Cycle lanes

[CJ]

In some other countries it is permitted for cyclists to filter right at a red traffic light. (I forget exactly which countries but they drive on the right so it's like filtering left here.) And in even more countries you'll find that two-way cycling is legally permitted in most one-way streets - not just a few grudging exceptions like in Britain.

I don't reckon it's so bad when British cyclists take liberties that are freely given to them in other, more liberal, societies.

[phooey]

Mike6,

the right time for cycling through a red light is when you can do it safely without danger or inconvenience to anyone.

The right time for cycling on the road at night without lights I guess the same conditions would apply...?

[nigel]

Do cyclists carrying kids on the back feel safer and do motorists treat them differently? Apologies as this is away from the topic but it's drifted into a general discussion about safety anyway.

[RobG]

Hi - my first post. I've conscientiously read through this thread but can't find what I really want an authoritative view on.

Do I LEGALLY HAVE to use cycle lanes/paths?I occasionally get abused by motorists for not doing so. I prefer to use the road as
(a) I have a racing bike and want to go fast on my daily commute
(b) cycle lanes often require you to go slowly, because of layout and proximity of pedestrians
(c) seperate bike paths tend to have an inferior surface and more debris which my thin wheels don't like.

BUT I am law abiding, never jump lights and so on, so will use lanes/paths if this is a legal necessity. Is it- or do I always have the right to ride on the road?

Thanks for any advice and apologies if this is all in a FAQ somewhere which I have missed.

Rob

[Pedalling Pete]

Rob, If you ride a bike and don't understand it, it's no wonder the motorists and the pedestrians don't get it either! And even our wonderful police don't understand it, as I was told to "get off the road and use the cycle path". And failure to comply with the request of a police officer is I believe itself an offence! So I risked arrest by pointing out that the use of the cycle path was not mandatory, and I chose to use the main carriageway so that everyone understood my intentions at intersections and junctions. Of course that doesn't stop both pedestrians and motorists abusing you and me for "getting in their way"! And even using their motor vehicles to force us off the road intentionally.
It would be nice to think that this was an issue being tackled by someone - maybe even the CTC - but I'm not holding my breath. They seem to be planning more of the same in conjunction with the planners.

[phooey]

Cycle lanse are NOT mandatory - all I can suggest is in the event of an off which results from a collision with a motorist - his insurance appointed solicitor would probably argue " There's a perfectly good cycle lane provided for your exclusive use - Why were'nt you using it ??"

Crap argument but that won't help you in your claim for compensation I would wager....!

[nigel]

Phooey - what you highlight here is dangerous precedent (not a legal term -I just made it up) which I believe the CTC should be very active to contend.
Some years ago a cyclist was killed by a motorist and in mitigation the defence for the motorist stated that the cyclist "was wearing dark clothing, had no lights and no helmet" -this on a sunny august evening.
I seem to recall that the motorist got off with a small fine and a few penalty points. The danger is that cases like this set precedents when in fact cyclists are doing nothing wrong -it's the "women should expect to get raped walking alone at night" or "you should expect to get burgled if you don't lock your door" mentality.
To get back to the point, this is one of the reasons why I NEVER use cycle lanes -I don't have to. Cyclists have a right to be on the roads.
It would be helpful if the CTC could offer some advice regarding the law when a policeman tells you to use a cycle lane which isn't mandatory.

[Tony]

When I get the chance I will send in a photo of the sign "To Cycle Route" at Gatwick Airport. It points down a number of flights of stairs.

[661-Pete]

Interesting you've had that problem Tony. When I needed to pay a lot of visits to the area a couple of years ago, I gave up trying to find my way out of Gatwick (train) station by bike - I used Three Bridges (next stop) instead and rode the extra 3 or 4 miles. But Evans who have one of their branches nearby have posted instructions on their website http://www.evanscycles.com/ telling you how to get out of Gatwick! I haven't tried this out yet!

[Tony]

I actually work at Gatwick and cycle in. There is a lift hidden away behind one of the desks near to the EXIT (marked "no entry") from the rail station, about halfway between the two exit routes in the South Terminal concourse. That drops you down onto the cycle route running under the airport between the railway lines and the main Horley-Crawley dual carriageway; North to Horley town centre, Redhill, Greenwich etc, South to Crawley and the rest. There are other cyclable ways into the airport...

[Pedalling Pete]

The Gatwick info is available to CTC Members who login on the Home page, access the CTC Route Info, and look for (I think) INF17. It includes all the access info you need, and seems an excellent piece of work. Those flying in or out should make sure they have this info. It also helps when friends fly to the UK after booking to "London Airport". A corresponding document is available for Heathrow.

[John1010]

I keep at least 1m out from kerb or parked cars regardless of the width of lane and only go through a narrow lane if the traffic is stopped and there are ASLs. In traffic queues, going fast down hill and approaching most junctions I take centre of lane and wait my turn. I still managed to hit one stupid person (at low speed) who crossed without looking. I would have wiped out another on a fast down hill that jumped out of a taxi on the road side and crossed if I hadn't given loads of room.

[AD]

My experience is that I feel less safe on those 'enclosed' and separated green cycle lanes. Pedestrians step out onto them and, when they meet a road junction, drivers don't look out for cyclists.
I feel I have become less visable when I use them - which is the most dangerous position for a cyclist to be in - and so use them rarely and prefer to take my 'space' on the road.
AD

[ezrider]

Oh yes! Green cycle lanes - that'll be the bit of the road used by motorcycles to jump the Q.
I was nearly killed in Oxford by one such!!

[troywinters]

last time I looked, a police officer was employed to uphold the law, not to make it up. there is no and never can be ( so help any government stupid enough to try ) any law forcing cyclists of the public highway which all us council tax payers pay for and onto third rate cyclepaths. therefore any cop saying off the road and onto the cyclepath is expressing their own opinion and can be chearily ignored, if they object call their bluff and say "see you in court" My main hobby is photography and it seems in the last year that some police have been enacting new laws against photography in public places. It seems some people have attitude problems and whenever we are oppressed for doing what is legal we should stand firmly or eventually we will lose our rights. and of course when you want the police can you get any response....