Quote:
Originally Posted by Avulon
This is annoying, and highly beligerent from someone surrounded by 2 tons of steel. Local to me is a road with a 'cycle' lane - that lane is less than 1 metre wide and includes the gutter of the road (where all the rubbish that will puncture tyres is, and in the autumn fall of leaf fall, in the winter full of the slush and snow thrown to the side of the road). I'm prepared to be surprised if the cycle lanes you mention are any better. The minimum 'gap' to (legally) overtake a cyclist is 1.5m (around 5 feet). So if you arent' giving that much clearance (from their furthest offside extent to the nearest side of your car) then you are too close. If there's space to overtake then there's space to be in the opposite lane. At the same time as constantly fighting to establish space on the road when on this section on the bicycle I'll find cars in traffic ahead with their nearside within the marked cycle lane.
That is a different scenario, and one which I fully understand as a former cyclist. One I make full allowance for. I will go fully into the opposite lane for most cyclists
Before you splutter about 'ok for cyclists to pass cars within inches, but not ok for cars to pass cyclists at the same distance' stop and think about who's in danger here.
I have no issue with cyclists passing mere inches from me, none at all, as they are the ones putting themselves into danger as you say. However, this is where if they are to use the road where a lane is provided, they should be insured.
Cyclists using the road 'trespassing' what a load of tosh to self-justify and rationalise your dangerous actions. The roads are for everyone.
Yes they are indeed, and I do regardless of what you think, give a wide berth, and I would go as far to say, that I will not pass unless I can get over the white line. I will make that same pass too, if they are riding two abreast on a single lane carriageway - 'the roads are for everyone' (I am referring here to two to four cyclists here by the way, a peloton is a different matter, as that makes for a shorter distance to pass).
Before you start bleating about 'road tax' / 'road fund licence' /'excise duty' there's plenty of cars that don't pay any either.
No bleating here. I pay VED as part of my obligation of owning a car, as do a lot of cyclists who also own a car  (it's been nearly 100 years since a road tax has been applied)
I'm ashamed that you're a member representing drivers of our fine cars.
I represent myself, so no need for shamed, I would suggest your shame be directed to the cyclists who campaign and subsequently refuse to use the cycle lanes.
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That particular stretch of A2 was rather expensive (16.2 million if I recall), with a lot of people losing land and homes, not to mention the four years of disruption of its construction. It is rather fantastic piece of road, and a spectacular piece of cycle lane which is actually swept on a regular basis (!!). This is the issue I have. When such provisions are made (like the cyclops) for cyclists, yet they are ignored to the detriment of the other road users, I will make minimal provision to those who ignore my right to the road. (I know it is different to adhoc cycle lanes).
The titanic quarter cycle lanes, are near to my work (they are even safer in some places with kerbs to enclose the lane). I have been knocked over once, and nearly knocked over on another occasion because of the non use of cycle lane and a cyclist ignoring the red light on it.
As I said, I will do the bare minimum in these situations so as not to damage my car (think of that. If I do not damage my car, I do not damage other users). But I certainly will not make the effort to change lanes, to pass. If you fall into my path at that point, I have fulfilled my obligation (by doing the bare minimum), you did not even do the bare minimum by using the provided cycle lane. I will try to avoid, but I am trying to avoid the damage to my vehicle at that point not the selfish entitled idiot avoiding the cycle lane.
Just for the record, I am not spluttering or bleating like some kind of daily mail reader offended by an immigrant working in my local fast food take away. I do get annoyed about the loss of road width for road use, when it is repurposed and ignored.