Responsibility of safety for cyclists, who has it?

[Ian Simmonds]

Witnessed some old goat nearly get killed today, and probably deservidely so.
Over four sets of traffic lights, the codger cycled to the front the queue, doing the ol' handlebar scraper and pavement trick, and away from each set of lights the traffic dutifully gives him room and passes him with space to spare.. Including a poor HGV driver in an 8 wheel dump truck. Anyway, last set of lights, old codger does same trick just as an ambulance is forcing its way up the middle of the queuing traffic, so the HGV takes to the pavement and takes the old duffer with him... Fortunately he just bounced off the mudflap and wobbled about shouting, but, surely, undertaking so much so often is just plain irresponsible isn't it?... Please tell me it is!

[audinut]

been listening to radio 2 by any chance?

[stocious]

Having rode motorcycles for a few years I learned not to undercut HGV in a way I'll never forget, nearly got crushed under trailer crash barrier!! It's up to the cyclist to make good decision !! That being said anyone who's motorcycled and now drives cars including me are nearly over cautious off making way and giving them safe passage, well any one who's nearly been taken out because off bad judgement will, cyclist drive me mad, they write there own rules !!

[urS6Tom]

I think the problem is that the UK law/rules/highway code aren't clear on whether cyclists are allowed to move up the inside of traffic when approaching a junction or traffic lights.

In the Netherlands it would have been the HGV drivers' fault in this case as they have a very simple 'strict liability' law over there - i.e. in any collision between a cyclist and a motor vehicle, the driver of the vehicle is at fault.

Having said all that, if the HGV driver really did 'take to the pavement', then it's obviously his fault, isn't it?!

[stocious]

Here's a law that should be passed everywhere! No cyclist on roundabouts, trying to cycle turn and indicate with there arm at the same time , outrageous !!!

[mcandmar]

I have zero tolerance for cyclists, im sorry but get a license, pay road tax, and learn the rules of the road if you want to play with the traffic. They have a self righteous attitude, no regard for lanes, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and have no problem holding up an entire line of traffic. Manys a morning i've been stuck on the bus with 100 other people doing 10mph because some %&*wit on a bicycle waddling down the bus lane.

Motorcyclists are fine, if anything they are the more clued in safer road users, its just cyclists that should be exterminated

[sidrick]

Cyclists in the UK are absolute ******s. Some think they own the road.

Obviously nobody 'owns the road' but as a general rule of thumb, it's wise not to intentionally drive/ride into the path of a larger vehicle. Doesn't matter if you're a pedestrian, a cyclist, car, or bus, it's a good rule to follow. Most seem to, except ****ing cyclists.

[stocious]

I have zero tolerance for cyclists, im sorry but get a license, pay road tax, and learn the rules of the road if you want to play with the traffic. They have a self righteous attitude, no regard for lanes, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and have no problem holding up an entire line of traffic. Manys a morning i've been stuck on the bus with 100 other people doing 10mph because some %&*wit on a bicycle waddling down the bus lane.

Motorcyclists are fine, if anything they are the more clued in safer road users, its just cyclists that should be exterminated

. there was a walkway/cycle path built here to the nearest town, they still cycle on the road

[europeanme]

steady on chaps, not all cyclists are bad and some of us also own cars which are taxed etc....

[bluequattro]

There was a prog on tv before Xmas about this
Seemed 50/50 faults I'm most cases
Although one guy went round with a helmet cam and abused every driver possible
Another biker got beaten up in full view

[as2q]

I have zero tolerance for cyclists, im sorry but get a license, pay road tax, and learn the rules of the road if you want to play with the traffic. They have a self righteous attitude, no regard for lanes, traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, and have no problem holding up an entire line of traffic. Manys a morning i've been stuck on the bus with 100 other people doing 10mph because some %&*wit on a bicycle waddling down the bus lane.

Motorcyclists are fine, if anything they are the more clued in safer road users, its just cyclists that should be exterminated

Well said!

[chezz]

Get on a bike and travel through rush hour traffic...you will view car drivers differently...it's as if they are all trying to kill you.

[wesgt]

cyclists around here seem think it's ok to cycle 3 and 4 abreast while having queues of traffic behind them. one thing a friend of a friend does in a 1.6td mk2 golf is to overtake them, clutch the car and give it a good rev, covering the cyclists in black smoke in the process. dangerous but funny

[LGK6D]

I love cars, they're my vice in life, but I sometime commute to work by bicycle during the summer, which is good for fitness. I travel on country roads. The biggy I see all the time is overtaking. Here's what the highway code states (section 163) Overtaking:

"give motorcyclists, cyclists and horse riders at least as much room as you would when overtaking a car (see Rules 211 to 213 and 214 to 215)."

And yet cars often try and push past up hill, around bends you name it. I guess it's a game of percentages. When you're in your car you probably experience the driver in front and/or behind you, even then you see some proper c@cks. When you're on your bike you just experience many more haha.

[HORCH]

I fxxking hate cyclists, more so the ones on racers it would be ok if they could stay in a straight line, they think they have priority right of way everywhere they go, but I do respect that they have a right to use the roads aswell and give way to them and plenty room