Laws of the road for cyclists and drivers alike

The Highway code includes very little information for cyclists, things that it does have are vague tips not really firm 'laws' and definetly not things that people remember. For example me and some friends got told off by the police for riding two abreast when there was plenty of room .

Cyclecraft is a extremely detailed guide on how to ride on british roads. I thought I was a decent cyclist but the book has tought me why I always nearly die at roundabouts & even details complicated techniques such as crossing slip roads on a big major carriageway.
Very well written thoroughly reccomended.

If you check on Amazon there's also a John Franklin/Cyclecraft book called Advanced Techniques or something. Just crossed it off my Xmas present list because I couldn't work out which one I wanted. Anyone read the Advanced version?

Cyclecraft: Skilled Cycling Techniques for Adults (Paperback) 1997

Remember always that approximately 5% of drivers in London have never taken a driving test. A similar number are uninsured. Don't expect drivers to know, still less obey, the rules of the road.

Depends on what part of London you are, I'd guarantee places around Tooting, Streatham and a bit further North, and places around Commercial Road and Whitechapel Road there's a far higher percentage of uninsured drivers.

This link about Belisha is very interesting. A decent and far sighted man wronged by evil men.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWbelisha.htm

This link about Belisha is very interesting. A decent and far sighted man wronged by evil men.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWbelisha.htm

fascinating, respect to him.

More pedantically, he was the Minister of Transport when they were introduced. "Belisha beacons" is the name givcen to the orange lollipop-like beacons which ar epositioned either side of zebra crossings. Zebra crossings are so called because they are black and white like zebras (pronounced zebras not zebras as the Americans do). No idea why pelican crossings are so called.

Of course. Unless you're in the US or anywhere that pronounces the word 'zebra' differently.

Of course. Unless you're in the US or anywhere that pronounces the word 'zebra' differently.

Now that is where you are wrong. Zebra crossings are British and require British pronounciation.

Au contraire! We have them in the US, and we certainly don't pronounce them the British way. That said, not all Americans would probably call them a 'zebra crossing' anyway. To be fair, most Americans can't be arsed to walk anywhere in the first place!

Au contraire! We have them in the US, and we certainly don't pronounce them the British way. That said, not all Americans would probably call them a 'zebra crossing' anyway. To be fair, most Americans can't be arsed to walk anywhere in the first place!

Only in some States and they are generally given a quaint name such as "Ped-Xing". That is pronounced "ped-exing" and not "zebra" .

;o)

Well, sort-of right, but also sort-of wrong by about 20 years. But this is all too pedantic for me.

...climbs on to bridge parapet.

Crowd: Go on then you tosser!

I forgot about the 'ped-xing' thing! I was raised calling them 'zebra crossings' (the American way) because that's what my (Irish) mother told me they were called. Never got an odd look when I used that term... I swear I've heard others use it. But you are absolutely right about 'ped-xing.' That is way common. Sadly, though. sidewalks (er... 'pavements') are in short supply in most US cities once you get out of the city centre. We really are a culture in love with automobiles.

I thought ped-ex was how you sent pedestrian packages?
Sorry, that was awful.

+1 for the effort, though

Sounds more like the transportation of minors over State lines....

What's a pelican crossing? I know what a zebra crossing is, but I've not heard of a pelican crossing...

(bear in mind that I've only been in the UK for two years).

You heard of a puffin crossing?

Don't really get those in London though..

I noticed that the code says you must not

• carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one
  
• hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer
  
• ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner
  
• ride when under the influence of drink or drugs, including medicine
  
  
  

Has anyone been stopped by the police for riding home shit-faced/battered/inebriated?

You can read the Highway Code for free here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/index.htm

Riding your bike is a tricky one. If you get stopped because they think you are drunk they have no way proving it (unless you are legless) as they can't force you to be breathalyzed.

This link about Belisha is very interesting. A decent and far sighted man wronged by evil men.

http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/2WWbelisha.htm

Thanks for the link, very interesting.

One annoying thing I had the displeasure of experiencing today was a guy on a moped swerving into the cycle lane without looking.. In an attempt to get around traffic..

I know this sounds like the pot calling the kettle black but quite frankly mopeds doing this is far more dangerous than a bike.. I hadn't really thought about it before but now that mopeds/motorcycles are going to be (or are now?) allowed to go down bus lanes, does it just encourage them to go where-ever they feel?

I noticed that the code says you must not

[]carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one
[]hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer
[]ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner
[]ride when under the influence of drink or drugs, including medicine

Has anyone been stopped by the police for riding home shit-faced/battered/inebriated?

have done 1,2 and 4. :S

Used to give a girl I worked with, a lift home (her sitting on the rear pannier rack).

You heard of a puffin crossing?

Don't really get those in London though..

I saw something about those on wikipedia. Never heard them before, though.

have done 1,2 and 4. :S

Used to give a girl I worked with, a lift home (her sitting on the rear pannier rack).

Obviously that means your bike was specially adapted to hold a passenger.

I find two simple rules work for me:

1: Don't ride/walk/drive like a dick
2: Expect everyone else to ride/walk/drive like a dick

+1. Rules to ride by.

I noticed that the code says you must not

[]carry a passenger unless your cycle has been built or adapted to carry one
[]hold onto a moving vehicle or trailer
[]ride in a dangerous, careless or inconsiderate manner
[]ride when under the influence of drink or drugs, including medicine

Has anyone been stopped by the police for riding home shit-faced/battered/inebriated?

i have done them all. i do 3 as much as possible. and yes i have been pulled over for being to drunk to ride a bike. i had just fallen off it while standing one foot clipped in while standing, almost vomiting at a red light in front of the filth. they told me to walk home.

What are the laws of the road for cyclists and drivers in regards to cyclists in the UK?

1. You can't ride at a snail's pace.
   
2. You can't ride sluggishly.