Should a bicycle be on the roads

Surfer

Surfer

Surfer

Soldato
Joined
31 Dec 2005
Posts
11,179
Location
Glasgow
Basically i dont think bicycles should be on roads. I think pavements should be expanded to encompass cyclists.

My reasoning is as follows:

The harm to the cyclist from other road users (cars, trucks, lorries, buses) is greater than the potential harm to pedestrians that cyclists would cause riding on pedestrian area.

I'm pretty sure the stats back that up. I cant think of a pedestrian who has been killed or seriously injured by a cyclist. However the same is not true for cyclists who have been injured or killed in vehicle accidents.

I've been thinking about this as i cycle on both. if im just having a gentle relaxed cycle meandering along - i'll stick to the pavements. (i'm aware of the legal status of this). If i am cycling to work ie im not cycling for fun then i'll cycle on road as i anticipate that my speed would be more appropriate for the road.


Its not the best solution. The best solution is a separate zone created ON the pedestrian area - not a zone created on the road users area because i find (both as a driver and as a cyclist) that i really do not trust other road users not to kill me or endanger my life (on a daily basis i might add).

I have had quite a few near misses when i'm cycling on the road. Nothing much can be done about it.


What do you think?
 
I get quite annoyed by cyclists on NSL roads when its busy (so you have to wait an age before being able to overtake them).

They should be on the path.
 
I agree with you Surfer, I see no reason for bikes to be on the road, they're far more of a hazard and nuisance to road users than to pedestrians.
 
where possible bikes should be in cycle lanes, with a physical barrier from the road and footpaths should have a physical barrier from cycle lanes.
Of course this is not always possible, so in those cases bikes have to be on the road.

Also think all new housing estates roads, should have to build, cycle lanes, footpaths and bus stops that are of the carriage way. Also all road redevelopments where possible should have the same rules applied.
Government should also legalise "personal vehicles" for want of a better word (things like electric skateboards, segways and what ever else companies design) that can be used in cycle lanes.
 
Definitely shouldn't be on the road...

"Look at me - I'm doing it properly - I'm on the road..."

"GET BACK ON THE PAVEMENT - YOU'RE PATHETIC" :p
 
AcidHell2 said:
where possible bikes should be in cycle lanes, with a physical barrier from the road and footpaths should have a physical barrier from cycle lanes.
Of course this is not always possible, so in those cases bikes have to be on the road.
Click to expand...

Pretty much agree. As for all this barrier stuff, perhaps in an ideal world.

I rather they stay on the road than the footpath, for so many reasons half you drivers probably forgotten about :D
 
Marky said:
Definitely shouldn't be on the road...

"Look at me - I'm doing it properly - I'm on the road..."

"GET BACK ON THE PAVEMENT - YOU'RE PATHETIC" :p
Click to expand...

Round here there's a stretch of road easily a couple if miles along, which a few years back had a dedicated cycle path put on it, and the cyclists still go on the road! It's a standard road, 2 lanes, 1 in each direction and a 30mph limit. It's not exactly a wide road now that the path has taken a little out of it, so when it's rush hour it's quite tricky to overtake the damn menaces!

It's there FOR them, why do they refuse to use it!?
 
[FnG]magnolia;16981704 said:
This thread will turn out well :)

Also, they should pay insurance and road tax! In 3 ... 2 ... 1
Click to expand...

.... and stop at traffic lights, have lights on their bikes and stay on the road where thay belong.
 
I thought it was illegal to ride a bike on the pavement? I got told of a few times by the rozzers for doing so in my youth.
 
Efour2 said:
I thought it was illegal to ride a bike on the pavement? I got told of a few times by the rozzers for doing so in my youth.
Click to expand...

It is;

"Cycling on footways (a pavement at the side of a carriageway) is prohibited by Section 72 of the Highway Act 1835, amended by Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1888. This is punishable by a fixed penalty notice of £30 under Section 51 and Schedule 3 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988.
Cyclists have no right to cycle on a footpath away from the road but only commit an offence where local by-laws or traffic regulation orders create such an offence. "
 
Efour2 said:
I thought it was illegal to ride a bike on the pavement? I got told of a few times by the rozzers for doing so in my youth.
Click to expand...

It is. I regularly see Police cars drive past on my cycle home from work, they dont care. There is genuinely better things for them to do.

Its' not like pavements are ever busy - In city centres, I can see a point for keeping bikes to roads. Out in the sticks theres no reason not to use footpaths.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom