the right to ride on the road?

[dr snuggles]

Simple question.
If there is a cycle route running alongside the road, do I have to use it? or can I still use the road?

 

[2Loose]

No you don't have to use it.

If it is sensible then it may be worth using it, but most that I know are either badly done or covered in sticks and glass and to be avoided.
If it is a shared path then the highway code suggests that if you are doing more than 12mph(iirc) then you should use the road anyway. Saying that, if it is empty of pedestrians it may be more efficient and faster...

I take it there is a reason for the question?

 

[Alien8]

The Highway Code is your friend - familiarise yourself with it before venturing out on to the road.

 

[dr snuggles]

I would imagine it's the same old story but the reason is a run in with a bus driver tonight. I ride the same road morning and night generally without incident but tonight a bus driver decided to take offence to me being on the road and while driving RIGHT up behind me started blasting his horn and gesturing I should be on the cycle path, which is shared (basically a path)has a busy bus stop on it and countless tricky busy junctions. The road is definitely the better option or believe me I would take the cycle path.
I caught up with him further up and he just stated I should not be on the road as there is the a cycle path available, I disagreed but wanted to check this out for my own peace of mind really.
I might add the fact that up until now all bus drivers on this particular road have been patient and courteous while never being held up for more than a minute as it isn't the longest stretch of road anyway.
Thanks for clearing that up.

 

[buggi]

phone up the bus company and complain, and suggest they re-test their drivers on the highway code. Follow up with an email copying in the relevant bits of the highway code where it states to use the cyclepath only when it is practicable and convenient for you to do so.

 

[2Loose]

+1 Buggi.

You really don't want to be riding on a path with bus stops on it. Peds really don't expect 20mph bikes in their midst, whereas the bus did, even though he didn't like it.

Tell the bus driver where to go and write a letter\email to the company!

 

[Sheffield_Tiger]

It's a case of "empty vessels making the most noise"

Those who make a racket about telling people where they should and shouldn't be, generally have it completely wrong, Like the bus driver who came beeping behind me then trying to force me out of my position (a few yards from a red light) close enough for me to hit the door open button, shouted that I should have pulled over

But no, if there is a cycle lane you are not obliged to use it, though you are free to CHOOSE to use it if you decide it is more convenient to.

In much the same way as a bus driver is not obligated to use a bus lane, it's a "other vehicles KEEP OUT" rather than a "cyclists STAY IN"

You may hear the term "mandatory cycle lane" - again use of this by cyclists is not mandatory, keeping OUT of it by others is what is mandatory

Cycle paths like the one you describe are perfect for parents taking their youngsters to school on their pavement cycles, and not at all suitable for normal riding, so it seems like you have the right idea

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

phone up the bus company and complain, and suggest they re-test their drivers on the highway code. Follow up with an email copying in the relevant bits of the highway code where it states to use the cyclepath only when it is practicable and convenient for you to do so.

Yes, you have every right to be there and the driver has no right to bully you. The more cyclists on the driver's route, the fewer the cars, the fewer the cars the quicker the bus passengers' journey. Everybody wins. Bullying is all about me me me and nobody gets anywhere any faster in the end, because scaring cyclists off the road tends to make them travel in 4-wheel armoured cars which jam up the road and stops the poor bus passengers getting anywhere.

 

[ohnovino]

+1 to contacting the bus company.

Remind them of Highway Code rule 112:

The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn

• while stationary on the road
• when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am

except when another road user poses a danger.

 

[dr snuggles]

phone up the bus company and complain, and suggest they re-test their drivers on the highway code. Follow up with an email copying in the relevant bits of the highway code where it states to use the cyclepath only when it is practicable and convenient for you to do so.

I've been down this route before for a pretty serious and very dangerous bit of deliberate bullying by a bus driver when he swerved into the cycle lane as he passed me on Scotswood road last year after I had taken offence to him pulling out in front of me a little further up the road. To be honest I was left feeling very dissatified with the resulting fob off. I even had a witness who was on the bus unfortunately I was that shaken up I failed to get his name.
I did recieve a very lengthy reply but the basic jist of it was ok we know who he is and we will not tolerate this but we can not discuss the action taken.

 

[snorri]

phone up the bus company and complain, and suggest they re-test their drivers on the highway code.

I think it's a bit harsh to go in with guns blazing, dr snuggles says that bus drivers have been courteous and considerate on this route, it looks as if there is just one driver who needs a "word in his ear", let's not tar them all with the same brush.
Unwillingness to discuss action taken is normal procedure.
A letter to the bus company is more likely to be acted on than a 'phone call.

 

[HLaB]

'Get in the cycle lane!' Now where have I heard that before Is usually followed by 'I pay the Road Tax'
As everyone says no you don't hace to use a cycle lane/path, its up to you if you feel it'll make your journey safer, which often they don't. Anyway you are encouraged by the government to leave a shared path and travel on the road, if you are travelling in excess of 18mph.

 

[dand_uk]

Here's my two pence: I think I am a masochist - I actually enjoy the thrill of riding on road doing my best to keep up with the motons. My commute is only 4 miles so it's full pelt for most of it and I sometimes make better progress due to filtering thru queues at traffic light junctions.

I have the option of taking a segregated route thru-the-park but seem to prefer on-road. In terms of time there is no real difference, slightly more distance on segregated route.

There are parts of my route that are a bit thrilling and where on road cycle lanes could be wider (width much less DfT minimum) but this doesn't put me off riding on road.

One thing that i've noticed on my travels is that is not always easy to switch to a roadside cycle track if you miss the entrance (which is usually set back a fair distance from any junction). And some of the road side cycle tracks around here are narrow footways with just a blue sign stuck on - not very practical and by the time you get on it, travel along it, stop at the end of it to give way to traffic, you would have been better off on the road.

 

[BentMikey]

The stock letter response might feel disappointing, but that doesn't mean no action was taken. Definitely report it, and do so every time if you want to have any chance of making a difference. If you don't report it, you can guarantee that you'll have made no change.

You don't have to use the cycle path, and it's entirely at your discretion.

 

[mickle]

I'd like to suggest that you formally report the incident to the Police.