Why do some cyclists use the entire lane, use fog horns, and flashing lights?????????

trinidadone

hello all,

Often during one lane traffic, u see a lone cyclist who uses the entire lane and holds the traffic up while cycling in the middle of the lane, why do cyclists do that?

Some Cyclists are now using fog horns, what has happoned to the tradional bell?

Why the flashing rear and front lights at night, cant cyclist just have ordinary cycle lights like before, do the ordinary ones not work???

RichardD1970

trinidadone wrote: »

hello all,

Often during one lane traffic, u see a lone cyclist who uses the entire lane and holds the traffic up while cycling in the middle of the lane, why do cyclists do that? Called the Primary Position, look it up.

Some Cyclists are now using fog horns, what has happoned to the tradional bell? Louder so more noticeable to the motorist lock inside their metal boxes.

Why the flashing rear and front lights at night, cant cyclist just have ordinary cycle lights like before, do the ordinary ones not work??? Again, more noticeable, attracts the eye better and you know its a bike because no one else uses them.

10 characters.

brat

The position you refer to is the primary position, the default position that cyclists should be in unless they believe it's safe enough to concede part of the lane to motorists in which case they will revert to the secondary position.
This link explains the concept in more detail. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/cycletraining/article/ct20110110-cycletraining-Bitesize-Bikeability--Part-4--On-Road-Positioning-0


I've no experience of cyclists using fog horns, but I can understand why they might.

Flashing lights make a cyclist more visible, and it differentiates them from motorists. Their use keeps cyclists safer.

GwylimT

A flashing light also enables other road users and pedestrians to distinguish between a bicycle and a motorbike/moped.

Bells are only useful to alert someone within around one metre.

Like most vehicles it is most sensible to place yourself in the centre of the carriageway.

trinidadone

So how does cycling in the middle carriageway, balance with other road users?

fog horn / flashing lights, does this mean mother vehicles can equipped there vehicles with these devices as well???? is flashing lights only for emergency vehicles????

GwylimT

trinidadone wrote: »

So how does cycling in the middle carriageway, balance with other road users?

fog horn / flashing lights, does this mean mother vehicles can equipped there vehicles with these devices as well???? is flashing lights only for emergency vehicles????

I don't know what a mother vehicle is.

Cycling in the appropriate position in the centre of the carriageway balances perfectly, just as it does for other road users.

trinidadone

So cyclists are expected to cycle in primary position (middle of the lane)

no wonder vehicle drivers get !!!!ed on our streets

GwylimT

trinidadone wrote: »

So cyclists are expected to cycle in primary position (middle of the lane)

no wonder vehicle drivers get !!!!ed on our streets

Of course all road users should be positioned in the centre of the carriageway, where exactly on the road do you drive?

Norman_Castle

trinidadone wrote: »

So cyclists are expected to cycle in primary position (middle of the lane)

no wonder vehicle drivers get !!!!ed on our streets

Did you get !!!!ed on your street?????

hollie.weimeraner

trinidadone wrote: »

does this mean mother vehicles can equipped there vehicles with these devices as well???? is flashing lights only for emergency vehicles????

Bikes don't have to comply with construction and use regulations and no, modern cars cannot fit flashing lights or foghorns.

As for bikes cycling in the centre of the carriageway, yes in certain circumstances it's for safety but there are plenty of occasions when there is no reason why they should use this other than selfishness and don't even get me started on when you are driving a car behind a group of cyclists 2 and 3 abreast.

Like car drivers there are good and bad amongst all.

trinidadone

GwylimT wrote: »

Of course all road users should be positioned in the centre of the carriageway, where exactly on the road do you drive?

London roads are not designed well enough for cyclists to position themselves in every single road, as many road are single lanes. sounds good in theory