Cyclists

[LTD]

I can't remember who once said " any idiot can drive fast enough to be dangerous " .

Was it M. Schumacher ?

 

[Beetnik]

Was it M. Schumacher ?

No - it was Glojo's old sergeant!

 

[219]

I'm sure I read it in a textbook some 30 or more years ago .

 

[moralcrusader]

Oh joy, the worn-out "I pays my Road Tax" argument.

For the record: Roads and indeed cycle lanes are funded from general taxation, which is used to fund local authorities and the Highways Agency that are responsible for the maintainence of the UK road network. Thus I have paid for the roads from my income tax and the VED I pay on my car. As such I'll continue using the roads that I've paid for using whichever means I choose, including crossing them wearing my shoes, for which I have not paid an additional Sole Tax...

Oh, and as for the argument that cyclists cause traffic jams, may I present this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8t3tAlBl4I

 

[Brian WH]

Doesn't give him the "Right" to cross a junction when the lights were red though.

 

[prprandall51]

Later in the video it becomes clear that the camera is mounted on his head - presumably his helmet.

In which case it is clear that the cyclist passes through a large number of junctions and past many hazards without taking any proper observations to either the left or right.

Prusumably, when he is knocked off his bike, it will be the driver's fault, though.

 

[MOCAŠ]

including crossing them wearing my shoes, for which I have not paid an additional Sole Tax...

Or, as George Harrison put it...

If you drive a car, I’ll tax the street,
If you try to sit, I’ll tax your seat,
If you get too cold, I’ll tax the heat,
If you take a walk, I’ll tax your feet.
'Cos I’m the taxman,
Yeah, I’m the taxman.

 

[moralcrusader]

Doesn't give him the "Right" to cross a junction when the lights were red though.

Can you point out the time in the vid? I've watched it twice and just can't see it - must be blind!

If he is jumping red lights, then that's really poor form - jumping reds is dangerous whatever you happen to be in charge of (including a pair of shoes)...

 

[219]

I have paid for the roads from my income tax and the VED I pay on my car. As such I'll continue using the roads that I've paid for using whichever means I choose

Regardless of the above , cyclists , pedestrians and a few others are prohibited from motorways for their own safety . Similarly , pedestrians are required to use footpaths , where available .

It is not so much of a stretch , therefore , to require cyclists to use cycle paths , where available , again for their own safety .

Whilst I would not contend that cyclists cause traffic jams such as the one shown in the video clip , we do not all live in towns or cities and cyclists who ride two-abreast for miles on rural roads oblivious to traffic being held up behind DO cause hold ups , and are as bad as tractor drivers who fail to allow following traffic to pass . Legislation already exists to combat this inconsiderate practice , the rule being that , as soon as there are six vehicles following , you must pull over at the first opportunity and allow them to pass . The offence is 'driving without due consideration for other road users' and some forces do enforce it against tractor drivers and , on the A9 , caravanners who dawdle along . There is no reason why the same legislation could not be used against pig-headed cyclists who could let following traffic pass safely but choose to obstruct them out of badness . All it would take would be for a police car to find itself stuck behind them ....

 

[AMG-Al]

and are as bad as tractor drivers who fail to allow following traffic to pass . Legislation already exists to combat this inconsiderate practice , the rule being that , as soon as there are six vehicles following , you must pull over at the first opportunity and allow them to pass .

Can you tell me where I could find this part of legislation please?

Also, in my experience, "SOME" of the queues formed behind slow moving vehicles are caused by driver inability/inexperience on safe, quick overtaking. i.e. the vehicle will accelerate quicker from 18mph in 2nd rather than needing loads of space trying it in 4th!!!!!

 

[camerafodder]

Can you tell me where I could find this part of legislation please?

Also, in my experience, "SOME" of the queues formed behind slow moving vehicles are caused by driver inability/inexperience on safe, quick overtaking. i.e. the vehicle will accelerate quicker from 18mph in 2nd rather than needing loads of space trying it in 4th!!!!!

169

Do not hold up a long queue of traffic, especially if you are driving a large or slow-moving vehicle. Check your mirrors frequently, and if necessary, pull in where it is safe and let traffic pass.

 

[LTD]

Can we look at the Road Traffic Act (RTA) which is actually the Law rather than the Highway Code wich is recommendations and guidelines, some of which are applicable under the RTA ?

"Many of the rules in the Code are legal requirements, and if you disobey these rules you are committing a criminal offence. You may be fined, given penalty points on your licence or be disqualified from driving. In the most serious cases you may be sent to prison. Such rules are identified by the use of the words ‘MUST/MUST NOT’. In addition, the rule includes an abbreviated reference to the legislation which creates the offence. An explanation of the abbreviations can be found in 'The road user and the law'.


Although failure to comply with the other rules of the Code will not, in itself, cause a person to be prosecuted, The Highway Code may be used in evidence in any court proceedings under the Traffic Acts (see 'The road user and the law') to establish liability. This includes rules which use advisory wording such as ‘should/should not’ or ‘do/do not’."

