Driving too Close to Cyclist offence

[MolteniArcore]

It’s a tough one isn’t, there are certainly aTONNE of bad drivers in the road. The issue that gets me is the self righteousness of the cyclist though. The ones that do skip red lights believe they do nothing wrong and will defend themselves to a ridiculous extent on the internet. Most bad drivers, when pulled up will admit they are bad. Even if they get stupid angry to begin with

I think this stems from a cyclist running a red light causes little harm. I am pretty sure I have read (in the cycling press) that they have considered making red lights not applicable to cyclists.

Cars on the other hand can and do cause big problems running red lights as they are a two tonne weapon.

This isn’t exclusive to red lights, it’s most issues on the road for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders etc.

 

[HolgateCorner]

Good thread this.

I got a warning from North Yorkshire Police for passing a cyclist too closely on the A172 near Stokesley, I don’t remember passing the cyclist but the photos from the camera were sent with the warning.

I actually didn’t think I passed very closely but the gap is supposed to be 1.5m or more depending on speed?

I have no issue with cyclists I’ve ridden a bike on the road plenty of times and it is dangerous and exposed but I was surprised to receive this warning.

Maybe I was lucky not to get done.

 

[MidlandsBoroFan]

How?

Long story……

Basically a long stretch of road - fairly wide and straight - but about 25 sets of lights over 7-8 miles. Generally as a car driver they are timed pretty well, so you can catch green most times at proper speed.

2 cyclists riding side by side (ok, not illegal) at about 10mph. Took me a couple of minutes to overtake safely (no problem). Catch the next light on red. Me and the car behind me (who also overtook them) are the only cars on our side of the road.

Both cyclists pull round both cars at the red light, and get in side by side formation again. Start off at 10mph again. Another safe overtake after a couple of minutes from both cars, another red light, both cyclists do the same thing. And repeat.

After about 4 red lights, I wound down the window and asked (politely) if they could stay behind us so we could get away from them. Their response? “You don’t own the road, we’ve got just as much right etc etc…”. And they started going even slower.

So the cars took about 40-45 minutes instead of less than 15. And the cyclists got overtaken about 20 times instead of once. Lose / lose. Because they were trying to prove a point.

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

I think this stems from a cyclist running a red light causes little harm. I am pretty sure I have read (in the cycling press) that they have considered making red lights not applicable to cyclists.

Cars on the other hand can and do cause big problems running red lights as they are a two tonne weapon.

This isn’t exclusive to red lights, it’s most issues on the road for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders etc.

Who has considered making red lights not applicable to cyclists? That is one of the most stupid and dangerous things I’ve heard in ages.

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

There is some good advice here for cyclists and drivers.

Updates to the highway code.

Interesting bit about moving to the side of the road or stopping to let cars pass.

 

[MolteniArcore]

Who has considered making red lights not applicable to cyclists? That is one of the most stupid and dangerous things I’ve heard in ages.

I had to google for it. I read it a while ago: https://road.cc/content/news/should-cyclists-be-allowed-ride-through-red-lights-298809

Turns out that in France and the USA cyclists are allowed to run red lights in certain circumstances. Not so stupid or dangerous as if they have kept the scheme it can’t be causing increased accidents or deaths.

Maybe your initial gut feeling suggests that it’s attitudes that need to change possibly? You didn’t even think that it might work, did you?

 

[MolteniArcore]

Good thread this.

I got a warning from North Yorkshire Police for passing a cyclist too closely on the A172 near Stokesley, I don’t remember passing the cyclist but the photos from the camera were sent with the warning.

I actually didn’t think I passed very closely but the gap is supposed to be 1.5m or more depending on speed?

I have no issue with cyclists I’ve ridden a bike on the road plenty of times and it is dangerous and exposed but I was surprised to receive this warning.

Maybe I was lucky not to get done.

