Cycle Lanes: Right of Way

Bizarrely enough cyclists are not subject to the roads speed limit. There is nothing to stop a cyclist doing 50mph in a 20mph zone apart from ability

My dad claims to have set off a 30mph speed camera in Leeds city centre a number of times on his commute to work down a particularly steep hill :p
 
By law your supposed to have a bell and lights. A few years ago there was a big crackdown in Cambridge on cyclists by the police and people were getting fined for not having them (as well as riding on footpaths).

Cambridge is awful for pedestrians, 90% of cyclists think they're allowed on any pavement (simply because a few roads have shared cycle/pedestrian setup). Quite a few think they have right of way too. I've had a cyclist shoulder barge me at full pace on Jesus green on one of the footpaths which is not a cycle path. He seemed to think it was and that he had right of way. On Milton Road I regularly have cyclist play chicken with me on the exclusive pedestrian path as they were in a hurry and felt the need to overtake the cyclists in the dedicated cycle path.

On a related note, what would you do here? I've often been in the cycle lane going straight on, but had cars cut in front of me at the last second to turn left. Seems like it could be very dangerous, aren't they supposed to give way?

My understanding is that if the vehicle is turning left slows and you try to under take it as it slows, then the driver is not doing anything wrong technically, and you're taking your life in your own hands undertaking. A good driver should check their mirrors first, but don't rely on it.
Lorries turning left end up collecting cyclists who undertake them under their wheels with alarming frequency.

If the driver overtakes you just before the junction and cuts you up they're just a dangerous driver who shouldn't be on the road.
 
Except for the law that says that cyclists must make themselves known to pedestrians and car users by using their bell/horn. Hard to do if you have taken it off

Specifically a bell or a horn? Most of these modern cyclists would probably argue that they can make themselves known to pedestrians by telling them to get out of the ****** way - and they frequently do.
 
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On a related note, what would you do here? I've often been in the cycle lane going straight on, but had cars cut in front of me at the last second to turn left. Seems like it could be very dangerous, aren't they supposed to give way?

tbh on a motorbike if i was going straight on and there was traffic id filter to the right and not use that cycle lane
 
My dad claims to have set off a 30mph speed camera in Leeds city centre a number of times on his commute to work down a particularly steep hill :p

I've done the opposite once a very long time ago. Was cycling uphill and a PC pointed the radar gun at me - had I been going any slower I couldn't have stayed balanced on the bike. When I drew level, I said "you must be joking" and he just laughed. Suspect he was bored.
 
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On a related note, what would you do here? I've often been in the cycle lane going straight on, but had cars cut in front of me at the last second to turn left. Seems like it could be very dangerous, aren't they supposed to give way?

I've taken the lane before, at that junction... pulling out of the cycle lane.

Most cars seem to ignore the Advanced Stop Line there too, as well as the fairly clear markings.

On the flipside, I've also biffed another car when turning left (aye, my fault), after car in front stopped and I wasn't driving with full care and attention, not having seen the pedestrian run across the road in front of him!

A rubbish junction, on a rubbish road... will be amusing to see how they handle the Blue House Roundabout changes further on.
 
Except for the law that says that cyclists must make themselves known to pedestrians and car users by using their bell/horn. Hard to do if you have taken it off

Specifically a bell or a horn? Most of these modern cyclists would probably argue that they can make themselves known to pedestrians by telling them to get out of the ****** way - and they frequently do.

i find saying "morning" or "afternoon" also acceptable.
 
A rubbish junction, on a rubbish road... will be amusing to see how they handle the Blue House Roundabout changes further on.

Oh god yeah, the proposals as they are are ridiculous. Thankfully the Newcastle Central MP seems to be against them too and she'll be meeting the council to discuss them. Really just needs some clearer lane markings, maybe some traffic lights and widening - which you could do by moving the pedestrian and cycle paths to the other side of the tree line and away from the large volume of fast moving traffic.
 
I could tell you a very funny* story involving a Cyclist, a Cycle-Path a Fishing Rod and a Psycho-Path. It's so ridiculous and funny at the same time no-one would believe me so I won't bother. :D :cool:

*I thought it was funny, Cyclists won't think it was funny.
 
