Is it safe to cycle on UK roads? - interested in people's opinions

Martin_the_Unjust

I wonder when cyclists will start to give other road users at least 5ft clearance as it currently seems to only work one way.

Brie

personally i think the best way to judge if someone is going under 10 mph is to look at my own speedometer.  

And it's difficult for drivers to keep to the rules of the road some times.  I was behind a cyclist doing about 20 mph on a country road.  Twisty with solid lines to show no passing.  And I had an idiot in a car right up behind me flashing his (I assume) lights to tell me to put my foot down.   I couldn't go faster due to the cyclist and I couldn't overtake due to the lines on the road and the fact there was no way to tell if there was on coming traffic.  The idiot must have seen the cyclist but had to be an idiot.  Some people might have caved to pressure and made a dangerous move which may have ended up being fatal.  

kinger101

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I wonder when cyclists will start to give other road users at least 5ft clearance as it currently seems to only work one way.

There's no requirement for them to do so.  The rule is about drivers and motorcyclists overtaking vulnerable road users.  I suppose you also think pregnant women and the elderly should stand up on trains and buses when they see teenagers needing a seat.

MacPingu1986

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I wonder when cyclists will start to give other road users at least 5ft clearance as it currently seems to only work one way.

Its works one way because of the physics involved - a car passing a bicycle at speed poses much more risk to the rider than the risk to a driver of a bicycle passing a car at speed. Another example is how it's safe to walk alongside a stationary train near the edge of platform, but dangerous to be stood at the edge of a platform when an express train passes through at speed.

Re the OPs post - cycling on the road isn't without risk, but it's really important to remember that the health benefits from a more active lifestyle (including regular everyday cycling) massively outweigh the very very small chance of being involved in a collision. Cycling on the road is safe, particularly if you're sensible, ride defensively and don't take any unnecessary risks. (Speaking from experience as someone who uses my bike as my main means of getting around including many years of cycle commuting in London & elsewhere)

silverwhistle

tofu-eater_3 said:

,I'm mystified as to why cyclists go so far out into the road unless there's a good reason to do so ,

Looks like you've now had your answer. Remember, as vulnerable road users (along with pedestrians and horse riders) there are reasons why we behave as we do: it's not just to annoy motorists. Round my way on the borders of Hampshire and West Sussex you can either have me riding a particular line on the road or you can have me sprawled in front of you because I've hit one of the many pot holes, which as a motorist probably doesn't do your suspension much good but could cause me to have a bad accident..

I use my bike for transport: down my social club, shopping at the supermarket, getting to football training, nipping down to aged parent and even to the hospital when I wasn't allowed to drive! I don't feel it's unsafe enough to stop me cycling, and millions of people do in this country and elsewhere but you have to be sensible. I wouldn't base my decision on a TV programme where 'nothing to see here' is not their desired conclusion..

unforeseen

MalMonroe said:

unforeseen said:

There are lots of 2 lane roads where it is physically impossible to have 5ft clearance if the cyclist is in the middle of his lane. 

I guess we motorists have to be patient and wait for the opportunity to pass in that situation. They do have as much right as we motorists have on all our roads.

The correct answer is that the cyclist should show consideration for other road users as horse riders and tractor drivers tend to.
We live in hope. 

silverwhistle

Just another quick thought.. Today on the M27 masses of police, ambulances, fire engines etc. and quite a number of wrecked cars, probably due to the heavy rain and flooding.

Is it safe to drive on UK roads... :-:wink:

Martin_the_Unjust

MacPingu1986 said:

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I wonder when cyclists will start to give other road users at least 5ft clearance as it currently seems to only work one way.

Its works one way because of the physics involved - a car passing a bicycle at speed poses much more risk to the rider than the risk to a driver of a bicycle passing a car at speed. Another example is how it's safe to walk alongside a stationary train near the edge of platform, but dangerous to be stood at the edge of a platform when an express train passes through at speed.

So, you are saying that as long as a car is only going a few mph faster than the cycle there is no real need to give them 5ft clearance?

MacPingu1986

Martin_the_Unjust said:

MacPingu1986 said:

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I wonder when cyclists will start to give other road users at least 5ft clearance as it currently seems to only work one way.

Its works one way because of the physics involved - a car passing a bicycle at speed poses much more risk to the rider than the risk to a driver of a bicycle passing a car at speed. Another example is how it's safe to walk alongside a stationary train near the edge of platform, but dangerous to be stood at the edge of a platform when an express train passes through at speed.

So, you are saying that as long as a car is only going a few mph faster than the cycle there is no real need to give them 5ft clearance?

Martin, no I’m not - you don’t need to understand the physics involved - just follow the Highway Code. A 1.5 tone motor vehicle with 300 times the power of a person on a bicycle poses a much bigger risk to the latter than the other way around. That’s why the guidance exists. It’s about protecting vulnerable road users when we are driving.

[Deleted User]

unforeseen said:

MalMonroe said:

unforeseen said:

There are lots of 2 lane roads where it is physically impossible to have 5ft clearance if the cyclist is in the middle of his lane. 

I guess we motorists have to be patient and wait for the opportunity to pass in that situation. They do have as much right as we motorists have on all our roads.

The correct answer is that the cyclist should show consideration for other road users as horse riders and tractor drivers tend to.
We live in hope. 

I have very rarely ever seen a tractor or indeed, lorry, caravan or slow driver ever pull in to let people pass, it just doesn't happen. What horse riders have you ever seen risk their own life (on top of a flight animal) pulling onto a verge to let drivers past? What do you propose the rider does? Put the road bike onto a verge or a gravel side track and hope they don't get a puncture? Tuck in so you can speed past? You are driving the 2 tonne lump of metal, YOU need to show consideration by passing safely when it is ok to do so. If your life is so badly organised that 30s behind a bike will cause problems, sort your life out and let people ride safely