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Google Car Image Photographed on Unknown Date
On the tail end of a 30 mile cycle ride yesterday with Charles, we descended the Dyke Road, which has a cycle lane running down both sides of it. This is one of the most abused cycle lanes in Brighton. The rich home owners at the top end of the Dyke Road routinely park in it, despite alternatives… all those houses have very large drives!
Google Car Image Photographed on Unknown Date
When cars park in a cycle lane it becomes unsafe to use it because the cyclist is obliged to weave in and out of the cycle lane to avoid the parked cars. Consequently, I cycled in the nearside lane. This is what the Highway Code says about cycle lanes:
63
Cycle Lanes. These are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway (see Rule 140). Keep within the lane when practicable. When leaving a cycle lane check before pulling out that it is safe to do so and signal your intention clearly to other road users. Use of cycle lanes is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.
Google Car Image Photographed on Unknown Date
Clearly, I was not obliged to stay in the cycle lane. Twice on the descent on Dyke Road yesterday, cars honked their horns at me when they were real close behind. In both cases, I caught up with the offending motorist at the lights, drew alongside him and asked him to wind down his window. The first driver, in a light blue Prius, was rather aggressive; the second driver rather less so. Both claimed that they honked at me because I “wasn’t in the cycle lane”. I pointed out to both that I was not obliged too, that I knew the Highway Code very well having practiced as a road traffic accident trials barrister for seven years. I also pointed out that the Highway Code dictates one specific reason which justifies use of the horn:
112
The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn
- while stationary on the road
- when driving in a built-up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am
except when another road user poses a danger.
The key words here is only and need. Clearly the only reason to use the horn is to warn road users who are not aware of your presence. No other use is permitted.
Both of yesterday’s offending drivers admitted to using their horn to tell me to get into the cycle lane. Clearly, both knew that I was aware of them behind. It was a busy Sunday and the road was full of cars. There simply had to be cars behind me. Both broke the Highway Code.
The cycle lane on the Dyke Road is a joke, despite being listed as an official cycling lane on the current Brighton & Hove Cycle Lane Route Map. It is probably the least safe cycle lane in Brighton (or Hove, if you are cycling up it rather than down). At the top end cars have routinely parked in it. This morning I have decided that enough is enough. I will be emailing my local councillors to complain about the enforcement policy. Unfortunately, my local councillors are thieving Tory bastards with personal reputations for stupidity and form for hatred of local cyclists. I’m not holding my breath. However, they are my councillors and should make representations on my behalf to the council. I’ll be asking them to:
I’ll report back here.