Cyclists break the law and ride anti-socially because the Highway Code rules are set against them, a national cyclists' organisation has claimed.
Cyclists who break the law and ride anti-socially only do so because the Highway Code is set against them, a cyclists' organisation has claimed.
CTC says cyclists flout some of the rules, such as turning left on a red light, as it helps them to stay safe.
CTC says cyclists may flout some of the rules, such as turning left on a red light, as it helps them to stay safe.
It has called for the code to be re-written to protect cyclists.
It has called for the code to be re-written to protect cyclists.
Motoring organisation the AA said the behaviour of some cyclists meant in effect there were "two tribes" at war on the roads.
Motoring organisation the AA said the behaviour of some cyclists meant in effect there were "two tribes" at war on the roads.
One proposal is to introduce an advanced green stage at a junction which allows cyclists to get away before motorists.
One proposal is to introduce an advanced green stage at a junction which allows cyclists to get away before motorists.
They could be allowed turn left on a red light.
They could be allowed turn left on a red light.
Another proposal is to allow them to ignore instructions to stop at red on a pedestrian crossing, as they say being allowed to cross some red lights is safer.
Another proposal is to allow them to ignore instructions to stop at red on a pedestrian crossing, as they say being allowed to cross some red lights is safer.
Breaking rules
Breaking rules
Chris Peck, of CTC, said: "Most cyclists obey the rules of the road, there is only a minority that cycle anti-socially, like breaking red lights and cycle on pavements but we have to realise why they are doing this.
Chris Peck, of CTC, said: "Most cyclists obey the rules of the road, there is only a minority that cycle anti-socially, like breaking red lights and cycle on pavements but we have to realise why they are doing this.
"It's because the rules of the road are not set up for cyclists, the width of the roads, the layout of the roads, even cycle routes are not designed with the cyclists in mind, they are designed to keep cyclists off the road and mingle them with pedestrians."
"It's because the rules of the road are not set up for cyclists, the width of the roads, the layout of the roads, even cycle routes are not designed with the cyclists in mind, they are designed to keep cyclists off the road and mingle them with pedestrians."
Cycling is being promoted in English cities such as Bristol, with the government providing £140m of funding.
Cycling is being promoted in English cities such as Bristol, with the government providing £140m of funding.
We do see cyclists just not obeying the rules of the road, also we get motorists doing things that the shouldn't so maybe we need to clarify the rules for all Edmund King AA
We do see cyclists just not obeying the rules of the road, also we get motorists doing things that the shouldn't so maybe we need to clarify the rules for all Edmund King AA
The rules are set to be changed at a local level, in London councils will soon get new powers to protect and prosecute cyclists.
The rules are set to be changed at a local level, in London councils will soon get new powers to protect and prosecute cyclists.
Nick Lester, of the Association of London Governments, said: "We have got two powers, the first is to enable advance stop lines to be enforced to give cyclists the benefit at traffic signals.
Nick Lester, of the Association of London Governments, said: "We have got two powers, the first is to enable advance stop lines to be enforced to give cyclists the benefit at traffic signals.
"The second is better powers to control reckless footway cycling where cyclists can - and it's only a minority of cyclists - cause fear amongst pedestrians."
"The second is better powers to control reckless footway cycling where cyclists can - and it's only a minority of cyclists - cause fear amongst pedestrians."
Edmund King, of the AA, said at times it appeared there were two tribes at war on the roads.
Edmund King, of the AA, said at times it appeared there were two tribes at war on the roads.
He said: "We do see cyclists just not obeying the rules of the road jumping red lights, one way streets, also we get motorists doing things that they shouldn't so maybe we need to clarify the rules for all."
He said: "We do see cyclists just not obeying the rules of the road jumping red lights, one way streets, also we get motorists doing things that they shouldn't so maybe we need to clarify the rules for all."
Do you cycle regularly? Do you think the Highway Code rules need to be changed? Have you even been in a situation where you have had to flout some of the rules? Send us your comments using the form below:
Do you cycle regularly? Do you think the Highway Code rules need to be changed? Have you even been in a situation where you have had to flout some of the rules? Send us your comments using the form below:
