Cycle road racing
Discussion
Quick question regarding bicycles and road racing. Tried to get out of my parent's drive today, to find the road blocked by cars queued due to the roundabout being closed for a bike race. (Ignoring the fact that two of the support team had just gone and had a piss up against the bus stop).
The road was blocked for several minutes whilst three large groups of cycles raced down the hill, around the roundabout (turning right) before continuing. This included several of the support motor bikes crossing the wrong way around the round about.
What is the law regarding road racing with bikes? I thought all road racing was ileagal.
Are they allowed to stop traffic?
Should there have been some form of advanced warning before they run the route?
The road was blocked for several minutes whilst three large groups of cycles raced down the hill, around the roundabout (turning right) before continuing. This included several of the support motor bikes crossing the wrong way around the round about.
What is the law regarding road racing with bikes? I thought all road racing was ileagal.
Are they allowed to stop traffic?
Should there have been some form of advanced warning before they run the route?
afaik you need police permission to expressly block or inhibit use of roads/highways. Failure of this would be deemed a public nuisance if your ilegally blocking the highway. (It held in the case of DPP V Jones that a peaceful assembly of 20 or more people on the public highway exceeded the limits of the public’s right of access to the highway, which was restricted to the right of passage and matters incidental or ancillary to that right).
>> Edited by princeperch on Sunday 3rd April 18:29
>> Edited by princeperch on Sunday 3rd April 18:29
What annoys me about raod racing/ touring cyclists is that they are allowed to 'officially' exceed the speed limit on restricted roads, and worse still, ride in packs of four abreast along roads, creating hazards for all concerned.
It's even more annoying when they can't be arsed to use cycle tracks.
It's even more annoying when they can't be arsed to use cycle tracks.
Very willing to be corrected here but afaik the only cycle race on fully closed roads is the Tour of Britain previously Milk Race. Its a sort of rolling closure unless stages around city centre circuits. The closures have to advertised in advance and subject to approval etc etc.
Again according to my sources the marshalls on other events know they are not supposed to close the roads but still do so in defiance of the law. Also apparently they find it quite amusing to do so. Cyclists during open road races must obey the law but it still does not stop them taking blind bends on the wrong side etc etc.
I'll shut up now as this could turn into a rant.
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Sunday 3rd April 19:19
Again according to my sources the marshalls on other events know they are not supposed to close the roads but still do so in defiance of the law. Also apparently they find it quite amusing to do so. Cyclists during open road races must obey the law but it still does not stop them taking blind bends on the wrong side etc etc.
I'll shut up now as this could turn into a rant.
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Sunday 3rd April 19:19
Oh God, not more cyclist bashing...
Don't even start me on the incredible hazards that us lot (cyclists) have to endure from the 'couldn't give a toss about you' road brigade; i.e. car users.
No matter how easy I make it for people to see me, or no how observant I am, my (almost) daily 15-20 miles of cycling is becoming more and more fraught with peril due to decreased standards of driving over the last 5 years. It's noticable. And as for 'cycle lanes', well most of them are too dangerous to use anyway. 2 foot wide strips that stop and start every 50 yards, and that's if you can avoid the parked cars.
For anyone wishing to complain about cyclists : buy a bike first and use it on the road for a couple of weeks (or days, even) and then see if it changes your mind.
Off-topic slightly, but this thread was heading that way.
(PS. I ALWAYS stop at red lights.)
Don't even start me on the incredible hazards that us lot (cyclists) have to endure from the 'couldn't give a toss about you' road brigade; i.e. car users.
No matter how easy I make it for people to see me, or no how observant I am, my (almost) daily 15-20 miles of cycling is becoming more and more fraught with peril due to decreased standards of driving over the last 5 years. It's noticable. And as for 'cycle lanes', well most of them are too dangerous to use anyway. 2 foot wide strips that stop and start every 50 yards, and that's if you can avoid the parked cars.
For anyone wishing to complain about cyclists : buy a bike first and use it on the road for a couple of weeks (or days, even) and then see if it changes your mind.
Off-topic slightly, but this thread was heading that way.
(PS. I ALWAYS stop at red lights.)
andygo said:
It's even more annoying when they can't be arsed to use cycle tracks.
Obviously you've never used them.
They're shite. Full of glass, dust, dirt, gravel, blocked by parked vehicles, stop prematurely, the list goes on. Don't get me started about cycle lanes on roundabouts either.
Obviously they're a nuisance to you, always getting in your way. Well I apologise for that, next time I see you coming I'll hop off and wait for you to pass.
Sorry, I did not intend this to be a cycle bashing thread. I am a cyclist myself, and do tend to ride like I drive, following the highway code, obeying red lights, etc, since I think this gives me a far greater chance at survival.
The comments were about cycle racing, and the ignorant way they were happy to block the roads and drive like they owned the place, with their range of support vehicles, etc.
I always felt roadies were a race apart from cyclists.
