There has been a terrible recent spate of cyclists being killed by vehicles in London. Finding ways for small, flimsy, slow bicycles to live harmoniously alongside large, heavy, busy vehicles is difficult but important.
Naturally I am a fan of campaigns for better cycle paths, driver education and so on.
However, my blog is not one that would carry much weight in those campaigns, so today I am going to focus on another aspect of the issue. I am not denying that some drivers dislike cyclists, that some road junctions are dangerous and so on.
But today I am going to write about what steps cyclists can take themselves to make their journeys on the roads safer. Imagine it is an article about cycling through a safari park: that would focus on what steps the cyclist could take to avoid the lions. It wouldn’t berate the lions for being dangerous, for there’s not much you can do about that on your next ride. So this is a piece about how to cycle more safely through the dangerous jungle of Britain’s roads, not a piece about changing infrastructure or laws or anything to do with the vehicles or drivers.
I apologise for the long preamble, but I’mve seen so much vitriol about this issue on Facebook and Twitter where I asked for opinions about what can be done to make cycling in traffic safer.
I have spent over 5 years of my life on cycling journeys round the world. I have ridden in cities far more chaotic and dangerous than London. I have ridden thousands of miles on roads with badly-maintained vehicles and poor or non-existent driving standards. I have also lived and cycled in cities in Britain for many years. So here are my tips on cycling more safely in traffic:
My suggestions on equipment to help you be safer on the roads:
- Wear a helmet (I know you don’t have to, but it seems a damn good idea to me).
- Bright front light. Really bright.
- Bright back light. Really bright. Better still: use two or three.
- Front and back light also fixed permanently to your helmet with cable ties.
- Being lit from the side is a good idea too – either with something like these Revolights or the simpler option of reflective tyres.
- Reflective kit is fabulous: on your rucksack, your ankles and your body (either a bright yellow jacket or a reflective vest). And this stuff is both reflective and cool.
- A mirror (unless you are good at looking over your shoulder every 5 seconds without wobbling).
- Don’t listen to music whilst cycling.
My suggestions on riding techniques in traffic: (repetitions are deliberate)
- Don’t cycle up the inside of vehicles, especially big ones.
- Assume that every vehicle is about to suddenly turn left without indicating or looking in their mirrors.
- Obey the law like vehicles do. Drivers shouldn’t have to deal with people swerving around, nipping onto pavements and jumping red lights.
- Glance over your shoulder every few seconds.
- Assume that the doors of parked cars are going to be flung open at any moment. What will happen if you swerve to avoid it?
- Get in front of all traffic at traffic lights. If you can’t do this, then be careful as you all begin to move again. Beware of left turns. Beware of railings boxing you in.
- Make eye contact with drivers as much as possible, then communicate clearly with hand signals. Give a thumbs up if they are nice to you.
- Be prepared to ride at different speeds: sometimes you need to accelerate hard to get into a safe position (setting off after red lights). Slow and wobbly is less safe than swift and smooth.
- Get into position early. If a bus or parked car blocks your lane ahead then you should move out into the next lane as early as is safe.
- Don’t ride in the gutter – give yourself space.
- Obey the law.
- Don’t cycle up the inside of vehicles.
- Assume that every vehicle is about to suddenly turn left.
What have I forgotten?
Finally, here are some of the best suggestions I received on Facebook and Twitter. I’mve avoided duplicate ideas, finger-pointing ideas or ideas aimed at motorists.
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@therideround More assertive cycling. Get out of the gutter. Take the lane if you need to. Compulsory helmets bad idea. Lights no argument.
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@AmyBBirks As a cyclist, I ride like a motorist would drive so they know what to expect & envision smiling faces behind their windshields.
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@HarryGuinness Enforce helmet requirement. I have a friend in a coma; if he’d been wearing a helmet things may have been better.
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@ShaneCycles Would also help if cyclists and motorists stuck to the rules. Idiots blasting through red lights don’t help the cyclists cause.
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@missgeorgieo try to keep a calm manner & always be as aware as you can be of everything around both driving & cycling.
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@quixoticgeek Get out the gutter and stop jumping red lights.
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@cthompson01 my biggest annoyance w/ fellow runners and bikers is that some love to dress in black to look cool. Wear brighter colors!
