Cyclists obliged to use cycle lanes?

NEH

thescouselander wrote: »

We have the same problem round here, the local ring road is a dual carrage way with traffic traveling at up to 70 mph; some sections are unlit. There is a dedicated cycle path well away from the road which most people use however, there is always the hard core lycra lout that insists on using the road. As a cyclist myself I always use the cycle path - there is no reason not to unless you are a bit of a nutter.

In my view cyclists should be forced to use the cycle path in this case for safety is nothing else.

and risk damaging their bikes and themselves?

flyingscotno1

ZootHornRollo wrote: »

Yep, thats bang on! Surely a regular cyclist is fit enough to add on the small detour? It's there for them to use for everyone's safety.

Like i say, if they use the road they end up cutting across the sliproads that are not show in your image.

That is ridiculous TBH. No way would I want to cycle round that roundabout full of airport traffic (roundabouts being the single most dangerous junction type for cyclists) then back up the slip road. I cannot see that being safer at all.

sebdangerfield

The general concensus with cyclists as mentioned above is the fact that cycle lanes are generally dirtier and have far more rubbish and glass on them.

The other problem, I can't tell if it applies here, are when cycle lanes are shared with pedestrians. Cycle lane usually on the road side of the pavement and pedestrian side on the other. Understandably, pedestrians walk all over the pavement regardless of the markings and a decent cyclist will be doing anything upwards of 22mph on there. It's often more dangerous than the road.

Surely a cyclist on the road won't hold anyone up for any length of time anyway?

biscuitdunker

sebdangerfield wrote: »

Surely a cyclist on the road won't hold anyone up for any length of time anyway?

They most certainly do, especially when two cyclists decide to ride side by side. I've also seen cyclists get annoyed with other cyclists for riding too slowly and overtake without even checking whether there's a car coming up behind them. Nutters.

sebdangerfield

biscuitdunker wrote: »

They most certainly do, especially when two cyclists decide to ride side by side. I've also seen cyclists get annoyed with other cyclists for riding too slowly and overtake without even checking whether there's a car coming up behind them. Nutters.

I'm sure we can all bring experience of poor cycling, poor riding, poor driving, poor anything really but thats not the point. The Op was only talking about one cyclist. And as I said,

Surely a cyclist on the road won't hold anyone up for any length of time anyway?

I'm sure it doesn't change anyone's life too drastically.

biscuitdunker

sebdangerfield wrote: »

I'm sure we can all bring experience of poor cycling, poor riding, poor driving, poor anything really but thats not the point. The Op was only talking about one cyclist. And as I said,

I'm sure it doesn't change anyone's life too drastically.

If only we could all be leisurely all of the time.

misterthrifty

I tend not to use the cycle lane on my work commute for reasons that have already been mentioned, but also because it would take me about twice as long, allowing for other users, side roads, etc. To be honest, I spend a lot more time waiting behind queues of cars than holding up any drivers.

ZootHornRollo

these two images show the other side of the junction. hopefully they are clear enough to see whats going on. This is the bit that is mental when cyclists are on the main carriageway.

custardy

yes but cars joining the carriageway give way to the bikes like any other vehicle on that carriageway
you know how steep that slip road is? not exactly a little shortcut is it?

Rallydriver

This thread says more about the OP's intolerance for anything that inconveniences his own life slightly.

Symptomatic of an increasingly self obsessed society which doesn't care for or tolerate other people.