Most of the MUST {NOT}, some of the "should", most of the time. Except for the bit about reflectors: almost never. Oh, and I will often stop ahead of the stop line (but trying to stay out of any marked pedestrian crossing zone) if there's not an ASL or the box is full when I get there.
Rules for cyclists
- Thread starter supercooper
- Start date
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Zoiders
New Member
- Location
- Ice Station Zebra
They defined the advisory and compulsory pretty well so I don't have a problem with the wording of the article.
cycle helmet - no
appropriate clothes - define appropriate? Only once got caught up when I ripped a pair of trousers when they snagged the threaded end of the cotter pin on my vintage Rudge
light-cloured clothes - usually
reflective clothing - always at night
lights - yes
rear reflector - yes
pedal reflector - yes
keep to segregated side of cycle tracks - if the pedestrians do, I do, otherwise ride around them
cycle on pavement - Only for a 3 mile stretch on a very busy road I sometimes cycle on. Never seen a pedestrian on it anyway.
pass on left side of bus - Absoluty no way. I might be stupid but I'm not that stupid.
keep both hands on handlebars except when signalling or changing gears - generally
never ride more than two abreast - Usually cycle on my own
not ride close behind another vehicle - I always aim to have room to stop
not carry anything which will affect balance - Occasionally but will take it easy
ride under the influence of drink - Don't drink
obey traffic signs and traffic lights - I mostly cycle in rural areas so don't see many signs apart from "Yield Right of Way" and "Stop"
cross the stop line when the traffic light is red - Don't see many traffic lights on my routes but I would obey them if there were.
Do not ride across a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing. Dismount and wheel your cycle across. - Depends on how busy it is.
appropriate clothes - define appropriate? Only once got caught up when I ripped a pair of trousers when they snagged the threaded end of the cotter pin on my vintage Rudge
light-cloured clothes - usually
reflective clothing - always at night
lights - yes
rear reflector - yes
pedal reflector - yes
keep to segregated side of cycle tracks - if the pedestrians do, I do, otherwise ride around them
cycle on pavement - Only for a 3 mile stretch on a very busy road I sometimes cycle on. Never seen a pedestrian on it anyway.
pass on left side of bus - Absoluty no way. I might be stupid but I'm not that stupid.
keep both hands on handlebars except when signalling or changing gears - generally
never ride more than two abreast - Usually cycle on my own
not ride close behind another vehicle - I always aim to have room to stop
not carry anything which will affect balance - Occasionally but will take it easy
ride under the influence of drink - Don't drink
obey traffic signs and traffic lights - I mostly cycle in rural areas so don't see many signs apart from "Yield Right of Way" and "Stop"
cross the stop line when the traffic light is red - Don't see many traffic lights on my routes but I would obey them if there were.
Do not ride across a pelican, puffin or zebra crossing. Dismount and wheel your cycle across. - Depends on how busy it is.
Riding in Circles
Veteran
- Location
- EDINBURGH
All the must and must nots except pedal reflectors which are basically useless on recumbents, although all bikes and trikes I sell have them if sold with pedals.
Matthames
Über Member
- Location
- East Sussex
The one I ignore out of all that is rule 77. It is safer to use roundabouts as if you would in a car or motorbike, skirting around the outside when you want to take the 3rd exit is asking for trouble.
As stated in the Highway Code, I follow most properly. I even dismount for short hops across the pavement. My worst offence is occasionally crossing a traffic light stop line on red to join a toucan crossing, where you're allowed to ride, so at worst a very technical offence only.
I have a rear reflector on the light loop of my saddle bag, but no [edal; reflectors on my clipless pedals, and although it's not specifically mentioned in the HC, I don't have BS or equivalent lights front and rear. I have one on the rear of my commuter (Cateye AL100 or something, combined reflector and light, both BS.).
In fact I think the problem of finding decent BS lights in comparison to lights that are actually good enough to see by is worth athread by itself. So I've started one: HERE
I have a rear reflector on the light loop of my saddle bag, but no [edal; reflectors on my clipless pedals, and although it's not specifically mentioned in the HC, I don't have BS or equivalent lights front and rear. I have one on the rear of my commuter (Cateye AL100 or something, combined reflector and light, both BS.).
In fact I think the problem of finding decent BS lights in comparison to lights that are actually good enough to see by is worth athread by itself. So I've started one: HERE
edindave
Über Member
- Location
- Auld Reeker
)I do the majority of these barring having reflective stuff on at night, but I've got lights and reflectors (that are covered in crap from my rear tyre admittedly) and I wear a helmet.
