New Highway Code rules.

Robmac said:
Sorry I hadn't realised that we had to be in line with the rest of Europe.
Click to expand...
Well, it's because so called "progressives" think Europe do everything right, and we do everything wrong, even if we are constantly among the lowest figures for road deaths and the Netherlands is 2nd worst for cyclist deaths.
I mean, any reasonable person would think they'd like to be in line with us. :)

As it happens, I'm not really opposed to the new Highway Code, at a quick glance it seems to just put into words how any reasonable driver would drive. We will have to see how it works out with claims etc.
 
mark61 said:
Well, it's because so called "progressives" think Europe do everything right, and we do everything wrong, even if we are constantly among the lowest figures for road deaths and the Netherlands is 2nd worst for cyclist deaths.
I mean, any reasonable person would think they'd like to be in line with us. :)

As it happens, I'm not really opposed to the new Highway Code, at a quick glance it seems to just put into words how any reasonable drive would drive. We will have to see how it works out with claims etc.
Click to expand...

Quite agree Mark.

I've nothing against cyclists, I was more having a go at the scumbags who may use the new rules to take advantage of the claim culture. However, I do think they should pay their way, after all millions are spent on cycle lanes and registration plates might deter the ones who have complete disregard for the rules of the road.
 
mark61 said:
Well, it's because so called "progressives" think Europe do everything right, and we do everything wrong, even if we are constantly among the lowest figures for road deaths and the Netherlands is 2nd worst for cyclist deaths.
I mean, any reasonable person would think they'd like to be in line with us. :)

As it happens, I'm not really opposed to the new Highway Code, at a quick glance it seems to just put into words how any reasonable driver would drive. We will have to see how it works out with claims etc.
Click to expand...
IF we are among lowest for cycle deaths it will be because many cyclists are too scared by the bullying that goes on to venture out! The Netherlands being safe for cyclists has many many more cyclists riding cycle miles. Even there there is a very small risk, and a small risk by a big number of miles makes a significant amount of deaths. Their cities are more pleasant and less polluted because of this.
I agree with you completely re the new Highway code.
 
I am not a cyclist, but I have seen some horrendous behaviour from both sides (If thats the right word to use).
But bottom line cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable and need protection, and in my honest opinion I like what I am reading.
Yes there are idiots on bikes who flout the rules, but they rarely if ever kill anyone.
And there are nutters behind the wheel who reckon its ok to overtake cyclists on blind bends, or pass within 6 inches of them.

I lost a friend years ago whilst he was cycling over the Erskine bridge to work.
The fault was entirely the car drivers, he got 6 months (he only did 8 weeks), and was banned from driving for three years.

As Mark stated, it only formalises what most of us do already.
 
Fisherman said:
I am not a cyclist, but I have seen some horrendous behaviour from both sides (If thats the right word to use).
But bottom line cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable and need protection, and in my honest opinion I like what I am reading.
Yes there are idiots on bikes who flout the rules, but they rarely if ever kill anyone.
And there are nutters behind the wheel who reckon its ok to overtake cyclists on blind bends, or pass within 6 inches of them.

I lost a friend years ago whilst he was cycling over the Erskine bridge to work.
The fault was entirely the car drivers, he got 6 months (he only did 8 weeks), and was banned from driving for three years.

As Mark stated, it only formalises what most of us do already.
Click to expand...

I agree Bill, most of it is just a matter of common sense.

I said in the OP that I don't really understand the new rules as yet and was willing to be 'stood correct' which I now have been. I could only take what I had read online into consideration (dangerous I know), but I haven't had a go at cyclists so I'm not sure really why some are getting angry.

Yes definitely good and bad from both sets of road users, but I still think that registrations would make bad cyclists more accountable as it does for other road users, and what harm could it do?
 
Robmac said:
I agree Bill, most of it is just a matter of common sense.

I said in the OP that I don't really understand the new rules as yet and was willing to be 'stood correct' which I now have been. I could only take what I had read online into consideration (dangerous I know), but I haven't had a go at cyclists so I'm not sure really why some are getting angry.

Yes definitely good and bad from both sets of road users, but I still think that registrations would make bad cyclists more accountable as it does for other road users, and what harm could it do?
Click to expand...
I think it should be made mandatory for anyone on a bike over the age of 16 to have to carry government ID.
But trying to set up a registration system for bikes would be difficult and expensive Rob.

I like what they do in Sweden with car regs.
Your name and address are given online, now that would sort out some of the idiots in cars and other vehicles.:)
 
Over here bikes are seen as childs xmas toys, not that kids bother much these days.
 
Fisherman said:
I think it should be made mandatory for anyone on a bike over the age of 16 to have to carry government ID.
But trying to set up a registration system for bikes would be difficult and expensive Rob.

I like what they do in Sweden with car regs.
Your name and address are given online, now that would sort out some of the idiots in cars and other vehicles.:)
Click to expand...

I don't know what would be involved Bill but could the existing system for cars not be extended.
 
AFAICT, cyclists were always advised to take the primary position when it's unsafe to be overtaken, and those following the major road (e.g. pedestrians crossing the minor road at a junction) always had priority. The 'new rules' appear to me to merely clarify things a little and also emphasise that those who have the greater potential to cause harm must bear the greater responsibility to mitigate risk. Since motorists never had the right to run over pedestrians who strayed onto the road, etc. even the 'hierarchy of responsibility' seem also to be merely clarification.
 
Robmac said:
I don't know what would be involved Bill but could the existing system for cars not be extended.
Click to expand...
I don’t think that would be practical Rob.
Whats required is to be able to ID the driver.
Most of us have some form of government ID.
By making it mandatory to carry them, and an offence not to would suffice.
Many countries make it mandatory for car drivers to do likewise.
If a cyclist is stopped by a police officer and cannot provide proper ID they would be fined. I reckon that is simple and effective.
 
Fisherman said:
I don’t think that would be practical Rob.
Whats required is to be able to ID the driver.
Most of us have some form of government ID.
By making it mandatory to carry them, and an offence not to would suffice.
Many countries make it mandatory for car drivers to do likewise.
If a cyclist is stopped by a police officer and cannot provide proper ID they would be fined. I reckon that is simple and effective.
Click to expand...

I was thinking more of the ones who ride through red lights and ride dangerously Bill. Their ID would not get picked up by a camera.
 
Robmac said:
I was thinking more of the ones who ride through red lights and ride dangerously Bill. Their ID would not get picked up by a camera.
Click to expand...
Sorry Rob, but with the amount of bikes out there, and kids on bikes I just don’t think that’s practical. And what size of number plate could be fitted to a bike.
My mate has five bikes, I just don’t think that’s doable Rob.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who viewed this discussion (Total:0)

Back
Top