What is the Law (UK) when it comes to cycling in the road?

[dslippy]

This seems to me (on both sides) a slight case for Cognitive Behavioual Therapy.
There is no real thing such as a gentle beep. A horn is a horn. It cannot be heard as such. Equally, a cyclist (or anyone else) hearing a beep should not assume the intention to be aggressive.
We are told when coming up behind walkers on a towpath to ring a bell. There is no such thing as a gentle ting. The pedestrian should assume no more than that the cyclist is alerting him to his presence.
It is daft to talk of cyclists aggressively riding side by side. They are doing as they are told. If they ride the one behind the other, it remains as difficult to pass as when they are side by side - they are longer.
We all have to share the road, and are equally entitled to an interpretation of our behaviour which starts out as amicable, and descends only if no other inference is available.

 

[growingvegetables]

If I am driving country roads and come up behind 2 a breast cyclists I give a very gentle toot to let them know I am there, then hopefully they fall I to single file and I can pass with a vans width inbetween us.
Some cyclists wave and understand my toot was just to let them no I am there and in no hurry and I wave as I pass and it's happy days.

Unfortunately though, and it sadens me to say this most cyclist immediately get on the defensive and construe my gesture as aggressive and start effin and blinding and often just stay 2 a breast. I met one such pair further down the road, and politely asked them how I was supposed to pass them safety when the right hand rider was nearly on the white line in the middle of the road and was met with "yeah like you care, just a typical impatient car driver blah blah"

Bleat alert.

Facts
- cyclists are allowed to cycle two abreast. No question. No argument.
- the only limitations in the HC - "ride in single file on narrow or busy roads and when riding round bends".

Reality
- a numpty in a van expects to be able to pass them safely at his (and only his) convenience; in "his majesty's" opinion, cyclists are not allowed to have any sense of convenience.
- and toots cos he wants past (note - no indication that it's a narrow road, busy road or a bend).
- and is surprised that cyclists do not immediately dismount, bow down, tug their forelock, and grovel in the ditch before "his majesty" in his van.

Why am I so rude? Because I suspect you gave your arrogant, self-serving sense of entitlement away, in one very simple and stupid phrase - "I can pass with a vans width inbetween us." There's no way on earth a van can physically pass a cyclist with "a van's width" anywhere on country roads around me, without ploughing through farmers' fences, potatoes, wheat, yards, byres, kennels etc etc etc etc.

 

[beany_bot]

Bleat alert.

Why am I so rude? Because I suspect you gave your arrogant, self-serving sense of entitlement away, in one very simple and stupid phrase - "I can pass with a vans width inbetween us." There's no way on earth a van can physically pass a cyclist with "a van's width" anywhere on country roads around me, without ploughing through farmers' fences, potatoes, wheat, yards, byres, kennels etc etc etc etc.

Thanks mate, good to know cyclists are such a friendly bunch

FYI "vans width" is what I was taught when I learned to drive, in reality, vans width, cars width, whatever, who cares. I meant at a safe distance.

Your opening line "Facts - cyclists are allowed to cycle two abreast. No question. No argument." Do you really think that attitude is helping cyclist/driver relations? Nah mate its not, your just a trouble maker end of. And clearly one of those cyclists who deliberatly make it as difficult to pass as possible. And then scream at shout because a car passed you too close. You look for trouble and are bad for the roads no matter what your on. I've no time for people like you, I'm a good and courteous driver who has never been in an accident in 30 years and who cares about vulnerable roads users. And and not going to have your attitude change that.

Oh and FYI yes it is a narrow and very busy country road otherwise, if it were a wide road I could pass safety with 2 a breast. But not on a dangerous road with blind corners and some moron like you sitting out in the middle of the road purely because of their "f*** cars" attitude.

 

[beany_bot]

Bleating driver's forum is >

I'm a cyclist too Adrian, just not a narrow minded one.

 

[beany_bot]

That you may be, but right here you are being a bleating driver and expecting anyone on a cycling forum to give a toss is misguided at best.
You postulate that cyclists asserting their right to use the road is unhelpful to driver cyclist relations. The inference I draw is that you believe getting out of motorists way would make the love us more. Bollocks I saw, the more we give the more they expect.

Im not saying anything about "cyclists right to use the road" which is absolute. I'm having a go at cyclists who deliberately annoy car drivers just to antagonise. And yeah, it's doing nothing for car - bike relations. I take it your really are deep in the mindset of "them" and "us" aren't you? Thats pretty clear from your posts. Well maybe if you took the blinkers off it might help. It would be far better if all road users tried to understand each others needs and look out for one another better. (and that includes not driving 2 a breast deliberately to prove some point or annoy people)

Just to reiterate - I have absolutely no problem what so ever with cyclists riding 2, hell riding 3 a breast.
I have an issue when they do it deliberately to hold up traffic just so they can have their little troll grin on their face.
Most car drivers just fly past them regardless but I'm set on giving a safe distance when passing, so that leaves me sitting behind these trolls for mile after mile after mile.

