highway code changes

[Felonious Crud]

Discuss.

 

[Gazcw]

View attachment 95955

Discuss.

So a cycle on the outside of you can cut across the front and if they hit them it's your fault. How is that safe? What complete fktard came up with this!
If I tried to give 5ft distance between me and a bike in the centre of the lane I would be in the fcking fields so I guess I will crawl along for miles at snail pace until they decide to let me pass (which they won't because they appear to own the roads around here).
I am not anti bike and always wait and give room as with horses as others should, but this is just crazy. Another measure to get us out of cars.

 

[Gazcw]

Oh and note the word should not must. So I don't have to give them 5ft legally is that what they are saying?

 

[Felonious Crud]

So a cycle on the outside of you can cut across the front and if they hit them it's your fault.

And if you turn left then you need to not hit the cyclist undertaking you and ignoring your left-turn signal.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Oh and note the word should not must. So I don't have to give them 5ft legally is that what they are saying?

I read 'should' as 'won't'.

 

[CatmanV2]

3 was what I was always taught anyway. The others seem, well, interesting

C

 

[safrane]

I find the majority of cyclist rather frustrating, mainly because they far to frequently ignore the code themselves which is even worse in city and added to by this ludicrous e-scooters system in Bristol, and others.

At least horse riders take care, and I respect they are also trying to control an animal with its own mind too.

My car has a 'city safe' mode but I have to turn it off in Bristol as it chimes constantly and self breaks all the time.

Yes we need to share the road, but if car divers behaved in the same way having their own race meets each weekend on the public roads we would be jailed.

 

[schell70]

I believe that if a vehicle is turning right on a one way street the cyclist also has priority to overtake them?

Going to be lots of accidents is all I can say, and of course the cyclist will say they had priority even if they saw the indicator but decided to under or overtake as fast as possible. Pity the poor HGV drivers and their blind spots - will be splat city!

Be intersting to see if the cyclists start giving way to pedestrians as has also been mandated

 

[sionie1]

If cyclists aren't required to use the cycle lanes, when they're provided, why are we paying for loads of roadworks in towns and cities to install them? Surely the safest space for a cyclist is in a designated lane with no cars or trucks?

 

[Felonious Crud]

If cyclists aren't required to use the cycle lanes, when they're provided, why are we paying for loads of roadworks in towns and cities to install them? Surely the safest space for a cyclist is in a designated lane with no cars or trucks?

Yeah, agreed. Any cyclist not using a cycle line should have their bike thrown in the nearest river. With them on it.

 

[allandwf]

Madness

 

[RodTungsten]

4 & 5 are plain bonkers. I do cycle and commuted into central London on a bike (motor) for a few years. Trying no 4 on any 2 wheels in moving traffic is asking for trouble. You can tell who are the fellow bikers in cars as they give you space and flick mirrors in. I have dislodged a few mirrors in the past for ‘imprudent’ characters trying to squeeze me out.

 

[Harry]

I’m more intrigued to know why the measurements are being given in Imperial. I didn’t think anyone has been taught feet and inches since the 70’s.

 

[CatmanV2]

4 & 5 are plain bonkers. I do cycle and commuted into central London on a bike (motor) for a few years. Trying no 4 on any 2 wheels in moving traffic is asking for trouble. You can tell who are the fellow bikers in cars as they give you space and flick mirrors in. I have dislodged a few mirrors in the past for ‘imprudent’ characters trying to squeeze me out.

4 or 5 (which is what I think you mean)?

C

 

[sionie1]

I’m more intrigued to know why the measurements are being given in Imperial. I didn’t think anyone has been taught feet and inches since the 70’s.

Looks like our kids might possibly be learning it again soon.

Britain Signals Intent to Revert to the Imperial System (Published 2021)

The government announced plans to allow shops to sell produce in pounds and ounces, rather than using the metric system, as part of an effort to “capitalize on new Brexit freedoms.”

www.nytimes.com

 

[Hawk13]

I have no issue with introducing greater protection for cyclists and sensible guidance but this concept of 'you can ride wherever you want in the road and if you keep going straight, it will never be your fault' is madness.

I also want cyclists to hold themselves accountable. Yes, that means stop jumping red lights, riding on the pavement and ignoring the rules designed to protect them. The number of times I have seen cyclists keep going when the road is too narrow for 2 cars (usually due to parked cars) and I have right of way but a cyclist keeps coming.

 

[Doohickey]

I'm no cyclist and they do give themselves a bad name, especially around the Dales, but the above isn't actually what the changes say. Summary is here https://assets.publishing.service.g...37306/table-of-change-to-the-highway-code.pdf. Rules 66 and 72 relate to 1 and 2 above. The two abreast rule makes it clear that they can in certain circumstances but should be aware of other traffic and ride in single file on fast roads. I think 4 was the rule anyway and 5 is just common sense. The only major change is in 3 where they've increased the distance.

The problem will be that cyclists will read the headlines and assume that they have the rights to do things they don't and there will be more accidents.

The other change is that we are all supposed to use our left hands to open the door so that you automatically look over your shoulder when doing so.

 

[GeoffCapes]

Yeah, agreed. Any cyclist not using a cycle line should have their bike thrown in the nearest river. With them on it.

I look forward to someone trying to do that to me!

Cycle lanes aren't used (by me) for a number of reasons.

1. They're often shared with pedestrians with kids and people walking their dog. The last thing they want is a load of cyclists hurtling towards them at 25-30mph!
2. They're always filled with litter and rubbish and glass meaning that you put your life in your own hands should you choose to use them.
3. Doing 30 on a road is keeping up with traffic anyway so where's the issue?
4. Vehicles generally park in them rendering them pointless.

 

[GeoffCapes]

The answer to this is so much easier than the rules which have been introduced.

We do like a number of countries in Europe have.

If there is a collision between a cyclist and a vehicle, the onus is on the driver of the vehicle to prove their innocence. If they can't it's their fault. Simple as that.

This may seen harsh, but what it does do is make motorists more vigilant of their surroundings.
What it also does is punish the dick head cyclists who cut drivers up and weave in and out of cars in traffic (much like motorbikes) and are generally a pain in the ar5e who don't abide by the rules.
If they get hit by a car riding like a dick. It's their fault. Problem solved.

I'm not going to defend all cyclists as there are some complete bell ends out there on a bike, but lets be fair there are far more bell ends driving cars, van, lorries, buses etc on our roads.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I look forward to someone trying to do that to me!

Cycle lanes aren't used (by me) for a number of reasons.

1. They're often shared with pedestrians with kids and people walking their dog. The last thing they want is a load of cyclists hurtling towards them at 25-30mph!
2. They're always filled with litter and rubbish and glass meaning that you put your life in your own hands should you choose to use them.
3. Doing 30 on a road is keeping up with traffic anyway so where's the issue?
4. Vehicles generally park in them rendering them pointless.

Mark, I assume you cycle with consideration for all road users. In which case you'll doubtless agree that doing 30 in a limit is fine, 25 would likely be better. Doing 30 two abreast in a 60 is stupid. Riding slowly uphill in a pretend Tou-de-France peleton* is stupid. Undertaking is stupid.

*a tightly packed herd of cyclists, not the fitness company