New offences for cyclists/cycling

[Punkawallah]

Much ado about nothing, really, but the media like to create a drama to get people frothing.

We should remember, they are paid by the ‘story’, not by the ‘fact’.

 

[briantrumpet]

We should remember, they are paid by the ‘story’, not by the ‘fact’.

Actually, these days they are more often paid by the 'click', which is the death of balanced journalism.

 

[presta]

Not using a cycle lane...

That one's already been tried, with Daniel Cadden 18 years ago.

Keeping momentum at a large roundabout by not stopping to a car coming from the right.

A great deal of the cycling behaviour that motorists object to boils down to maintaining momentum. Unfortunately I've had arguments with cyclists even who don't understand that stopping wastes energy, and the need for repeated stopping in urban areas wastes a great deal of it.

It isn't overtaking; it's filtering. This is where lots of people arguing about cyclists "undertaking" go wrong.

This used to link an excellent essay from a lawyer on the legalities of filtering, unfortunately it's been taken down, and I don't have a copy of it: https://www.mackssolicitors.co.uk/overtaking-and-filtering-whilst-cycling
In summary: there's no legal definition of the difference between filtering and undertaking, and if it gets to court, each case will be decided on its own merits. Here's another, but it's aimed at motorcyclists and isn't very comprehensive, with none of the detail and case law that was in the other one.

 

[icowden]

A great deal of the cycling behaviour that motorists object to boils down to maintaining momentum. Unfortunately I've had arguments with cyclists even who don't understand that stopping wastes energy, and the need for repeated stopping in urban areas wastes a great deal of it.

Definitely this. One of the big complaints (from cyclists) about shared cycling infrastructure (pavement widening) from my area to the town centre is that there are a huge number of side roads, so it doesn't make sense for a lot of cyclists to use it, as you constantly have to start and stop. Admittedly the lane is mostly aimed at parents taking their kids to school or to the town centre, but there is still a lot about it - the start stop, and poor sight lines at some junctions that make it problematic.

The original design had raised tables with traffic having to give way to cyclists and pedestrians but after "feedback" it got changed.

 

[mjr]

Definitely this. One of the big complaints (from cyclists) about shared cycling infrastructure (pavement widening) from my area to the town centre is that there are a huge number of side roads, so it doesn't make sense for a lot of cyclists to use it, as you constantly have to start and stop. Admittedly the lane is mostly aimed at parents taking their kids to school or to the town centre, but there is still a lot about it - the start stop, and poor sight lines at some junctions that make it problematic.

The original design had raised tables with traffic having to give way to cyclists and pedestrians but after "feedback" it got changed.

So it's a substandard outdated design. Active Travel England should punish that council for building dangerous shoot (as Commissioner Boardman says they have evidence that building stuff at least as good as the 2020 manual improves safety compared to an unmodified road, while building substandard shoot actually worsens it... but I've not checked to see if that's been published yet) and make the council put it right before they get any more DfT money, but we've still yet to see that happen. I hope at least the local cycling campaign is complaining noisily about the council blowing the budget and not even building it to the basic standard. Hell, even backwards old Norfolk is doing raised tables and carriageway give-ways across side roads off A-roads now, even if it often still doesn't get the sight lines and setback curves correct...

 

[Dadam]

@Jameshow - you're describing my inner city commuting, well, apart from the roundabout bit. I track stand those.

I'll prepare to be chased down . I'm not stopping for someone waving me to: on my south Leeds commute they're more likely to be muggers.

Same as me. Except I can't track stand. If I tried it using my commuting flat pedals I'd just look silly. If I tried it clipped in I'd look silly at the same time as probably injuring myself and damaging the bike.
I also don't filter on the left past lorries or buses

 

[PK99]

Cycled in London a few times. Found that if you follow the Highway Code, there is no problem. Perhaps it’s the ‘shock effect’?
My gripe is the idiots who post videos of their cycling pointedly -not- doing so.

Follow the rules. Be assertive. Be aware and acknowledge good driving.
And avoid the stupidly busy roads - but that applies anywhere.

London cycling is not a problem.