The 1.5 Metre Gap is Silly

[Lightning CycleQueen]

I'm both a driver and a cyclist, and I find the law requiring cars to leave a 1.5-meter gap when overtaking cyclists is silly.

Many roads in the UK are small, making it difficult to maintain that distance without putting other drivers in unsafe positions. Additionally, I think it's a bit unfair that this rule doesn't apply the other way. Often, when cyclists overtake or undertake cars, they only leave a few inches of space.

In my opinion, cyclists should ride on the path as I do, (when clear) rather than sharing the road with cars as it is safer for everybody.

What do you all think?

 

[Drago]

It's irrelevant what we think.

That's the yardstick used when considering prosecution (along with 2M where the speed limitnis higher than 30) and that's what drivers are supposed to adhere to.

And that's that.

The footway is for pedestrian traffic and is inappropriate for vehicular traffic of any sort other than prams or wheelchairs.

 

[All uphill]

I disagree with you.

Roads are for people on bicycles, on horses as well as driving cars, buses and lorries. People can exercise patience and caution and share very well.

Footpaths are provided for pedestrians, and unless specifically designated it is an offence to cycle on them.

People on bicycles are well advised to keep clear of parked cars, to avoid doors being opened.

Our society has been built around dangerous, unhealthy, polluting motor vehicles ; we will all be better off when we treat walking and cycling as the normal way to make short journeys.

I have not had a car for two years now and don't miss it. I love the money I have saved on depreciation, fuel, repairs and parking.

 

[BrumJim]

Additionally, I think it's a bit unfair that this rule doesn't apply the other way. Often, when cyclists overtake or undertake cars, they only leave a few inches of space.

Not really a fair comparison is it? Car is over a tonne of metal, moving at up to 60 mile/h (legally, ignoring the wider dual carriageways), and contact with a cyclist would leave a car with a slight smudge and a little cosmetic damage.

Compared to 20Kg of metal (at worst) realistically travelling at no more than 20 mile/h (unless downhill - Telegraph is talking rubbish) where contact will result in at best, road rash, probably a trip to hospital, and at worst....

And that is ignoring the aerodynamic effects of a big car vs a small bike.

Assuming this is low level trolling rather than a lack of thinking.

 

[All uphill]

Time for this again.

https://images.app.goo.gl/XHRo76Mw4JCRZt5H6

 

[Alex321]

I'm both a driver and a cyclist, and I find the law requiring cars to leave a 1.5-meter gap when overtaking cyclists is silly.

Many roads in the UK are small, making it difficult to maintain that distance without putting other drivers in unsafe positions. Additionally, I think it's a bit unfair that this rule doesn't apply the other way. Often, when cyclists overtake or undertake cars, they only leave a few inches of space.

In my opinion, cyclists should ride on the path as I do, (when clear) rather than sharing the road with cars as it is safer for everybody.

What do you all think?

I don't agree with any of it.

First, there is no such law. THat is Highway Code guidance, not law.

Second, if roads are too narrow for cars to overtake with that much gap, then they shouyld not be overtaking (of course, as a responsible cyclist, we should pull in where there is a passing place on that type of road).

Third, that rule is in place because the car is much larger and heavier, and likely to be travelling much faster than the cyclist. The speed differential will be much less (on average) when a cyclist overtakes a car, and if they do get it wrong, the worst that will happen to teh car oor it's occupants is a scrape in the paintwork. If the car gets too close when overtaking at speed, the cyclist could be killed.

As for riding on the pavement, that is ILLEGAL except where the pavement is marked as a shared use path. And it is not "safer for everybody", as there will be pedestrians on the pavement who aren't expecting cyclists.

 

[grldtnr]

I'm both a driver and a cyclist, and I find the law requiring cars to leave a 1.5-meter gap when overtaking cyclists is silly.

Many roads in the UK are small, making it difficult to maintain that distance without putting other drivers in unsafe positions. Additionally, I think it's a bit unfair that this rule doesn't apply the other way. Often, when cyclists overtake or undertake cars, they only leave a few inches of space.

In my opinion, cyclists should ride on the path as I do, (when clear) rather than sharing the road with cars as it is safer for everybody.

