Red light in battle of cycles vs cars
I SUPPORT the measures in the revised Highway Code that reinforce necessary advice about giving cyclists a wide berth, taking care when opening car doors and having a greater awareness of pedestrians. However, giving pedestrians and cyclists priority over motor vehicles will cause chaos. The recommendation that motorists shouldn’t make a left turn if a pedestrian is by the kerb or a cyclist is approaching the junction will bring city traffic to a grinding halt. How is a motorist to know when to make the turn if, as one pedestrian crosses, another arrives at the kerb or is crossing from the other direction? The hapless driver might have to send out for a pizza while he waits! It is all very well emphasising the ‘rights’ of certain road users over others, but the responsibility for their actions must also receive the same attention if the new rules are to improve safety on our roads. The bland statement that all road users must be conscious of the safety of themselves and others is pointless when neither cyclists nor pedestrians are required to be familiar with the Highway Code.
C. SIMPSON, Wokingham, Berks. I’VE been cycling to work for more than 30 years and agree with Richard Littlejohn that the Highway Code changes will antagonise motorists. I also drive and agree that cyclists riding two or three abreast is annoying. However, I don’t think there should be a road tax for bikes because I already pay to tax my car. You won’t get lower emissions and cleaner air by forcing three lanes of traffic into one or two lanes.
MARK COHEN, Sale, Gtr Manchester. UNDER changes to the Highway Code, drivers turning left must stop, even on busy roads, to allow pedestrians to cross. I’m shocked that I’m expected to put my car in danger of being rammed from behind. I won’t put the ‘rights’ of pedestrians ahead of my safety just so they don’t have to wait a few seconds for me to drive past before they can get across the road.
PHILIP CODD, Urmston, Gtr Manchester. ALL that the new Highway Code rules have done is to legalise the selfish behaviour of pedestrians and cyclists.
B. BOND, Cambs. CYCLING on the road should now be much safer. Does this mean pavements will be given back to pedestrians?
ROBIN CROSS, Maidstone, Kent. PERHAPS it’s time for the Highway Code to confirm it’s fine to park on double yellow lines provided it’s across a pavement and you switch on your hazard warning lights . . .
MARK SAUNDERS, Lake, Isle of Wight. THEY’VE missed a trick with these new rules of the road. It should be mandatory for cyclists to wear high-viz tops so they can be seen and the use of earphones while cycling should be banned so they have some awareness of what is going on around them.
BOB SPRING, Wakefield, W. Yorks. WHY have millions been spent on cycle paths and lanes and now ridiculous advice has been issued for bikes to use the middle of the road? As for changing who has priority when turning left, it’s better to toot the horn to warn pedestrians, many who just cross without looking left or right.