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.

[stucknoue]

I agree, I've only personally witnessed one serious accident involving a cyclist, it was caused by cyclist jumping a red light (I don't mean going through on amber, I mean half way through the red cycle, didn't slow down to check for traffic, unfortunately there was a car doing circa 30mph). Myself and several others gave witness statement, the driver was not to blame and the cyclist did recover I heard thankfully.

Everyone who uses public highways should obey the law this includes traffic lights, zebra crossings, not undertaking or weaving, using appropriate lights and reflectors etc. Make roads safe for all

[UserX]

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.

This makes so much sense.

[TheWorldAsh]

Most of the debate has been done to death (seriously givecyclists space, they're vulnerable. Same goes for pedestrians. You forget this in your big metal boxes)

However for those bemoaning registration and insurance. Well guess what? Cyclists use the road by right not license. So cyclists, pedestrians, and animals have more claim to roads than motor vehicles.

[justarandomtricycle]

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).

I think this speaks more to the point PP made that a percentage of people are cunts whatever they're driving.

I'd be relatively comfortable with the police sniping people who do this (or indeed anyone who drives any vehicle through zebra crossings while they are being used), you won't catch me doing this on my bike.

I also pull over every now and then if I am causing traffic on a narrow lane (just like slow moving vehicles do when driven by nice people) and I don't ruin parks for people by flying at them, riding between/close to them fast, shouting at them to get out of the way.

Most of this is just arsehole stuff, not cyclist stuff

[InfiniteCurve]

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.

The vast majority of cyclists blatantly disregard the safety of other road users?
Yeh,right

And wanky clothing? If that's the best you can do as an 'I don't like cyclists' argument...As a PP said wearing appropriate clothing for the activity? Appalling,just sad and wanky.Meh.

[BuzzPeakWankBobbly]

This was published today: Almost 90% of cyclists experience a “close pass” – an overtake within 1.5m – at least weekly, and 70% say conditions on Britain’s roads haven’t improved in the last five years

But OP thinks we need to be more concerned for the cuddly-wuddly motorists?
(BTW, if you have never experienced a close pass while you are on a bike, try standing walking alongside a train or tube as it passes by at speed)

www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2019/may/09/the-uks-feral-roads-deter-cycling-we-need-enforcement-not-calls-for-respect

[AngryWolf]

Yes, YABU!!!!!! They deserve to be safe on the road too. Would you rather they cycle on the pavements?! Cyclists should adhere to traffic signals and signs too by law. Most of them do. My husband has been knocked off of his bike before by an ignorant driver like you.

[Flobochin]

@RedSheep73 You're so far beyond unreasonable, you are being a total dick. You weigh your slight annoyance at someone riding through a red light as more important than than right of a human being not to get mashed by a car. Shut up and grow

Just this

Well said

[NewPapaGuinea]

The IQ of a person is in direct correlation with their opinion of cyclists and their “rights”. Offence intended.

[Tinyteatime]

More than 99% of pedestrians are killed by a motorised vehicle. You’re a twat.

[BuzzPeakWankBobbly]

In fact, pedestrians are significantly more likely to be killed by a vehicle that has mounted the pavement; than a cyclist, at all.

[UnaOfStormhold]

When I cycled in London it was often the case that waiting for the green light was more dangerous than crossing (with caution and giving pedestrians a very wide berth) on amber or during the pedestrian phase. Why? Because of impatient drivers getting too close and cutting across me. I often found myself wondering whether this would be the day when obeying the law cost my life. And it's not just me. There was a TfL report done in London in 2007 which found that women cyclists tend to be more law abiding than men, so tend to move away from junctions with other traffic and as a result get killed more despite being a smaller proportion of the cycling population.

[Flatwhite101]

Jesus. I like to think people are not really this wilfully ignorant and stupid, but apparently they are. I was going to write a properly evidenced post regarding relative risk, perception of wrongdoing, accident statistics, and policing resources, but frankly what's the point. It's not going to change their opinion. If you're so entrenched in your own impotent self-righteous indignation, then actual facts and considering someone else's viewpoint are largely irrelevant. It's this kind of blinkered thinking that's led us down the vaccine refusal, climate change denial pathway too.

[Flobochin]

@UnaOfStormhold I hope you get ticketed for riding through a red light. So conceited to think you are above the law.

[BuzzPeakWankBobbly]

Do you remember that thread not to long ago where a pp was simultaneously claiming she couldn't stop in time going round bends for horses that she knew may be crossing there; but was also driving 100% safely and carefully?

She then died on a hill of whining about how people didn't agree with her that it was a stupid place to cross, even though people were saying "yes, ok, it may well be a ridiculous crossing point, but YOU have the responsibility to drive safely!"

