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

kinger101

Deleted_User said:

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

I've often seen tractors pull in, but I certainly would not expect a cyclist to do so.  It is much harder to overtake a tractor safely as they're much wider and you have to be very far back from it to see the road ahead clearly enough.

I do occasionally pull in when driving my car if I have some wally tailgating me on a winding road for example.  Some people seem like they're in a rush to get to their own funeral.

gazapc

I cycle in from a rural area just outside a city, ~7 miles into the centre for work (when I go in to the office, once per week or so).

Generally I find 99%+ of people are considerate. I do laugh when drivers moan at being held up by cyclists for 30 seconds. I was held up on my cycle in last week so my 30 minute ride became 40 minutes - all delays caused by car drivers and queues of car/van/truck traffic. It is not a one way thing.

I use an electric bike. I can tell sometimes people misjudge my speed when going up hills, thinking they can easily make an overtake when instead I am still going 15mph.

I cycle pretty defensively - I won't be in the middle of the lane but will definitely not be in the 'door zone' of parked cars. I'll move out at pinch points to make sure people are not tempted to overtake etc...

I'm a great believer that if everyone had some experience of cycling or motorbiking on the roads, the general standard of driving would improve. Cars (of which I own 3), can feel too much like a bubble.

unforeseen

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? 

In my part of rural England it's a common occurrence for both tractors and horse riders to pull over to let cars past. Riders normally pull into field entrances to allow you past. On country roads there is not a lot a tractor can do, but on normal A roads they will pull into lay-bys. As to the others you mention, I agree, they don't do anything to help the flow of traffic. 

[Deleted User]

unforeseen said:

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? 

In my part of rural England it's a common occurrence for both tractors and horse riders to pull over to let cars past. Riders normally pull into field entrances to allow you past. On country roads there is not a lot a tractor can do, but on normal A roads they will pull into lay-bys. As to the others you mention, I agree, they don't do anything to help the flow of traffic. 

Around the Midlands, can honestly say I have never see it. Horses I normally stop (on the bike) and let them pass if coming the other way on a narrow road, or call out and go as wide and slow as I can if passing. There are countless causes of delays for driving on small roads, anyone who drives and doesn't allow time for that is the problem, not the rider. Allowing people safe passage is basic human compassion, expecting riders to pull off the road to allow a car to save 30 seconds (before inevitably catching up with them at junctions, lights etc) is pointless, wait until it's safe, it's what I do as a driver

Nofinway

baser999 said:

It was an interesting watch as it also featured ‘idiot cyclists’ jumping red lights, going straight across junctions etc - these are the ones that irritate the motorist and give all cyclists a bad name. I was amused in particular to watch the reporter claiming that quite legally he was allowed to cycle down the centre of his lane and that motorists are required to allow 5ft when overtaking. He then promptly pointed the driver who crossed double white lines to pass him; how was he supposed to get past otherwise, or was he expected to wait until the double white lines had ended? Had he not been in the centre of the lane, there’d have been no problem. 

I have no issue with cyclists being on the road, but they need to be as mindful of the motorist as we are expected to be of them. No cycling two-a-breast, using hand signals, obeying traffic signals . . .

It's really simple - if there isn't enough room to overtake then don't! In the example above you quote then yes, the motorist should have waited. Trying to 'squeeze' through and forcing the cyclist to ride in the gutter is not the answer. I will often 'take the lane', it is always to make it safer for me, often for a hazard that a motorist can't see and if that holds you up for a few seconds - tough!

Nofinway

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.

Is it beyond your wit to understand why?

diystarter7

It would be a lot safer for all riders if they wore hi-vis, a helmet, had a bell, lights etc, and followed the highway code.
As others have said it also depends on where you are/ride etc and time of day etc etc.
I passed my test at 18 which was around 40 years ago and I'm not sure how much is taught re other road users safety but more would help

Just wearing a hi-vis top in the day time would reduce accidents IMO.

Some riders take the p as well as some drivers. So if you are a rider, see my first paragraph and if you are mainly a driver, slow down etc and look carefully for smaller objects and give them plenty of space as you pass.

Nofinway

diystarter7 said:

It would be a lot safer for all riders if they wore hi-vis, a helmet, had a bell, lights etc, and followed the highway code.
As others have said it also depends on where you are/ride etc and time of day etc etc.
I passed my test at 18 which was around 40 years ago and I'm not sure how much is taught re other road users safety but more would help

Just wearing a hi-vis top in the day time would reduce accidents IMO.

Some riders take the p as well as some drivers. So if you are a rider, see my first paragraph and if you are mainly a driver, slow down etc and look carefully for smaller objects and give them plenty of space as you pass.

Honestly - the whole high vis thing is just nonsense. I think it's Surrey Police who completely debunked high vis on Twitter a while back. They have to for H&S reasons but doesn't stop them from being hit even with flashing blue lights fgs! 

The key is to wear something that contrasts with the background - for that reason I usually wear bright red plus I have lights flashing front and rear (even during the day) and it makes very little difference. 

Helmets, much the same - I'll wager you don't wear one driving however your risk is about the same. 

Bell - on the road.................very effective!

Martin_the_Unjust

Nofinway 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.

Is it beyond your wit to understand why?

Actually yes it appears it is.

I quite understand why I should give cyclists lots of room, it’s even more important when I’m driving a lorry.

I struggle to understand though why cyclist don’t believe that they should give me the same room (for their own safety) when we are both in slow moving traffic.

Perhaps you could explain it to me?

silverwhistle

Martin_the_Unjust said:

I quite understand why I should give cyclists lots of room, it’s even more important when I’m driving a lorry.

I struggle to understand though why cyclist don’t believe that they should give me the same room (for their own safety) when we are both in slow moving traffic.

Ah, I think we have it now. Somebody resents being overtaken by bikes (of all sorts) in traffic. I suggest you look up the Highway Code on 'filtering' since I don't think anybody has enough time and patience to explain the situation to you beyond what you've already been told.