Rules of the Road - compulsory use of cycle lanes
Dublin Commuter
Posts: 130
I just got a copy of the new rule of the road. It states that a cyclist MUST use a cycle lane where it is available. This is an Irish Law. Is the Law the same in the UK?
I think it is a bit stupid as there are certain parts of my commute where the cycle lane
is in bits
dangerous
covered in broken glass
not suitable for making a right hand turn
During these sections I prefer to cycle on the road. Now I find out that when I do this I am breaking the law.
However on the sections of road where there is a decent cycle lane I don't cycle on the road.
What do you guys reckon? I commute 15km each way per day.[/list][/b]
I think it is a bit stupid as there are certain parts of my commute where the cycle lane
is in bits
dangerous
covered in broken glass
not suitable for making a right hand turn
During these sections I prefer to cycle on the road. Now I find out that when I do this I am breaking the law.
However on the sections of road where there is a decent cycle lane I don't cycle on the road.
What do you guys reckon? I commute 15km each way per day.[/list][/b]
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Comments
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There's just been a load of fuss over whether or not to oblige cyclists to use cycle paths.
I think the outcome is that we are reccomended, not required, to use them.0 -
They tried to change the Highway Code in the UK to make this the law as well, but as far as I am aware they have been made to take it out. I am sure that is what I read on the web somewhere.
A lot of the cycle lanes in Cambridge, where I live, are positively dangerous if you are doing any kind of speed on a road bike. The surface is also bad and would require an MTB, so I tend to avoid most of them for fear of damagin my wheels.0 -
http://ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=4856Rules 61 and 63
Rule 61: Cycle Facilities. Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.
Rule 63: Cycle Lanes. These are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway. When using a cycle lane, keep within the lane when practicable. When leaving a cycle lane check before pulling out that it is safe to do so and signal your intention clearly to other road users. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.0 -
Thanks misterben. So basically it is not compulsory in the UK but the Irish Government has seen fit to make it compulsory in Ireland.
The funny thing is that cycle lanes in Ireland are in an even poorer condition than in the UK.
I think I'll have to lobby my local politician on this one0 -
Dublin Commuter wrote:I just got a copy of the new rule of the road. It states that a cyclist MUST use a bus lane where it is available.
It isn't hard to interpret "available" as meaning free from debris and parked vehicles.0 -
The exact phrase use is "A cyclist must use a cycle track if it is provided"
It make no reference to what condition the cycle track is in.
http://www.rsa.ie/Home/upload/File/ROTR_2007.pdf0 -
see the Warrington cycle campaing facility of the month for reasons not to use cycle lanes http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/0
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Dublin Commuter wrote:The exact phrase use is "A cyclist must use a cycle track if it is provided"
It make no reference to what condition the cycle track is in.
http://www.rsa.ie/Home/upload/File/ROTR_2007.pdf
You need to get the CTC on the case. This law must be overturned.This post contains traces of nuts.0 -
I don't think the CTC cover the Republic of Ireland0
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Dublin Commuter wrote:I just got a copy of the new rule of the road. It states that a cyclist MUST use a cycle lane where it is available.
[snip]
Ah yes, I was at the Velo City conference in Dublin in 2005, just after the law was introduced. One of the speakers was from the Gardai. Somebody in the audience asked him, "Do you propose to actually enforce this law?"
His reply was "What do you think?"
Various people in the audience told him what they thought. He just smiled.
You have lost your rights. The Spanish have lost their rights. Britain may be the last free country left
Jeremy Parker0 -
I used to live in Dublin and my mate went on about this all the time, it seemed stupid to me. He said it wasn't really enforced except for in the event of an accident
When I moved back to Scotland they tried to install a similar rule here, as people have said, thank goodness it never got passed. 0 -
Apparently there is another rule in the UK where it states cyclists don't need to stop at red traffic signals.0
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Dublin Commuter wrote:I don't think the CTC cover the Republic of Ireland
There is http://homepage.eircom.net/~ctc/ but I'm not sure they cover quite the same ground.Mikey Mouse wrote:Apparently there is another rule in the UK where it states cyclists don't need to stop at red traffic signals.
I assume that you're joking?0
