ian henden wrote:
> "Tom Crispin" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > I tend to cycle in the primary position when approching road
> > narrowings or width restrictions to prevent overtaking. If that goes
> > against the highway code, then that section of the highway code is an
> > ass.
>
> No problem with that. UNLESS there happens to be an adjacent cycle track
> which would take the slower cyclist out of the constriction.
There's a shared use cycle/footpath going for about 3 miles along a
30mph road near where I live. The road is straight, with right of way
everywhere. The cycle track (which you can't expect to go at full speed
on, apparently) has multiple turnings and give ways at every junction
(about 10 of them in total)
That means slowing, stopping, waiting, every few hundered yards.
Of course the correct thing for a cyclist to do is ride along the road
as they have every right too, but people like you expect them to be on
the cycle paths. Many cycle paths, through parks etc, end in a
"cyclists dismount" order, to cross the pavement. I don't see drivers
of park vehicles getting out of their vehicles and pushing them across
the pavement to access the road. I don't see why cyclists have to do
anything other than stop, then proceed when safe, and the way is clear,
same as when you go in/out of your driveway in your car.
Unreasonable "Cyclists Dismount" signs are the one law that I regularly
break cycling (after ensuring its safe for all involved of course).
Well, that and occasionally have the front half of my wheel over the
stop line depending how far the taxi behind has encroached on the cycle
advanced stop line.
In many caes you can make better progress on the road than on an
equivelent cycle path.
Personally I often go into the outside lane on a 2 lane road to
overtake slow moving buses, lorries etc. I ride assertively so nobody
attempts an illegal, dangerous, double-overtake, and obviously move
back into the inside lane when there is no longer slower moving traffic
obstructing me. Only time I safely and legally filter through the
inside or between vehicles (depending on junction layout) is when
1) Vehicle on right is not turning left
2) Vehicle on left is not turning right
3) Vehicles on both sides have stopped and aren't going to pull off
while I'm between them (red light, stopped vehicles in front, etc)
4) There is enough room to comfortably pass between the vehicles
without risking impact.
