to approve amber-flashing lights at night. As a student in Munich 40-odd years ago, I admired amber-flashing lights outside peak times. But now I ask, why do we need signals to tell us to exercise caution when we … Continue reading

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Coercion above information

Have you ever followed road directions only to arrive at a junction or roundabout and be left guessing? After taking a wrong exit, you might spot a miniature sign in the middle-distance at the exit you wanted. Traffic authorities spend … Continue reading

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A new day, a new blog

The current blog, which will gradually be moved here, is at Free to Choose. The subject is traffic system reform based on equality rather than priority – the sociable way to make Roads FiT for People.

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