Highway Code

[HOWARDTParticipant @howardt]

Sam, it may soon be possible to use the footpath for its intended purpose as they make it an offence at a local level to park a vehicle on them. Of course that is if the cyclists allow you to use this newly freed space.

[VicParticipant @vic]

I cycle very occasionally but I’m not happy to do so on the road, far too dangerous. There are many cycle paths near me but some cyclists still insist on using the road next to it instead! I think it should be an offence to use the road if a cycle path a few feet away is available!

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Posted by Vic on 05/01/2022 16:01:43:

I cycle very occasionally but I’m not happy to do so on the road, far too dangerous. There are many cycle paths near me but some cyclists still insist on using the road next to it instead! I think it should be an offence to use the road if a cycle path a few feet away is available!

I'm one of those cyclists! There are many cycle paths around the Medway Towns that I won't use because they are more dangerous than the roads. That's mostly due to terrible design, but some of them are really badly maintained too. Vehicles, and bicycles are vehicles, should be on the road.

The real problem is that many road users are incompetent and/or temperamentally unsuited to the job.

[RMAParticipant @rma]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 05/01/2022 09:44:46:

Hmmm, New Year's resolution: must buy an up-to-date Highway Code and read it! Do I still need a man with a red flag?

Dave

Tut Tut. 21st century……..a woman can carry the flag now!

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 05/01/2022 16:08:25:

Posted by Vic on 05/01/2022 16:01:43:

I cycle very occasionally but I’m not happy to do so on the road, far too dangerous. There are many cycle paths near me but some cyclists still insist on using the road next to it instead! I think it should be an offence to use the road if a cycle path a few feet away is available!

I'm one of those cyclists! There are many cycle paths around the Medway Towns that I won't use because they are more dangerous than the roads. That's mostly due to terrible design, but some of them are really badly maintained too. Vehicles, and bicycles are vehicles, should be on the road.

The real problem is that many road users are incompetent and/or temperamentally unsuited to the job.

[BazyleParticipant @bazyle]

Don't even think about hitting a camel in the middle east……

[Bo’sunParticipant @bosun58570]

Posted by Bo'sun on 05/01/2022 18:04:23:

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 05/01/2022 16:08:25:

Posted by Vic on 05/01/2022 16:01:43:

I cycle very occasionally but I’m not happy to do so on the road, far too dangerous. There are many cycle paths near me but some cyclists still insist on using the road next to it instead! I think it should be an offence to use the road if a cycle path a few feet away is available!

I'm one of those cyclists! There are many cycle paths around the Medway Towns that I won't use because they are more dangerous than the roads. That's mostly due to terrible design, but some of them are really badly maintained too. Vehicles, and bicycles are vehicles, should be on the road.

The real problem is that many road users are incompetent and/or temperamentally unsuited to the job.

Yes, I agree, cycle paths for the most part, are in an appalling state. Badly surfaced, badly signposted, overhanging vegetation, not joined up, etc. Still, how else could the local highways authority afford to refurbish their offices. I wouldn't mind betting that if a highways officer were using said cycleways, they'd pretty soon get sorted!

[Grizzly bearParticipant @grizzlybear]

What about spiral roundabouts?

No signs to indicate that a roundabout has been 'upgraded' to spiral.

Microsoft PowerPoint – Spiral Roundabouts – adiH credits (adihelp.co.uk)

Bear….

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by HOWARDT on 05/01/2022 15:48:48:

Sam, it may soon be possible to use the footpath for its intended purpose as they make it an offence at a local level to park a vehicle on them. Of course that is if the cyclists allow you to use this newly freed space.

Not freed up for E-scooters then???

[Dave HalfordParticipant @davehalford22513]

Posted by Sam Longley 1 on 05/01/2022 19:07:10:

Posted by HOWARDT on 05/01/2022 15:48:48:

Sam, it may soon be possible to use the footpath for its intended purpose as they make it an offence at a local level to park a vehicle on them. Of course that is if the cyclists allow you to use this newly freed space.

Not freed up for E-scooters then???

No need to, they use them anyway.

[VicParticipant @vic]

Posted by Bo'sun on 05/01/2022 18:04:23:

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 05/01/2022 16:08:25:

Posted by Vic on 05/01/2022 16:01:43:

I cycle very occasionally but I’m not happy to do so on the road, far too dangerous. There are many cycle paths near me but some cyclists still insist on using the road next to it instead! I think it should be an offence to use the road if a cycle path a few feet away is available!

I'm one of those cyclists! There are many cycle paths around the Medway Towns that I won't use because they are more dangerous than the roads. That's mostly due to terrible design, but some of them are really badly maintained too. Vehicles, and bicycles are vehicles, should be on the road.

