Electric Cars - a danger to pedestrians

[kwicky]

With the introduction today of a new electric sports car should we applaud this quiet revolution or be concerned about the danger to pedestrians or cyclists?
Should they have devices fitted that emit some noise and what form should this take?

[woodchopper]

Why ? Are pedestrians and cyclists exempt from looking where they are going ?

[tubeway]

I would be very surprised - as most cyclists seem to ride on the pavement with no thought for the pedestrians around them.

Before anyone goes off on one - I know that YOU are probably the exception - but this is true of most cyclists

[ugly_bob]

My experience is the opposite of that mdoo98

In London they tend to ride anywhere and everywhere, though mostly somewhere on the road.

Elsewhere, they are on the pavement as often as not.

[ugly_bob]

But, anyway...

Remember the green cross code?

Look right, look left, look right again

[whiffey]

Cycling down a one-way street, on a marked cycle track, I was passed from behind by a white van, driver on a handheld, who missed my right foot by no more than an inch. Terrifying.

So what do I do now ? Cycle down that road on the pavement (which is a very quiet one, barely any pedestrians). I'd rather get an ear-bashing than be killed.

[kwicky]

In this perfect world of ours, never get old and frail, never let children cross the road unaided, only cross the road at zebra crossings and traffic light junctions.

Some people are living in cloud cuckoo land!

[ugly_bob]

????

All anyone is saying is LOOK before you cross

[honest_joe]

It is not generally appreciated how much we all rely on our other senses besides sight. I was on my bike at the week-end and wanted to cross a main road which had many bends. Unless I could hear the approaching vehicles it would have been very dangerous to cross.
These electric sports cars shown on yesterdays news can travel at over 100 mph. It could be a real problem.

[kwicky]

That's what I was getting at Joe, today pedestrians including young mothers and children, the most vulnerable group are being mown down by speeding drivers.
Many years ago my dad told me about trolley buses which also run on electricity but needed overhead cables. The only sound emitted was the sparking and the rods attached to the cables but even so many accidents occurred.

[promo]

Unfortunately it is true that electric vehicles do not cause noise and therefore can be dangerous for pedestrians. It's necessary to adopt a viable solution for this problem. Meanwhile, the electrical mobility is spreading and there are various types of electric vehicles we have on the market, such as those seen at this link
http://www.alke.com/off-road-vehicles.html
Media URL: http://www.alke.com/off-road-vehicles.html
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