New Highway Code

[BoldonLad]

Well, maybe I'm misunderstanding the description, but that sounds a way to fark yourself and — in lanes with lots of cycle traffic like Cambridge — get yourself a load of abuse from following cyclists for stopping unnecessarily. Unless it was the front vehicle in the queue and there was no bike box or other space ahead of it, I would continue to overtake with caution, being prepared to emergency-stop or turn left if they start to move/turn before I've got past.

South Tyneside is not very near Cambridge. Other than Mrs @BoldonLad, I am usually the only cyclist in the lane.

Must be my description, because, that is exactly what I (we) do. (There is a "bike box", but, the markings have long since faded to be barely visible, and, it is generally ignored by drivers).

 

[mjr]

View: https://youtu.be/zU9tBBQNq_0

So his arguments are basically that 1. drivers turning into junctions can't see people; 2. drivers following drivers who do give way will crash into the back of them. As well as him basically arguing in favour of rewarding incompetence (drivers who can't see properly or follow too close should have their licenses taken away from them!), those two are mutually exclusive! If drivers indeed can't see people waiting to cross, they're not going to give way to them and the drivers following too close behind won't hit them...

Then he contrives some junction situations, makes them as bad as they possibly could be and insults pedestrians.

To cap it all, he says that 1.5m means drivers will have to use "the wrong side" of the road and objects to this because it will cause "significant tailbacks" and ignores that this is only a clarification of the old rule. Then he concludes with some questioning of primary/secondary positioning, ignoring that it's been taught by cycle trainers for over 20 years now, and another rant about the junctions. He really does seem far more concerned about the mere possibility of motorists having to queue than the safety of all other road users.

About the only good thing of that video is that he displays the actual text of some of the new rules, unlike the tabloid newspaper reports.

 

[presta]

Edmund King was on the radio this morning saying that there's a £500k advertising campaign pending in February.
Meanwhile, I think that the DoT's own summary is better than anything I've yet seen in the media.

 

[matticus]

Brilliant ride this morning - about 3 hours. Ratio of
cockwombles : drivers being almost over the top helpful
was about
1:20

Commuting has been pretty good too this week.

Probably just a statistical blip, but why not be optimistic? Even Cheery?!?

 

[matticus]

This war has been won before it even got started:


View: https://twitter.com/carltonreid/status/1487133536322736132?s=20&t=ccKRQ7zq66Ki2oJb9Fpn4g

 

[JPBoothy]

I doubt most motorists will have a clue about the change (many appear to have never had much of a clue. I reckon a large proportion of drivers who didn’t learn to drive in the U.K. have ever looked at or even heard of the HC

Agreed on that one.. Bad driving habits are ingrained (as are bad cycling habits) but, I just hope the good cyclists don't suffer the backlash if the few anarchist type 'bike riders' who decide to exercise the riding in the middle of the lane rule to the extent of causing a massive tailback just because they can

 

[numbnuts]

With all these discussions in the media it's surprising to see how many still think they pay road tax

 

[DaveReading]

I reckon a large proportion of drivers who didn’t learn to drive in the U.K. have ever looked at or even heard of the HC

I suspect you mean "I reckon a large proportion of drivers who didn’t learn to drive in the U.K. have never looked at or even heard of the HC "

 

[cyberknight]

FIL said cyclists are causing chaos according to the news, but the only one i can see is from the daily fail , 8 mile tailback apparantly
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-new-rules-tell-bikers-ride-middle-lanes.html

 

[SydZ]

It's very obvious that none of the dozen or so drivers I encountered on a short walk to the local shop, and back, today have heard of changes to the HC. Either that or previous behaviour is so ingrained that they haven't been able to change it yet.

 

[matticus]

It's very obvious that none of the dozen or so drivers I encountered on a short walk to the local shop, and back, today have heard of changes to the HC. Either that or previous behaviour is so ingrained that they haven't been able to change it yet.

Do you mean the rules around pedestrians?

 

[SydZ]

Do you mean the rules around pedestrians?

Yes, sorry should have made that clearer.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Well I went out for a ride today and happily caused total chaos
I think I delayed an HGV for nearly 400 yards as I approached a traffic refuge heavy area of Warrington
so if anyone was driving round Warrington and was stuck in an 8mile traffic jam

sorry

to cut the sarcasm for a moment - the HGV driver was great and hung back until there was a straight stretch with no traffic islands - I thanked him as he passed and he tooted his horn in recognition
still - total chaos - wonder if the Daily Fail will do a report on it tomorrow

 

[PK99]

I don't agree that this hasn't made a substantial change. It is a major change.

Previously, you were only expected to give way to pedestrians already on the carriageway. Now you should give way to anybody waiting to cross.

It may be "in line with zebra crossings", but it wasn't before.

I have no idea why you believe (with the old rules) "if a pedestrian has priority as soon as they set foot on the road, then you need to give way, because if they do step out a crash will be your fault. ". That was simply not true. If a pedestrian steps out in front of you when you are too close to avoid them, then it is NOT currently your fault (unless the reason you were too close to avoid them was you were travelling too fast of course).

From HWC online today:

My reading is that little has changed other than some "should" guidance.

Rule 19​

Zebra crossings. Give traffic plenty of time to see you and to stop before you start to cross. Vehicles will need more time when the road is slippery. Wait until traffic has stopped from both directions or the road is clear before crossing. Remember that traffic does not have to stop until someone has moved onto the crossing. Drivers and riders should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross and MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing (see Rule H2)

Rule H2 - Rule for drivers, motorcyclists, horse drawn vehicles, horse riders and cyclists​

At a junction you should give way to pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross a road into which or from which you are turning.

You MUST give way to pedestrians on a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists on a parallel crossing (see Rule 195).

Pedestrians have priority when on a zebra crossing, on a parallel crossing or at light controlled crossings when they have a green signal.

You should give way to pedestrians waiting to cross a zebra crossing, and to pedestrians and cyclists waiting to cross a parallel crossing.

 

[PK99]

Are we all talking about this one:
View attachment 628102
(I can't see Twitter from this machine!)

If so, I agree, it is rather misleading on 1 & 2.

I do wish everyone jumping up-and-down about those 2 rules would actually read the ACTUAL HC, but it's hardly surprising when they don't :-/

Item 5, is in conflict with HWC guidance if it is intended to suggest that cyclists are now allowed to pass on the inside a car in that situation

Rule 74​

Turning. When approaching a junction on the left, watch out for vehicles turning in front of you, out of or into the side road. If you intend to turn left, check first for other cyclists or motorcyclists before signalling. Do not ride on the inside of vehicles signaling or slowing down to turn left.