Derbyshire Police - Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

[quote]

Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much
right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists
riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being
selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing
the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle,
particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high
risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead.

Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for
avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs,
increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the
wheels of a vehicle.

[unquote]

Have the police got it wrong? Or got it right?

On 03/12/2014 14:38, Simon Weaseltemper wrote:

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

[quote]

Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much
right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists
riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being
selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing
the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle,
particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high
risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead.

Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for
avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs,
increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the
wheels of a vehicle.

[unquote]

Have the police got it wrong? Or got it right?

They are clearly confused:
" If you're cycling past a car that has just come to a halt, take
caution when overtaking, as someone may be about to get out of the car."

Cyclists know that only other people are responsible for the safety of
cyclists.

" cyclists who choose not to wear helmets are risking a serious head
injury, as at least a helmet cushions any blow to the head caused by a
fall or minor impact. "

Cyclists know for a fact that helmets increase injury and make you crash
and make other vehicles drive into you.

"Groups of teenagers on bikes are becoming an increasing sight. Many may
flaunt the basic road safety measures simply as a way of looking cool,
nonchalant or carefree in front of their peers. They seldom wear
helmets, and more often than not their bikes will not be equipped with
lights in the dark. They may also ride erratically, either on or off the
pavement. This makes them a serious worry for drivers, as their
behaviour is often unpredictable. Be extra vigilant when driving near
groups of cyclists of this nature. "

Cyclists know they can do as they want without fear of being identified.

"Simon Weaseltemper" wrote in message
...


http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

[quote]

Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much
right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists
riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being
selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing
the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle,
particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high
risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead.

Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for
avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs,
increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the
wheels of a vehicle.

[unquote]

Have the police got it wrong? Or got it right?


You forgot to paste this bit:

Groups of teenagers on bikes are becoming an increasing sight. Many may
flaunt the basic road safety measures simply as a way of looking cool,
nonchalant or carefree in front of their peers. They seldom wear helmets,
and more often than not their bikes will not be equipped with lights in the
dark. They may also ride erratically, either on or off the pavement. This
makes them a serious worry for drivers, as their behaviour is often
unpredictable. Be extra vigilant when driving near groups of cyclists of
this nature.

On 03/12/2014 14:38, Simon Weaseltemper wrote:

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

[quote]

Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much
right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists
riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being
selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing
the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle,
particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high
risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead.

Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for
avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs,
increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the
wheels of a vehicle.

[unquote]

Have the police got it wrong? Or got it right?

They've certainly got that last bit wrong.

The nearer the cyclist is the kerb, the better his chances, if he falls
sideways, of falling onto the footway.

The further away from the kerb he is, the higher the probability that if
he falls (in either direction), he will fall entirely onto the
carriageway and therefore potentially under the wheels of a vehicle no
matter which way he falls.

I'll leave to others to work out which is the safer.

On 03/12/2014 14:38, Simon Weaseltemper wrote:

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

[quote]

Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much
right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists
riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being
selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing
the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle,
particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high
risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead.

Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for
avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs,
increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the
wheels of a vehicle.

[unquote]

Have the police got it wrong? Or got it right?


Cyclists generally ride on the pavement in any case.

On 03/12/2014 15:03, JNugent wrote:
On 03/12/2014 14:38, Simon Weaseltemper wrote:

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

[quote]

Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much
right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists
riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being
selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing
the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle,
particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high
risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead.

Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for
avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs,
increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the
wheels of a vehicle.

[unquote]

Have the police got it wrong? Or got it right?

They've certainly got that last bit wrong.

The nearer the cyclist is the kerb, the better his chances, if he falls
sideways, of falling onto the footway.

The further away from the kerb he is, the higher the probability that if
he falls (in either direction), he will fall entirely onto the
carriageway and therefore potentially under the wheels of a vehicle no
matter which way he falls.

I'll leave to others to work out which is the safer.


I suspect that the police are coming at this from a position of
prevention, rather than one where the cyclist takes a gamble on where to
ride on the basis of which direction it would be better to fall. Not
falling (and not getting hit) ought to be higher on the cyclists
priority than deciding which way to fall.