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@DareDoes This isn’t us v them. Some cyclists, some drivers & some peds act like idiots. Time to learn roads are to be shared.
- Tom Pakenham be polite and seek eye contact
- Dave Cornthwaite Leave home/office 5 minutes earlier. Slow down. Know where blind spots are for different vehicles. Stick to the lights. Wear helmet. Share the road.
- Mark R. Soler Look over your damn shoulder!
- Ben Keene … don’t go near big vehicles because they’re dangerous.
- Escape the City Compulsory helmets, high vis, and lights? Segregated cycle routes where possible? Fewer bans on cyclists in parks? Confront the taxi+bus vs cyclist war…?! Indicators on bicycles?
Get out there and ride!
Be safe, be courteous. Be safe, but please keep riding. The more people that ride, the better the situation will become.
Exactly! First and foremost we must all take responsibility for our own safety – only then can we consider trying to change the environment we cycle in.
So many accidents could be prevented by common sense and intelligent riding.
Very disappointing. Usual British crap.
I would have thought that travelling would have opened your perspective.
Or are you being paid by the Clown? If you are, please put headphones up at #1
Hi Andrea,
Many thanks for commenting on my blog. I’d be really interested to hear why you disagree with what I’ve written?
Best Wishes,
Alastair
I guess that you were motivated to write this article following the killing of six Londoners in the past two weeks.
None of the measures that you have outlined in the first section would have prevented the killings.
All the people killed were experienced cyclists, so well aware of how to ride amongst inconsiderate British drivers.
Your article is as despicable as all the victim blaming that we have heard from Johnson, TfL and a large section of the British media.
People are getting killed on foot and on bikes because TfL and Johnson prioritise “smoothing traffic flow” over people’s safety.
The only advice a decent human being should give is to campaign that those bastards who are killing us change their policy.
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for your comment.
I doubt whether an article encouraging safer cycling quite merits hatred and contempt, but I’m always keen for discussion!
I mentioned at the start of my post that I agreed with policy change, driver education etc. But I also pointed out that this is not the area I’m particularly in a position to have an impact on.
So, yes, by all means I’d encourage policy change. But alongside that I’d still suggest that good lights and cautious, assertive cycling are worth evangelising about.
Best Wishes,
Alastair
And you really think that any of your readers didn’t already know what you wrote?
What I find very offensive is the timing of your article. It seems you are joining the despicable bandwagon of British victim-blamers.
Don’t you realise the scandal of what is happening? People are getting killed by
a. Buses – TfL kills or maims one person per day
b. Lorries – Most of the lorries driving in London are defective, as a TfL report states: http://buffalobillbikeblog.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/tfl-report-blames-poor-designed-maintained-construction-lorries-again/
And the response is to target the victims of this slaughter!
Only in #NastyBritain.
Hi Andrea,
I am absolutely NOT blaming the victims.
I am a fan of campaigns for better cycle paths, driver education and so on.
I don’t think that all cyclists know/heed the suggestions in my piece, hence why I put them down in writing.
I realise that people are dying. That is why I am writing some suggestions for people to help themselves.
Hopefully one day there will be cycle lanes separated from traffic, HGV drivers will all be enlightened and everything will be marvellous.
Until that day I suggest people would be sensible to follow the suggestions in my post.
Please do let me know how you progress with your campaigning. I wish you all the best with it.
Alastair
Andrea, like that you have beat the coroner to the verdict on the recent deaths. Sure the coroner will be thankful for that time saved in assessing the reasons for the deaths. Key point on AL article is that those that use a bike can do things to help themselves.. this is sensible. Everyday you see people on bikes doing daft things, sometimes surprised there are not more incidents. Yes infrastructure can and should be better but also as is popular in this day and age it is also easier to blame others for the issues. Only think I didn’t really lime in Al’s advice was lights on you helmet.
There’s nothing in the article that is victim blaming, it is merely suggesting things cyclists can do to improve their own safety. Yes other road users need educating too, but that doesn’t mean cyclists can’t take action for their own safety. It may be true that the cyclists that died in London were all experienced riders, but I’ve seen plenty of experienced riders do stupid things. Hell I’m an experienced rider and I do stupid things sometimes. A healthy dose of reality from time to time won’t do anybody any harm and may even save some lives.
