Cyclists and road traffic signals...

Izadora

brat wrote: »

Two motorists used aggressive horn blasts and gesticulations to remind me that a (completely inappropriate) cycle path was on the other side of the road

What was inappropriate about it?
Having a cycle path in place generally greatly reduces the width of the road, meaning motorists no longer have enough space to overtake cyclists, so of course they're going to be frustrated when people choose not to use them.

brat

Izadora wrote: »

What was inappropriate about it?
Having a cycle path in place generally greatly reduces the width of the road, meaning motorists no longer have enough space to overtake cyclists, so of course they're going to be frustrated when people choose not to use them.

It's inappropriate because I'm on a road bike doing 16 to 40mph, and cycle paths are not designed for those speeds. There is no easy way across to it, it lasts for less than 2 miles, it is populated by dog walkers with long leads, DHL drivers who pull onto it to deliver, broken twigs and roadside detritus, and it stops and starts about 6 times for private drives and entrances. There is also a cycle path on my side of the road, although the roadside shrubbery has taken ownership of it.

Have a look

If a cycle path is useful and safe to use, I'll use it. Often they're not useful, and less safe than the road.

Izadora

Fair enough, I can see how that's not even really worthy of being called a cycle path.
I'm just used to people thinking they're somehow above having to use this one even though they're going significantly slower than cars and the addition of the cycle path removed any overtaking space which motorists had before.

skivenov

brat wrote: »

Approximately 5 motorists overtook me while I was doing about 24 in a 20 speed limit.

Don't get me wrong, I've got a fast road bike myself, but, isn't it a bit thin complaining about other drivers, and then saying you were speeding?

brat

skivenov wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, I've got a fast road bike myself, but, isn't it a bit thin complaining about other drivers, and then saying you were speeding?

Nice try... I was talking about motorists doing illegal things, while I was behaving perfectly legally.

The speed limit doesn't apply to cyclists.

Confusedandneedhelp

brat wrote: »

Nice try... I was talking about motorists doing illegal things, while I was behaving perfectly legally.

The speed limit doesn't apply to cyclists.

No? Since when?

nobbysn*ts

Confusedandneedhelp wrote: »

No? Since when?

Same time as red lights, pedestrian crossings, pavements, pedestrian areas..........

Johnmcl7

Confusedandneedhelp wrote: »

No? Since when?

Since at least 1984, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 sets the speed limits for motor vehicles and excludes both pedal powered and electrically powered bicycles (the latter do have their own 15mph speed restriction for the motor powering/assisting the bike):

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/part/VI
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/section/140

John

nobbysn*ts

Johnmcl7 wrote: »

Since at least 1984, the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 sets the speed limits for motor vehicles and excludes both pedal powered and electrically powered bicycles (the latter do have their own 15mph speed restriction for the motor powering/assisting the bike):

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/part/VI
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1984/27/section/140

John

Dangerous or careless cycling, unless there's a byelaw, or you're in a Royal Park, I think.

Johnmcl7

nobbysn*ts wrote: »

Dangerous or careless cycling, unless there's a byelaw, or you're in a Royal Park, I think.

Neither are of any relevance, neither refer to speed limits for cyclists nor have been ever used for cycling speed enforcement - the original person was correct in stating that speeds limits defined in law for motor vehicles do not apply to cyclists although in reality few cyclists will be able to consistently exceed motor vehicle speed limits.

John