 

[david k]

That's because tooting your horn is aggressive. The sound of an engine is quite enough to let cyclists know you're there. If the right-hand rider is on the white line in the middle of the road you've got a whole lane's worth of tarmac to pass them on - more than you often get to pass a tractor. How much more do you want?

isnt the horn to let somebody know your there?

 

[david k]

Yes but why do you need to let them know this?

i think beanybot said he only does it if he has been behind them for a while and its likely they havnt seen him

i cycle 2 a breast and when i hear a car we drop into single file. never had a problem. did this the other day and someone beeped, he did put his hand up in thanks as he passed. didnt seem any issues to me. whether im riding or driving a like to be considerate to other road users.

rather than riders and drivers becoming angry with each other i think a more suitable way forward is to educate all road users. not sure how that could be done though, adverts?

 

[david k]

Yeah right. When have you ever had a car behind you and didn't know it was there?

it does happen, not frequently but it does

 

[david k]

It might happen occasionally but I am not convinced that that is what we are taking about here.

i thought that is how he meant it but i may be wrong

 

[growingvegetables]

Your opening line "Facts - cyclists are allowed to cycle two abreast. No question. No argument." Do you really think that attitude is helping cyclist/driver relations?

No attitude - just the Highway Code.

... your just a trouble maker end of. And clearly one of those cyclists who deliberatly make it as difficult to pass as possible. And then scream at shout because a car passed you too close. You look for trouble and are bad for the roads no matter what your on. I've no time for people like you,

Let me guess the colour of your van? It wouldn't be that colour that we all know goes with grotesque misjudgement of distance, combined with aggrieved and wild accusations about screaming and shouting, troublemaking, looking for trouble, being bad for the roads .... aye and all the rest of the trolling rubbish?

I'm a good and courteous driver who has never been in an accident in 30 years and who cares about vulnerable roads users.

And if you happen to come up behind behind me, cycling alongside my daughter who is just learning a bit of confidence on the road, and if you behave as you've described yourself behaving, I think I'll be the judge of that. Probably fair to say that your convenience is the last of my concerns, and that "good and courteous" are unlikely to form part of my vocabulary.

And as for attitude, have a wee look at yours.

 

[beany_bot]

No attitude - just the Highway Code.

It says "No questions, No arguments" in the highway code does it? wow I really must get a newer copy...that was the part I referred to as an "attitude" not the fact that cyclist are allowed to cycle 2 a breast which no one is denying.

Probably fair to say that your convenience is the last of my concerns

There it is. right there mate. Thats the attitude. Absolutely moronic.
So a drivers convenience is the last of your concerns BUT your own convenience is?

How about sharing the road and being courteous? trying to take other people into consideration?
There is nothing wrong with my attitude, I have a balanced one of fairness and thoughtfulness to all road users regardless of what mode of transport I am on (and no I don't own a van but plus marks for stereotyping there...)

ONCE AGAIN (sigh) I have nothing against riding 2 a breast (I do it myself).
I have a problem with certain people who will do it deliberately for extended periods of time, when unnecessary clearly to deliberately antagonise motorists. making passing deliberately dangerous. or in your words mate people who have the attitude of (and I quote) "your convenience is the last of my concerns"

 

[beany_bot]

The order goes my safety, your safety, my convenience, your convenience.

...speechless...

 

[srw]

...speechless...

Whereas your order goes "my convenience, my safety, your safety, your convenience". I think I, and most people, will rather prefer Adrian's order.

 

[dawesome]

...speechless...

You think your convenience takes priority over vulnerable road users' safety?

Why not just leave home earlier so you don't take stupid risks?

 

[beany_bot]

You think your convenience takes priority over vulnerable road users' safety?

Why not just leave home earlier so you don't take stupid risks?

Don't be such a moron, when did I say anything to that effect what so ever you troll. I was speechless because I like to think that I think of other people first, me second, whether that is to do with safety or convenience. I would have hoped other people do too.

Im deleting my account now, I have no interest socialising with people who so openly think of themselves and their needs before anyone else. I take it you three wouldn't hold a door open for an elderly woman, or let someone out of a lay by because you put and I quote "my convenience then your convenience" or even worse "your convenience is the last of my concerns".

Have a look back through my posts, not once have I said anything to indicate that I am a bad or thoughtless driver or cyclist. I am genuinely upset that having re-taken up cycling, this is the image I have been given of the community.

I hope I never meet you on the road, or in life. Goodbye.