DJ
Formerly known as djtheglove
- Location
- On my bike in the smoke!!!!!!!!!!
Arch said:
How do you work that one out ?
Cycle path discipline...
- Thread starter HF2300
- Start date
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How do you work that one out ?
OP
OP
HF2300
Insanity Prawn Boy
Alledgedly, we drive on the left because, back in days of old when knights were bold, it was better to keep your sword arm to the oncoming - and perhaps hostile - traffic. The story has it that because Napoleon was left-handed, he preferred the opposite side...
In fact, though, it seems that keeping right was codified in France at the time of the Revolution, and Napoleon at best spread it to the countries he conquered; it's said that nobility travelled on the left in pre-Revolution France, while the peasants travelled on the right for the same reason pedestrians are advised to today. Come the Revolution it wasn't healthy to be identified as a noble, so they switched to the right...
A more prosaic explanation might be practicality. It's also said that keeping on the left evolved because wagons and coaches are driven from the right hand seat, and keeping left made it easier to pass on narrow roads.
Supposedly, the switch to keeping right in some countries was made as a result of using teams of horses on heavy wagons, artillery etc. controlled by a lead horse which would be ridden; because horses tend to be mounted from the left the lead horse would be on the left, so it was easier to pass left to left.
I have never ridden a horse nor driven a wagon or stagecoach, nor was I in pre-Revolution France or the middle ages (though I feel that old sometimes) so you may take this with a pinch of salt.
Interestingly, when the Swiss army ordered heavy tank transporter tractors in the 1950s they were built right hand drive, as it was felt that seeing the edges of the road on the mountain passes was quite important...
In fact, though, it seems that keeping right was codified in France at the time of the Revolution, and Napoleon at best spread it to the countries he conquered; it's said that nobility travelled on the left in pre-Revolution France, while the peasants travelled on the right for the same reason pedestrians are advised to today. Come the Revolution it wasn't healthy to be identified as a noble, so they switched to the right...
A more prosaic explanation might be practicality. It's also said that keeping on the left evolved because wagons and coaches are driven from the right hand seat, and keeping left made it easier to pass on narrow roads.
Supposedly, the switch to keeping right in some countries was made as a result of using teams of horses on heavy wagons, artillery etc. controlled by a lead horse which would be ridden; because horses tend to be mounted from the left the lead horse would be on the left, so it was easier to pass left to left.
I have never ridden a horse nor driven a wagon or stagecoach, nor was I in pre-Revolution France or the middle ages (though I feel that old sometimes) so you may take this with a pinch of salt.
Interestingly, when the Swiss army ordered heavy tank transporter tractors in the 1950s they were built right hand drive, as it was felt that seeing the edges of the road on the mountain passes was quite important...
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
HF2300 said:
Um, doesn't it depend a bit on which way the road is going? I don't have much mountain experience, but having been driven over the col de la columbiere last week, I know I was more terrified on some sections than others, due to being on the off-side or nearside...
The stuff about Napolean was what I was thinking of, and I did know it might be debatable.
Landslide
Rare Migrant
- Location
- Called to the bar
I guess the Swiss thinking was that they drive on the right, and if that means you're on the side next to the precipice, having a right-hand drive vehicle means that the driver is in the best place to see where the edge is. If you're on the side of the road away from the precipice, knowing where the edge is becomes less of an issue.
As regards driving on the left, I was always led to believe that this was due to mounting horses at the side of the road. The majority of folks were right-handed, and as such would wear their sword and scabbard on their left. This meant it was easier to mount the horse from the left, as the sword didn't have to swing across the horse's back.
As regards driving on the left, I was always led to believe that this was due to mounting horses at the side of the road. The majority of folks were right-handed, and as such would wear their sword and scabbard on their left. This meant it was easier to mount the horse from the left, as the sword didn't have to swing across the horse's back.
always cycle on the left in this country (except in the face of determined wrong side cyclist coming the other way) - sort of trying to educate people to do the same - interestingly in europe when i ride on the right i am always being faced down by people riding on the left hand side - it would seem that most casual cyclists of all nationalities dont go for that rules of the road stuff
The exceptions are the dutch, germans and scandinavians in urban areas where if you are on the wrong side (or offending any other cycle ettitique - like giving way to vehicles) they soon let you know
The exceptions are the dutch, germans and scandinavians in urban areas where if you are on the wrong side (or offending any other cycle ettitique - like giving way to vehicles) they soon let you know
Arch
Married to Night Train
- Location
- Salford, UK
Last week I was on a lovely cycle path in Annecy, France, smooth tarmac, 34km of it, wide enough for 4 abreast, lanes for each direction, demarcated by a dotted line down the middle, just like a real road...
And no one going 'the wrong way'. In fact, quite a lot of roadies out doing their thing...
And no one going 'the wrong way'. In fact, quite a lot of roadies out doing their thing...
We had an incident a couple of weeks ago when a little child ran across a cycle path causing me to swerve. My mate was possibly (or definitely) a bit too close, clipped my rear wheel and went down, breaking his femur and collar bone in the process. We were only doing about 10 mph but a moments loss of concentration can have big consequences when cyclists and peds get mixed up.
Ludwig
Hopeless romantic
- Location
- Lissingdown
I tend to avoid cyclepaths as they seem to attract the muppet bike element.
swee'pea99
Legendary Member
I always go left, on the ground that in the absence of any other rule, following road practise seems to tilt the balance in that direction. More importantly though, I always make a point of eyeballing whoever's approaching, at distance, and making a big OTT sweep to the left, as if to say: LOOK! I'm going on the LEFT - you see? Takes a true moron not to take the hint...not that you don't meet them on occasion...
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
I try to always be on the left. As I was heading up a steep hill the bloke coming down it was on the right so I had to move. he apologised and we both smiled. Its no big deal I'd rather somebody was on their bike and not adding to traffic congestion, etc than behaving perfectly on the bike.
Angelfishsolo
A Velocipedian
- Location
- Cwmbach, South Wales
I may be confused because I have not had and coffee 
yet but if you were heading up on the left then he would have been coming down on your right. I miss the part that caused you to move. Sorry if I'm being a mupett lol
yet but if you were heading up on the left then he would have been coming down on your right. I miss the part that caused you to move. Sorry if I'm being a mupett lolHLaB said:
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
OK maybe I should have said my left or his rightAngelfishsolo said:I may be confused because I have not had and coffee
Angelfishsolo
A Velocipedian
- Location
- Cwmbach, South Wales
HLaB said:OK maybe I should have said my left or his right
Cheers M8. My poor brain was getting fried trying to work this out lol