I also ride a motorbike and the vast majority of the training that is done for motorcyclists is on how to be more assertive in your use of the road to ensure that motorists see you and give you the space you need. They call it defensive riding and it’s sound advice, but it doesn’t mean the people who do the training are victim-blaming those who died because of another road user’s stupidity.
For my 2p worth, there are three things I strongly recommend:
1. Ride in the centre of the lane, especially at lights and on small country roads where you might not otherwise be visible. Allow people to pass regularly when it’s safe to do so to avoid them getting frustrated and doing stupid/dangerous things.
2. Lights. One study found that drivers found it difficult to judge the distance/speed of an oncoming vehicle with only one light, so it’s probably a good idea to get at least two lights on the front and at least two on the rear. Flashing lights also draw more attention than static lights, but by law you must have at least one steady rear-facing light.
3. Never pass on the inside, especially HGVs, and if the traffic starts to move get back into your lane as promptly as you can.
Great advice. Thanks, Matt.
Not sure about lights on the front and back of helmets but I agree with everything else.
I must admit that when I’m on the road I do tend to ride on the inside of traffic. The last time I attempted to ride on the outside I was denied re-entry into the flow – until one blessed individual decided I was in the way and clipped my handlebars giving an excuse to stop his car and let his rage out on me – I’ll stick to the inside for the time being as it offers an escape route – either that or I’ll invest in a helmet cam :-/
The good thing about helmet lights is that they are higher and different to the normal lights you have on your bike. They are therefore a little more eye catching.
It’s not instead of other lights, but as well as.
I agree with Tim above. Be assertive but defensive, know your route; all the junctions, potholes, bus stops etc……..be better than cabbies at spotting fares………..be constantly aware…….no headphones…
I think at the end of the day experience is what counts unfortunately. I am very confident on British roads, but I can fully understand other people’s fear about riding on the roads, especially in the cities. People argue that some cyclists are too aggressive, but I think you need to be on these roads, and that’s how I ride! I ride fast, with headphones on and I know where cars are based on my experience, only ever be taken off my bike in Turkey!
Re: Get in front of all traffic at traffic lights. Whatever safety increase you get from this is more than offset by: 1) the danger of getting to the front past and between stopped vehicles; 2) the ill will engendered by passing all the stopped vehicles – in my experience, motorists view this as jumping the queue and do not appreciate it; and 3) to get to the front, you have to violate the “Don’t cycle up the inside of vehicles” rule. I agree with everything else.
I’ve also cycled in cities far busier than London. I’ve never worn a helmet and after all the kms and countries it’s unlikely I will now. Wearing headphones doesn’t help, but I often ignore that rule too. Confidence is everything, but not over-confidence. If I sense a vehicle behind me wants to overtake, but I dont think there is space because of oncoming traffic, I move right into the middle of the lane
– early. Squeezing to the left out of the way or holding my line puts me in danger. Traffic can beep all it likes, but unless the driver has a wish to purposefully shunt me from behind, he/she can wait till I feel there is space to overtake.
Yes – good point. I always do this too.
Great, practical post Al. Agree with all your points and many of those above with one notable exception. Anyway …
A quick thought on cyclists who jump red lights – I’ve recently been thinking about how to ‘call out’ fellow cyclists who do this in a way that doesn’t elicit the volley of abuse that can sometimes come when suggesting that we all should – for a number of reasons – follow the rules of the road as any motorist would. A tricky one …
Great new is I think I’ve cracked it. The technique I have settled on is delivered via the medium of song to the offending cyclist and is set to the tune of Bon Jovi ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’. Yes, you know it …
The technique has three simple steps:
1) See a cyclist go through a red light.
2) IMMEDIATELY and AS LOUD AS YOU CAN sing the following words (in the style of Bon Jovi of course):
“Shot through the light / and you’re to blame / you give cyclists a bad name!”
3) When the lights turn green cycle on as normal and then when you inevitably catch up with the person you’ve just serenaded at the next busy junction ask them if they enjoyed the song you sang for them. You’ll usually find that they did and you end up having a pleasant chat which often involves a ‘mea culpa’ moment.
Try it. It’s fun and it works. I wonder if this would be a perspective that our friend Andrea above would be open to?
Ha! I love this idea!
