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Cycling: Difference between revisions
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===Road Positioning=== | ===Road Positioning=== | ||
When cycling through town, or for that fact anywhere, there are occasions when it is safest to move into the center of the lane. This is particularly the case when there is not enough room for a car to safely overtake you. By cycling in the middle of the lane, the car will not attempt it. If you are over | Cyclists are not required to cycle near the kerb. This is a myth, perpetuated by society in general in order to keep motorised traffic moving as quickly as possible. | ||
The rules of the road state "keep to the left", but this rule applies to motorised traffic as well; it means that all vehicles must stay as close to the left of the road '''as is safe to do so'''. Cycling to the left of the lane '''can''' be safe if the lane is wide enough to accommodate you and passing vehicles with sufficient space in between. However, in most cases, lanes are only designed to be for one vehicle. | |||
Kerb <- 1m -> Cyclist <- 1.5m -> Motor Vehicle | |||
When cycling through town, or for that fact anywhere, there are occasions when it is safest to move into the center of the lane. This is particularly the case when there is not enough room for a car to safely overtake you. By cycling in the middle of the lane, the car will not attempt it. If you are over beside kerb, they might. | |||
Similarly if cycling along a line of parked cars, do not stay in close, give them the mandatory door length space between you and them. | Similarly if cycling along a line of parked cars, do not stay in close, give them the mandatory door length space between you and them. | ||
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Trucks and HGVs are the primary killer of cyclists. The classic situation seems to be where a cyclist goes up the inside of a truck turning left. The driver can't see the cyclist and the cyclist is crushed. This site, http://www.movingtargetzine.com/forum/discussion/598/hgv-blind-spots-from-nozzer/, has an excellent description of blind spots and how to cycle around/near trucks. | Trucks and HGVs are the primary killer of cyclists. The classic situation seems to be where a cyclist goes up the inside of a truck turning left. The driver can't see the cyclist and the cyclist is crushed. This site, http://www.movingtargetzine.com/forum/discussion/598/hgv-blind-spots-from-nozzer/, has an excellent description of blind spots and how to cycle around/near trucks. | ||
Never trust motorists not to kill you. It is your responsibility to be assertive in order to keep them at bay. | |||
===Cycle Lanes=== | ===Cycle Lanes=== | ||
You are no longer legally required to use any form of cycle lane or cycle infrastructure. Thus, it is up to you whether to use them or not, depending on your skill or experience. In many cases, it is safer to ignore them. | |||
A mandatory cycle lane (solid white border) means that motorised traffic cannot drive or park in the lane. It does not mean that cyclists must use it. | |||
There are a number of laws relating to the use of cycle lanes and cycling on the road in general. Theses are nicely presented at | |||
http://www.geocities.ws/cyclopath2001/legal.htm | http://www.geocities.ws/cyclopath2001/legal.htm | ||