Cyclists obliged to use cycle lanes?

darich

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.

No doubt you'd complain if a cyclist entered the roundabout in the left lane to turn right(a legal move in a bicycle, check highway code, 163) and slowed you down by a few seconds?

You need to lighten up - your impatience is the cause of raod rage!!

ZootHornRollo

no, i asked a question about a situation where there is an alternative that is better suited to the occassion.

i complain about cyclists when they use racing techniques on the road (peloton).

ZootHornRollo

Rallydriver wrote: »

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.

please explain this somewhat out-of-the-blue comment. At which point exactly did i express 'intolerance for anything that inconveniences his own life'.

i mearly expressed that i felt there was an issue and there was a suitable alternative being under used.

I will also state at this point that it is the minority of cyclists who are using the main carriage way - the cyclepath is well used.

ZootHornRollo

johnfarquhar74 wrote: »

What would you suppose the cyclist do for the RBS Gogar exchange(RBS Bridge)?

use the cycle lane on the other side of the road instead?

ZootHornRollo

Viper_7 wrote: »

First the edges of the roads are covered in cr%p, bits of metal, rubble etc etc which are thrown to the side by vehicles as are cycle paths.

Thats a fair point regarding teh crap etc. It's a well used cycle lane so can't be that bad.

Viper_7 wrote: »

Secondly and more importantly I don't want vehicles squeezing past me and oncoming vehicles at 60mph. Give them a gap and they will take it and put your safety at risk.

The cycle route in question is seperate from the main carriageway so cyclists would not be expossed to vehicles at all.

Viper_7

Yes, understand your query re the road/cycle path layout, was more general thoughts on the use of cycle lanes.
People see many cyclists not using the cycle lanes on main roads and you wonder why and get a little irate about it, the above is why cyclists do tend not to use them.

I usually cycle down the white line - it's nice and smooth! (No not the one in the middle of the road!)

custardy

ZootHornRollo wrote: »

use the cycle lane on the other side of the road instead?

how do you get over to the other side? have you cycled up the RBS bridge?
its hardly a 'shortcut' to the other side
then if you were going straight over the roundbout you are then on the wrong side

ZootHornRollo

what happens to the cycle lane at that bit?

benjus

I don't think there should be a law forcing cyclists to use cycle lanes. The problem is that for every good cycle lane there's a bunch like this: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/gallery/2009/oct/20/crap-cycle-lanes

In general I avoid a cycle lane if:

• It stops abruptly and thrusts you straight back into the traffic - which is IMHO more dangerous than being with the traffic from the start.
• It's full of rubbish, parked cars or other obstructions
• There are pedestrians using it
• I would have to stop and give way to road traffic every few yards rather than having priority

I can understand the frustration of drivers as I used to think similar things myself before I started cycling regularly on the road. However, some cycle lanes were clearly designed by someone who had never been on a bike and was probably just trying to tick a box on the "environmentally friendly policies" list.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Unlike motorists, who merely have permission to use the roads, cyclists have a right in law. They are not compelled to use cycle lanes, and nor should they be, for all the reasons stated above.

If you find it difficult to overtake a cyclist then you should consider handing your licence back in, and selling your car.