Highway Code

[MrHappyCyclist]

Like a number of people, I wrote to my MP about this. The response from the DfT was less than inspiring. It followed the same pattern I have seen in other replies from the government; giving a load of reasons why the proposal should be supported, and then finishing with words that I tend to sum up as "...but we can't be arsed".

I have discussed it in my blog, here.

From the blog:

'All promising stuff. Then I turned the page over to the side that was signed by Mr Baker himself. This basically said that they consider the highway code guidance to be fine as it is, and finished by saying: “The Government, therefore, has no plans to make the proposed amendments to the Highway Code calling for a legal obligation to give 3 feet clearance”, adding in the signing off paragraph: “I hope this reply is helpful.”'

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Just to play devils advocate for a moment how many of you know / are cyclists that cannot drive? Also how many of us cyclists know the sections of the highway code that (we feel) do not apply to us? (eg HGV driving or towing a horsebox)

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

Just to play devils advocate for a moment how many of you know / are cyclists that cannot drive? Also how many of us cyclists know the sections of the highway code that (we feel) do not apply to us? (eg HGV driving or towing a horsebox)

True, but rule 163 is in the section titled "Using the road (159-203)", rules 212 & 213 are under "Road users requiring extra care (204-225)", which is also aimed at everyone, though an idiot might not understand that. One problem is that a lopt of motorists haven't read the HC at all; any part of it. The other problem is that they don't feel it is relevant to them.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I assume you mean cyclists. If so yes I agree with you. I find that being a driver before I became a cyclist was a huge help in understanding the principles of road riding. I just had to learn the finer points (primary, secondary positions and ASL spring to mind). I have ridden with people who can't drive and have no concept of junctions, roundabouts in fact an rule of the road at all. I will point out that once i realise this I will not ride on the road with them again unless they are prepared to accept tuition (I am a Bikeability Instructor)

One problem is that they haven't read the HC at all; any part of it. The other problem is that they don't feel it is relevant to them.

 

[400bhp]

129
Double white lines where the line nearest you is solid. This means you MUST NOT cross or straddle it unless it is safe and you need to enter adjoining premises or a side road. You may cross the line if necessary, provided the road is clear, to pass a stationary vehicle, or overtake a pedal cycle, horse or road maintenance vehicle, if they are travelling at 10 mph (16 km/h) or less.

That is a crap rule IMO.

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I assume you mean cyclists.

No, I meant motorists. (I've edited it to clarify that point now.) However ...

If so yes I agree with you. I find that being a driver before I became a cyclist was a huge help in understanding the principles of road riding.

Yes, I think the road-using aspects do transfer. I also found learning to drive a car relatively easy having been a motorcyclist for three years. For a cyclist, having driven cars also helps you to understand how the motor traffic is likely to behave.

I just had to learn the finer points (primary, secondary positions and ASL spring to mind). I have ridden with people who can't drive and have no concept of junctions, roundabouts in fact an rule of the road at all. I will point out that once i realise this I will not ride on the road with them again unless they are prepared to accept tuition (I am a Bikeability Instructor)

That's interesting. Most (adult) cyclists I know are also drivers, but generally seem to be more aware of the highway code than non-cycling drivers. More people taking up tuition would help a lot, I think. I have often wondered, though, why a lot of the advice from Bikeability on road position, etc., is not mentioned at all in the "cyclists" sections of the highway code.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

I wish I had an answer for you as I have asked the same question many times!

I have often wondered, though, why a lot of the advice from Bikeability on road position, etc., is not mentioned at all in the "cyclists" sections of the highway code.

 

[danphoto]

That is a crap rule IMO.

Just out of interest, why so?

 

[supercooper]

When I was learning to drive my instructor told me that you should pass a car with at least a doors width , That way if a parked car should open its door you wont hit it . The same applies to cars passing cycles , horses ect if they pass less than a doors width and for some reason their door opens it will hit you , so that is my unwritten rule when I am driving , I always pass everything at just over a doors width and if I cant pass with that clearance then I wait till I can But it dose my head in when cars pass real close to me

 

[LazyCat]

Everyday on the Edgware road and Park Lane I observe cyclist more that happy to undertake / overtake moving cars, trucks, busses and other cyclist with almost no space to spare -- you can almost hear their handlebars scraping the paint off the side. No, I don't mean filtering when stopped at traffic lights etc. It reinforces the perception with motorists, that that is more than enough space. If it wasn't, why would cyclists put themselves in such a dangerous position?

I'm not trying to make excuses for motorists here, I'm just saying that (some) cyclists are making a bed that we all end up having to sleep in.

 

[Svendo]

Was thinking about the Highway Code wording in rule 163, which as mentioned already is a bit ambiguous. The illustration makes it clear what is intended, that the overtaking car is positioned the same in either case, not that the gap between wingmirrors or wingmirror/elbow is the same.

I came up with this addition to the wording "... as if they are as wide as a car" giving:

"give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car, as if they are as wide as a car. (see Rules 211-215)"