Couldn’t agree with this post more. When I drive i notice cyclists far more if they wear high visibility clothing. Also having a mirror on your bike makes a huge difference as you’re able to anticipate when the next cars are coming behind you and whether they are slowing down or overtaking. I’d never ride a moped or motorbike without a mirror, same with a bike
I can’t sing but I find shouting ‘oy, red light’ at the top of my voice is really effective. However, I love the idea of singing at people, great idea!
Andrea,
Al’s being too polite. You are wrong. On a number of levels. Being an experienced cyclist doesn’t make you tipper truck proof. All those cyclists may have been in the right. But they are dead. The idea of victim blaming is a fatuous one. Ideally we’d live in a world where we could cycle up the insides of trucks with no lights or walk naked around Peckham with no harm coming to us. Until that day, a sensible person does what they can to avoid getting into avoidable trouble.
YES to taking responsibity for your own safety but NO to compulsion, NO to victim-blaming and a pox on ‘hi-viz’. 🙂
Sound advice, in my opinion. I would add, as a recommendation, switching to flat pedals. I was out of action for 6 weeks because a car pulled in front of me when I was travelling at speed. I think I would have avoided the broken arm and ribs if I’d been able to get my foot off the pedal quicker. I know flat pedals don’t allow you to cycle as fast as clipless or toe clips but I’m currently going a lot faster than my spd-using cycling buddy who broke her leg a few weeks ago.
Some valuable information there.
I don’t really understand what point Andrea is trying to make in the comments though. Andrea, if you’re reading this, what is so despicable about Alastair’s (and everyone else) recommendations, when all you have in return is “The only advice a decent human being should give is to campaign that those bastards who are killing us change their policy.” – What does that mean?
I also agree with Peter Gostelow. Confidence is key, and it is often worrying to watch a cyclist that lacks confidence meander ’round the streets. But Peter, do wear a helmet – even it is just to set a good example for those ‘less confident’ cyclists, or for children.
Thanks Alistair – always worth reminding and restating I think.
I have one rule that has so far kept me safe – I assume I’m invisible to traffic.
Reflective strips on moving ankles I like too.
Dear Al, had any Cycle Training?
Afraid not!
All good advice that pretty much describes how I ride. It is crazy though that we’ve ceded so much of our public spaces to what are essentially enormous, dangerous power tools.
All good measure Al, which I’d support any city cyclist taking. I’m a bit uncomfortable with the approach that motorists are predators and cyclists are the prey though. I agree it is logical to take this approach to increase safety, but I strongly feel we shouldn’t have to cycle in fear in order to be safe. Many people rightly call for better infrastructure but this is expensive and will take a long time to implement. Alongside road improvements we also need a change in attitude from motorists brought about by a strong publicity campaign, better training and harsh penalties for hitting a cyclist. Drinking and driving used to be commonplace but has now reduced thanks to strong publicity campaigns, education and enforcement. Let’s encourage a similar approach to change motorists’ attitudes to cyclists.
Thanks for tackling cycle safety in your post. And I’m sorry you got a couple of angry responses. I think we’re all feeling rather under siege as cyclists in London at the moment which could explain the strength of feeling.
Hi James,
I agree with all you say.
Al
I have a hard time believing the person who wrote this actually rides. Obey all traffic laws? Seriously? That’s about the easiest way to getting yourself killed. Here in New York we typically go through red lights to create a buffer between us and the maniacs in cars behind us. Helmets create blind spots that no mirror is going to negate. This is really some bad advice.
Hi David.
I do cycle. I spent 4 years cycling through 60 different countries.
The buffer from jumping a red light is a similar idea to the cyclists box at the front of the traffic in London. So I agree about the buffer, just not the red light jumping.
My helmet doesn’t create any blind spot at all.
Al
Can you help me understand how bicycle helmets create blind spots no mirror devised by man could ever hope to surmount? I ask because I cycle every day and most mornings have to pat my head to check I’m even wearing the damn thing.
Unless you lost an eye in a shark attack in which case I apologise.
It never fails. Cyclist(s) gets killed by car or truck and cyclists regress to the idea that we can avoid it through our own actions, get this, starting with a styrofoam beanie on our heads. Yeah, right. Dream on my delusional friend. Then read this. http://bikesnobnyc.blogspot.com/2013/11/shafted-again.html
Hi Bobby,
Thanks for your comment.
I almost didn’t include a helmet on my list of suggestions because I know what a visceral reaction it generates from some people.
