Fair Weather Cyclist - Part 2

[Red Squirrel]

Pleased to report that I made my first commute today - thanks again for all the encouragement. Eight weeks to go until Pedal it Pink, so on track. I made a few observations during my journey and have one further question if I may indulge?
In no particular order..
Thoroughly enjoyed the trip - determined to commute regularly.
Early morning motorists are more considerate than evening motorists - though these may be the same people after a bad day.
Stationary traffic way more hazardous than moving traffic, totally unpredictable!
A big raspberry to my local council - quality of road surface appalling.

And my question - my route includes two busy flyovers - am under the impression that cyclists not supposed to go over these - but the way round the bottom is tortuous and quite trecherous trying to hold your own in the correct lane. Is it ok to go over the flyover? Can't possibly be more dangerous than the ground route (one is a motorway junction!).

Thanks again.

 

[marinyork]

Why wouldn't it be ok to go over the flyover? Is there a sign saying no cycling or is it physically part of the motorway. If there isn't (or some other restriction e.g. light vehicles only) then it is absolutely fine.

 

[Red Squirrel]

One has a sign (but the other doesn't!) - can't imagine I'll get arrested if I get it wrong, but wanted to check on the rules of the road. Good advice that I received was to ride assertively - found myself cycling around the bottom saying to myself 'I am a car' to maintain position! PS I'm no spring chicken so, whilst growing in confidence I probably more risk averse than I was when youngerand last cycling regularly!

 

[marinyork]

It depends, is it an officially endorsed sign by the highway code or a made up jobby? I've come across signs that have no legal basis e.g. blue signs saying "all cyclists this way" which I ignore if I feel the need. If it's some kind of sign like that then ignore it. If it's a no cycling sign I personally would stick to not going that way. It's an arse but hey.

 

[Tynan]

I go over Bow flyover because it's quicker and because I'll always swerve a fast roundabout if I have a choice

Although getting into the lane for the flyover while people want to get into the lane for the roundabout isn't always fun

the roads are terrible at present, the snow and ice has really made things worse

 

[marooncat]

I regulary ignore a sign on a underpass which says "cyclist dismount", I can see no reason for it as I can see straight through it so I know what is on the other side.

If you are not sure about the flyovers could you push your bike over them??

 

[Red Squirrel]

Thanks for all suggestions. There's no proper red circle signs, just the made up jobby - so, should be able to avoid being arrested! There's no pavement on the flyovers, so nowhere to walk bike over. Assuming I have enough puff to get over the hump of the flyover, I think I'm just going to go for it. I can't beleive it is any less safe going with the flow of the traffic - as the road layout was intended, rather than having to negotiate the traffic leaving the city and coming at me from all angles in their bid to the first one home.
PS Not sure if I can blame the weather for the awful road conditions - we had no snow! Though, in fairness, it was quite frosty.

 

[Tynan]

did the scouse steal all the snow?

 

[Red Squirrel]

Nah, it was too scared to settle!