 

[219]

Can you tell me where I could find this part of legislation please?

Sadly , I can't - but it is often quoted on the news when there are reports of caravanners being stopped for this on the A9 every summer ,

I HAVE read it somewhere , but can't recall where - sorry .

 

[stevieb15]

Sadly , I can't - but it is often quoted on the news when there are reports of caravanners being stopped for this on the A9 every summer ,

I HAVE read it somewhere , but can't recall where - sorry .

I don't think there is legislation covering this, but the laws of commonsense and courtesy towards others should surfice

 

[219]

As above , I can't point to the actual legislation , but it is quoted as such by police spokespersons on news reports that 'as soon as you are holding up SIX vehicles , you MUST pull over asap to let them past' .

 

[oldcro]

As above , I can't point to the actual legislation , but it is quoted as such by police spokespersons on news reports that 'as soon as you are holding up SIX vehicles , you MUST pull over asap to let them past' .

Unless you are travelling in the middle lane of any motorway.

 

[moralcrusader]

Regardless of the above , cyclists , pedestrians and a few others are prohibited from motorways for their own safety . Similarly , pedestrians are required to use footpaths , where available .

It is not so much of a stretch , therefore , to require cyclists to use cycle paths , where available , again for their own safety .

I'd dearly love to use some properly designed cycle lanes - however the majority are subject to appalling, thoughtless planning with no input, it would seem from anyone who rides a bike.

Search Google images for "poinless cycle lane" and you'll see some of thousands and thousands of pounds that's been spent on road markings and seperation lanes that are unnecessary or dangerous. I cycled over Blackfriars Bridge not that long ago and it seemed to me that the filter lane lights on the new cyle lane at the north junction of the bridge actually encouraged people to cycle across moving traffic.

What's needed is proper education - I see far too many idiots on bikes, particularly at the moment doing their impression of a stealth fighter at night (nearly ran a guy down on the A23 at the weekend, black clothes, black bike, no lights). In addition, drivers need to be educated that a frame and a polystyrene helmet offer less protection than a steel shell, and suitalbe space etc should be given, particularly by those driving HGVs or PCVs - the fewer incidents like this, the better:

Drunk lorry driver who ran over cyclist while talking on mobile phone jailed (From Your Local Guardian)

Unfortunatley, there seem to be plenty of drivers who see these uneducated prats on bikes and apply the "all cyclists are pricks" mantra to everyone on two wheels, even when responsible cyclists are stopping at red lights, wearing suitable hi-viz, using lights etc etc. It's intensely irritating being held up for the failings of others.

Certainly I wouldn't suggest that all Mercedes drivers are prats based onn the one guy who nearly took me out last week...

 

[jimti]

I'd dearly love to use some properly designed cycle lanes - however the majority are subject to appalling, thoughtless planning with no input, it would seem from anyone who rides a bike.

Search Google images for "poinless cycle lane" and you'll see some of thousands and thousands of pounds that's been spent on road markings and seperation lanes that are unnecessary or dangerous. I cycled over Blackfriars Bridge not that long ago and it seemed to me that the filter lane lights on the new cyle lane at the north junction of the bridge actually encouraged people to cycle across moving traffic.

What's needed is proper education - I see far too many idiots on bikes, particularly at the moment doing their impression of a stealth fighter at night (nearly ran a guy down on the A23 at the weekend, black clothes, black bike, no lights). In addition, drivers need to be educated that a frame and a polystyrene helmet offer less protection than a steel shell, and suitalbe space etc should be given, particularly by those driving HGVs or PCVs - the fewer incidents like this, the better:
Drunk lorry driver who ran over cyclist while talking on mobile phone jailed (From Your Local Guardian)

Unfortunatley, there seem to be plenty of drivers who see these uneducated prats on bikes and apply the "all cyclists are pricks" mantra to everyone on two wheels, even when responsible cyclists are stopping at red lights, wearing suitable hi-viz, using lights etc etc. It's intensely irritating being held up for the failings of others.

Certainly I wouldn't suggest that all Mercedes drivers are prats based onn the one guy who nearly took me out last week...

I would think a better way of looking at this would be the other way round, the cyclist has far better all round vision compared to the truck/coach driver and should give suitable space to the larger vehicle. Don't ever pass on the near side of something that you can become invisible to by your position
I think everyone should get the opertunity to ride in a large vehicle just so they klnow how limited vision is from inside the cab.

Also who's bright idea was it to put cycle lanes on the near side at junctions where the rider can become invisible to large vehicles once beside them?

With regard to the drunk driver, I and a lot of other truck drivers just cannot understand how he was still holding a licence to drive a truck, the TC for the area should have taken his entitlement to drive trucks away long before this incident happened and should be held to task as a result of him still holding his licence

 

[buccal]

Eight Cyclists Killed In Accident In Italy | Cyclingnews.com

 

[camerafodder]

And sadly...

BBC News - Two cyclists killed in coach collision in Cumbria