To think that cyclists should use cycle lanes where they are available?

[IwishIwasmoreorganised]

Particularly now the nights are getting darker earlier?

No matter how many lights they have on them and their bike, they are still safer in cycle lanes and so should be using them?

Tonight I was driving along a newish road (single carriageway) that has a separate footpath and a separate cyclepath running alongside it. In the space of about 2 miles, I passed 3 cyclists on the road. They all had lights on, one in particular had lots, but it still meant that the cars travelling in the same direction as them had to overtake. Wouldn't the cyclists be far safer on the cycle path?

The cycle path may have been well lit and empty at the time that yuo saw it but who is to say it is not often full of pedestrians?

You also don't know/can't see if there is there a problem with broken glass on the route.

There may also be a problem with a dangerous junction where it rejoins or crsses the carriageway.

There are any number of reasons why a cyclist might feel more comfortable and safer on the road.

newwave - let me get this right - you are volunteering all cyclists for road tax and insurance

This is crazy because under the current VED scheme zero/low emission road users don't have to pay any road tax. Insurance is currently available (via the CTC) for cyclists yet despite stating twice that you think it is a good idea you don't have it. I, personally, wouldn't cycle without it.

The perceptions on this thread of 'safe cycling' are interesting as they seem to vary by group - those who cycle infrequently automatically assume cycle path is safer. Those who cycle commute feel safer in the road. I would suggest that if you are scared to cycle on the road (it really isn't that bad) you should get lessons/ advice to help you cycle safer - if you don't are you going to limit your kids to forever cycling on the pavement.

A good book for those who want pointers is 'cyclecraft' by john franklin. This is a TSO (ie official government) publication which accompanies the national cycle training scheme. You can buy it from amazon it is about 13quid.

All the drivers who are so critical of cyclists may also find it illuminating - a lot of the things you are complaining about are actually government recommendations.

There were also a lot of government funded cycling proficiency schemes for adults (suspect they will go in council budget cuts) to facilitate newer cyclists to commute by bike safely - find out if there are any in your local area - I've heard they are really valuable but haven't been on one myself.

A disproportionate number of female cyclists are killed very year - it is thought that this is because they lack the confidence to ride in a defensive position. Quite frankly when I'm on my bike I don't give a flying fuck if the car behind me has to travel a bit slower and will deliberately block someone by my road positioning from overtaking if the oncoming traffic is heavy and there isn't enough room for me, car, car across the road (hope that makes sense).

On the other hand - if i possibly can, I will tuck well in to allow cars to pass safely eg. by using a layby.

There is no such thing as road tax.

Everyone pays towards the upkeep of the roads, whether they own a private vehicle or not, and everyone uses them, even if they never leave their house.

"As for uninsured motorists you are right but that does not stop cycles being insured"

I'd say that if they can't properly enforce insurance for cars they haven't got a hope in hell of doing it for bicycles. It'd be a case of responsible cyclists paying for insurance and the ones who are most likely to cause damage/injury would still be riding round like fools.

As for the road tax, others have rightly pointed out that low emission cars pay no road tax so cyclists would fall into that bracket.

Opinionated - when I am riding with my dcs I deliberately take up more of the road than I probably do when I'm alone for exactly that reason - it forces people to slow down. I don't give a stuff how much that annoys them.
Today I found myself having to peddle like crazy to get out of the way of a bus whose driver just didn't want to stop at a roundabout. I was going round it so approaching from his right and because of his fuckwitted impatience I found myself facing a collision. I managed to get out of his way but I shouldn't have to assume everyone is going to behave like a roadhogging tosser should I?

I don't understand why they do that! I shout some very uncomplimentary things after them if I'm alone

Another voice to say that unless you've cycled on the cycle path, you don't know why people aren't using it - but you can be pretty sure there will be a good reason.

As others have said, cycle paths in the UK tend to be designed for slow hobby cyclists. If you are commuting 5 or 10 miles to work by bike, you need to go at a decent speed, which often isn't possible in the cycle lane. Its a bit like forcing people commuting to work by car to drive at 5 mph all the way.

BUT I would be perfectly supportive of a crack down on cyclists breaking the rules of the road - just as there is no excuse for speeding and other bad driving, there is no excuse for jumping traffic lights/not carrying lights/etc.

I'd also be in favour of a non-compulsory but strongly encouraged scheme to provide cycling lessons and the equivalent of a 'driving test' for adult cyclists, to build on the things that children learn in the cycle proficiency test.

Most cyclists do pay road tax. Road tax comes out of general taxation so as a cyclist, motorist, pedestrian and tax payer I pay road tax.
Many people incorrectly call vehicle excise duty "road tax". It isn't. It's a tax that you pay depending on how polluting your vehicle is and the money collected goes into general treasury coffers NOT into paying for the roads.
When cycling I'll use a cycle path if it's quicker and more convenient for me to do so.
I see cycle paths as there for cyclists convenience and if a cyclist chooses not to use them that is none of anyone else's business.
Most UK cycle lanes are not as well maintained or fast as the roads.
If I'm on my bike I'm travelling somewhere, the same as if I'm in a car and want to travel as quickly as possible.

I cycle to work down a dual carriageway,cars pass me doing 70 mph and I feel perfectly safe.It doesnt have a cycle path.When I hit town there are junctions ,buses cycle paths that last 4 metres and people walking out in front of me.I certainly dont feel safe here and yet traffic only does 25-30 mph.I would have to agree most cycle paths are not designed for people that want to get anywhere just for hobbyists.

What a great response!

Thanks for the (generally) balanced and well put forward arguments for and against!

I admit - I have personally never cycled on this cycle path so don't know if there are any problems with its design.

I count myself as a good driver - 17 years and no accidents, and (northernlurker) I do pay good attention when I'm driving and pass cyclists with ample space, slowing down to ensure that my manoeuvre is safe if necessary.

I do apologise if I have posted something that has been done time and time again, it was just something that struck me on my way home from work last night.