The comments were about cycle racing, and the ignorant way they were happy to block the roads and drive like they owned the place, with their range of support vehicles, etc.
I always felt roadies were a race apart from cyclists.
Getting back to the original question - no, 'racing' is as you say not legal. All these bike races are (should be!) time trials, with cyclists setting off at intervals and timed around the circuit. Head-to-head racing should never occur.
The four abreast will be the club on a training run and yes sometimes they refuse to move aside. Unfortunately, just as 99% of any given group are perfectly reasonable people, there's always that 1% that are t
ts.
The four abreast will be the club on a training run and yes sometimes they refuse to move aside. Unfortunately, just as 99% of any given group are perfectly reasonable people, there's always that 1% that are t
ts.Flat in Fifth said:
Very willing to be corrected here but afaik the only cycle race on fully closed roads is the Tour of Britain previously Milk Race. Its a sort of rolling closure unless stages around city centre circuits. The closures have to advertised in advance and subject to approval etc etc.
In May/June each year the Lincoln cycle race takes place and generally causes havoc around certain parts of the city. Even though I live just off one of the main roads used I have been unable to get home for about 45 minutes as roads are closed.
They also tend to do circuits so it can last quite a while. However the police are involved and do a good job. They were out today for the Lincoln 10k running marathon, again with roads closed.
I have seen the police pull various chase crew on the bike race, for not following the high way code even though they are on a 'closed' stretch of road. It is a slight pain, but we always have plenty of notice, it only happens once a year and can be fun to watch.
busa_rush said:
I am a cyclist I think these road races should be banned and the cyclists subjected to the same laws as everybody else. They're a danger to everybody.
Well I'm a cyclist too. About to get on it and go to work, actually.
I don't think these races should be "banned".
But organisers and riders who flout the law and create a dangerous situation for competitors or the public should be prosecuted.
Organisers who allow the public to be inconvenienced by competitors or marshalls should be prosecuted.
But! Provided the proper channels are gone through and the routes chosen to avoid public inconvenience and to ensure the safety of all concerned why ban something that a group of people enjoy and get satisfaction from!
Next it could be car rallying!
That'll be a once a year annual cycle race, ie a proper one. A bit like the Tour De France only no-one in the UK will ever have heard of it.
Yes these are legally allowed rolling roadblocks, maybe you'll see one once a year. If your really lucky you'll get see the Tour De France when it passes through the UK once every 10 years or so & is quite a spectacle.
As for cycle lanes, they are crap simple as that, designed by people who've never ridden bikes who simply have a budget to spend on raod paint & signposts. Bloody dangerous things especially the ones on roundabouts.
Yes these are legally allowed rolling roadblocks, maybe you'll see one once a year. If your really lucky you'll get see the Tour De France when it passes through the UK once every 10 years or so & is quite a spectacle.
As for cycle lanes, they are crap simple as that, designed by people who've never ridden bikes who simply have a budget to spend on raod paint & signposts. Bloody dangerous things especially the ones on roundabouts.
DeMolay said:
Oh God, not more cyclist bashing...
Don't even start me on the incredible hazards that us lot (cyclists) have to endure from the 'couldn't give a toss about you' road brigade; i.e. car users.
Don't get me started on the cyclists in black wrong way down a one way street at night, all without obligatory lights/reflectors of course. Or those who don't stop at red lights, or those who want to be classed a road user one minute and then classed as a pedestrian (but mounted on a bike at full chat) the next.
Yes I recognise that you behave responsibly, as long as you recognise that most of the time I get a wave of thanks and a thumbs up when I overtake a cyclist. The rest of the time they get treated just as courteously but no acknowledgment in return. Fairy nuff none expected but noted when it is.
deckster said:
Unfortunately, just as 99% of any given group are perfectly reasonable people, there's always that 1% that are t
Despite my anti-cyclist rant above I would say that the % of the subset of road users which are idiots is somewhat higher for car/van drivers than cyclists imho.
Don hits the nail on the head regarding the legalities of racing. Also cyclists are subject to the speeding laws etc but not by fixed penalty, has to be reported on summons afaik.
Cycling bodies invented time trials to get round the rules re racing on the highway, ie they are all just out for a ride, honest ossifer.
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Monday 4th April 09:35
Can someone help me get the lid back on the can, all the worms are escaping.
This was not meant to be a dig at roadies, not a "keep off the road" rant. I was trying to find the legality of road blockage and inconsiderate support crews, rather than comment on the cyclists themselves. I can't help thinking that no one else could have got away with their sheer bloodymindedness on holding up the traffic.
Thanks for all the answers so far, it does not change what happened, but at least I was right regarding their actual legal position.
This was not meant to be a dig at roadies, not a "keep off the
road" rant. I was trying to find the legality of road blockage and inconsiderate support crews, rather than comment on the cyclists themselves. I can't help thinking that no one else could have got away with their sheer bloodymindedness on holding up the traffic. Thanks for all the answers so far, it does not change what happened, but at least I was right regarding their actual legal position.
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