Do you have to use cycle lanes?

stephenrd

Hi all,


I was cycling home from work this evening and on more than one stretch of road, I don't use the cycle lane. They're usually the ones that have a curb between the cycle lane and the road but they're in an awful state and are sometimes quite dangerous. One is littered in glass and potholes and another is tight up to a load of driveways that you can't see into.


Anyway, I was on my way home cycling beside the cycle lane but well out of the way of traffic. A Garda on a motorcycle slowed down and gave me what seemed to be a look implying that he wasn't too impressed with my position away from the cycle lane. He didn't pull over though so I figured I wasn't doing anything wrong.

Is there any legislation stating that you have to use the cycle lane if there is one available, or do I have as much right to be on the road as any other vehicle?

I doubt it will change my choice of route, but it would be nice to know where I stand on it!


Thanks,

Stephen

rottenhat

stephenrd wrote: »

Is there any legislation stating that you have to use the cycle lane if there is one available

Sadly, yes.

SC024

Quote

Do you have to use cycle lanes?
Hi all,


I was cycling home from work this evening and on more than one stretch of road, I don't use the cycle lane. They're usually the ones that have a curb between the cycle lane and the road but they're in an awful state and are sometimes quite dangerous. One is littered in glass and potholes and another is tight up to a load of driveways that you can't see into.


Anyway, I was on my way home cycling beside the cycle lane but well out of the way of traffic. A Garda on a motorcycle slowed down and gave me what seemed to be a look implying that he wasn't too impressed with my position away from the cycle lane. He didn't pull over though so I figured I wasn't doing anything wrong.

Is there any legislation stating that you have to use the cycle lane if there is one available, or do I have as much right to be on the road as any other vehicle?

I doubt it will change my choice of route, but it would be nice to know where I stand on it!


Thanks,

Stephen

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What the feck do you think the government spends all that money building cycle lanes for? ?

stephenrd

In fairness I use cycle lanes at every other opportunity - its probably a 300m stretch at most that I avoid them because at some point it will either damage my bike or injure me. I obey every other traffic law and am about as considerate as you get to other road users.

And on a side note, I think they spend all that money building cycle lanes so that they can get more money from the EU

SC024 wrote: »

Quote


What the feck do you think the government spends all that money building cycle lanes for? ?

CheGuedara

SC024 wrote: »

What the feck do you think the government spends all that money (!?) building cycle lanes and running street sweepers that ensure they're full of glass, mud, leaves, gravel, and other detritus for? ?

I think they're for cars to park on. At least that's what I've seen.

Outside of that, they're where you go when you're looking for a puncture

blorg

If there is a correctly designated cycle track legally you do have to use it. This was a change in the law in the late 90s. Many, maybe even most, are not correctly designated however. This particularly applies to "shared use" tracks. Irrespective or correct designation or not though you are best off making your own mind up as to whether the cycle track is safe or not, many of them are a disaster and I will break the law if necessary to ensure my own safety.

stephenrd

blorg wrote: »

If there is a correctly designated cycle track legally you do have to use it. This was a change in the law in the late 90s. Many, maybe even most, are not correctly designated however. This particularly applies to "shared use" tracks. Irrespective or correct designation or not though you are best off making your own mind up as to whether the cycle track is safe or not, many of them are a disaster and I will break the law if necessary to ensure my own safety.

Thanks for the responses. I thought as much and I feel the same - I rather break this law than risk the safety of myself or others.

rottenhat

stephenrd wrote: »

And on a side note, I think they spend all that money building cycle lanes so that they can get more money from the EU

+1.

chroma

Usually don't use them, far too dangerous for me and the pedestrians around me.