The real problem is that many road users are incompetent and/or temperamentally unsuited to the job.

The ones near me that I have in mind are if anything better than the road so your argument is void. I’m sorry the ones in your area are so bad. Maybe you should contact the council?

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by Vic on 05/01/2022 20:07:23:

Posted by Bo'sun on 05/01/2022 18:04:23:

Posted by Nicholas Wheeler 1 on 05/01/2022 16:08:25:

Posted by Vic on 05/01/2022 16:01:43:

I cycle very occasionally but I’m not happy to do so on the road, far too dangerous. There are many cycle paths near me but some cyclists still insist on using the road next to it instead! I think it should be an offence to use the road if a cycle path a few feet away is available!

I'm one of those cyclists! There are many cycle paths around the Medway Towns that I won't use because they are more dangerous than the roads. That's mostly due to terrible design, but some of them are really badly maintained too. Vehicles, and bicycles are vehicles, should be on the road.

The real problem is that many road users are incompetent and/or temperamentally unsuited to the job.

The ones near me that I have in mind are if anything better than the road so your argument is void. I’m sorry the ones in your area are so bad. Maybe you should contact the council?

I agree with the earlier poster. His arguement is far from void. Even in towns some cycle ways are lacking in maintenance & that can be seen on a number of you tube videos. My experience bears that out. i have 2 Bromptons & the 16 inch wheels emphasise that.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by Grizzly bear on 05/01/2022 18:37:12:

What about spiral roundabouts?

No signs to indicate that a roundabout has been 'upgraded' to spiral.

Bear….

I would not expect a sign. It is generally how I have treated a roundabout all the time.

[old martParticipant @oldmart]

How many people know that you must give way to a bus when the driver switches their right hand indicator on at a bus stop.

[Frances IoMParticipant @francesiom58905]

if you want to see when a roundabout is not a roundabout look at the Manx Roundel
https://www.manxforums.com/forums/index.php?/topic/64379-promenade-megathread/page/546/

go down to Roundel review – apparently some in the Dept of Infrastructure like doodling – they also invented road crossing that looked special but were not official – removed when one cyclist died crossing one without checking for traffic

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by old mart on 05/01/2022 20:43:08:

How many people know that you must give way to a bus when the driver switches their right hand indicator on at a bus stop.

MUST ??? or "should"

Cannot say I have read the intro to the highway code for decades but

Just out of interest – is a CODE law, or a code of practice, which could be deemed something slightly different.

Obviously not acting in accordance with a recommended code could put one at a dissadvantage,

But unlawful in its self ??

 

An example- If one did not follow the procedure for a spiral roundabout would one be breaking a law? If one had an accident as a result then one would be at a disadvantage by having not followed the "code"

Edited By Sam Longley 1 on 05/01/2022 21:00:32

[Robert Atkinson 2Participant @robertatkinson2]

Sorry, can't agree on the cycle lanes. Around here (Cambridgeshire) they have laid new ones with flush LED lighting the lot and some cyclists still insist on riding on the road. One in particular is on a unlit country road and they won't use the LED lit cycle path. Then there are the bus drives who won't use the bus lanes. I've had one pull out of recessed bus stop, come across the bus lane and cut me up in the traffic lane. He then proceeded to do about 20 in a 30 zone. And n there weren't any ikes in the bus lane. There is another one where there is a traffic light cotrolled junction where buses go straight on. They have bus lane with it's own light that changes in their favour automatically. This stops the straight on main traffic so they can join. They use it when it's busy, but if its quiet and the main light is green they pull out at the lst minute into the main lane. Thay have already tripped the bus lane sensor so the main traffic lights recycle for no reason. If you are waiting to yurn right you have to wait a full cycle of the lights. that can be 2 minutes or more. I've been held at the line for three cycles due to two used doing this.
I can understand a bit it if drivers won't let them join when the bus lane ends, but it works both ways.
I also can't understand the number of cyclists and car drivers (ex cyclists?) who drive through red lights in Cambridge. At the same junction I mentioned above I had a cyclist ride into the back of my car when I stopped at a red light (two cars in front went through on amber) going straight on. When I asked the cyclist if he was OK he said he had expected me to jump the light! He could of course have used the bus lane, it has a permanentgreen for cyclists to go straght on. Again the same junction I stopped on red when turning right (again two cars in front went through on amber). A pick-up truck behind me actually stopped, then pulled left into the straight on lane, passed and turned right in front of me. He managed rude guesture at the same time.
No I'm not perfect driver, but I try to obey the rules.

Roert G8RPI.

[DalboyParticipant @dalboy]

Posted by Robert Atkinson 2 on 05/01/2022 21:06:45:

Again the same junction I stopped on red when turning right (again two cars in front went through on amber). A pick-up truck behind me actually stopped, then pulled left into the straight on lane, passed and turned right in front of me. He managed rude guesture at the same time.
No I'm not perfect driver, but I try to obey the rules.

