TimB wrote:
> What's the law on cycling the wrong way up a one way street? A few
> days ago, I was walking home, and saw two people on white Police
> cycles, wearing hi vis jackets with POLICE emblazoned on the back,
> travelling at a very leisurely pace, the wrong way round a local one
> way system, on the pavement.
I expect you know it's illegal. It's not especially dangerous, if you
do it on the road. But to many cyclists it seems less illegal, or at
least safer, to use the pavement. It isn't, despite some drivers
intimidating illegal on-road contraflow cyclists.
But before condemning too much, consider
- the one-way was introduced without any consideration of its effects
on cyclists, and very possibly despite objections by local cyclists
- the alternative route is almost certain to be longer and contain
more junctions, which make it more dangerous
- the alternative route may be a fast gyratory or dual carriageway,
which many cyclists will not cycle on, because they're frightening and
may be dangerous.
One-way streets are anti-cycling measures, and as such, should be
returned to 2-way operation, possibly with plugs or mode filters to
restrict undesirable motor vehicle use.
Colin McKenzie
--
No-one has ever proved that cycle helmets make cycling any safer at
the population level, and anyway cycling is about as safe per mile as
walking.
Make an informed choice - visit www.cyclehelmets.org.
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