What defines a cyclepath.

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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MartinM said:

unless I can find the copy of the HC I had when I was taking my driving
test (1979) we will never know

It is just possible I still have one of that vintage.

but they were for mopeds as well IIRC so no relationship to the current
beast; presumably scrapped after the advent of FS1E's, Fantics and other 50
mph buzz-bombs.

MartinM said:

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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MartinM said:

I'm going back to the 70's here when the only ones that existed were eg

the

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one on the Severn Bridge, and alongside A roads like the A23 and A217,

but I

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remember the blue circle and in those days that meant compulsory, eg

mimimum

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speed signs (do you still see them?)

I'm with the others: I don't think it ever was compulsory, blue circular
sign notwithstanding.

well unless I can find the copy of the HC I had when I was taking my driving
test (1979) we will never know

No - we know already. It's only you that's entertaining this fiction.

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 20:43:57 -0000, "MartinM" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

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I'm with the others: I don't think it ever was compulsory, blue circular
sign notwithstanding.

well unless I can find the copy of the HC I had when I was taking my driving
test (1979) we will never know

The rest of us know.

I recently discovered on this NG that it is all too easy to hold a
belief for a number of years, convinced there was proof of the truth,
but then be proven wrong.

I thought that the law relating to bicycles using pavements was
restricted to bicycles with wheels over a certain diameter. I was
shown to be wrong in this very newsgroup.

The distinct lack of evidence that there is such a thing as a
compulsory cycle path for cyclists suggests that such compulsion to
use cycle paths never existed.

"Gonzalez" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 20:43:57 -0000, "MartinM" <[email hidden]>

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I'm with the others: I don't think it ever was compulsory, blue

circular

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sign notwithstanding.

well unless I can find the copy of the HC I had when I was taking my

driving

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test (1979) we will never know

The rest of us know.

I recently discovered on this NG that it is all too easy to hold a
belief for a number of years, convinced there was proof of the truth,
but then be proven wrong.

I thought that the law relating to bicycles using pavements was
restricted to bicycles with wheels over a certain diameter. I was
shown to be wrong in this very newsgroup.

The distinct lack of evidence that there is such a thing as a
compulsory cycle path for cyclists suggests that such compulsion to
use cycle paths never existed.

but they were not real cycle paths in the current sense

until I read a thread about this on urc some months ago I thought that they
remained compulsory and that I was breaking the law by ignoring most of them

Paul Rudin wrote:
['compulsory' cycle paths]

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No - we know already. It's only you that's entertaining this fiction.

Sadly, not just him but quite a few other motorists.

R.

richard said:

Paul Rudin wrote:
['compulsory' cycle paths]

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No - we know already. It's only you that's entertaining this fiction.

Sadly, not just him but quite a few other motorists.

Well - yes, I realise that there are many road users who are almost
completely ignorant of the contents of the HC and various relevant
pieces of legislation. I rather meant "only you amongst those
contributing to this thread".

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 23:04:24 -0000, "MartinM" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

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The distinct lack of evidence that there is such a thing as a
compulsory cycle path for cyclists suggests that such compulsion to
use cycle paths never existed.

but they were not real cycle paths in the current sense

until I read a thread about this on urc some months ago I thought that they
remained compulsory and that I was breaking the law by ignoring most of them

They NEVER were compulsory.

You were mistaken - just as our driving instructor friend was
mistaken. And just as all his incorrectly taught driving pupils will
me mistaken.

Bicycles are banned from using motorways and a limited number of A
roads (why is unclear), and possibly one or two B road tunnels. Where
a mandatory cycle lane exists cyclist have ALWAYS had the right to use
the main carriageway, and I hope always will.

On Sat, 13 Nov 2004 23:23:07 +0000 (UTC) someone who may be richard
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

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Sadly, not just him but quite a few other motorists.

Including Andy Howes, Driving Instructor, Leicester, who has been
rather quiet since making his assertion.

If he is a member of one of the large groups of driving instructor,
which should be checkable in the Yellow Pages, then perhaps someone
could have a word with them and invite them to remind "their"
instructors on this point.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.

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On Sun, 14 Nov 2004 08:16:58 +0000 someone who may be Gonzalez
<[email hidden]> wrote this:-

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Bicycles are banned from using motorways and a limited number of A
roads (why is unclear),

In the case of the A90 the "cycle friendly" City of Edinburgh
Council wishes to speed up motor vehicle journeys and wants to get
those dammed cyclists out of the way and onto the "alternative"
path.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E
I will always explain revoked keys, unless the UK government
prevents me by using the RIP Act 2000.

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I too have been confused by the blue circular sign with a white bike.
As a rule blue circle signs indicate compulsion (ie the left turn only
arrow).

