...to think drivers and cyclists are all idiots!??

[user1487519954]

Not so much an AIBU but a rant, and wondering if people feel the same?

I regularly cycle and drive around where I live (smallish-sized city with lots of cyclicts), and I am constantly amazed at poor road behaviour!

I regularly see all of these things:
Cyclists: cycling on the pavement, without lights, the wrong way up a one-way street!
Drivers: overtaking cyclists too near, overtaking where there are solid middle lines... Yesterday I was driving, going slowly behind a cyclist, as the road both had a bend and went over a bridge (double solid lines in the middle), and the idiot in the car behind honked at me for not overtaking!
Pedestrians: wandering into the road without looking, wearing headphones so they can't hear what's coming, - I have nearly hit a pedestrian several times (on my bike) because people just don't look!

Is it just me that gets so annoyed?? Why is everyone so stupid? Don't they realise how dangerous their behaviour is?

Cycling does get me to work quicker as there are cycle filter lanes, so you can bypass the cars all waiting at lights, and there are cycle paths.

Well mulled, most of the time if I'm filtering I'm doing so on the outside. There is a place for filtering on the inside too, it just depends on the road conditions. Either way, when you do filter you have to do so carefully and expect the unexpected. I'm not sure what you mean by 'illegal undertaking' though, as (as far as I am aware) the HC and legislation does not define what is or isn't 'legal' in this case. If you just mean that cyclists can filter dangerously then I would certainly agree, though I would disagree that it is most.

The rules are that cyclists and horseriders SHOULD ride in the direction of flow, not MUST. Must is law and must be obeyed, should means that you can use your own judgement and do so if the conditions are safe - they are guidelines only.

www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/3/2/9/2/3292309/the-official-highway-code-with-annexes-uk-en-12-04.pdf

Page 21, point 53 for horseriders, can't find any rules for cyclists - I suppose it depends if you class them as a vehicle.

Road runners make my blood boil. If there isn't a grass verge why take the route. I run to keep healthy and stick to paths, not risk life and limb with a ton of speeding metal.

Tbh try and walk everywhere because I can't be doing with the hassle. And I don't mind sensible cyclists on the path, too many stupid drivers out there.

megle

I am a road runner. I don't want to run on the verge. I live rurally. There are very few paths.

I have as much right to run on the road as any other road user. I have an obligation to follow the rules of the road and keep myself safe (be highly visible at night) and to allow other road users to make their way.

Ever tried running on a grass verge? I hate trails anyway, let alone those riddled with rabbit holes and dense shrubbery. Fuck that. On the rare occasions I have to run in roads, I take up no more - less, in fact - room than a cyclist and an lit up brighter than Christmas as a matter of course.

Stepping, yes bicycles are subject to the same rules as other vehicles unless there are exceptions, so rule 143 for example applies to cyclists.

I think some people are stupid, some are selfish, but some are just genuinely ignorant - having done no cycling proficiency (thanks, primary school!) or driving lessons so no idea of rules.

Whatever the reason, I seem to spend a lot of time swearing under my breath at cyclists riding on narrow pavements, in the dark with no lights or wrong way up a cycle lane (and I cycle regularly).

steppingOnToes

Under the section titled: "General rules, techniques and
advice for all drivers and riders" (page 47 onwards):

143.One-way streets. Traffic MUST travel in the direction indicated by signs

*Ifailed

Under the section titled: "General rules, techniques and
advice for all drivers and riders" (page 47 onwards):

143.One-way streets. Traffic MUST travel in the direction indicated by signs*

It depends on what you call traffic - it seems cyclists are, but horse are classed differently as there are 'should' guidelines specific to horse riders.

I am a road runner. I don't want to run on the verge. I live rurally. There are very few paths

My comment was in relation to runners who run in the road (often in the dark) when there is a pavement and cars coming. They expect the cars to get out of their way. Sometimes I come across them when I am in my car, sometimes I am even running with them at the time - on the pavement. I sometimes shout car coming and sometimes they move, sometimes they don't.

Obviously if there's no path it's very different.

If you look at the RTRA, is states 'vehicles'. An ex-boss of mine was fined by a police officer in London for riding the wrong way on a one-way street.

Interestingly, speed limits only apply to motor vehicles, so you can run, ride or cycle as fast as you like without being done for speeding.

I cycle on the pavement prepares for the flamethrower but where I live you're supposed to cycle on the pavement unless there's a sign indicating otherwise so I'm happy to do that and enjoy not being at risk from drivers that aren't careful enough.

Ah, but cyclists can be done for Wanton and furious driving. Or for dangerous cycling under the Road Traffic Act. I'm sure I did hear about a cyclist who has prosecuted for riding too fast even though they were under the speed limit, but I can't find it right now.

Found it.

whatsthecomingoverthehill
Reminds me of a time in my mis-spent youth when I was arrested and released on police bail under a charge of Blemish of the Peace, apparently an act from 1361! Luckily, nothing came of it.

mulled and my comment was to megle, though I see yours now.

I prefer to run on the road even if there is a pavement because it is a softer surface (asphalt vs concrete). I will hop onto the pavement if there is traffic though. In fact if there is no traffic but people on the pavement I think it's better for me to be on the road so I don't make the pedestrians jump out of their skin (I am quite light on my feet!).

So, we are not just being bloody-minded.

I hate cyclists who cycle on the pavement, myself and my friend were walking along a very narrow path one evening and a cyclist just came speeding at us down the path and we had to jump into the shrubbery not to be hit, they guy wasn't even going to slow down, never mind stop