Roert G8RPI.

The big question is who's insurance do you claim off if there was damage to your car not his as cyclist don;t have any

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Posted by Sam Longley 1 on 05/01/2022 20:58:31:

Posted by old mart on 05/01/2022 20:43:08:

…

…

Cannot say I have read the intro to the highway code for decades but

Just out of interest – is a CODE law, or a code of practice, which could be deemed something slightly different.

Obviously not acting in accordance with a recommended code could put one at a dissadvantage,

But unlawful in its self ??

…

The Highway Code is established by the Road Traffic Act. The RTA explains:

(7) A failure on the part of a person to observe a provision of the Highway Code shall not of itself render that person liable to criminal proceedings of any kind but any such failure may in any proceedings (whether civil or criminal, and including proceedings for an offence under the Traffic Acts, the M1 Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 or sections 18 to 23 of the M2 Transport Act 1985) be relied upon by any party to the proceedings as tending to establish or negative any liability which is in question in those proceedings.

Dave

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, the Highway Code is a mixture of rules and laws, you won't get prosecuted for breaking some of the rules, but breaking the rules may lead to other offenses that will result in fines and or points, which maybe something like dangerous driving. One rule of course in this country, is to drive on the left, but it's not law, otherwise you wouldn't be allowed to over take on a single carriageway, but if you over take when it's not safe to do so, you could find yourself in trouble with the law. The Highway Code however, does not contain all the motoring laws and I doubt the majority of us don't know them all.

Regards Nick.

[Nick WheelerParticipant @nickwheeler]

Posted by Vic on 05/01/2022 20:07:23:

The ones near me that I have in mind are if anything better than the road so your argument is void. I’m sorry the ones in your area are so bad. Maybe you should contact the council?

That might improve the condition, but bad design could only be fixed by building separate new ones alongside the existing roads and paths. If there was the space and money to do that, it would be better spent by upgrading the roads so every road user would benefit.

I disagree with the 'new' rule that gives pedestrians crossing side roads priority over traffic turning into them; that creates much bigger disturbances in the traffic on main roads which is never a good thing. Pedestrians should be as responsible for their own actions as any other road user.

[Sam Longley 1Participant @samlongley1]

Posted by SillyOldDuffer on 05/01/2022 21:31:42:

Posted by Sam Longley 1 on 05/01/2022 20:58:31:

Posted by old mart on 05/01/2022 20:43:08:

…

…

Cannot say I have read the intro to the highway code for decades but

Just out of interest – is a CODE law, or a code of practice, which could be deemed something slightly different.

Obviously not acting in accordance with a recommended code could put one at a dissadvantage,

But unlawful in its self ??

…

The Highway Code is established by the Road Traffic Act. The RTA explains:

(7) A failure on the part of a person to observe a provision of the Highway Code shall not of itself render that person liable to criminal proceedings of any kind but any such failure may in any proceedings (whether civil or criminal, and including proceedings for an offence under the Traffic Acts, the M1 Public Passenger Vehicles Act 1981 or sections 18 to 23 of the M2 Transport Act 1985) be relied upon by any party to the proceedings as tending to establish or negative any liability which is in question in those proceedings.

Dave

Thankyou for the clarification

It demonstrates that old mark was wrong when he said

How many people know that you must give way to a bus when the driver switches their right hand indicator on at a bus stop.

He might have been better if he had said "should" give way etc. & there is a difference, because it affects the way people drive if they do not understand that difference. The good & richeous are not always so.

[Nicholas FarrParticipant @nicholasfarr14254]

Hi, I wonder how many idiots will deliberately step out in front of a vehicle turning into a side road, in order to try and get a financial compensation claim for injury, under these new rules.

Regards Nick.

[Mark RandParticipant @markrand96270]

As I pointed out earlier. Pedestrians, bikes (even horses!) have always had the right of way when crossing a minor road in the direction of the major road. Once their foot is on the road you MUST give way.

I have also, a few times had to thump the bonnet of cars that have tried to pull out of minor roads and entrances when I was crossing them directly in front of them. In cases like this, drivers should be glad of a dented bonnet, it's a lot chaper than points on the license, a possible ban and a possible claim for injury or death.

[martin perman 1Participant @martinperman1]

I was chatting to a locum chemist who was working in the chemist where I work and he told me he had just passed his test, I asked him had he and his friends been taught what the pretty orange lights do on cars, he replied yes because we have to learn the theory, so I asked why do people not use them and his immediate response was they most likely do what I've done, I've passed, thrown the highway code away and drive as I wish, he is a well educated young man who just doesn't give a s**t.

Martin P

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