Unbelievable video shows car undertaking on cycle path.

kingstongraham

perfectmark wrote:

While the driver has no excuse for doing that and should obviously be fined. At the same time, looking at the photos on Googlemaps, I don't really see why the cyclists weren't using the path. If nothing else, it is just a bit more considerate of other road users.

Did you scroll to see how long that section was on googlemaps?

Anyway, I would consider a group of cyclists probably doing up to 25mph are better sharing a quiet road than a quiet pavement.

sloppyschleckonds

KingstonGraham wrote:

perfectmark wrote:

While the driver has no excuse for doing that and should obviously be fined. At the same time, looking at the photos on Googlemaps, I don't really see why the cyclists weren't using the path. If nothing else, it is just a bit more considerate of other road users.

Did you scroll to see how long that section was on googlemaps?

Anyway, I would consider a group of cyclists probably doing up to 15mph are better sharing a quiet road than a quiet pavement.

ftfy

awavey

perfectmark wrote:

While the driver has no excuse for doing that and should obviously be fined. At the same time, looking at the photos on Googlemaps, I don't really see why the cyclists weren't using the path. If nothing else, it is just a bit more considerate of other road users.

:roll: the thump you hear is my head repeatedly hitting the table...whilst wearing a cycle helmet.

markhewitt1978

perfectmark wrote:

While the driver has no excuse for doing that and should obviously be fined. At the same time, looking at the photos on Googlemaps, I don't really see why the cyclists weren't using the path. If nothing else, it is just a bit more considerate of other road users.

Did you actually look at it on google? The actual part of the path they are going past is ok, but it's maybe half a mile long like that. The rest is pedestrian footpath past houses, totally unsuitable. You're expecting the cyclists all to stop, get on the path, which is narrow and has a poor surface, go slowly along that, then go even slower past houses, and then stop to get back onto the road again? For what? So a car doesn't have to wait 5 seconds to overtake on a quiet road - c'mon.

veronese68

Unfortunately I've now seen drivers sharing that on Faceache with the caption "If they're using our roads we might as well use their paths" or something. With that level of ignorance they probably used "there" come to think of it. Unfortunately a lot of people do think that way, I really couldn't be fagged to try to correct it and get into an argument with that level of stupidity.

markhewitt1978

That's the trouble isn't it, with taking a short bit of video footage out of context. On first inspection it looks like a good section of cycle path the type you'd find in Holland.

But I've measured it, the 'good' section is 0.2 miles! A reasonable cyclist at pace on the flat will clear this section in under a minute, before it goes back to poor quality path. Here it is mapped out, look for yourself https://goo.gl/maps/Et9h3fzNVSM2

So for all I've seen suggesting this path is good enough for cyclists to use and they should use it, for approx 45 seconds to pass by on the road, are you serious?!

sloppyschleckonds

Any update from the plod on this

StillGoing

Jerry185 wrote:

SloppySchleckonds wrote:

Jerry185 wrote:

fat daddy wrote:

going across a grass verge to ride on a cycle path possibly with pedestrian access that is used in both directions to undertake traffic on the highway would be seen as driving without due care, or even dangerous driving

Ex-police: we would consider 'dangerous driving' on four aspects;-

Condition of the road
Nature of the driving
Use of the road
Timing of the incident

We struggled to come up with a mnemonic for this, but just couldn't think of one.

Enough to prosecute given no accident/incident occurred?

Doubtful. All four have to apply

Your force needs a kick up the 4rse then! I know before I retired, my own force would have pursued such an incident as driving without due care and consideration.

Careless driving or driving without due care and attention or careless driving is defined as;

Driving that falls below the standard expected of a competent driver; or
Driving that does not show reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or pathways
If you are found guilty of careless driving a court can impose between 3 and 9 penalty points, or disqualify you. It is therefore a serious matter, and one for which you should always seek specialist advice.

If you are prosecuted for driving without due care and attention the prosecution has to prove that your driving fell below the expected driving level of a competent driver, and this has to be proved beyond reasonable doubt.

Examples of driving without due care and attention

All sorts of driving could be said to be careless, from a moment’s inattention to driving into another vehicle or pedestrian. Drivers using mobile phones were often prosecuted for careless driving but there is now a specific offence covering this. Eating or smoking whilst driving, or changing a CD, would all be examples of careless driving. Other examples would include;

Driving inappropriately close to another vehicle
Driving through a red light
Turning into the path of another vehicle
Colliding with a pedestrian
Overtaking on the inside

Jerry185

Philthy3: I was commenting on the likelihood of dangerous driving, nothing more, so my ex- force's derriere is well and truly preserved, thanks.

As an aside; just back from Corsica where we did 477 miles, mostly on narrow mountain roads. Not one single incident with vehicles. Cars gave us so much time and room, I was astonished. I have seen reference elsewhere on this forum to drivers in France being much more tolerant, but this was first hand.

slowbike

Jerry185 wrote:

I have seen reference elsewhere on this forum to drivers in France being much more tolerant, but this was first hand.

well - we only managed 50 miles on holiday in France - nowhere as nice as corsica - but at least it was flatter!
We had a couple of instances of close(r) passes with cars - the rest of the time they were curteos (as we were to them where we could) - I know I had a toddler in a seat on the back - but in the UK that doesn't seem to make any difference ...
Perhaps I should brush up on my french ...

apreading

Jerry185 wrote:

I have seen reference elsewhere on this forum to drivers in France being much more tolerant, but this was first hand.

Generally, out of the cities in France, drivers give cyclists much more room and are more tolerant. I think this is for a number of reasons - they havent developed a cyclist v motorist attitude, their laws apparently make an assumption that motorist was at fault in bike/car incidents and they have a more cyclist friendly culture in general. However, once you hit the outskirts of Paris (and probably other big cities) you might as well be in London - its back to normal for us Brits!

fenix

Did anything ever happen to the driver in this clip ? Anyone see any updates ?

StillGoing

Jerry185 wrote:

Philthy3: I was commenting on the likelihood of dangerous driving, nothing more, so my ex- force's derriere is well and truly preserved, thanks.

In what possible way would you consider it as dangerous driving going by the definition? It clearly isn't. It is however blatant Due Care/Inconsiderate driving.