To think cyclists should use cycle lanes

[Krispybake]

Today, a massive line of traffic was held up by a cyclist who was using a long main road when a cycle path (tarmacked the same as the road) ran parallel for the entire length of the road. Due to the volume of traffic coming in the opposite direction, it was impossible to overtake the cyclist and leave the safe distance so creating a huge tail back involving service buses, funeral cortege and multiple cars.
Genuine question, why do cyclists do this? If the cycle track has the same surface as the road, why will they not use it? Very annoying!

I'll use a cycle lane if it's not littered with glass or debris. If there are no cars parked in it. If there aren't random small children or dogs in it. If it's well lit. If there are no potholes. If there are no kamikaze mobility scooters in it.
Unfortunately where I live I tend to stay on the road where its safer.

Comments aside I'd love a really good cycle lane alongside a main road.

Often cycle paths aren't fit for purpose,and you only realise.this if you attempt to use them.

He probably does pay road tax for his car... And he probably does have insurance...

@00100001

"So, some people were delayed by a few minutes...so what? That would happen with any obstruction such as road works, broken down cars etc"

Road works, broken down cars, tractors, funeral corteges are unavoidable as they all must use the road! Cyclists who have a choice but choose to cause traffic congestion I don't get! (and yes, I appreciate that not all cycle lanes are safe or usable) but where they are, why not use them?)
There does seem to be a sheer cussedness with some cyclists!

Same as drivers determined to have nothing other than motor vehicles on the road....

Most cycle lanes in the UK are not fit for purpose, especially if you’re cycling at pace. They will abruptly end with no warning, spit you out into traffic at a dangerous point etc.

Round here the council have spent millions on a cycle path infrastructure, the mamils still insist on cycling up the middle of the main road..the cycle paths are new, clean, wide, free of pedestrians but no, Mike the 56yr old tour de France fantasist still doesn't use it.

Perhaps he was turning right? I don't use a cycle lane when I have to turn right (thought it's only for 300 meters). It's better just to stake my claim to the centre of the road rather than have to cross two lanes of traffice in one go.

I think in the situation described here, is that this specific cyclist on this specific road, was being an idiotic arsehole.

Other roads, other cyclists differ. Generalisations either way re cyclists and motorists generate heat rather than light.

I seem to have struck a nerve with you.
I have never once stated that only motor vehicles should be on the road. In fact, I have stated that I appreciate that there are numerous occasions where cyclists must use the road and I don't actually have an issue with that. Again, my question was simply why won't SOME cyclists (of which I believe you to be one) won't use perfectly acceptable cycle lanes when they are there for their safety and that of other road users? The lane today is quite new, created and resurfaced at the same time as the main road. It is separate from the pavement, sandwiched between the pavement and the road, clearly visible and marked, runs the entire length of this particular road, used by other cyclists, although quiet today, so nope! I don't get it!
We will have to agree to differ on this one.

Genuine question OP - how many cycle lanes have you riden on?

😂😂😂😂😂
Exactly this! Thank you. This made me laugh out loud.

Unless you’ve used the cycle lane yourself you don’t know.

my guess would be poor surface, difficult access/exit from it or craziness.

I’ve pictured a major cycle route on my way to work. Entirely dug up with no diversion signed (or even a warning for cyclists that the work is taking place). It’s shit like this that hinders cyclists from using cycle infrastructure.

there is also a junction round here that I can’t work out how the cycle lane is meant to work. I even got off one day and pushed my bike trying to follow the signs/road markings. I’m still none the wiser. So I cycle on the road there!

As a cyclist, I would only use the road, if the cycle path had issues such as poor surface, broken glass etc. Cycling among heavy traffic is no fun. There must have been a reason. Just because you couldn't see a problem, doesn't mean there wasn't one.

And anyway, he's entitled to use the road. Waiting a few minutes is not the end of the world.

Have your ever cycled? Those lanes are usually too narrow / full of rubbish and glass. They have just as much right to be on the road as you.

Even if cycle paths are in good condition, which is about 1% of them in the UK if that, usually they follow less convienient routes, are shared with pedestrians, cross over other roads or make turning off the road a pain.

Cyclists have every right to be on the road. Get over it.

Yawn! This is turning into anti-cyclist bingo.

Road tax was abolished in the 1930's.
It's emissions tax now.
Cyclists don't emit any pollutants.
Most are drivers too and pay emissions tax and insurance.
Roads are for people whatever vehicle they're using.

I've just come home after cycling along a bike lane where the hazards included:

• Badly designed infrastructure which slows down the journey (which is a problem when commuting, I was just on a shopping trip).

• Loads of dogs off lead and running in front of the bike (I have a bell and use it) - I have 2 friends who've had broken bones after being unseated by dogs.

• Two lots of smartarse men who made comments like 'your back wheel's still going round love'. (I know this can happen from car windows, but you don't share with pedestrians on the road). It's fucking tedious.

• Joggers and pedestrians straying into the bike lane, many with headphones and oblivious to my bell. Again, this slows down the journey.

OP, I suggest you try riding that cycle lane yourself and imagine what it might be like trying to get to work or an appointment on it before you judge.

Round here cycle lanes are ok for families or people pootling at a slow pace but are just not for for purpose for a cyclist who actually needs to get somewhere.

Regardless though he/she has just as much right to use the road as anyone else

Is there really any point in providing cycle lanes then, if they aren’t used? It’s a genuine question, because I’m puzzled by authorities continuing to build cycle lanes that are empty of cyclists. I understand why if they’re poorly maintained, but newer ones should surely be fit for purpose. A local one took two years of disruption to build and is rarely used.

In the nearest town, the ring road around the town centre, which already had a cycle lane, was extended to double the width at the start of the pandemic, using money from a grant, I believe. It obviously had the effect of narrowing the road for vehicular traffic and caused massive jams on the ring road. It quietly disappeared after a few months, so money entirely wasted.

If there are going to be cycle lanes, make them fit for purpose and perhaps they’d be more widely used. I think it’s courteous if cyclists, tractor drivers etc, are able to pause briefly to allow traffic to flow, when a log jam has built up.

Although I am not a regular cyclist, I do occasionally cycle with family. We have used quite a few of our local cycle lanes. I am fortunate in that none of those in my area are in the awful state that some PP have mentioned. A neighbour is a keen cyclist and uses lanes further afield than I venture (like today's) but also does not seem to have encountered the issues mentioned here. Our's is a fairly new infrastructure though so maybe time will tell.

Rule 169 of The Highway Code is why.

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.

It’s usually really difficult/dangerous to get on/off cycle lanes. The design of most is incredibly poor. Where they are safe I use them.

But, as has been pointed out many times to you cycle lanes aren't always fit for purpose,even if you think they are when looking at them from your car and secondly they have every right to use the main road it's their choice, even if the cycle path.is perfect.

Careful, when I said that I pulled over regularly (as per the highway code) on a previous thread about cycling I got accused of not being a "real" cyclist and then not being a real poster. I had to NC in the end because they followed me around MN. Which is laughable as I regularly do long-distance rides but hey-ho.

So do pedestrians but thankfully most of them choose to walk on the safe pavement that has been designed and paid for for them instead of holding up traffic and endangering themselves. 🤦‍♀️