What Do Cyclists Have Against Cycle Tracks ?

JP08

ab1982 wrote: »

It wasnt me who asked.... But really good point about the single file overtaking.

You're right, sorry - you quoted ChrissyG who asked the original question.

Cycrow

CHRISSYG wrote: »

Can I ask the cyclists a question ?

When I was younger it was a "rule" that you should ride in single file has that changed over the years ?

Speaking as a motorist my only frustration is when a pack of cyclists take over the whole road and seem oblivious to the chaos they are causing presumably its just the motorist who has to be aware of others around them.

im sure they wern't over the whole road otherwise they will end up in a head on collision with oncoming traffic.

if they were just in the one lane, then you could always move over into the oncoming lane to overtake, which you should do anyways.

so being in a pack actually helps, because in single file, the overtake will be much longer, and you will end up in the oncoming lane alot longer

GwylimT

CHRISSYG wrote: »

Can I ask the cyclists a question ?

When I was younger it was a "rule" that you should ride in single file has that changed over the years ?

Speaking as a motorist my only frustration is when a pack of cyclists take over the whole road and seem oblivious to the chaos they are causing presumably its just the motorist who has to be aware of others around them.

I have no idea what the code used to be for cyclists, the whole time I have been cycling you have been able to cycle two abreast, so thats around 25 years.

Its very frustrating as a cyclist when a pack of motorists take over the whole road and seem oblivious to the chaos they are causing, presumably its just the cyclist who has to be aware of others around them.

GwylimT

I went out this morning as I'm off work at the moment so I haven't being doing my cycling commute. I took a different route today as I thought I should try it out before commiting to it on a work day.

There were a few half arsed cycle lanes, one wasn't even as wide as my bike if you include the pedals, I wasn't even convinced it was a cycle lane until I saw a sign.

One took you off the road and through some fields, there were three cattle gates, lots of dog poo and an abandoned mattress and no lighting, unlike the road. There were also quite a few walkers, so I couldn't actually cycle for a good chunk of this cycle lane.

One nearer to work was being used as a car park. This one is awful though, its a double width cycle lane which cyclists can use in both directions, that is incredibly stupid.

My journey to work was 74 minutes, on the way back I remained on the road, apart from a small strip that had been resurfaced the road was generally gravel free, the man hole covers were in the centre of the carriageway which was annoying (as it would be to motorbikes as well). No dog poo, no mattress, no cattle gates but street lights most of the way, there was one squashed badger. My journey took 46 minutes including a small detour to the shop which isn't too bad as I think it would take around 25 minutes in the car.

elverson

The most obvious one for me is turning into a side road on the right - cycle lanes don't always follow the junctions and so it's generally easier to ride on the dual carriageway than the adjacent cycle lane.

elverson

Another example, near me there's a 'half and half' pavement marked for pedestrians and cyclists. However the pedestrian half has so many bins, road signs, repair works and other clutter that pedestrians (understandably) have to walk on the cycle half, so again it's faster and easier to just ride on the road.

This one is in town, on a rural dual carriageway I'd certainly be inclined to use a parallel cycle track where provided.

Nasqueron

Not only is passing cyclists 2 abreast faster than single file, it's also safer for the riders as single file encourages car drivers to try and race past leaving 1 foot of space due to oncoming traffic, when passing a long line especially as it's often when they can't see far enough ahead - it only needs something wide and the car goes left straight into the cyclists. When the car is forced to wait to pass due to 2 abreast it means they can only pass when the other side of the road is clear and they can see far enough ahead which means less likely to hit the cyclists

brat

ab1982 wrote: »

I put it down to the anonymity of being inside a car that emboldens people. Probably similar reasons why people are rude and condescending on internet forums.

Motorists can and do get frustrated by the actions of other road users, I agree. Cyclists and other road users do too, so I'm not sure why you wish to single out car drivers. It's well known that anonymity or a sense of security can encourage people to react more bravely, But to suggest that nice people become "frothing at the mouth lunatics" as soon as they get into the drivers seat suggests a tendency to prejudge and exaggerate, which, as I said, is neither truthful or helpful, making you part of the problem, rather than the solution.

Tired soundbites like yours are usually wrong.

brat

Nasqueron wrote: »

Not only is passing cyclists 2 abreast faster than single file, it's also safer for the riders as single file encourages car drivers to try and race past leaving 1 foot of space due to oncoming traffic, when passing a long line especially as it's often when they can't see far enough ahead - it only needs something wide and the car goes left straight into the cyclists. When the car is forced to wait to pass due to 2 abreast it means they can only pass when the other side of the road is clear and they can see far enough ahead which means less likely to hit the cyclists

It's effectively taking the primary position by default. I wouldn't advocate it on all roads, especially wide laned NSL busy single carriageways where cars can pass a 'secondary positioned' cyclist with ease within the lane. But if the speed differential is not great, and the road is narrower, I will often ride two abreast for safety.

Norman_Castle

CHRISSYG wrote: »

Speaking as a motorist my only frustration is when a pack of cyclists take over the whole road and seem oblivious to the chaos they are causing presumably its just the motorist who has to be aware of others around them.

Speaking as a motorist I've never considered a minor delay caused by slower vehicles to be chaos.
I think many motorists get used to traveling at higher speeds and consider any delay as wrong.