I have cycled in the dark without lights or reflectors before while drunk, and I would not recommend it to anybody. It's horrifying actually how dangerous it actually was now I think about it.
I have cycled in the dark without lights or reflectors before while drunk, and I would not recommend it to anybody. It's horrifying actually how dangerous it actually was now I think about it.
byegad
Legendary Member
- Location
- NE England
Clothing. You should wear
You should is not a rule.
I entered into correspondence with Durham Police over a police driver who didn't use the indicators over a five mile route when I was following him. The head of Durham Police traffic sent me a smug email telling me that 'should' didn't mean 'must' so didn't apply. I'd quoted 'should signal at roundabouts' from the highway code.
So anything that says 'should' is so much wasted ink.
BMW drivers apparently know this!
- a cycle helmet which conforms to current regulations, is the correct size and securely fastened
- appropriate clothes for cycling. Avoid clothes which may get tangled in the chain, or in a wheel or may obscure your lights
- light-coloured or fluorescent clothing which helps other road users to see you in daylight and poor light
- reflective clothing and/or accessories (belt, arm or ankle bands) in the dark
You should is not a rule.
I entered into correspondence with Durham Police over a police driver who didn't use the indicators over a five mile route when I was following him. The head of Durham Police traffic sent me a smug email telling me that 'should' didn't mean 'must' so didn't apply. I'd quoted 'should signal at roundabouts' from the highway code.
So anything that says 'should' is so much wasted ink.
BMW drivers apparently know this!
MontyVeda
a short-tempered ill-controlled small-minded troll
- Location
- Lancaster... the little city.
I abide by and break 'rules' as and when i see fit.
Lights, always.
Helmet, never.
Reflectors, nope.
Pavement, when it suits me and when there's no/not many peds to annoy/dodge.
Both hands on handle bar unless I'm drinking, smoking, wiping eyes or signalling.
Lights, always.
Helmet, never.
Reflectors, nope.
Pavement, when it suits me and when there's no/not many peds to annoy/dodge.
Both hands on handle bar unless I'm drinking, smoking, wiping eyes or signalling.
I don't wear a helmet or reflective clothing.
I've only just got back into cycling and my cycle to work is mostly on a cycle path - I don't always stick to the cycle side of the track because it if frequently blocked by pedestrians and joggers. Also, some bits aren't wide enough for two cyclists so if someone is coming the other way it is sometimes necessary to move into the pedestrian side of the track. There are also some sections where the cycle bit is a lot bumpier than the pedestrian bit so if the pedestrian bit is clear, I will use it. My "rules" for riding on cycle tracks/footpaths are just to be considerate.
I do sometimes ride on the pavement but only when they are empty.
I have cycled when drunk but not on the road.
I've only just got back into cycling and my cycle to work is mostly on a cycle path - I don't always stick to the cycle side of the track because it if frequently blocked by pedestrians and joggers. Also, some bits aren't wide enough for two cyclists so if someone is coming the other way it is sometimes necessary to move into the pedestrian side of the track. There are also some sections where the cycle bit is a lot bumpier than the pedestrian bit so if the pedestrian bit is clear, I will use it. My "rules" for riding on cycle tracks/footpaths are just to be considerate.
I do sometimes ride on the pavement but only when they are empty.
I have cycled when drunk but not on the road.
corshamjim
New Member
- Location
- Corsham
I do most of that stuff, on the assumption I have 'experience and skills' whatever that means. If I could be bothered I'd see if that phrase is ever used for motorists. On reflection somehow I doubt it.
do all except...
Don't have pedal reflectors (spds)
have ridden home after a few beers now and then
sometimes ride to close to the vehicle in front (must improve here)
have sometimes crossed the stop line when motorist are sat in the advanced stop line area to reassert my presence.
Don't have pedal reflectors (spds)
have ridden home after a few beers now and then
sometimes ride to close to the vehicle in front (must improve here)
have sometimes crossed the stop line when motorist are sat in the advanced stop line area to reassert my presence.
marzjennings
Legendary Member
- Location
- Houston, Texas, USA
The only MUST I follow religiously is lights front and rear. The rest I'm sort of 'meh' or 'what ever' as my daughter would say. The SHOULDs I just take as advice and not rule to be followed.
