Racing on Public Roads., Is it appropriate on todays busy roads ! Options

[Simon Kirby]

No, legally they do.
I still don't think they should be allowed to.
There will always be an impasse on many subjects this included.
Those who are supporters and those who are not.
The public roads are for getting from A to B, not for racing on.
The continued argument is pointless. You are a race cycling supporter and I am not.
No further debate will change that.

It's not so much that I'm a supporter, I'm really rather ambivalent, it's just that your argument against road racing appears to be irrational and predicated largely on an assertion that it just shouldn't happen and that's not an argument that convinces me.

[Berkshirelad]

I do have to watch out for the cyclists. Sometimes they are exceeding the local 20mph limit.

If you search out and look at the Traffic Regulation Order imposing the 20 mph limit, you will find - like most TROs - that it only applies to motor vehicles.

You may also note that non-motor vehicles are not required to have a speedometer.

[Turin Machine]

If you search out and look at the Traffic Regulation Order imposing the 20 mph limit, you will find - like most TROs - that it only applies to motor vehicles.

You may also note that non-motor vehicles are not required to have a speedometer.

Or apparently stop at red traffic signals, travel the right way down a one way, obey stop signs or indeed bother with any of the restrictions imposed on motor vehicles. Indeed, why should they? Lycra solves everything.

[Berkshirelad]

Actually, road rallying is still perfectly legal - which is rally cars against the clock.

It's just that it has become such a pain to organise that stage rallying has all but taken over...

One of the things that I object to about cycle racing on public roads is the attempt by well meaning amateurs (marshals?) to override the road signage to allow the cyclist priority This is entirely illegal and only a uniformed Police Office or Traffic Warden (not CEO!) or Lollipop lady has the right in law to direct traffic contrary to proper signage

[On the edge]

If you search out and look at the Traffic Regulation Order imposing the 20 mph limit, you will find - like most TROs - that it only applies to motor vehicles.

You may also note that non-motor vehicles are not required to have a speedometer.

Or indeed motorcycles up to 100cc or vehicles first registered before 1 April 1936(?) - which solved me a problem with my old Matchless many years ago! However, it doesn't apply to brakes or tyres....bigger fine too! I don't argue if I get stopped these days.

[Andy Capp]

No, legally they do.
I still don't think they should be allowed to.
There will always be an impasse on many subjects this included.
Those who are supporters and those who are not.
The public roads are for getting from A to B, not for racing on.
The continued argument is pointless. You are a race cycling supporter and I am not.
No further debate will change that.

I'm a support of anything that might promote a more wholesome use of the highway than people driving or riding aimlessly for the sake of it, as many drivers do, especially bike riders.

If these races are a genuine risk I would agree with you, but is it really an issue that needs to be addressed?

[Blake]

The truth is that the roads are not exclusively the domain of motor vehicles; the roads are used by cyclists, horses and even the odd steam engine and tractor. It is a shared space.

Visit Box Hill in Surrey sometime if you think we have a lot in West Berkshire!

[Simon Kirby]

Visit Box Hill in Surrey sometime if you think we have a lot in West Berkshire!

The Olympic road race went up that Box Hill didn't it - amazing, though I'm pretty sure it was closed to traffic at the time.

[Nothing Much]

It was not a village I know, but was Box Hill area.

Pub lunch in a pretty village before the Olympics cycling---
There was unrest in the bar about the letter that had been sent to all of the route houses and suggested appropriate
colours for their window boxes and front gardens. Such is life.

The village was not happy about being "Kettled"

[Biker1]

It's not so much that I'm a supporter, I'm really rather ambivalent, it's just that your argument against road racing appears to be irrational and predicated largely on an assertion that it just shouldn't happen and that's not an argument that convinces me.

Well OK but the OP question was "is it appropriate" and I still say no.
Like most subjects, opinions differ.

[Biker1]

The truth is that the roads are not exclusively the domain of motor vehicles; the roads are used by cyclists, horses and even the odd steam engine and tractor. It is a shared space.

Correct.
But only cyclists race on them when they are open to other traffic.

Visit Box Hill in Surrey sometime if you think we have a lot in West Berkshire!

Ahhh, now you're talking!
Great (motor)bike ride and a lovely spot.
And of course there's Rykas Cafe which is a recognised biker's meet.

[Simon Kirby]

Well OK but the OP question was "is it appropriate" and I still say no.
Like most subjects, opinions differ.

I wouldn't argue with that.

[Simon Kirby]

Correct.
But only cyclists race on them when they are open to other traffic.

I'm mention road running already, but I'll let it drop now.

[Biker1]

I'm mention road running already, but I'll let it drop now.

Good point! Missed that before.
Not sure that's a good idea on open roads either but, as you say, I'll let it drop.

[On the edge]

Pity! This has been a serious but very good debate; I suspect we've all learned something.

[HJD]

Well OK but the OP question was "is it appropriate" and I still say no.
Like most subjects, opinions differ.

As I was the OP I am in complete agreement with you, I think Motorcyclists really have to be more aware of the dangers on the roads & that's why our opinions sometimes differ from others.

[On the edge]

Yes, that's right, but actually it applies to all categories of road users. There was a good point made earlier where it was said our roads weren't designed for racing. True, but then most of our roads were designed for a lower traffic density and rather smaller cars. Personally, and appreciating I'll be in a minority of one, the present trend for massive people carriers is far more dangerous than we are lead to believe. They are wider and their roomy construction gives a dangerously false sense of security. Quite easy to sail past a bike race in an old escort, different matter with a stretched Land Rover.

[Nothing Much]

There is a move to up the speed limit for HGVs on country roads.
And a similar move to drop speeds in towns to 20MPH
Which group( apart from horses and carts) will stick to that.
There are a lot of new cameras along the proposed routes into central London.
I have to be aware of cyclists...but not horses yet

[Nothing Much]

Road Runners ? Simon K
Are you a cartoon?
ce

sorry!

[gel]

Bad Cycling legislation?

We should look at someat similar:

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/iri...duced-1.2269832