On 03/12/2014 15:26, Simon Weaseltemper wrote:
On 03/12/2014 15:03, JNugent wrote:
On 03/12/2014 14:38, Simon Weaseltemper wrote:

http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

[quote]

Cyclists have a right to claim the lane

It may come as a surprise to most drivers but cyclists have as much
right as drivers to take up the entire lane. You will often see cyclists
riding side-by-side, and you, as a driver, may think they’re being
selfish by doing so. But the fact is the cyclist is actually reducing
the risk of having an accident; it’s the safest way for them to cycle,
particularly if there’s a blind bend, a narrowing of the road, a high
risk junction, pinch point or traffic lights ahead.

Cyclists should never cycle in the gutter as it gives no room for
avoiding obstacles and leaves no room to fall if an accident occurs,
increasing the risk of falling into the road and potentially under the
wheels of a vehicle.

[unquote]

Have the police got it wrong? Or got it right?

They've certainly got that last bit wrong.

The nearer the cyclist is the kerb, the better his chances, if he falls
sideways, of falling onto the footway.

The further away from the kerb he is, the higher the probability that if
he falls (in either direction), he will fall entirely onto the
carriageway and therefore potentially under the wheels of a vehicle no
matter which way he falls.

I'll leave to others to work out which is the safer.


I suspect that the police are coming at this from a position of
prevention, rather than one where the cyclist takes a gamble on where to
ride on the basis of which direction it would be better to fall. Not
falling (and not getting hit) ought to be higher on the cyclists
priority than deciding which way to fall.

Oh, I don't expect that a single cyclist has ever taken much heed of the
advice given. It all sounds like a corporate-speak press release, with
the drafter eager to use any idea which seems positive, even if it
doesn't stand up to scrutiny.

On 03/12/2014 14:53, Tarcap wrote:

You forgot to paste this bit:

Groups of teenagers on bikes are becoming an increasing sight. Many may
flaunt the basic road safety measures simply as a way of looking cool,
nonchalant or carefree in front of their peers. They seldom wear
helmets, and more often than not their bikes will not be equipped with
lights in the dark. They may also ride erratically, either on or off the
pavement. This makes them a serious worry for drivers, as their
behaviour is often unpredictable. Be extra vigilant when driving near
groups of cyclists of this nature.

If the subject of discussion makes you feel uncomfortable, why not just
change the subject? ;-)

On 03/12/2014 15:54, JNugent wrote:

Oh, I don't expect that a single cyclist has ever taken much heed of the
advice given. It all sounds like a corporate-speak press release, with
the drafter eager to use any idea which seems positive, even if it
doesn't stand up to scrutiny.



http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

This is formal advice originating from the Police. You seem to be
discarding that advice because it does not fit in with what you believe.

On 03/12/2014 16:08, Simon Weaseltemper wrote:
On 03/12/2014 15:54, JNugent wrote:

Oh, I don't expect that a single cyclist has ever taken much heed of the
advice given. It all sounds like a corporate-speak press release, with
the drafter eager to use any idea which seems positive, even if it
doesn't stand up to scrutiny.



http://www.derbyshire.police.uk/Safe.../Cyclists.aspx

This is formal advice originating from the Police. You seem to be
discarding that advice because it does not fit in with what you believe.





Things like this have no actual Police input, they are done by PR
employees. I noticed this one recently, sent out by the Police to local
newspapers etc. and printed in the paper:
"Dear Watch Member,
The following has been passed to us via the Post Office:
Christmas is fast approaching, Royal Mail & The Trading Standards
Office are making people aware of the following scam:
A card is posted through your door from a company called PDS (Parcel
Delivery Service) suggesting that they were unable to deliver a parcel
and that you need to contact them on 0906 6611911 (a Premium rate number).
If you call the number and you start to hear a recorded message you will
already have been billed £315 for the phone call.
If you do receive a card with these details, then please contact Royal
Mail Fraud on 020 7239 6655. For more information, see the Crime
Stoppers website:
http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org/crim...-delivery-scam
Please be aware that the premium rate number may change but nevertheless
please do not call any number stated on a card from PDS."

I wrote to the paper and pointed out that this was a scam that was shut
down years ago, but the hoax letter keeps getting sent out, they had
received it from the Police and assumed it was true and current. A
couple of moments by 'the polce' could have shown them that they were
being duped, but no, they just send it out. I wrote to the 'police'
dept that sent it out, but did not even receive the courtesy of an
automated reply.