How was it possible to miss three brightly-clad cyclists?

It’s only when you see an accident taking shape in front of your eyes that you are left thinking about what caused it and what could prevent it happening again.

This rather unpleasant situation happened to me on Sunday as I was riding home. Three cyclists were about 50 yards ahead of me, as they approached a junction a car popped out in front of them, it came out further, and then decided to go for it. Fortunately no one was hurt, but from my vantage point it looked quite close.

Did the driver not see three quite brightly dressed riders? Did the driver misjudge their speed? Or what other reason could there be?

In an effort to improve safety on our roads the CTC have a website called Stop SMIDSY, which stands for Sorry Mate I Didn’t See You.

If you have had any close calls lately, you can log them on this site: http://www.stop-smidsy.org.uk/

Sprint Bonuses

• Police in Hatfield, Hertfordshire have been on the case this week. Any cyclist caught repeatedly riding on the pavement or in a pedestrian area will be fined £30.
• In a recent poll in which website Road CC readers gave their opinions on London’s forthcoming ‘Super Highways’ cycle routes, 38% said that they found the roads were perfectly adequate.
• Big smacks for David Cameron, head of the Conservative Party, this week! On Wednesday he was photographed riding his bike with his helmet dangling from his handlebars.
• Mark Cavendish was crowned 2009 Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year.
• Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa Jail in Arizona has taken a positive stance on reducing obesity in his jail. He rigged up a stationary bike to generate sufficient power to run a television set. To watch an hour of TV, you have to pedal for an hour. As the set is being watched by most of the inmates in the next room, the rider soon hears if he has slowed too much and the set has switched off.
• The CTC are running a commuter survey over the next few weeks. You don’t necessarily have to cycle to work to take part, anyone who gets around by bike is welcome. Log onto http://www.ctcsurvey.org.uk/index.php?sid=96348&newtest=Y
• If you want to see some crazy cycle sport, then check out bicycle polo. Log on to: http://www.youtube.com/user/brooksengland?feature=mhw4#p/a/u/0/BTsxqm5OTtM
• Cycle touring website Bicycle Travel Network is offering a scholarship to young people who want to start to explore the world by bike. Be quick though, last date for entries is 15th April. Check it out at: http://bicycletravelnetwork.com/scholarship/
• Cytech, the company that specialises in training cycle mechanics, is now offering a course dedicated to electric bikes.
• Fabian Cancellara won Sundays ‘Hell of the North’, the annual early season classic officially known as Paris -Roubaix. British rider Roger Hammond was fourth at 3minutes 14 seconds.

And Finally,

Are you looking for that must have gift for the cyclist in your life? Then I’d suggest the extremely limited edition version of Le Metier by Michael Barry and Camille J McMillan. The limited edition will be signed by both authors, each copy will be numbered and it will come boxed. Release date for the ordinary version is 22^th April, published by Rouleur Ltd.

Arthur Lamy is a freelance writer and tourist guide: www.cycleinjersey.com