by Michael Smith
The law of the road also applies to cyclists but there are many that do not seem to wish to understand that – and I am saying that being a cyclist – and who insist on crossing red traffic signal, for instance. I have more than once, when being a pedestrian, near enough been run down by a Lycra-clad cyclist with an environmental fruit bowl on his head who refused to accept that the red light that was showing was also valid for him. I have had the bell rung furiously and even been sworn at for daring to cross the road – as was my right for I had green light – while he was trying to get through.
While a bicycle is not a car for the time being the law of the road applies to bikes in the same way as to cars. If a light is red that means stop. Maybe the laws, here and elsewhere, should be changed in such a way that a bicycle would be regarded differently and we could use, legally, the sidewalks, sharing it, with consideration, with pedestrians, thus making it then possible for cyclists to use, with caution, pedestrian crossings, and, all in all, making the bicycle one of the best means of transport then.
One of my biggest pet peeves, I have to say, is seeing cyclists running lights and stop signs, riding on the wrong side of the road, and such like. After all, while motorists often do not seem to know how to share the road and put others in danger, cyclists greatly damage their image by not obeying the laws of the road. However, I do not go as far as condemning cyclists for using, with caution, the footpaths, the sidewalks, as the roads are dangerous and motorists often have no idea of how to share the road with cyclists. As far as some motorists are concerned, and I have heard that more than once, cyclists should not be on the roads. In a way I do agree. We should have our dedicated lanes – separated from the main traffic – and/or be permitted to share the sidewalks with pedestrians.
While cyclists have the same rights – and also, not to be forgotten, responsibilities – as drivers of motor vehicles, a bicycle is NOT a car, and perhaps, therefore, it also should not be treated as such. Despite having said that I do, of course, believe a bicycle can do everything a car can, and maybe even more so.
If, however, we are to really view bicycles in the same way as cars, from a legal perspective, then we provide the infrastructure to make that a reality and also the education to motorists that cyclists have equal rights on the road.
As that, however, is not going to get into the heads of the majority of drivers, of that I am sure, the infrastructure to enable cycling to be safe must be provided in an addition to the roads. Cyclists need to have their own lanes, physically separated from the other road areas, in order to give them that safe distance from cars the drivers of which far too often do not give cyclists the necessary room to manoeuvre and thus cause unnecessary accidents and deaths.
If we would want to enforce equal rights for cyclists and motorists then, for starters, all drivers – and not just new drivers – should have to demonstrate an understanding of how to interact with cyclists on the road, in a variety of situations. They should know what rights cyclists have, as well as how to ensure that both driver and rider are safe. At the same time, cyclists should at least be given the opportunity receive the same education as drivers. While this should not be a compulsory test to lead to a license, maybe, it still would be good to be able to learn the way of the road.
Many cyclists do not know or simply do not care that they are required to follow the rules of the road. At the same time many cyclists – and this is equally important – are often totally unaware of the fact that in many situations, depending on country and local laws also, they can, for instance, take over an entire lane if there is no shoulder or if glass or potholes force them into the lane.
Once again, the problem is that a bicycle is not a car; it doesn't move at the same speed, takes up a fraction of the lane and poses almost no safety risk to others. As such, the law has to accommodate those difference, and while there are laws that do that, most cyclists and drivers are not aware of them, and even then they provide awkward solutions.
The bottom line is that when cities are designed without cyclists in mind, it becomes awkward to say that riders have equal rights. When a road is built in such a way that it becomes dangerous for a car to make a left turn, say, then people are justifiably outraged and the problem is often rectified. The fact that the vast majority of our roads are not built to make cycling safe means that we have to ensure that everyone clearly understands when and why cyclists can run lights, take over lanes and get other special rights, while at the same time we desperately need to invest in better infrastructure. Otherwise, we have a recipe for mistrust, misunderstanding and accidents. This is especially true now that gas prices are inspiring more people to get back on their bikes.
Some countries and come cities are addressing the problem. Many European countries are so different to, say, for instance, Britain. Germany has, as an example, cycle paths in most if not indeed all cities and also along their Bundesstrassen, the equivalent of what in Britain would be an “A” road. The Netherlands and Denmark are also extremely bicycle friendly and the Netherlands especially caters for the bike all over the country.
We need to address cycling in Britain in the same way if we want to lead the world, as Britain aims to do, in sustainable transport, for there is none better than the bicycle in this regard. However, we cannot expect people to follow the rules, as for instance not cycling on the pavement, if the roads are too dangerous for cycling and if there are no proper cycle lanes than protect the cyclist. Convention and common sense should make it possible to amend the law in such a manner that would allow the use of the sidewalks – as long as done with consideration – by cyclists, especially if otherwise it would mean using dangerous roads with risk to life and limb.
Will we ever see such changes for the better and the proper infrastructure to make the bicycle the choice of transport for people? I sure hope so.
© M Smith (Veshengro), November 2008
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Bicycles, motor vehicles and the law