It’s interesting (or very telling) that you didn’t remember passing the cyclist. For you to have been reported the cyclist must have remembered it and felt in danger. Not a criticism of you personally, if anything it just highlights different road users perspectives of what is dangerous / acceptable and what is not.

Good post.

 

[MolteniArcore]

Interesting bit about moving to the side of the road or stopping to let cars pass.

I always try to - as a driver it can be frustrating to be stuck behind a cyclist. But equally it is sometimes hard, as a cyclist, to find somewhere safe to stop on narrow country roads etc.

 

[zzzzz]

Long story……

Basically a long stretch of road - fairly wide and straight - but about 25 sets of lights over 7-8 miles. Generally as a car driver they are timed pretty well, so you can catch green most times at proper speed.

2 cyclists riding side by side (ok, not illegal) at about 10mph. Took me a couple of minutes to overtake safely (no problem). Catch the next light on red. Me and the car behind me (who also overtook them) are the only cars on our side of the road.

Both cyclists pull round both cars at the red light, and get in side by side formation again. Start off at 10mph again. Another safe overtake after a couple of minutes from both cars, another red light, both cyclists do the same thing. And repeat.

After about 4 red lights, I wound down the window and asked (politely) if they could stay behind us so we could get away from them. Their response? “You don’t own the road, we’ve got just as much right etc etc…”. And they started going even slower.

So the cars took about 40-45 minutes instead of less than 15. And the cyclists got overtaken about 20 times instead of once. Lose / lose. Because they were trying to prove a point.

Where are these 25 sets of lights in a straight wide road?
And if it's wide and straight why has it taken an extra 30 minutes to get around the cyclists?
If the cyclists are only doing 10 mph how did they manage to keep catching you up if you were doing 30mph?
If it took you 45 minutes to do 7 miles thats 6 minutes to do one mile.
So you drove 7 miles at 10 miles an hour.

Hmmmmm.

 

[MidlandsBoroFan]

Where are these 25 sets of lights in a straight wide road?

Why does it matter where they are? Just outside wolverhampton if you’re interested.

And if it's wide and straight why has it taken an extra 30 minutes to get around the cyclists?

Keep stopping at red lights when I could have got through them on green. A couple of minutes to get round the cyclists every time.

If the cyclists are only doing 10 mph how did they manage to keep catching you up if you were doing 30mph?

Because I kept hitting red lights after I’d got past them.

If it took you 45 minutes to do 7 miles thats 6 minutes to do one mile.
So you drove 7 miles at 10 miles an hour.

Yes. About half that time I was stopped. And lots of 10mph driving behind the cyclists.

Hmmmmm.

Not sure what you aren’t following?

 

[JM14]

There needs to be a law where cyclists get fined and points for cycling directly in the centre of the road for mile after mile on country roads purely to **** off the cars behind them

Riding in the centre of the road avoids drains and rubbish at the side of the road. And stops drivers trying to squeeze past when they don’t have enough space.
would guess cyclists ride in the centre for that reason and not just to annoy drivers

 

[JM14]

Dear me this thread is full of cyclists who think that a) the world revolves around them, and b) basic courtesy on the road doesn't apply to them - both of which are a major part of the problem

Link us to a single post showing either of those

 

[JM14]

Research shows that drivers take more care around cyclists with no helmet, so in a way it could be argued that it may be safer to ride without one. Crazy eh?

Just can’t imagine why anyone would use a bike without one, road or track

 

[Redpete]

Both cyclists pull round both cars at the red light, and get in side by side formation again. Start off at 10mph again. Another safe overtake after a couple of minutes from both cars, another red light, both cyclists do the same thing. And repeat.

I used to go to the front at traffic lights but I have stopped doing that now as I am sure it ***** a lot of drivers off.
I now take my turn in the queue. Maybe its something that could be encouraged.

One thing I must add as a cyclist is some car drivers are really bad at overtaking.
They hang on your back wheel, usually in the wrong gear and then start the overtake much too late revving the car to buggery and not getting anywhere.