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory" but the
word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

"Gonzalez" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 21:59:08 -0000, "MartinM" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Gonzalez" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

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On Fri, 12 Nov 2004 20:04:29 GMT, "Andy Howes"
<[email hidden]> wrote:

>If it is circular then the path MUST be used. If the sign is

rectangular

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>then it is merely advising one of the presence of a cycle path that

MAY

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be

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>used.

If it is circular then the path MUST NOT be used by motor vehicles.
Cyclists can choose to use it al will.

>I've just had to point that out to the local cycling policeman (who

does

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NOT

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>use the mandatory ones !).

Ahhh... I know the sort of person you are - leaning out of car
windows, "Gerr off moi road".

>AH
>Driving Instructor

Not one who knows the rules of the road, then.

the (ahem) last time I looked at the HC it categorised signs by shape and
colour:

Red triangle- Warning
Red circle Prohibition
Blue circle Compulsion

and blue circle bike lanes were compulsory (but that was along time ago)

So is a red triangle containing a bicycle symbol a warning to cyclists
or a warning to motorists that bicycles may be around?

It is compulsory that motorists stay out of blue circle cycle lanes.

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory" but the
word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

Maybe this is where the confusion started.

It isn't in my 1959 edition.

"Just zis Guy, you know?" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

MartinM said:

unless I can find the copy of the HC I had when I was taking my driving
test (1979) we will never know

It is just possible I still have one of that vintage.

--
Guy

John Pitcock (nospam) said:

I too have been confused by the blue circular sign with a white bike.
As a rule blue circle signs indicate compulsion (ie the left turn

only

Quoted message said:

arrow).

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory" but

the

Quoted message said:

word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

Thanks for that; knew I wasn't imagining it.

John Pitcock j-pitcock(nospam)@msn.com said:

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory" but the
word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

And it is still a mandatory cycle lane - but the meaning of the word
compulsory / mandatory is not necessarily as represented.

--
Guy

Just zis Guy said:

John Pitcock j-pitcock(nospam)@msn.com said:

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory"

but the

Quoted message said:

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word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

And it is still a mandatory cycle lane - but the meaning of the word
compulsory / mandatory is not necessarily as represented.

but the blue circle means compulsory for someone or other: if it meant
no motor vehicles it would have the Evil Knevil motorbike flying over a
car sign instead of a bicycle. I reckon it's a typo.

Andy Howes said:

One point you might have overlooked is the sign designating the cycle path.

If it is circular then the path MUST be used. If the sign is rectangular
then it is merely advising one of the presence of a cycle path that MAY be
used.

I've just had to point that out to the local cycling policeman (who does NOT
use the mandatory ones !).

AH
Driving Instructor

But evidently woefully ignorant about the law as it pertains to at
least one other class of road-user. I hope you don't tell your
trainees the same sort of bollocks you're spouting here.

Is there sonme sort of national register of driving instructors? Any
chance of providing us with your identification so we can get your
qualification rescinded, or at the very least go through a retest?

regards, Ian SMith
--
|\ /| no .sig
|o o|
|/ \|

MartinM said:

Yes I know that but certainly early 80's they were compulsory, which I think
is where the cager line "get on the psyclepath where you are supposed to be"
comes from.

No, they were not.

regards, Ian SMith
--
|\ /| no .sig
|o o|
|/ \|

MartinM said:

John Pitcock (nospam) said:

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory" but

the

Quoted message said:

word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

Thanks for that; knew I wasn't imagining it.

I suspect that is a misleading description that was quickly corrected
for subsequent editions, rather than an accurate description of the law
(which law?) as it stood at the time.

James
--
If I have seen further than others, it is
by treading on the toes of giants.
http://www.ne.jp/asahi/julesandjames/home/

John Pitcock (nospam) said:

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory" but

the

Quoted message said:

word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

Maybe this is where the confusion started.

It isn't in my 1959 edition.

I think that is because the lanes in question did not exist; if you
look along the A217 around Sutton you may still see remnants of one,
now used as parking spaces.

David Hansen [email hidden] opined the following...

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In the case of the A90 the "cycle friendly" City of Edinburgh
Council wishes to speed up motor vehicle journeys and wants to get
those dammed cyclists out of the way and onto the "alternative"
path.

But it is obvious that while removing cyclists will prevent a repeat of
that tragic death (I believe there was only one), removing cars would
have no effect on the number of driver / passenger casualties and
deaths... er... hang on, I think I've got an idea!

Is there any update on this one David?

Jon

A small correction: the 1972 Highway Code actually says:
"Route for cyclists and moped riders (compulsory)"
Even more intriguing.

"MartinM" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

John Pitcock said:

I too have been confused by the blue circular sign with a white bike.
As a rule blue circle signs indicate compulsion (ie the left turn
only arrow).

My 1972 edition of the Highway Code says "Cycle lane, compulsory" but
the word "compulsory" hasn't been in subsequent editions.

Quoted message said:

Thanks for that; knew I wasn't imagining it.