Road Traffic - Who has the right of way?

Question

Here is the situation: Where I work there is a cycle lane connecting the industrial estate to town centre. I live far far away and cycling is not an option so we car pool.

The cycle lane in question goes across the extrances to all of the industrial units and crosses several contraflow roads at junctions, some are quite busy roads with traffic islands at the junctions.

Sometimes I also walk from the industrial estate in to town and get the bus. For most of the route there is no dedicated pavement; the cycle lane and pavement are one.

So who has the right of way on these roads? When in the car, the cyclists frequently zoom across the roads and across the extrances to the industrial units and almost hit our car as we wait to get out. They often zoom across junctions and make us slam our brakes on too.

When walking the problem is even worse as none of them have bells and they often cycle two abreast taking up the entire pavement. I've even been hit by the cyclists.

Answer 1

The cycle lanes in my area that cross junctions/entrances as you describe, have give way markings on them ie; the cyclist should stop & ensure that the intersection is safe before proceeding. This is exactly the same as a car giving way at a similarly marked junction. If the cycle lanes are not marked in this way then I suggest you highlight the safety implications to your local authority - do it in writing then they have to respond also in the same way. Therefore if they don't amend the road markings you will have documentary evidence of their incompetence which would be invaluable should there be an accident.

Answer 2

You should yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and cyclists for obvious safety reasons.  However cyclists are required to follow  the same laws on the road as automobiles.  Crossing three lanes of traffic and zipping in front of you to turn left from the far right side is not legal and a citation can be issued.  Stop signs require stopping, right on red, all that applies equally to cyclists.  

Pedestrians should stay to the right and passing cyclists should always pass on the left.  It is a common courtesy for cyclists to say "Left!"  when approaching to pass so keep your ears open.  Sometime unexpecting pedestrians are surprised by the shout of "left!" and they reflexively jump into the path of the cyclist.  Some cyclists are ******* so watch out and be ready to give them the middle finger salute.

Gapsusie above is right.  For safety reasons right-of-way is walkers, cyclists then cars.

Answer 3

I am a driver, and a considerate cyclist.  Consider that if you have to stop in a car, you don't fall over.  You just make a couple of movements with your hands and feet, and you are good to go again.  Cyclists, to stop, have to brake, change back down through their gears lose the prescious momentum they must tehn work hard to get back up...  the old rule of the sea was Steam gives way to Sail...  Put yourself in their position, and give way to them.  Maybe some of them are crass, but just be the bigger person.

Answer 4

Bike riders have to folow the same road rules as cars. They need to wait their turn, they just choose not to. Pedestrians have the right of way ONLY when they are folowing the traffic lights and road rues too.

Answer 5

Generally if you are crossing someone else's path, they have right-of way over you.

So if you are crossing a footpath or cycle path to get from the road to an adjacent property, cyclists and pedestrians have right-of-way over you. Think of it as an additional lane of the road - if you are in the second lane of a road, you can't pull straight off and expect someone in the first lane to give way to you.

The other rule of thumb is that the most vulnerable have the right-of-way, so pedestrians first, then cyclists, then motorists.

Answer 6

Unfortunately if it comes to an accident the cyclist has God's Divine Right on his side. They have the right to no instruction, no test, no insurance, no enforcement of road rules &c. &c.

Answer 7

No one has right of way as such I think.   Just a matter of common sense and keeping your eyes open  Hopefully the cyclists would  be equally  aware and  courteous.

Answer 8

if there is give way signs(the white triangle and === symbols) on the cycle path the cars have priority .if not then the cycle lane  is with flow traffic and has priority over cars

Answer 9

walkers, then bikes then cars

Answer 10

On the roadway...cyclist must obey all traffic laws and yield to any cost traffic just as he should if he were in a car. The car also has to yield to him if he is on the road and you are pulling out onto road.

On bike and pedestrian paths....they should treat you with respect and only use half the path and you use the other half. Not sure on whether any traffic laws are violated on bike paths...but you could charge them with assault for running into you...might even sue for damages.

Answer 11

Yes! Common sense is the answer although where cyclists are involved this isn't so common as they zoom through red lights, indicate after they've changed lanes and use the pavement when it suits. Dedicated lanes make no difference to them and they hold up entire bus-loads of people with their erratic antics. Hang 'em all I say!

Answer 12

You all have responsibility.  Everyone especially at junctions should look properly even if some are inconsiderate you don't want anything to happen on your part and having to pay the price for it.  Cyclists lane's do have junctions and the same rules apply to them.  As for pavements cyclists are not aloud on them if they do not indicate otherwise that they can ie signs and markings on the pavement.  They have to keep to their part of the pavement.  The reason cyclists cycle in pairs is normally used when on the road to protect them from cars cutting them up and passing very close.  You should talk to your council and take with you pictures of areas of concern and comments from anyone else who feel this area is dangerous.

Answer 13

There's no such thing as "right of way" when talking about traffic.  However, properly constructed cycle paths should have "give way" markings where they encounter such things as entrance roads etc. and cyclists should abide by these.  Have a look at yours. If they haven't, press your council.

Not that most cyclists take any notice anyway, they seem to think they're above all common sense and laws.

We've had a problem with one lycra lout here, much given to speeding along a shared track and swearing at pedestrians to get out of the way - until one old boy got fed up and stuck his walking stick through the spokes . . .