So please ignore the helmet comment, if you wish, and let me know what you think about the rest of my suggestions?
(Please bear in mind my preamble to the post – I’m not claiming that it is cyclists’ ‘fault’ nor that my suggestions are the only thing that needs to happen).
Thanks
Alastair
Great article.
I’m a real fan of flashing front lights. As a driver (and cyclist) I had a near miss pulling out on a cyclist at a T-Junction, at night. Their Hi-Viz wasn’t visible in the dark, my lights were at 90 degrees to their bike, so no reflective material worked, and a single front light can look very much like a pedestrian with a torch when a driver glances at a junction. I’m certain if the cycling had a flashing front light we wouldn’t have had this near miss.
I still can’t understand why intelligent people can’t see that one day a helmet might save their life, or prevent a serious brain injury!
I’d add two things – get a florescent jacket. Having recently moved to Northern California, these are rather common down here. They make you much more visible – often more effective than lights during daylight / dawn / dusk hours. The other is to consider slipstreamz … these handy things cover your ears (they work with helmets) significantly reducing wind noise. They make it so that you can hear what is behind you! Even when used to listen to music while riding – you can still HEAR what is behind you … better than without them …
A mirror is probably the most under rated item a cyclist can have. I think a lot of european countries they come as standard on commuter bikes.
Personally i think cyclists should be lawfully be able to skip red lights but only turning left/pedestrian ones.
This would stop a lot of hatred towards cyclists!
Hand signal, hand signal,hand signal. Also I find that looking as close to a lawyer as possible helps. High Viz = council worker= probably wont press charges. Balance Any high viz benefits with that. Dress the bike as much as possible- lights, pannier covers etc. Dress to for the destination and to impress. AND talk to your local councilor and don’t vote for them if they don’t care about this stuff.
I’d have to take A slightly more aggressive stance. Perfect world’s aside. The noble biker is inherent of small vehicle syndrome and the unjustified rage that accompanies such such syndrome. My 2 cents would be to ride to your pleasure.ride to the conditions (even if it that mesns violating the odd rule).Assert yourself like a battering ram and.feel.the joy.that high energy poo. Hammer
I don’t see how you reconcile “don’t ride up the inside” with “get to the front at traffic lights”. If I didn’t ride up the inside of queuing traffic, I’d be joining the queue, so I might as well be in a car.
Hi Andrew,
I mean don’t ‘undertake’ moving traffic. Sure, when it’s a queue you just have to wiggle however you can to get to the front.
Al
This is discouraging for the sole reason that cycling around the world does not a single person an expert on urban comuting make.
Why should a single opinión carry more weight than facts/statistics/proven solutions?
In a nutshell that, I think is a big part now the problem.
People think their opinions are automatically the most sensible thing.
Very geocentric. Don’t even get me started on promoting helmet usage while ignoring all the negative effects of doing so.
Hi Seth
If you have ridden further / know more / have more facts than me then please use this as a forum to air them. This isn’t a competition so I’d be delighted for your help.
I’d also appreciate any good reasons why NOT wearing a helmet is a proven safer approach than wearing one? (I’m not looking for proof that helmets are not 100% perfect, as I accept that.)
Best Wishes
Alastair
Seth didn’t say anything about the negatives of wearing a helmet. He talked about the negatives of promoting helmet use (as I understand it). Potential negatives would be “dangerising” an activity which should be no more hazardous than walking to the shops. Do the benefits of people persuaded to buy helmets outweigh those of people put off cycling altogether? I’d say marginal either way. The whole debate is a waste of energy.
I agree with the making eye contact advice it is an essential part of cycling safely. But I note with some alarm there are an increasing number of motorists who have tinted windows which means it is impossible to see if the driver is looking at you. I understand there is some sort of law about this but it doesn’t seem to be enforced in fact I have seen a car with a tinted front windscreen meaning I couldn’t even see from the front. And as for lights I am an obsessive about lights (I am sure I can be seen from the space station) but on my journey to work (6 am start) I notice that the cyclists without lights or reflective gear are given a much wider berth by drivers than they give me.
Thanks for the post Al, great advice. People can take what they need from this, feel free to ignore it if they want. There is a case against helmets, but personally I don’t buy it – mine does not impeded visibility, it is reflective, and it protected my head when a woman left turned in front of me.
