Legality of not using cycle lane

[benb]

Bet you wish you'd played "Dodge the Pedestrian" now

Why on earth would you say something so crass and insensitive?
Would you also imply to a mugging victim that it was their fault?

 

[mjr]

There is a cycle path just before the roundabout which takes you on a diversion to avoid the road, however I don't use it as it is a narrow pedestrian-priority path with cycle access, and requires you to cross 2 pedestrian crossings instead of just cycling on the road across the roundabout. I am now not sure whether legally I have right of way on the road if there is an alternative route...

Yes, you still have right of way on the carriageway. The cycle track is an extra option which you don't have to use, similar to how motorists don't have to use a motorway rather than parallel minor roads.

Oh and there are very few things like "pedestrian-priority path with cycle access" - they are almost always cycle tracks. Pedestrians are probably still allowed to walk on it, but they're allowed to walk on most carriageways if they want (although the threat of death-by-car deters most) and we don't call that a "pedestrian-priority path with motor access".

I'd suggest it could be useful to document that cycle track with photos and measurements including any surface defects, tight corners and poor sight lines or timings at crossings (if it's a paper cycle track created by just sticking paint, signs and legal orders on an old footway then they'll all be wrong) so, if needed, your solicitor can make it very clear why most reasonable people might choose to cycle on the carriageway there.

And after you get a settlement, the local cycle campaign might like the dossier to slap whoever built it. ☺

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Worth remembering that the only place you're not allowed to cycle is if there's a no cycling sign or no vehicles sign:

No vehicles except bicycles being pushed


(or a motorway, IIRC...)

 

[mjr]

(or a motorway, IIRC...)

or a footway or a bus lane without a bike symbol or a road with a blue circle sign that has no bike symbol or probably quite a few more... but not as many as for motorists so I know what you mean

 

[andyoxon]

or a footway or a bus lane without a bike symbol or a road with a blue circle sign that has no bike symbol or probably quite a few more... ...

I was asked by someone recently about the commute I frequently do by bike, and that they do by car, 'why don't cyclists use the path up the hill'... The answer (though not the only one) being 'it's a footpath and illegal to ride on' came as a surprise to them...

 

[mjr]

I was asked by someone recently about the commute I frequently do by bike, and that they do by car, 'why don't cyclists use the path up the hill'... The answer being 'it's a footpath and illegal to ride on' came as a surprise to them...

Most motorists claim not to know that it's illegal to drive on them (which is the same law - Highways Act 1835), so what did you expect?

 

[jefmcg]

I found this terrifying law/advice on a NSW Government site.

Roundabouts
Cyclists are allowed to turn right from the left-hand lane. When passing each exit, cyclists must give way to any vehicle leaving the roundabout.

**or just lie down on the road so it's over quickly.

 

[andyoxon]

Most motorists claim not to know that it's illegal to drive on them (which is the same law - Highways Act 1835), so what did you expect?
...]

I was not surprised. It probably doesn't help that some cyclists do use the footpath when commuting.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

or a footway or a bus lane without a bike symbol or a road with a blue circle sign that has no bike symbol or probably quite a few more... but not as many as for motorists so I know what you mean

Well, yes, but if the car / vehicle that hit the OP was in the same space as she was, the only bits to worry about are likely the ones I've posted.