Commuting using dual carriage ways?

[Jack Lloyd]

I'm new to cycling in general and even more new to cycling on major roads coming from North Wales I have only been riding back roads and small A roads, but I have recently moved to Newcastle and was wondering what are peoples take on riding on dual carriageways, I know it's legal but I've never seen it personally, so was wondering what you guys do?

 

[BrynCP]

I've never cycled along any dual carriageway 'A' roads. I've crossed roundabouts on some less busy ones.

I work just off the A63 in Hull, which is a 40mph (where I work) turning into a national speed limit dual carriageway (and eventually into the M62). You do see the odd cyclist, they even hold time trials on there, but I would never feel safe alongside all the heavy goods vehicles.

 

[Sharky]

I've ridden and raced on all types of road and it's impossible to generalise and say one type of road is more dangerous than another. I've had spills on all types of roads, sometimes when there is not a car in sight. You always have to be vigilant and respect other road users and look out for dangers. But there is one point about duals and that is where there is a slip road to turn left and you want to carry straight on. Just be super vigilant or follow the slip road to the left and re-join later where it is safer.

Keep safe and alert,

Keith

 

[jefmcg]

Some dual carriageways are motorways in all but name, others are ok for cycling on. Better name your road, and see what the locals say. They may even be able to suggest an alternative route you hadn't thought of.

 

[Hacienda71]

As said it depends on the particular road. I had an off on a dc about a month ago. The road was not designed for cyclists was hair raising and I was on it by mistake. I have ridden other dc's which have felt safe and I would ride again.

 

[Katherine]

Is there a cycle path along side?

 

[summerdays]

Depends on the road really. They aren't the most pleasant of places to cycle due to the speed of passing traffic. I wimped out last week and decided to take a longer quiet route for an easier going journey.

 

[vickster]

I wouldnt choose to ride on a 60 or 70 limit one, certainly if no proper hard shoulder or lane. 40mph ones are ok, at least there are few if any parked cars and pinch points. Misread the garmin recently and @jefmcg and I ended up on a very scary road. We made a cautious but hasty retreat back up the slip road!

 

[jefmcg]

Misread the garmin recently and @jefmcg and I ended up on a very scary road. We made a cautious but hasty retreat back up the slip road!

This was the third time this happened to me, previously on A30 near Staines, and A23 near Brighton.

If you do use a DC, take strong secondary or primary: you want to force the cars to change lanes.

 

[confusedcyclist]

I avoid any 2+ lanes of traffic if at all possible, but my commute has one 3 lane section which I can't avoid on a road bike (would need to use trails). It is a busy 40 mph road (naturally all the nobbers are doing 60 in outside lane) but the traffic, pedestrian crosses and lights tends to slow it down during the morning/evening.

I've navigated it without major incident, but have to watch out for left hookers, keeping eyes firmly on the road ahead and anticipating morons overtaking with speed, slowing right down and turning left in front of you. There's a coop on this road which is particularly bad for this behavior, I'm sure all these loons are stopping for their fags and scratch cards.

 

[Markymark]

Personal choice. You have every right to cycle on it, but if you do, cycle safely in a good primary position and ignore that ranting of the odd idiot driver. DO NOT be cowed into rindig in the gutter as there's lies road debris and dangerous passes from idiots.

Either ride assertively and safely or not at all on dual carriage ways.

 

[coffeejo]

The noise and fumes make them pretty unpleasant, as others have said. I cycle on the A roads by me nearly every day but that's as much as my ears and nose are happy to put up with.

 

[Hacienda71]

I would not ride primary on every dc. You would be asking for serious trouble if you did. You have to assess the nature of that particular bit of road. An urban dc with a 40 mph limit is a very different proposition to a national speed limit dc used by most like a motorway with car speeds often at 80 to 90 mph.

 

[jiberjaber]

I would not ride primary on every dc. You would be asking for serious trouble if you did. You have to assess the nature of that particular bit of road. An urban dc with a 40 mph limit is a very different proposition to a national speed limit dc used by most like a motorway with car speeds often at 80 to 90 mph.

I have ridden both primary and 1ft the white line, I feel safer in primary as if you don't, people still try and overtake you but remain in lane and doing 70mph... I'd rather they were in lane 2 in those instances!

 

[Nigelnaturist]

@vickster not so much a garmin error, but I fell very poorly very quickly out on one ride in 2013, I ended up at what I thoght the road I needed and though just turn right, even though it was completely different to the on I wanted, ended up doing 2 miles on the A1 south before in turns into A1(M) at Doncaster, put about 15-16 miles on my ride, constantly make wrong turns after that to get home. I think that was a bit hairy though to be honest I was that ill I don't really remember it.