Cycling ‘Road races’ legal or not ?

[phib]

Near us we are having more and more of the cycling ‘events’ where individuals stop traffic, cyclists ride all over the road because it is an organised event

Are these legal ?

Are they allowed to do this ?

Not bashing the cyclists, I just can’t see how these can be legal and they can stop traffic / slow down traffic with a ‘pace car’

For balance I should point out I am a cyclist ( not road racer !) and a horse rider ( not on the road ! )

Phib

[TooMany2cvs]

Using the road for cycle racing is legal.
Interfering with other traffic is not.

[mikecassie]

Yes they are legal. I'm sure they meet with the local council and police and arrange everything and make sure any measures are in place. It won't be an ad hoc race, if it is then I doubt that is allowed.

If it's a proper road race then British Cycling will have a set of rules and regs to stick to.

The marshals are there for everyones benefit and protection, they warn cyclists if there's traffic and junctions and warn motorists of the cyclists approaching a junction.

I'm not sure how it'd all pan out if you ignored the marshals and drove around them and then hit a cyclist.

[kambites]

TooMany2cvs said:

Using the road for cycle racing is legal.
Interfering with other traffic is not.

Racing on open public roads is explicitly banned for motorised vehicles; any other form of racing is legal but you still have to conform to the other relevant rules of the road. They will get explicit permission in advance to do things like traffic control.

I think ignoring a marshal and going on to cause an accident would be viewed much the same as ignoring one of those road guys you sometimes see at roadworks with a stop/go sign for traffic control. Ie not explicitly an illegal act in itself but would probably be considered reckless and/or dangerous driving.

Edited by kambites on Tuesday 19th June 08:34

[TooMany2cvs]

kambites said:

Racing on open public roads is explicitly banned for motorised vehicles; any other form of racing is legal

Horses aren't.

[kambites]

TooMany2cvs said:

kambites said:

Racing on open public roads is explicitly banned for motorised vehicles; any other form of racing is legal

Horses aren't.

Really? I wasn't aware of that (although I doubt many people would be stupid enough to race horses on an open public road anyway).

[anonymous-user]

Does this help?

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/governmen...

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa...

However, even as a cyclist, having seen quite a few such "trained" marshals in action, my opinion of people wearing hi viz vests hasn't improved much

[Gareth1974]

kambites said:

I doubt many people would be stupid enough to race horses on an open public road anyway).

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6kX6Qyn-Av8

[TooMany2cvs]

kambites said:

TooMany2cvs said:

kambites said:

Racing on open public roads is explicitly banned for motorised vehicles; any other form of racing is legal

Horses aren't.

Really? I wasn't aware of that (although I doubt many people would be stupid enough to race horses on an open public road anyway).

A favourite hobby amongst the traveller community...

[Buggyjam]

This came up in the horse thread. As I mentioned, permission has to be obtained. If racing on a live highway the rules of the road have to be followed. You can’t use the marshalling to bully the traffic to allow for inappropriate behaviour by cyclists. It maybe deemed that the road needs to be shut. Some cycle races still skirt this somehow...

Road Traffic act..

31 Regulation of cycle racing on public ways.

(1)A person who promotes or takes part in a race or trial of speed on a public way between cycles is guilty of an offence, unless the race or trial—

(a)is authorised, and

(b)is conducted in accordance with any conditions imposed,by or under regulations under this section.

(2)The Secretary of State may by regulations authorise, or provide for authorising, for the purposes of subsection (1) above, the holding on a public way other than a bridleway—

(a)of races or trials of speed of any class or description, or

(b)of a particular race or trial of speed,in such cases as may be prescribed and subject to such conditions as may be imposed by or under the regulations.

(3)Regulations under this section may—

(a)prescribe the procedure to be followed, and the particulars to be given, in connection with applications for authorisation under the regulations, and

(b)make different provision for different classes or descriptions of race or trial.

(4)Without prejudice to any other powers exercisable in that behalf, the chief officer of police may give directions with respect to the movement of, or the route to be followed by, vehicular traffic during any period, being directions which it is necessary or expedient to give in relation to that period to prevent or mitigate—

(a)congestion or obstruction of traffic, or

(b)danger to or from traffic,in consequence of the holding of a race or trial of speed authorised by or under regulations under this section.

(5)Directions under subsection (4) above may include a direction that any road or part of a road specified in the direction shall be closed during the period to vehicles or to vehicles of a class so specified.