New cycle proficiency test

rca779

My eldest son (age 11) has just completed his cycle proficiency course run by Hampshire council at his school. One of the more interesting things to come from this is that they now recommend that cyclists ride about a metre away from the curb. This means that cars shouldn't be able to squeeze past, but have to slow down behind the cyclist and then give them sufficient room when they overtake. He was also told that when turning, he should wait in the middle of his carriage way so that cars cannot undertake. He was taught that the cyclist has as much right on the road as a car.

While all this makes perfect sense, I don’t think the average motorist has been made aware of this new behaviour and I can see it could cause a lot of frustration and even lead to possible road rage.

I would be interested in other people's thoughts.

Rolandtheroadie

A car will sit as far right as possible for a right turn to allow traffic to flow up it's inside. I wouldnt be advising MY child to sit in the middle of the road for a right turn.
The 1 metre from the kerb is common sense to avoid drain covers (ours are possibly as much as 1/2 a metre from the kerb). The onus is on WHOEVERS overtaking to do so safely (be it car, other cyclist, milk float, anything).
You have to have the common sense approach. How many people die every year because they were right? (and not just on the roads).
Just out of interest, was there any instruction on red lights? Pedestrian crossings? Courtesy to other road users?

rca779

Thanks SummerRain, that's what I thought to be honest. However when trying to discuss this with the teacher and my son, they both got very defensive and said this is the right way to do it.

I aksed what happens if my son pulls into the middle of his carriageway to turn right and there is a long queue of traffic coming the other way? Does he just sit there holding up all the cars behind him?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

I would never block the carriageway for a right turn, however, if I'm making a right turn in a clearly marked right turn lane, I'll sit smack bang in the middle of that lane, and not to the right or left of it.

Perhaps this is what the testers meant.

Rolandtheroadie

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

I would never block the carriageway for a right turn, however, if I'm making a right turn in a clearly marked right turn lane, I'll sit smack bang in the middle of that lane, and not to the right or left of it.

Perhaps this is what the testers meant.

LOl, I think you and I both know thats not what they meant.



Does anyone remember the advert years ago, young boy sitting waiting to turn right, car coming from behind peeps horn, kid panics, tries to turn, hit with a car coming the opposite direction?

I'm not saying what he's been told is not perfectly correct, and i'm sure any inquest or compensation claim would find in the cyclists favour, personally i just wouldnt want to be in that position.

maninthestreet

rca779 wrote: »

My eldest son (age 11) has just completed his cycle proficiency course run by Hampshire council at his school. One of the more interesting things to come from this is that they now recommend that cyclists ride about a metre away from the curb. This means that cars shouldn't be able to squeeze past, but have to slow down behind the cyclist and then give them sufficient room when they overtake. He was also told that when turning, he should wait in the middle of his carriage way so that cars cannot undertake. He was taught that the cyclist has as much right on the road as a car.

While all this makes perfect sense, I don’t think the average motorist has been made aware of this new behaviour and I can see it could cause a lot of frustration and even lead to possible road rage.

I would be interested in other people's thoughts.

When turing right, the Highway code states that cyclists should position themseves in the centre of the road and wait there until it is safe to turn right:

On the right. If you are turning right, check the traffic to ensure it is safe, then signal and move to the centre of the road. Wait until there is a safe gap in the oncoming traffic and give a final look before completing the turn. It may be safer to wait on the left until there is a safe gap or to dismount and push your cycle across the road.

rpc

I'm not sure about the right turn thing as it doesn't sound like the sort of thing I'd want to do. If there's a right turn lane then I'll sit in the middle of it but if not I'll sit near the middle of the road with cars having enough room to undertake if the road is wide enough.


Cycling out from the kerb is definitely a good thing. Often more than a metre out, depending on the road.

A lot of cyclists have been doing it for a while and it's now government guidance, published in Cyclecraft. I can't post links, but if you google "primary position cycling" without the quotes you'll get plenty of links. The first one, from bike radar, is informative enough.

The idea is that by cycling further out, you force cars to give you the room you are entitled to (the same as any other road user). This is particularly important on narrow roads where there isn't really enough space to overtake but some drivers will do it anyway. It's not something that should be done all the time - your road position should vary with the circumstances.

rpc.

flyingscotno1

The right turn thing is sensible but as with all these 'rules' depends on situation.

Take standard 6.5m wide road. 2 lanes either direction. The worst situation a cyclist could be turning right is that he hugs the centre line and gets 'trapped' as traffic whips past him in both directions with little space and puts himself in a dangerous situation. Sitting a metre or so out, whilst not in the absolute centre will give enough clearance.

maninthestreet

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

The right turn thing is sensible but as with all these 'rules' depends on situation.

Take standard 6.5m wide road. 2 lanes either direction. The worst situation a cyclist could be turning right is that he hugs the centre line and gets 'trapped' as traffic whips past him in both directions with little space and puts himself in a dangerous situation. Sitting a metre or so out, whilst not in the absolute centre will give enough clearance.

This contradicts what the Highway Code states.

Bowling_4_Gold

Agree with staying in the centre of the road for a right turn. It is often safer. The other day, I tried going on the centre line to make a right turn, just for some jammy picasso driver to undertake me, brake hard in front of me, and then turn right. Luckily, I was able to squeeze past him and hold him up for the length of the road we had just turned in to.

flyingscotno1

maninthestreet wrote: »

This contradicts what the Highway Code states.

The highway code is very vague on the subject and better to use experience where it is not a law. No point being in an Ambulance but able to say you did what the highway code said!

"If you are turning right, check the traffic to ensure it is safe, then signal and move to the centre of the road. Wait until there is a safe gap in the oncoming traffic and give a final look before completing the turn. It may be safer to wait on the left until there is a safe gap or to dismount and push your cycle across the road."

It states you should move 'to the centre of road and wait' not be absolute dead centre. I'd consider moving 1m from the white centre line moving to the centre of road. Edit- Equally do they mean the centre of the whole carriageway or the centre of lane? Messy terminology IMV.