I haven't heard this one before.

[Ministerofsillywalks]

Another myth about riding

I was waiting at a roundabout intending to turn right, in the third lane. The driver next to me rolled his window down and asked me what I was doing in the third lane. He said bikes aren't allowed in the third lane. Where he got this from is anyone's guess. I have heard 'bikes aren't allowed on motorways' a few times but this one is a new one on me.

[Funkycowie]

What tha?

Mind you, whilst walking along a pedestrian only footpath coming up to a corner my view was blocked by a high hedge and I of course was blocked from view by the cyclist on his phone coming round a bit too fast. He stopped in time but after I told him he should be on the road, where there currently was no traffic, but he insisted that it was against the law for cyclists to ride on the road. I told him to read the highway code as he rode away.

[MrGrumpy]

There's no accounting for the lunacy of many cycliists! Most seem to ride with no regard for their own safety let alone with regard for any other road user. Personally I think that there should be a law that where a cycle path is provided it should be mandatory for cyclists to use it. Where I live, the council has spent millions on cycle lane expressways, but some cyclists insist on using the crowded dual carriageway alongside (normally without lights of hi-viz) causing delays for vehicles and danger to themselves.

As for 'bikes not allowed in the 3rd lane', I guess the guy can't tell a truck or coach from a motorbike.............

[capitano]

Another myth about riding

I was waiting at a roundabout intending to turn right, in the third lane. The driver next to me rolled his window down and asked me what I was doing in the third lane. He said bikes aren't allowed in the third lane. Where he got this from is anyone's guess. I have heard 'bikes aren't allowed on motorways' a few times but this one is a new one on me.

I'd guess from ignorantly misinterpreting and mixing up several rules.

- motorcycles under 50cc aren't allowed on motorways
- HGVs are restricted to using lanes 1 and 2, and on a four-lane motorway lane 3
- Riders with provisional licences aren't allowed on motorways

Mix that in with an irrational bias against PTWs and some folks will make up their own rules in their head

"Look at that bike in the third lane, that's illegal that is! I'll 'ave a word with 'em"

There's no accounting for the lunacy of many cycliists! Most seem to ride with no regard for their own safety let alone with regard for any other road user. Personally I think that there should be a law that where a cycle path is provided it should be mandatory for cyclists to use it. Where I live, the council has spent millions on cycle lane expressways, but some cyclists insist on using the crowded dual carriageway alongside (normally without lights of hi-viz) causing delays for vehicles and danger to themselves.

As for 'bikes not allowed in the 3rd lane', I guess the guy can't tell a truck or coach from a motorbike.............

Infrastructure is often ill thought out, and creates more problems than it solves without addressing the real issue, which is unnecessary motor vehicle journeys.

Ignorance of the highway code is widespread, too.

Quite why people need to turn every road based topic into an anti cycling rant is beyond me.

[OneFootInTheGravy]

Another myth about riding

I was waiting at a roundabout intending to turn right, in the third lane. The driver next to me rolled his window down and asked me what I was doing in the third lane. He said bikes aren't allowed in the third lane. Where he got this from is anyone's guess. I have heard 'bikes aren't allowed on motorways' a few times but this one is a new one on me.

Haha. If this was true, at islands where the 3rd line is the only one that goes right, what happens then? 3 lanes on a motorway and three lanes at an island are totally different. It's like saying that trucks and lorries can't turn right either.

I remember years ago, I was honked at for staying the middle lane on a on a 3 lane ring road, even though every few hundred yards the left lane was for exiting the road. Just because a road has 3 lanes, doesn't make it a motorway.

[Whatsisname]

To be fair, our council built a hugely expensive cycle lane each side of a mile long strip of road, separated by raised kerbs, and almost everybody complained about the waste of ratepayers cash.... All the funds came from external grants from safety bodies and central government. I think the last of the EU funds were used too! One moan was that they made the road too narrow, as the kerbs were too high to let cars pull over enough to let emergency vehicles through. (Some twat actually beached their car in the first week!) In fact there is just enough space, but only just.

[Stibbs]

The maintenance of cycling lanes is very low on a local authority’s priority list. It’s no wonder to me that many cyclists choose to use the carriage way instead. They’re blocked by low hanging branches, giant weeds, large unfilled potholes etc… cyclists are legally allowed to use the roadway so I don’t blame them. I blame whichever government it is that underfunds local service provision.

[Andym]

Cyclists have created their own image problem, so no sympathy here, I'd spread the rumour about them not being allowed on the roads myself if I thought the worst ones would actually obey it! Maybe we should start simple, go with one about not going through pedestrian crossings.

I've stopped worrying about the lack of knowledge of the highway code. 10000 work miles a year so not good for the blood pressure if you do. Trailers in lane 3. Pedestrians on the motorway. Taking any exit from any lane on a roundabout. Lane hogging at 50-60 mph is no longer confined to lane 2. There is no enforcement of anything except speeding so you are on your own. Treat it like you are in Mumbai, just don't assume they'll have the same vehicle control skill levels.

Andy

[knight2]

Andy I've got to agree when it comes to cyclist Ithink they,ve created a lot of grief for themselves, literally. The arrogance of some of them borders on suicidal. Any body with half a braincell on a pushbike would stay away from HGV's, I've had them lean against the side of the truck at a junction, I suppose I should be impressed he didn't crash through a red light another of their stupid stunts. The even pull stunts like this when they are out with their kids.
P.S. I coould extend this rant a lot longer but it dosen't do my heart rate any good

[Ministerofsillywalks]

Capitano - I think you may be right there. Getting several rules muddled up and mixed together.

Thinking of myths about bikes and riding, a few others I have heard over the years:
They don't need a key to start them.
They don't have gears.
You are totally deaf with a helmet on.
(Good one this). With the visor down on a full face helmet you suffocate.
Because they are lighter than a car you can pick them up and carry them.

I could go on...