How much space needed for cyclist coming opposite way.

[FiF]

Scenario I have is approaching a T junction, intending to turn left. On the immediate lead up to the junction there are marked parking spaces on the left, and usually cars in those spaces, it's near the Co-Op. On the road are those little cycle logos, ie not a 'proper' cycle lane but advice route used by cycles etc.

So cars approaching the junction have to straddle the white line to pass the parked vehicles.

Every day there's one of those who thinks he's on the Tour de Co-Ops who approaches the T from the right, turns into the road, at a pace and line that puts him into direct conflict with anyone who already happens to be passing the parked vehicles. He's not done it to me yet, as if I'm out there, immediately stop as seen his behaviour to others, but if you don't stop, he shouts and takes a swipe at your door mirror. Utter cock frankly.

Clearly the correct thing would be the removal of the parking spaces, or at least move them further back from the junction.

Incidentally, only censure I have had from this guy is on another local road, 20mph limit, speed pillows. In the middle of my side to straddle the pillow, matey decides to swerve, ride in the gap between pillows in the middle of road, shouts, nearly falls off in his fury. Will admit a titter ran round the audience.

But serious question to you lycristas, we've heard the 1.5m gap advice, I was trained to picture them laid out sideways and ensure you wouldn't run over their head when overtaking. Same clearances when opposing direction of travel, or?

This guy clearly isn't doing cyclists any favours but included just for the what a dick factor.

[FiF]

Evanivitch said:

So his side of the road is clear, and he can proceed without crossing the central line?

And your side is partially blocked, and you have to straddle the central line?

You yield to him.

Ok, correct in first principles, but you have missed the detail in the situation.

Let's look at another scenario.

You enter a road and up ahead there is a long line of parked vehicles on the opposite side of the road. At the time you entered the road there is another vehicle travelling towards you, already on 'your' side of the road passing the parked vehicles. There are no spaces between the parked vehicles for the oncoming vehicle to return to his own side and wait in a 'passing place.' There is insufficient road width for two vehicles to pass each other alongside the parked vehicles.

Do you a) stop and wait for the oncoming vehicle to pass all the parked vehicles.
b) proceed and force the oncoming vehicle to reverse
c) something else.

If c) explain what you would do and why.

Thanks in advance.

[FiF]

Evanivitch said:

If you're straddling the central line, and his side is clear, then you stop and allow him to proceed in what remains of his lane if possible.
That's because he's a bike and noticeably smaller than a car.

If there was no room for him to pass, even when you've stopped and I assume tucked in as much as you can, then I would have expected him to stop and allow you to complete.

If he was a car, and then there was insufficient space to pass then I would expect him to wait whilst you completed your password of the static cars, because that is less risky than requiring you to reverse.

To clarify, there is imo sufficient room to continue to pass the parked vehicles and the cyclist to pass safely in the other direction, providing both are reasonable people.

Clearly my position in this case is that the other is not reasonable, so stop, but it brought the question of what is a reasonable clearance.

[FiF]

RobM77 said:

This is why the Highway Code (rule 243) states that you shouldn't park within 10 metres of a junction, so this sort of thing doesn't happen. Therefore the fault here is in the placement of those parking spaces. Before any confused pedants point out that rule 243 states 'unless in a parking space', I am simply stating that it's a bit stupid to put parking spaces that close to a junction for the very reasons that rule 243 was written. Nevertheless, it happens. The same issue is presented with traffic calming chicanes on some roads I've driven on.

Given that the awkward road layout pre-disposes itself to disputes like this, both road users need to show some common courtesy - I would say that the correct thing to do if the car driver has already started the manouvre and can't abort, is for the car driver to give the cyclist as much space as possible, slow right down, and fold in wing mirrors if they have this feature. The potential risks of such a junction should be apparent to any approaching car driver - what if a car comes charging around the corner! You'd have to stop dead and potentially even reverse to avoid a collision. The cyclist equally has an obligation to slow right down and squeeze through the gap - they shouldn't be taking a blind junction that quick anyway; what if there was someone crossing the road, a broken down car in the road, etc etc? As with most things, there's an obligation to both parties.

This is a fair summary in my view. I think in reality the parking space is 10m from the junction, just, but the corner has a decent radius on it hence can be taken on a bike at a fair pace. If it's opposing vehicles, there probably is room for two cars to pass, v carefully, but generally either party wait as appropriate as there isn't room for two vehicles and door opening space. Plus yes, people do charge round the corner and one or both then pull up sharply, it's something you have to be aware of.

The issue I have here, is that because it's physically and tbh easily possible to fit car and bike into the gap, people do that, then when one party seems to want to be the arse about the issue 'obstruction on your side so that even though you're already passing you should instantly disappear so I don't have to slow down / harm my Strava time' or whatever thought process is going on, then per your last sentence it just seems an abdication of responsibilities and obligations to other parties.