Cyclists and the Highway Code

[Jemima232]

Huh. Just Huh.

And Wow, too.

So now we have to be careful not to knock cyclists over, when driving past them.

Of course, they don't have to be careful not to knock anyone over when they go through red traffic lights, do they?

As if they need more legislation in their favour. It absolutely enrages me.

[TessieVanKendre]

Drivers can be inconsiderate Wankers
Cyclists can be inconsiderate Wankers
Pedestrians can be inconsiderate Wankers
Everyone can be inconsiderate Wankers.

[LakieLady]

This happened to me when I was cycling through central London and a woman looking down at her phone walked straight out into me. I had no time to avoid the collision.

Did you ring your bell to alert her to your presence?

[Seraphimofthewilderness]

It is far too easy for cyclists to get away scot-free if they kill or injure someone or damage another vehicle

@LakieLady how often does this actually happen?

[thedancingbear]

I actually agree that cyclists should be insured and have to carry number plates. It has proved so successful in stopping people driving like arseholes and killing people.

FFS.

[MIdgebabe]

ACcording to daily mail “several” pedestrians have been killed by cyclists over 7 years and the cyclists prosecuted. Over 100 cyclists were killed by car drivers in 2017 alone. Probably with more than one hit and run. But yeah, it’s sooo unfair on the poor motorists

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

You need to read the piece echt linked to thedancingbear

Amusing but apt !

[Brefugee]

I'd like to see evidence of these menacing cyclists mowing down pedestrians right left and centre.

I'm another one who was knocked off my bike by a pedestrian stepping off the kerb and knocking me off my bike despite me and another pedestrian shouting at him to look out and me ringing my bell like mad. And he walked off after saying "you're not bleeding you're ok".

Whatever. Every road user is obliged to follow the highway code. Just because some cyclists go through red lights doesn't mean that car drivers shouldn't give them space when going past. Ask yourself why so many cyclists appear to weave all over the place (and jump lights) and then ask a cyclist the same question. Not sure what your answer would be but the cyclists will tell you it's to get out of the way of cars who turn into something out of Deathrace 2000 whenever they spot someone on a bike.

[thedancingbear]

Incidentally, to the poster who advises that '98%' of cyclists ignore lights in london - this is fucking bollocks.

My office overlooks a major junction in central London where two main roads and a cycle lane meet. Pretty much every cyclist stops at the lights, and then set off like a swarm as they change. I know this because I've been seeing it out of my window every day for the past four years.

You get the odd dick who skips them (often dodging through a crowd of crossing pedestrians) and whilst they piss me off I'm not aware of any of them actually hurting anyone. By way of contrast a pedestrian was seriously injured by a taxi down there last year.

[MIdgebabe]

Why should a cyclist perpetually ring a bell in case a pedestrians decides to walk out in front without looking?

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

Yes! Would you say the same about electric cars?

[PaddyF0dder]

Heh.

As an electric car driver, it is amazing just how many pedestrians seem to rely purely on their ears when deciding whether to step into the road or not. It’s a particularly problem in supermarket car parks.

Yes, some of them might be blind. But ALL of them surely can’t be.

It’s mind boggling. I’m sure natural selection will sort it eventually.

[redexpat]

I would just like to know what the government intends to do about the blatant disregard the vast majority of cyclists have towards the safety of other road users, particularly pedestrians. How should we know? Why dont you ask them?

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Cyclists are also bound by the highway code you know, and they are not allowed to run through red lights. But even if some if them do, ...

Ha, ha - come to Central London any old day of the week. They also ride on pavements and across pedestrian crossings with pedestrians actually crossing on them (and then swear at the pedestrian they have just hit or narrowly missed). More are stopping at red lights than used to (hurrah! - they get fined now if a policeman sees them) but there is still a fair proportion that don't. The trouble is, they are not just risking their own injury/death but also that of other road users. It is my opinion (as a motorcycle commuter in London of many years and also as a regular pedestrian) that a great many have never read the Highway Code or certainly not retained any memory of it if they did. I also cycle sometimes but I firmly believe the road rules are there to be obeyed for everyone's safety.

[CuriousaboutSamphire]

How should we know? Why dont you ask them Or Google what happened to the recent consultation, the Law Society reply etc etc

[mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork]

Also agree that pedestrians are often very careless - mobile phones must be responsible for an awful lot of accidents, I think. It is difficult walking along London pavements as you have to avoid so many people fixated on their 'phones and not looking at all.

[BuzzPeakWankBobbly]

Ah I got almost to the end but I managed it - BINGO!!

Men, riding 3 abreast, dressed in their wanky clothing on a Sunday morning are very annoying

You know what I hate? When swimmers wear those nancy one piece costumes. And footballers, ugh, with their stupid matchy-matchy outfits.

Fancy thinking of wearing clothing that is specifically designed for the pastime you are undertaking, what total cunts.

[UserX]

I always think this kind of animosity is born out of shame. Drivers feel shamed by cyclists because they know that cycling is healthier and more ethical (and in the city, faster) than driving and it makes them angry and they post ridiculous statements on the internet to soothe themselves.

[Hutchismo]

No, it's just that people on bikes are a handy 'out group' provided for inadequate people to rant about now it has dawned on them that racism and homophobia are frowned upon.

[MIdgebabe]

Another way to think of this
How many people don’t drive because they are afraid of the action s of cyclists?
How many people don’t walk because they are afraid of cyclists?
How many people don’t cycle because they are afraid of the actions of pedestrians and drivers?

[LizB62A]

cyclists run people over and kill them. That is my point.

I've nearly been killed by many more drivers than cyclists.
You're a twat.

If I was in charge, every driver would have to spend at least an hour a week cycling in traffic.
And every member of my local council would have to cycle too - then I'm sure they'd fix all these sodding potholes....

[JammieCodger]

Findings of a 2012 study by Auto Express of red-light jumping:

• 5.9% of cyclists crossed the stop line when the lights were red,
• 5.6 % of motorists crossed the stop line when the lights were red.

So very similar numbers. Then take into account the fact that a lot of motorists might have been red-light jumpers if they'd had the opportunity but were actively prevented from it because they were stuck behind other traffic. That doesn't apply to cyclists - anyone who wanted to jump the lights would have.

And then more importantly, consider who is likely to be at risk of red-light jumping. A cyclist going through red is more of a danger to themselves than a third party, but a car going though a red is far more likely to endanger another road user or pedestrian.

So, cyclists are no more likely to jump a red light than motorists and are far less likely to injure anyone other than themselves if they do break the law and yet you think it's cyclists that need legislating against? Huh, just huh. And wow.

[eightoclock]

102 cyclists and 405 pedestrians were killed by drivers in 2016.
3 pedestrians were killed by cyclists.
0 drivers were killed by cyclists or pedestrians

So drivers are approximately 169 times more dangerous to pedestrians than cyclists.

Even though, apparently, 98% of cyclists jump red lights and most ignore the rules of the road putting pedestrians in enormous danger!
Considering most cyclists are so dreadful, it must be a seriously safe form of transport that it kills so few people compared to driving, for which licence and insurance should supposedly prevent problems.

[ErrolTheDragon]

• Drivers can be inconsiderate Wankers
  Cyclists can be inconsiderate Wankers
  Pedestrians can be inconsiderate Wankers
  Everyone can be inconsiderate Wankers.*
  
  That's human nature.
  But, the quantities of metal and the velocities of each group makes an enormous difference to the potential damage thus caused. That's physics.

[eightoclock]

I always think this kind of animosity is born out of shame. Drivers feel shamed by cyclists because they know that cycling is healthier and more ethical (and in the city, faster) than driving and it makes them angry and they post ridiculous statements on the internet to soothe themselves.

My theory is that humans have not evolved to go fast without making any effort. The slight edginess caused by going fast in a car is not offset by the physical tiredness and endorphins that would naturally occur, if you cycle fast, run fast or even ride a horse fast. Therefore, whilst a cyclist or runner going fast will feel a natural buzz and satisfaction, a driver feels frustrated and as though they are missing something, and this makes them blame it on other people that either slow them down or go faster than them by dodging through traffic etc.
The problem can be solved entirely by taking up a form of active transport, or by driving slowly and gently so that you are not putting yourself on edge.

[ThinkingFeeling]

I'm a driver, cyclist, pedestrian and motorcycle rider.

I think all many car drivers should ride a bike to get a feel for how vulnerable you are as a cyclist and as a motorbike rider.

We should all we aware of who we share our roads with and ensure we walk, drive and ride with patience, respect and safety.