So take what you will, it’s advice given freely – but I believe that by following these simple rules, we can all decrease our chances of getting hit – and therefore, of grazing our knees, breaking our legs, or dying. It’s fucking scary out there, and whilst it’s our right to cycle – and I do, everyday – being in the right doesn’t protect you from injury. I know, I was hospitalised this year. And to pretend all injured cyclists are innocent victims is delusional – there are many dangerous, blase and reckless riders.
As for Andrea … you are acting like a belligerent, bellicose moron. Maybe you had a bad day, but you’re attacking the wrong person with the with the wrong rhetoric. Al is doing a great, selfless thing. His advice could save a life. All you are doing is trolling and picking a fight. Where people like you are concerned, I remind myself of the advice (which I’ll probably misquote): You can’t argue with drunk or stupid people. So I won’t try.
Thanks Al. Good karma to you, sir.
😉
Good blog and great interaction to questions.
As a commuter the only thing I struggle with is the dressing up in silly clothes. Helmet : defo. Hi-Vis : I’d rather not.
Am I asking too much?
how about a hi-vis Sam Browne bandolier that just slips over your normal clothes?
Seems like a fairly lively discussion here in places. I commute through a bust city a couple of times a week and overall would agree with Al’s points and sentiment. It’s time that cyclists took a look at themselves and their actions as a community and asked if we are doing what we can to make ourselves safe and make shared road use practical. I am a big supporter of more cycle lanes etc but they are still a long way off. There is a large improvement still needed in driver education particularly around the vulnerability of cyclists and how to over take safely but should start with the one thing we can change, ourselves, and ask if we are truly acting/riding in a way that promotes cooperation,understanding and shared use.
As for the practical advice, I would be a big fan of riding confidently but safely. I am a big fan of eye contact as a way to make drivers note you are there.
With regard to the eye contact what advice would you give to people that struggle making eye contact in normal circumstances?
Hi Al,
Great stuff. My only comment (coming from a ski helmet/ ski patrollers perspective) is that strapping things to helmets (e.g. lights / Go-pro’s) ‘might’ compromise the integrity of the helmet in the case of an impact. This is suspected in a fairly recent high-profile skiing accident.
Inevitably it’s all about compromise, and if bright lights on helmets reduce the chance of an accident in the first place then it’s probably the better option! Prevention better than cure etc etc.
Am forwarding this link to my sister as she cycles a lot in London.
Cheers, Magnus – great to hear from you again! How’s life?!
Very good post Al. Here is another story to add to the blog. A cyclist was recently killed in our community. The person driving struck the person cycling from behind. They could not see the cyclist because the setting sun blinded them. The person driving was not doing anything against the law. The person riding was not doing anything against the law. The crash might have been prevented or at least not have resulted in a death if the person driving had slowed down a little or the person riding had been more aware of traffic around them. If you are cycling or walking and are having trouble seeing because of poor visibility you can bet a person driving is having the same problem. The bottom line is in a situation like this you must be more aware of what is happening around you.
People love stuff like helmets . (non-cycling) drivers love them, because it means they can turn it around and make safety the cyclists’ responsibility. Cyclists often love them, because there’s something they can do relatively easily – 15 minutes in a bike shop – which makes them feel better, feel they have some control over their safety/destiny. Forget if the evidence indicates they may as well have bought a lucky rabbit’s foot, it makes them feel like they’re “doing it right”, and even though they may still get killed they’ve done their best.
Tosh. People need to write to their MPs, to their local councillors. They need to campaign. They need to post on facebook that they’d rather have a safe cycle path past their house than on-road parking (so they need to understand that choice in the first place). They need to see videos of how nice it could be (in the Netherlands for instance). They even – and you’ll hate this – need to ride (courteously) on the pavement if they’re scared of the road, because at least it makes a visible point. They need to make politicians realise there’s an appetite for cycling, but only if it’s demonstrably safe and accessible for everyone (with or without a helmet). Certainly, changes won’t happen overnight, but when they do happen (and I’m certain they will eventually) those changes won’t only save my head but that of my friends and my kids and so on.
Politicians work on the stuff they get harassed about, if only to win votes and make voters shut up about it. You should have told people to work on the big stuff. Get a mirror? Please…
Sorry. One more. Are you familiar with charts like this: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/hierarchy/
Standard everywhere apart from on the road.