What do you all think?

I assume that you might be a feminine cyclist, so not predisposed to putting yourself at risk.
Quite frankly , if your that insecure about cycling on roads , then perhaps you should seek ways to improve your fears about cycling on roads.
It is very much about attitudes, it your a motorist that cycles or even a cyclist that motors, it's behoven of you to respect the right to be cycling on the road, not being relegated to a 2nd class citizen.
This is the nub of the problem , the motoring 'entitled' that thinks cyclist should not be on the roads, think a bit deeper ,a cyclist has to ,power,balance and propel a cycle ,often against the elements,
A motorist doesn't, they are safely cocooned in a big metal box have only to push pull or twiddle power operated levers and buttons without effort.
Mostly I believe cycling car drivers respect cyclist and act accordingly, drivers who are not evidently don't and have the wrong attitude.
Very few countries have dedicated cycleways, the Netherlands is an exception, they have built a vast cycle network and by law , cyclist must use them, but it works,cyclist in Netherlands have priority over motor traffic, and rarely have to share the same road,
If you have never gone Dutch , then you really ought , it's a revelation.
In answer to your question , my reply is a firm No ! Unless like the Dutch ,the road environment is provided for, which is something that the Dutch actively campaigned for, and achieved, because of the traffic problems they experienced, all within 50 yrs this century, if they can do it, so can we here, but we have got to want change

 

[Dogtrousers]

I'll treat this as if it's a serious post.

Many roads in the UK are small, making it difficult to maintain that distance without putting other drivers in unsafe positions.

If you can't overtake safely - don't overtake. If you put other drivers in an unsafe position, you are driving dangerously.

Highway code 163

Overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so. You should​

• not get too close to the vehicle you intend to overtake
• [...]
• give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders and horse drawn vehicles at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211 to 215). As a guide:
  
  • leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and give them more space when overtaking at higher speeds
  • [...]
  • you should wait behind the motorcyclist, cyclist, horse rider, horse drawn vehicle or pedestrian and not overtake if it is unsafe or not possible to meet these clearances. (my bold)

Reference: https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/using-the-road-overtaking.html

In my opinion, cyclists should ride on the path as I do

That's Illegal for footpaths. Not so for designated shared use or cycle paths, obviously as these aren't "set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers".

Highways Act section 72

Penalty on persons committing nuisances by riding on footpaths, &c.​

If any person shall wilfully ride upon any footpath or causeway by the side of any road made or set apart for the use or accommodation of foot passengers; or shall wilfully lead or drive any horse, ass, sheep, mule, swine, or cattle or carriage of any description, or any truck or sledge, upon any such footpath or causeway; or shall tether any horse, ass, mule, swine, or cattle, on any highway, so as to suffer or permit the tethered animal to be thereon; every person so offending in any of the cases aforesaid shall for each and every such offence forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding level 2 on the standard scale, over and above the damages occasioned thereby.​

Reference: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Will4/5-6/50/section/72

 

[Pblakeney]

There are loads of arguments on this subject but the bottom line of complaints boils down to one thing. Driver impatience.

 

[raleighnut]

 

[briantrumpet]

1.5m gap is not only sensible, it's legal now.

 

[fossyant]

Personally, as a driver and cyclist, I'll leave at least 2m gap to a cyclist and pass in the opposite lane. If I can't pass I'll wait. Simple.

As for bike lanes, I'll use them if they are suitable and not a dangerous design. There is one particular 'bike lane' on some of my training routes. It's more suited to a jump bike than a road or hybrid. You can get air at every driveway. The road is safer.

 

[fossyant]

What do you all think?

You don't do much cycling then do you ?

 

[markemark]

Additionally, I think it's a bit unfair that this rule doesn't apply the other way. Often, when cyclists overtake or undertake cars, they only leave a few inches of space.

Only if you don't understand momentum.

 

[Drago]

Many roads in the UK are small, making it difficult to maintain that distance without putting other drivers in unsafe positions.

Interesting that you seek to avoid putting other drivers in an unsafe position by putting cyclists in an unsafe position.