Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
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Wheeler
Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
Are there any? I know that we are advised to give way to pedestrians and horses for example but what else is there, especially legal requirements? Do we have to have a roadworthy machine, lights at night, overtake on the right and anything else that we'd be expected to do on a highway? We do have to contend with wayward pedestrians and dogs so what happens when things go wrong if the rules aren't clear??
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Wheeler
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
10500 or so so far but not much time left. Why?
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CJ
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
It would be interesting to have the definintive answer to this one (which I don't know) published in CYCLE, since I don't think that one's come up yet.
I suggest you email it (supplying name and address) to Paul Kitson, care of: editor@ctc.org.uk . It might help if you say Chris Juden suggested it.
I suggest you email it (supplying name and address) to Paul Kitson, care of: editor@ctc.org.uk . It might help if you say Chris Juden suggested it.
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gar
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
so what happens when things go wrong if the rules aren't clear??
Why should you have rules,rules,rules all the time?
Can't you work out your own code of behaviour?
If you are not on the road you can hardly be expected to have a roadworthy machine, and if it is not roadworthy it won't go...
Why should you have rules,rules,rules all the time?
Can't you work out your own code of behaviour?
If you are not on the road you can hardly be expected to have a roadworthy machine, and if it is not roadworthy it won't go...
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Wheeler
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
My message doesn't ask for rules, simply whether there are any. Some day someone will have an accident (I'm sure it's already happened) and it would be useful to know what the rider's obligations are beyond commom courtesy.
On or off-road, I only ride roadworthy machines. I can assure you that I see many cycles which are not roadworthy and in regular use in all types of situations. I repair the things, before you ask, so lets not go down that route.
On or off-road, I only ride roadworthy machines. I can assure you that I see many cycles which are not roadworthy and in regular use in all types of situations. I repair the things, before you ask, so lets not go down that route.
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gar
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
Season's greetings to you Wheeler,
Golden rule if you injure somebody is always to stay with them and do as much as you can to help them...... more than common courtesy! Don't leave them until you know they are ok to get on their way again.
You may carry scrap metal with you as long as it is not on road. If you damage somebody with scrap metal on wheels on anywhere then you have got to think carefully.
ON the road there are more specific regulations.
There are various definitios of what constitutes a vehicle. If you damage somebody while using a pram on the pavement (I get about in a self propelled pram, and I am allowed anywhere)
and you were fooling around then you might have to answer for it, but a pram is NOT a vehicle, an appliance for getting you or your charge around in.
It IS a thought that if you are on mixed use
facilities provided and an accident occurs then you MIGHT argue that the bicycle is NOT a vehicle and that would be a question for CTC solicitor. I should opine that even though it is mixed use, the bicycle is a vehicle at all times although it is mixed use.
That might not bear any relevance to a case between a pedestrian and a cyclist on such a path. The pedestrian has got to take due care not to get in the way in such circumstances.
I would NOT be surprised if there is NO case law on the subject against a cyclist and if there is ,a decision would have been made against the
pedestrian.
It is unlikely that any cyclist would have proceeded against a pedestrian in such circumstances, so there is probably no precedent.
Golden rule if you injure somebody is always to stay with them and do as much as you can to help them...... more than common courtesy! Don't leave them until you know they are ok to get on their way again.
You may carry scrap metal with you as long as it is not on road. If you damage somebody with scrap metal on wheels on anywhere then you have got to think carefully.
ON the road there are more specific regulations.
There are various definitios of what constitutes a vehicle. If you damage somebody while using a pram on the pavement (I get about in a self propelled pram, and I am allowed anywhere)
and you were fooling around then you might have to answer for it, but a pram is NOT a vehicle, an appliance for getting you or your charge around in.
It IS a thought that if you are on mixed use
facilities provided and an accident occurs then you MIGHT argue that the bicycle is NOT a vehicle and that would be a question for CTC solicitor. I should opine that even though it is mixed use, the bicycle is a vehicle at all times although it is mixed use.
That might not bear any relevance to a case between a pedestrian and a cyclist on such a path. The pedestrian has got to take due care not to get in the way in such circumstances.
I would NOT be surprised if there is NO case law on the subject against a cyclist and if there is ,a decision would have been made against the
pedestrian.
It is unlikely that any cyclist would have proceeded against a pedestrian in such circumstances, so there is probably no precedent.
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HumesC
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
Hi Wheeler, I usually find on National Trails that I ride that there are guidances on the start of the trail or the informational leaflet. Horse riders and cyclists are generally instructed to give way to pedestrians. Pedestrians are usually instructed to keep their dogs on a short lead if on a track shared with cyclists, but they usually don't.
So I find the best rule of thumb is to approach anything (even another cyclist!) with caution and always be prepared to stop. It's annoying if you have a good speed and candence at the time, but as there are no clear "rules of the road" it's really the only answer to avoid collisions most of the time.
Happy riding!
Cath
So I find the best rule of thumb is to approach anything (even another cyclist!) with caution and always be prepared to stop. It's annoying if you have a good speed and candence at the time, but as there are no clear "rules of the road" it's really the only answer to avoid collisions most of the time.
Happy riding!
Cath
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Wheeler
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
Cath,
I agree that dog owners rarely follow the guidelines. I never seem to see them using short leads. More often than not they use long ones or none at all. But I see this as a separate issue to what our responsibilities (from a legal standpoint) are/might be and I feel like some guidance in this area could be useful. Our person GAR seems to think there may be no case law on this so let's see what PK comes up with. I can't see how he thinks the law would find against the pedestrian. It would depend on the circumstances.
Must get out and work off some excess food tomorrow as my new recording year also starts then.
All the best to all,
Wheeler
I agree that dog owners rarely follow the guidelines. I never seem to see them using short leads. More often than not they use long ones or none at all. But I see this as a separate issue to what our responsibilities (from a legal standpoint) are/might be and I feel like some guidance in this area could be useful. Our person GAR seems to think there may be no case law on this so let's see what PK comes up with. I can't see how he thinks the law would find against the pedestrian. It would depend on the circumstances.
Must get out and work off some excess food tomorrow as my new recording year also starts then.
All the best to all,
Wheeler
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gar
Re:Rules - Off-Road, including cycle paths
I am merely saying that if it is mixed use with no other regulatory signing, there would almost certainly be a finding against the pedestrian.
I have only done make the laws; I do not interpret them, except that in so making best regard has to be given as to how they may be construed, if at all.
I have only done make the laws; I do not interpret them, except that in so making best regard has to be given as to how they may be construed, if at all.