Cycling campaigners welcome 'close pass' ruling

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Will they welcome a "must stop at a red light" and "must not randomly cut across the pavement or zebra crossings rule" ?
 
Yeah right, some riders have no consideration for other road users.

I have always given them plenty of room, but often riding two abreast makes it very difficult on a narrow road to get past leaving adequate space. I have little sympathy for those riding two abreast.
 
Do you have little sympathy for a car you are trying to overtake?
 
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I obviously think it's right to give cyclists plenty of room. Part of the challenge comes from driver frustration. I drive a 7 mile stretch of A road as part of my commute, rush hour it's usually busy both directions. There have been a few times (although not loads) when traffic's backed up 20+ cars, crawling along. You think 'tractor.' Nope, it's a cyclist causing the tailback as vehicles struggle to get past due to oncoming traffic. Yes the cyclist is fully entitled to use the road, the discussion point I'm making is rightly or wrongly, this can lead to driver frustration, similar to when it is something like a tractor.

I'll say this, if anyone on here cycles or has loved ones that do, I'm sure you would hope that all drivers leave a sufficient gap when passing them. Are cyclists ever to blame? Of course they are.
 
Yes the cyclist is fully entitled to use the road, the discussion point I'm making is rightly or wrongly, this can lead to driver frustration, similar to when it is something like a tractor.

I'll say this, if anyone on here cycles or has loved ones that do, I'm sure you would hope that all drivers leave a sufficient gap when passing them. Are cyclists ever to blame? Of course they are.

It's mostly a lack of consideration for other road users, plus bloody mindedness. I used to do a lot of cycling, I have driven tractors and I tow a large caravan. If I know I am delaying other drivers and can do so, I use a bit of common sense and pull over to let them get past - no skin of my nose.
 
It's mostly a lack of consideration for other road users, plus bloody mindedness. I used to do a lot of cycling, I have driven tractors and I tow a large caravan. If I know I am delaying other drivers and can do so, I use a bit of common sense and pull over to let them get past - no skin of my nose.
I notice this on my A road commute, fair bit of tractors depending on the time of year. Sometimes they are going the full length of road i.e. all 7 miles. Fine if they're trundling along at 35-40, not so fine if they're doing 20-25 depending on load. Sometimes they pull over to let the (usually huge) line of cars past, however more often than not they don't. Cyclists could do likewise, if nothing else to increase their own safety.
 
I'm playing devil's advocate here but, I would argue that encouraging cars to pass reduces the safety of the cyclist. Surely it is safer to have the cars behind you than alongside you?
 
I'm playing devil's advocate here but, I would argue that encouraging cars to pass reduces the safety of the cyclist. Surely it is safer to have the cars behind you than alongside you?

Safer, but annoying for the cyclist.
I much prefer them to pass, than sit behind me for what seems an age sometimes.
Basically, I use roads very sparingly, and only to get to the off - road bit.
 
A car would likely be making much better progress and you never see two cars abreast causing an unnecessary rolling obstruction on a narrow road.

Two bikes abreast is the same as 1 car.

Two bikes abreast is not an unnecessary obstruction; you should be giving at least 1.5m passing distance with a bike.

I always treat bikes (push or motor) as a car and give them the full width of the carriageway.

If you don't, how much space do you leave between your door mirror and the cyclist when passing?

It's mostly a lack of consideration for other road users, plus bloody mindedness.
You could level that at motor vehicle drivers too.

I have had car drivers pass me going up steep hills so close I could touch the car. On one particularly memorable occasion, one passed within millimetres of me (no kidding) while winding down the passenger window and screaming at me, "Pay your fookin road tax, you free-loading scum. If I see you again, I'll knock you off and kill you!"

And the chilling thing was, he had plenty of space to pass without going near me.
 
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I'm playing devil's advocate here but, I would argue that encouraging cars to pass reduces the safety of the cyclist. Surely it is safer to have the cars behind you than alongside you?
I would suggest allowing vehicles to pass is a sensible stance for cyclists to take, assuming it is safe for them to do so e.g. pathway or layby for them to pull into.
 
Two abreast???? You're lucky when the cycle club idiots up here get out on the roads it's more likely to be 3, 4 or even 5 abreast. All cyclists should have full insurance cover and pay road tax. Their cycles should also be identified as motor vehicles are. In my opinion if there is no dedicated cycle track separate from the road then cyclists should not be on that road, end of.
 
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