AA Cyclists Highway Code

[glenn forger]

There's no end of fun to be had comparing two wildly different things.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I wouldn't buy it for myself but I'd consider buying it for a new rider, as a primer for Roadcraft. Edmund King at least is not a petrolhead, being more of an appropriate transport man - which, I gather, means bike much of the time in London. I'd rather have the AA closer to the cyclist's side than be in an antagonistic position. And perhaps it might be good to get all the bikeability and HC info together in the same place.

 

[mjr]

Copied/borrowed from the Official Highway Code and the bikeability training.

In other words, it probably contains prejudice-led unsubstantiated bike-bashing and it's the DfT's fault as well as the AA's. (edited to remove autocorrect error)

 

[jonny jeez]

May

Probably because they get told what to do by lots of different people who are usually more interested in getting the cyclist to do things to make their own life easier.

I dont see the AA as "the enemy" but they do speak on behalf of motorists and not cyclists.

Having said that, the AA book apparently isnt too bad as it just repeats the highway code's advice and gives tips for newbies on puncture repair, useful gear etc.

Maybe we should all club together and write our own version...

...no, wait

 

[classic33]

In other words, it probably uncontains prejudice-led unsubstantiated bike-bashing and it's the DfT's fault as well as the AA's.

As in they'd nothing to add so chose to borrow/copy the material for their version. Which is twice the price of the official version.

 

[srw]

I'm looking forward with great anticipation to British Cyclings forthcoming tome, "How Not To Drive Your Car Like A Nob." Should go down well.

BC are far too busy promoting professional racing as the one true cycling. But CTC/cycling UK have obliged....

http://www.cyclinguk.org/campaigning/views-and-briefings/driver-training-testing-licensing

 

[GrumpyGregry]

I wonder what percentage of adult folk who ride bikes aren't also motorists. Anyone?

 

[oldstrath]

I wonder what percentage of adult folk who ride bikes aren't also motorists. Anyone?

I've seen 15 - 20% quoted. Depends in part on whethet you mean don't drive or don't have a driving licence.

 

[jefmcg]

I've seen 15 - 20% quoted. Depends in part on whethet you mean don't drive or don't have a driving licence.

Too many variables here. As well as the definition of "driver", what is the definition of "cyclist" (eg how many times a week/year/month do you need to cycle to be regarded as a cycle rider?)

I wouldn't be surprised if more cyclists were drivers than the general population, as many people who can't drive for medical reasons probably don't cycle either - though there are some noteworthy exceptions on CC.

 

[mjr]

If I remember correctly, motorist is usually has a licence and access to a vehicle (insured for them and so on) and cyclist is usually anyone who rode in the last month.

I know the government can suspend your driving licence for medical reasons. How can they stop you cycling?

 

[srw]

I wonder what percentage of adult folk who ride bikes aren't also motorists. Anyone?

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/8933/nts2010-02.pdf

From that, even though the stats are about 5 years old, I'm pretty confident in saying that about 90% of cyclists also hold a driving licence. Many of them won't drive regularly, but are still legally allowed to drive.

 

[jefmcg]

I know the government can suspend your driving licence for medical reasons. How can they stop you cycling?

It was speculation. People tend to stop doing things like cycling without much encouragement. I'd be happy to be proved wrong.

(I know my parents were still legally allowed and able to drive when getting on a cycle would have been beyond them, mostly because they hadn't ridden in 60 years, but still, they are not atypical)

 

[Fab Foodie]

Boardman's had a hand in it so I'm hoping for the best ...

 

[jefmcg]

Just for the (rather inaccurate) record.

In 2014, there were 45,500,000 license holders in the UK. In 2011, there were 52,000,000 people over 15.

Still, tons of assumptions to be made Let's assume that by 2014, there were at lease 52 million over 18. That means that the percentage of people old enough to be drivers who are drivers is 87.5%. So about the same percentage of cyclists are drivers as for any other road user. So it makes as much sense to shout "you don't pay road tax" to a train or bus passenger or pedestrian as it does to a cyclist.

(I'm taking 10-20% of cyclists are drivers as true. Someone else can google that.)

 

[Drago]

James Herriott had a hand up a cow's arse and nothing good ever came of that...