Is hugging the kerb an offense?
Discussion
Have to ask this after seeing an elderly van driver (presumably drunk) literally hugging the kerb on an inner city road the other day is there any offense he could be done for. Not only is it extremely dangerous (he did it going round a corner as well as on a straight) if he does it regularly it could force cyclists onto the pavement or out into the middle of the road. Lastly, you have to wonder how much damage he's doing to his tyres by riding there. For reference here's a diagram of the vans road position in relation to cars next to it, surely some offence is being committed here? And just to be clear, he hadn't pulled in like this to make room for filtering two-wheelers; he was literally driving along in this position.
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Edited by revvingit on Monday 4th December 00:06
revvingit said:
...if he does it regularly it could force cyclists onto the pavement or out into the middle of the road. Lastly, you have to wonder how much damage he's doing to his tyres by riding there.
So cyclists should be using this bit of road thats full of so much guff that'll damage van tyres?swerni said:
TooMany2cvs said:
revvingit said:
...if he does it regularly it could force cyclists onto the pavement or out into the middle of the road. Lastly, you have to wonder how much damage he's doing to his tyres by riding there.
So cyclists should be using this bit of road thats full of so much guff that'll damage van tyres?If the bike’s two feet from the kerb.......
But if the bike's in the middle of the lane, where it should be... Cyclecraft, primary position, etc?
swerni said:
You do realise that the normal riding position on the road is the secondary position?
Apart from the minor detail that my point really wasn't what you seem to think it was... it's really not that simple, is it?This describes it well...
Cyclescheme said:
How far from the kerb?
You never want to be closer than 50cm from the kerb. Often you'll be a metre out, sometimes more. The key factor is not so much the edge of the road as the location of the traffic stream on that road; that is, where cars are actually driving in that traffic lane.
There are essentially two cycling positions to choose from, relative to the traffic stream. One is the centre of the traffic stream – that is, the centre of the lane, rather than the centre of the road. You'll sometimes hear this called 'the primary position', but it's easier to think of it as 'taking the lane'.
The other position is about a metre to the left of the traffic stream, so long as that doesn't bring you too close to the kerb. Sometimes called 'the secondary position', you can think of it simply as 'not taking the lane'.
When to take the lane
If you can keep up with the traffic, such as around town, it's safest to take the lane. It's also the position to adopt when you want to dissuade drivers from doing something stupid, like cutting you up. Here's a non-exhaustive list of situations when it's best to take the lane.
• Approaching a pinch point, such as pedestrian island in the centre of the road.
• Approaching and negotiating a roundabout.
• Approaching Give Way markings.
• Approaching a side road, to prevent drivers from 'left-hooking' you and to help drivers on the side road to see you.
• Approaching traffic lights.
• Approaching a blind corner.
• Negotiating a junction.
• In queues of stationary traffic.
• Overtaking parked cars.
When not to take the lane
If you're not confident in taking the lane, especially when simply riding along, don't feel that you have to. If the road is busy and the traffic is moving faster than you can, either because it's a fast road or a steep hill, you're often better not taking the lane. This is a courtesy to drivers, enabling them to overtake you more easily.
Your safety is paramount, so you should not feel pressured not to take the lane. If a driver pips his horn at you, relax in the knowledge that he has seen you.
https://www.cyclescheme.co.uk/community/how-to/road-positioningYou never want to be closer than 50cm from the kerb. Often you'll be a metre out, sometimes more. The key factor is not so much the edge of the road as the location of the traffic stream on that road; that is, where cars are actually driving in that traffic lane.
There are essentially two cycling positions to choose from, relative to the traffic stream. One is the centre of the traffic stream – that is, the centre of the lane, rather than the centre of the road. You'll sometimes hear this called 'the primary position', but it's easier to think of it as 'taking the lane'.
The other position is about a metre to the left of the traffic stream, so long as that doesn't bring you too close to the kerb. Sometimes called 'the secondary position', you can think of it simply as 'not taking the lane'.
When to take the lane
If you can keep up with the traffic, such as around town, it's safest to take the lane. It's also the position to adopt when you want to dissuade drivers from doing something stupid, like cutting you up. Here's a non-exhaustive list of situations when it's best to take the lane.
• Approaching a pinch point, such as pedestrian island in the centre of the road.
• Approaching and negotiating a roundabout.
• Approaching Give Way markings.
• Approaching a side road, to prevent drivers from 'left-hooking' you and to help drivers on the side road to see you.
• Approaching traffic lights.
• Approaching a blind corner.
• Negotiating a junction.
• In queues of stationary traffic.
• Overtaking parked cars.
When not to take the lane
If you're not confident in taking the lane, especially when simply riding along, don't feel that you have to. If the road is busy and the traffic is moving faster than you can, either because it's a fast road or a steep hill, you're often better not taking the lane. This is a courtesy to drivers, enabling them to overtake you more easily.
Your safety is paramount, so you should not feel pressured not to take the lane. If a driver pips his horn at you, relax in the knowledge that he has seen you.
My italics.
Strudul said:
Eh?
Why would it be against the law?
If there were no cyclists around, I can't see why there'd be an issue.
The guy clearly drives there as a force of normality though; he was there for several miles and kept the same position as he turned off. The generous explanation is the guy's eyesight is deteriorating or he was a drink driver, the not-so-generous explanation is he deliberately drives there as some kind of defensive driving mechanism. Why would it be against the law?
If there were no cyclists around, I can't see why there'd be an issue.
Also to those saying why should cyclists ride there, I meant at junctions when the cyclists would be filtering; their normal line is through the inside of the traffic if they are turning left.
Shuvi McTupya said:
I think it is ok, provided it is consensual.
That is kissing under the mistletoe according to PSNI, otherwise it is rapehttps://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/northern-irelan...
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