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On a related note, what would you do here? I've often been in the cycle lane going straight on, but had cars cut in front of me at the last second to turn left. Seems like it could be very dangerous, aren't they supposed to give way?

Yeah, I'd be taking a primary position in the lane for that one. Too many opportunities for somebody to sideswipe me, either by racing in front (happens more than you'd like to think) or by failing to notice I was there, or by turning at the last minute without indicating. A lot of town planners who design cycling infrastructure don't appear to have ever cycled on a road.
 
Specifically a bell or a horn? Most of these modern cyclists would probably argue that they can make themselves known to pedestrians by telling them to get out of the ****** way - and they frequently do.

you are correct "audible warning device' is allowed to be the human voice in law.


And also not this about pedal reflectors which most modern bikes are in breach off.

According to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 (amended in 1994, 1996, 2001, 2005, again in 2005 and 2009), all bicycle pedals must be fitted with reflectors (two on each pedal), but only when being ridden on a public road between sunset and sunrise. Fitting such reflectors is now an impossibility with many ‘clipless’ pedals. While this part of the RVLR is seldom enforced, if you are involved in a night-time accident however, any slight illegality with respect to your lights or reflectors may be regarded as contributory negligence.
 
Bizarrely enough cyclists are not subject to the roads speed limit.
I figure that's because they don't all come with speedometers fitted?

My understanding is that if the vehicle is turning left slows and you try to under take it as it slows, then the driver is not doing anything wrong technically, and you're taking your life in your own hands undertaking.
If the driver overtakes you just before the junction and cuts you up they're just a dangerous driver who shouldn't be on the road.
Agreed on both counts - In reality, it's likely to be a full-on argument over liability and probably get a 50/50 ruling - Motor vehicle checked but couldn't see the undertaking cyclist in the blind spot sort of thing.
My dad 'collected' a fair few cyclists in his various trucks.

in before cyclists should pay road tax.
In before some smart-arse points out that it's VED not Road Tax... oh, wait. Sorry!! :D
 
in before cyclists should pay road tax.

Grrr

cyclists round here seem to think cycle lanes allow you to ride in the opposite direction of the traffic

If it one of those cycle lanes that is part of a pavement then they can, if it's just a cycle lane as part of the road you can't.
In August 2015 I got hit here by a Nurse flying out of the Hospital which was witnessed by 2 Coppers and 6 Paramedics who were standing by that 2nd tree outside the West Midland Ambulance Service - https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.0...imh0xwUWIgXDZb-YekiA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en.
The Coppers said it was my priority (right of way) because of the junction lines before the cycle lane and that I was in the right to cycle the 'opposite' way because it isn't part of the road.
I am now very careful at that junction every night and the WMAS entrance/exit.

Oh yeah, and I always give pedestrians priority on that cycle lane and any cycle lane.
 
Right, I have checked with a legal friend that is a very keen cyclist.

If the cycle lane is part of a pavement, i.e. on the same level, it is considered as a part of the pavement but can be used legally by cyclist. both cyclist and pedestrian have equal right to use it.

If the cycle lane is part of the road it should be considered as part of the road and treated as another lane.

If an accident occurs, the type of cycle lane and speed of travel will be a major consideration. Cyclist should slow down according to traffic, both human and other vehicles... I.E. you can't moan if you hit the side of a car that was turning into a junction if the car was a head of you and you made no attempt to slow down like a car would do if a car switched lane.

like wise if a person walked into the pavement cycle lane with the attempt to cross the road, and then you hit them.

At the end of the day, if a car made no attempt to slow/stop and miss the object it would be considered dangerous driving and if a cyclist made no attempt to slow/stop and miss the object, baring in mind that they have equal rights to be there; it can be considered an attack with a dangerous item.
 
Cyclists are idiots, it's just part of life.

TBF it sounds more like the OP is just walking into a carriageway without looking to see if a vehicle is coming. If he did that on a road he would probably been mown down by now.

In that situation a cyclist has every right to say WTF are you doing.

(EDIT, for a proper cycle lane, not a pavement lane).
 
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