Poll: Poll pls: In the presence of a dedicated cycle lane, should cyclists be allowed to use the roads?

In the presence of a dedicated cycle lane, should cyclists be allowed to use the roads?

  • Yes

    Votes: 170 26.6%

  • No

    Votes: 218 34.1%

  • Yes but only if conditions of cycle lane are unsafe

    Votes: 252 39.4%
  • Total voters
    640

Diddums

Diddums

Diddums

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This is something that's been bothering me for a while. Cyclists who use dangerous roads when there is a perfectly useable cycle lane running next to it. Case in point is this roundabout in Wandsworth. It gets extremely busy and as a motorist I need to keep my eyes on so many things and a single cyclist can completely ruin the flow of traffic, and is a danger to both themselves and others. There is a cycle lane running around the roundabout which is in great condition yet there are so many lycra clad idiots who refuse to use it it's unreal. I honestly think that if there is a dedicated cycle lane then cyclists should be forced to use it (provided it's in decent condition ofc). From my own point of view, I wouldn't even consider cycling on the main roundabout amongst all the traffic because I have a very basic life skill which involves self preservation and not getting squashed. Unfortunately many cyclists are extremely militant "we're also road users so get out of my way", and sadly this mentality whilst technically correct, gets many people injured or worse.

So what say you GD? Fine them or let them continue using it?




(PS I posted this here because if I post it in the cycling or motoring forum it'll get biased replies from whichever forum it's on, whereas in GD we can get mixed replies).
 
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In my opinion and as a driver, cyclist and a motorcyclist is that no they shouldn't be there, if there is a cycle lane for them to use. That kinda defeats the purpose of government projects introducing dedicated cycle lanes - if they simply are not going to use them.
 
Must admit this has slightly annoyed me in my area. The council has built a dedicated cycle path on a 60mph road yet there are some who are still using the road despite it having no cycle lane any more.
 
No. If there's a cycle lane, use it.

Now there is a poll: Yes but only if conditions of cycle lane are unsafe
 
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I'm also a driver, motorcyclist and cyclist.

I had it on my way home where there was a dedicated cycle lane and a cyclist still decided to cycle on the road and cause a long queue of traffic as overtaking was difficult.

When I cycle to tend to cycle on the road unless there is a dedicated lane.
 
The problem is you have multiple types of cyclists. If for example you have a slow cyclist cycling around the roundabout then fast cyclists will want to go on the main road. Also is the cycle lane on the roundabout one of those useless jobs where the cyclists have to give way every entrance to the roundabout, rather than normal roundabout rules? Can't really provide a reasoned position without actually seeing the roundabout - the link just shows wandsworth road, not a roundabout for me.
 
Depends on if the cycle lane is on the pavement or road, you'll NEVER get a serious cyclist on a pavement, kids on their way to school, yes they will use them.
 
JunglistE said:
I'm also a driver, motorcyclist and cyclist.

I had it on my way home where there was a dedicated cycle lane and a cyclist still decided to cycle on the road and cause a long queue of traffic as overtaking was difficult.

When I cycle to tend to cycle on the road unless there is a dedicated lane.
Click to expand...

I'm exactly the same. However, I have had altercations with cyclists on the motorbike because they decide to take the whole lane when there is no traffic, but proceed to not move over when traffic is behind them. Why is beyond me.

One did it and I rev bombed behind him which made him jump... a little :p
 
In my area they replaced half of a very wide road with a cycle lane. The lane is for cyclists going in both directions. But they can never be bothered to use it coming from the "wrong" side, so continue to use the road. The road is now half the width due to the cycle lane and cars have to shuffle along stuck behind the cycles in the road as it's no longer wide enough to overtake.

Way to go Kingston council you muppets.
 
Amp34 said:
The problem is you have multiple types of cyclists. If for example you have a slow cyclist cycling around the roundabout then fast cyclists will want to go on the main road. Also is the cycle lane on the roundabout one of those useless jobs where the cyclists have to give way every entrance to the roundabout, rather than normal roundabout rules? Can't really provide a reasoned position without actually seeing the roundabout - the link just shows wandsworth road, not a roundabout for me.
Click to expand...

Link works fine for me :confused:


As to your point, I *think* they have their own dedicated lights, but not 100% sure. Also, there's no denying that getting around the roundabout on the road is significantly quicker than on the cycle lanes. I guess it all boils down to whether your life is worth the extra minute at most a day saved (life being a bit dramatic ofc, but it could technically happen and has done many times).
 
Assuming there's no good reason, it's a bit silly of the cyclist, however it will never be legislated against so it's therefore a pointless argument. Cyclists are a protected species in the eyes of the law.
 
Diddums said:
Case in point is this roundabout in Wandsworth.
Click to expand...
Didn't look to be a cycle lane, but rather a bus lane....?
I also note there are cycle boxes across all the lanes at the lights.

Rule 61
Cycle Routes and Other Facilities.
Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

Rule 63
Cycle Lanes.
These are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway (see Rule 140). When using a cycle lane, keep within the lane when practicable. When leaving a cycle lane check before pulling out that it is safe to do so and signal your intention clearly to other road users. Use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.

Rule 187
In all cases watch out for and give plenty of room to:
- cyclists and horse riders who may stay in the left-hand lane and signal right if they intend to continue round the roundabout. Allow them to do so.

I'm sure there's laws against inconveniencing other road users as well, but safety probably trumps them all.

Never had a problem with them in such situations, myself, if I'm honest.
 
Participant said:
Assuming there's no good reason, it's a bit silly of the cyclist, however it will never be legislated against so it's therefore a pointless argument. Cyclists are a protected species in the eyes of the law.
Click to expand...

All the more reason to prevent them getting themselves pancaked, no?
 
The need to get bloody horses off the roads, i just dont see any need, and all their arguments are just flawed
 
The problem is policing it. Can't use an ANPR for the tiny minority of lycra nobbers and I'd be hacked off as a taxpayer seeing either real police or PCSO time wasted on this.

Use it or lose it tbh. If a significant percentage don't use it, then take it away and use the space for ALL traffic. A roadside survey to see how real the problem is would be cheap to do.
 
ttaskmaster said:
Didn't look to be a cycle lane, but rather a bus lane....?
Click to expand...

The roundabout has since changed a bit, the image doesn't reflect the current situation, but if you zoom in on the top right angle of the roundabout, you will see that there is a dedicated blue cycle superhighway part which has since been expanded (if I'm not mistaken, I seem to recall it being the case). It's there and yet so many people refuse to use it.

I'll have a proper look next time I go around, and if my wife is driving I'll take some photos just to be clear.
 
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