[thesnapandfartisinfallible]

I understand what you mean. We are rightly held to the highway code when encountering cyclists but they are not. We rightly have consequences for breaking it and driving like a cunt but they can ride like a cunt and get away with it. It should be the same rules and penalties for all road users.

[BogglesGoggles]

To be complete honest I think that cyclists are more of a danger to cars. I do agree that they need to create some kind of licensing system and perhaps a specific code for cyclists because they are often inexperienced in road use and create dangers. But YABVU. Drivers have always had to avoid hitting cyclists. It’s not in any way a new idea. I think you just don’t like cyclists.

[UnaOfStormhold]

Flobochin most of the time I obey the law at the risk of my own life (generally only making exceptions when there was a particularly aggression driver on my back wheel) . Thanks for hoping that I don't get killed in the process...

[BuzzPeakWankBobbly]

It should be the same rules and penalties for all road users.
It is! And don't try and suggest all drivers are caught and dealt with. Anyone who drives will see daily instances of people being twats behind the wheel. Some drivers are twats, some cyclists are twats, c'est la vie. It's not just "perfect drivers" and twat cyclists" (most cyclists are also drivers anyway!)

To be complete honest I think that cyclists are more of a danger to cars.
Then you would be factually, statistically, completely wrong.

I do agree that they need to create some kind of licensing system and perhaps a specific code for cyclists because they are often inexperienced in road use and create dangers.
Because the vehicle licensing system has created such perfect vehicle operators who do no wrong? And the Highway Code applies to all road users anyway.

Again, the majority of cyclists also drive, so what makes you think they are inexperienced on roads? I know I am a far better driver since I also got a bike, because I understand the different experiences more.

[thesnapandfartisinfallible]

Perhaps cyclists should also have registration plates. At the moment the rules don't apply to them because unless theres a policeman about, they cant get caught. People with no plates would most likely drive like absolute wankers because they know they can't be identified. If cyclists could be identified through their registration then I'd bet they would ride more carefully and we wouldn't have half of this running through red lights, not giving way at junctions, changing lanes without so much as a glance behind, shit.

[Hutchismo]

bold To be complete honest I think that cyclists are more of a danger to cars.

The mind boggles. Perhaps you didn't intend to express it like this?

PS: Cyclist = vulnerable human fleshbag
Car = Inanimate lump of metal and plastic

The whole point of the 1.5m clearance is because inexperienced people on bikes do occasionally wobble, change direction, hit potholes or just fall off. If we limit cycle use to professional peletons so that drivers can whizz past a few inches off their handlebars, then the whole point of encouraging them has been missed.

The point is to create a safe environment where normal, everyday people can leave their cars on the drive and cycle to the shops, to work, to school. In those circumstances drivers will spend less time sitting in queues and your kids will spend less time breathing toxic gas and particulates. The only trade-off is learning how to pass a cyclist safely and considerately.

[Vulpine]

Drivers who 'drive like a cunt' are far more likely to kill someone. The motorised vehicle is by far the most lethal weapon on the road and polluting at the same time. What's not to love?

[BuzzPeakWankBobbly]

I would also point out here, that if you want to get away with murder, your best option is to run them down in your vehicle while they are on a bike. These are first few hits off google - but there are thousands more to pick from.

Drivers have only a one in 10 chance of being sent to jail after being involved in the death of a cyclist, an Evening Standard investigation reveals today
An analysis of police data on the 40 cyclists killed in London between 2010 and 2012 found that drivers had been imprisoned on just four occasions.

Christopher Holt, killed by Joan Martino
Death by dangerous driving: 18-month community order and 120 hours of unpaid work.

Peter Brown, killed by Phillip Bridges
Death by careless driving: a year’s community order, 250 hours’ unpaid work and a three-month curfew.

Karla Roman, killed by Barry Northcutt
Death by careless driving: 15 months

[TheRedBarrows]

“You weigh your slight annoyance at someone riding through a red light “

Cyclists going through red lights is really dangerous. My friends child’s wrist was broken by a cyclist going through a red light.

A colleague was turning across a road into a side road while the traffic light ahead was red when a cyclist coming the other sped through the red light, hit his car and then aggressively berated my colleague for hitting a cyclist.

Of course drivers should treat cyclists with extreme care and caution. And of course Cyclists need to observe the Highway Code.

I am always pleased to see the police grabbing cyclists who ho through red lights.

[JamieVardysHavingAParty]

I refuse to believe the OP is posting genuinely. This has to be a wind-up thread.

Surely there is no way a literate British adult could make an opening post like that without expecting a flaming?