 

[viv_andersons_nana]

I had to google for it. I read it a while ago: https://road.cc/content/news/should-cyclists-be-allowed-ride-through-red-lights-298809

Turns out that in France and the USA cyclists are allowed to run red lights in certain circumstances. Not so stupid or dangerous as if they have kept the scheme it can’t be causing increased accidents or deaths.

Maybe your initial gut feeling suggests that it’s attitudes that need to change possibly? You didn’t even think that it might work, did you?

You did miss out an important piece of context tbf. ‘In certain circumstances’ completely changes the context of what you originally said.

 

[Fattyfoggon]

I used to go to the front at traffic lights but I have stopped doing that now as I am sure it ***** a lot of drivers off.
I now take my turn in the queue. Maybe its something that could be encouraged.

One thing I must add as a cyclist is some car drivers are really bad at overtaking.
They hang on your back wheel, usually in the wrong gear and then start the overtake much too late revving the car to buggery and not getting anywhere.

yeah same here normally just hang back now, another thing which probably pishes drivers of is sometime I am out a bit from the side of the road but it is only to avoid the debris and massive potholes which you would not want to ride through but I am sure some drivers and wondering what I am doing away from the kerb

 

[RedAsABeetroot]

There needs to be a law where cyclists get fined and points for cycling directly in the centre of the road for mile after mile on country roads purely to **** off the cars behind them

They don't ride in the centre of roads to **** people off. They do it when the road isn't wide enough for a safe overtake to discourage drivers from endangering them.
Try riding a bike and see how much glass and general **** is in the 18" near the curb. You'll soon get sick of repairing punctures.

 

[RedAsABeetroot]

Good thread this.

I got a warning from North Yorkshire Police for passing a cyclist too closely on the A172 near Stokesley, I don’t remember passing the cyclist but the photos from the camera were sent with the warning.

I actually didn’t think I passed very closely but the gap is supposed to be 1.5m or more depending on speed?

I have no issue with cyclists I’ve ridden a bike on the road plenty of times and it is dangerous and exposed but I was surprised to receive this warning.

Maybe I was lucky not to get done.

I think North Yorkshire police have been on an advisory spree in recent years. My wife got one to advise her her vehicle had been spotted on the road with no insurance. I'm not sure if they just couldn't catch up with her to tell her in person.

 

[GingerTravel]

I had to google for it. I read it a while ago: https://road.cc/content/news/should-cyclists-be-allowed-ride-through-red-lights-298809

Turns out that in France and the USA cyclists are allowed to run red lights in certain circumstances. Not so stupid or dangerous as if they have kept the scheme it can’t be causing increased accidents or deaths.

Maybe your initial gut feeling suggests that it’s attitudes that need to change possibly? You didn’t even think that it might work, did you?

France is a great country to cycle in. Paris is a nightmare of a city and the standard of driving makes London look safe. As a cyclist, you can go straight on or right at maybe 90% of red lights (marked as such). At those you can't, they also often let cyclists go 5-10 seconds before the cars. I can't tell you how much safer those two things make it, it's a game changer - as you are already moving when the cars set off.

 

[Hap]

The 1.5 rule is divisive, because on a nice wide carriageway with a well maintained (I’m going to use the phrase hard-shoulder, for want of a better way to describe the edge between the start of the gutter out to the grass verge) hard shoulder on a single carriageway road, to an unmaintained country lane with potholes and random obstacles discarded along it, are two different things.

1.5m is loads on Stainton Way, but a cyclist would need a lot of that on Low Lane, Stainton towards Thornaby.

Equally a driver would far more easily find 1.5m for a cyclist on Acklam Rd, than the Stokesley Rd past Cherry Tree - which is horrible for cyclists.

I’m not sure on size fits all, but cyclists must be given space to protect both themselves, and a motorist making a mistake. The cyclist is immeasurably more likely to me killed.