Road Positioning

[classic33]

Am I alone in thinking that the information, see thumbnail, given by the local road safety unit is wrong/misleading for anyone starting out riding.

Can never seem to get these pictures right, so apologies for having to enlarge to read it.

 

[Origamist]

I was just thinking we need another thread about road positioning!

 

[thomas]

It was a pretty boring read. Could of been written better so new cyclists actually read it.

 

[Dan B]

60cm from the kerb is stupid close on most of the roads I ride, and will put you in pothole/manhole/diesel/broken glass/gutter city, with a side order of pedestrians stepping out unexpectedly. "In the left-hand tyre track" would be a better recommendation as a general recommendation.

Of course, there are always exceptions to the general rule

This topic is being done to death in "Perceptions of cyclists"

 

[HJ]

Am I alone in thinking that the information, see thumbnail, given by the local road safety unit is wrong/misleading for anyone starting out riding.

Can never seem to get these pictures right, so apologies for having to enlarge to read it.

60cm is some what close to the kerb and should be regarded as the minimum distance out, normally the secondary position (which they call P1) would be about 80-100cm out. The secondary position is always relative to the moving traffic lane, not the road edge. Riding further to the left, even if there is space, will reduce your visibility to other road users and the notice they take of you. The secondary position should only used when it will not impair your safety. Safety is always more important than convenience.

The position they give as P2, is the Primary Position this should be the normal riding position.

 

[gaz]

Road positioning is relative to the road you are on, the traffic speed and your speed. i will happily ride in primary position if i am going the same speed as the traffic.

 

[marinyork]

I don't think the leaflet is that helpful but it means well. I would view it in the context of most such local schemes in that (a) many newbies will be cycling miles further in than 60cm so this could be regarded as an improvement ( local schemes and some of the people doing cycle training seem to have radically different ideas to people on this forum.

 

[Davidc]

They'd be much better off just lifting from Cyclecraft.

 

[HJ]

I don't think the leaflet is that helpful but it means well. I would view it in the context of most such local schemes in that (a) many newbies will be cycling miles further in than 60cm so this could be regarded as an improvement ( local schemes and some of the people doing cycle training seem to have radically different ideas to people on this forum.

From some of the comments on this forum, I sometimes wonder if those writing them actually ride on the road...

Looking at the article again, I wonder if the person who wrote it actually rides on the road.

 

[BentMikey]

I hate the sort of logic that says well 60cm is better, so it's an improvement. No, do it properly the first bloody time!!! 60cm is the minimum, really.

 

[classic33]

Looking at the article again, I wonder if the person who wrote it actually rides on the road.

As far as I'm aware he does, as part of his job. Teaching kids how to ride a bike on the road in safety.

 

[Dan B]

Looking at the article again, I wonder if the person who wrote it actually rides on the road.

Only in the sense that the gutter forms part of the road ... but legally speaking, so does the pavement

;-)

 

[addictfreak]

As far as I'm aware he does, as part of his job. Teaching kids how to ride a bike on the road in safety.

That could mean absolutely nothing!

I know two guys who after retirement from our job, went on to work teaching kids cycling proficiency or whatever its called these days. The thing is niether of them were cyclists, they didnt even own bikes.

 

[marinyork]

I hate the sort of logic that says well 60cm is better, so it's an improvement. No, do it properly the first bloody time!!! 60cm is the minimum, really.

Well some days I'm in that sort of mood but you say this to people who do cycle training and they'll say you are a really aggressive rider who is going to be on the receiving end of a lot of trouble. It's both very funny and very sad at the same time.

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

60cm should be P3

"To be used as a courtesy where conditions permit, to allow other vehicles past"

There isn't anything wrong with movng further in letting faster vehicles past where safe to do so but only when that condition applies