Right Of Way

[dmbhunt]

I regularly turn from a main road into a side road and if there are pedestrains there I know they have the right of way, but there is now a cyclepath sharing the pavement it is continuous, but who has the right of way, the car or the bike? I have not had any problems and have assumed that the bike has the right of way, if for no other reason than it is safer! I just wonder as I cannot see it in the Highway Code.

[Buenchico]

You've posted in 'Music', Dmbhunt!

I carry out surveys on parts of the National Cycle Network, so I spend a lot of time on cycle paths. The vast majority of them (including 'dual use' footpaths) have 'Give Way' markings on them where they cross side roads. In such cases turning traffic clearly has priority.

However if there are no 'Give Way' markings then (as footpaths and cycle paths alongside roads are still part of the public highway) 'straight on' traffic [i.e. cyclists] will have priority over turning traffic.

[ABAuntie]

moved to Motoring :-)

auntie xxx

[ToraToraTora]

There is no such thing as right of way. Traffic turning into a side road must give way to pedestrians crossing. Cyclists should not be on the pavement so they do no need to be considered at all. If it is a "cyclepath" then they have give way lines painted at the end of the lane so they must give way.

[bhg481]

TTT - Cyclists should not be on the pavement so they do not need to be considered at all.

So does that mean I'm allowed to knock them off their bikes?

[ToraToraTora]

yes and preferably reverse back over them to make sure.

[Buenchico]

>>>If it is a "cyclepath" then they have give way lines painted at the end of the lane so they must give way

Some do, some don't.

As part of my work I've had to photograph hundreds of cycle paths and there are some where the markings are continuous straight across side roads. (Unfortunately I seem to have deleted the photos I took of a cycle path in .Dover which would have provided a clear example of such cycle paths)

[ToraToraTora]

chris, I'm just stating what they are supposed to do. Most of them are cretins giving the real cyclists a bad name.