A guide to using the road -part 1

Since commuting to work, I have picked up some of the nuances of surviving on the road. Here for your delectation, are some of the rules of the road as it appears to be attm...

Primary

Primary is a position away from the curb and nearer the middle of the lane if not the middle itself (a strong primary). Primary is designed to make drivers think twice about overtaking as well as giving you space on the left if there is an incident. Primary also keeps you away from the rubbish that collects in secondary.

According to drivers, this is done to maximise inconvenience to them and has nothing to do with ensuring safety.

Secondary

Secondary is where all the rubbish collects. Glass, stones puddles, nails, ice. On the left in the UK, it is puncture central. In addition, you have the joy of many potholes and drains to avoid as you scoot down the gutter.

Needless to say drivers love cyclists being in secondary as they can overtake at any speed and at anytime and if you fall onto the pavement as you have nowhere it go, well…

Of course there is a third positional option but that is only in the fevered mind of certain road users...

Tertiary

The cycle lane

Secondary is where councils mainly place their cycle paths. These pieces of magic paint, be it a whole block colour or a white line, are designed to make drivers happy that you are not part of the road. The magic paint will protect you as juggernauts thunder past you, millimetres from your elbow. In addition, a cycle lane is the perfect place to park if you are a delivery man or just popping down the shops whether there are parking restrictions or a solid white line.

4    The cycle path

A path separated from the road. Again, sometimes marked with the magic paint, these paths can be wholly on their own or cobbled together from pavements or pedestrian paths in so-called shared space.  In reality, these generally mean a hold-up as you navigate around dogs, children, plugged-in joggers, deaf geriatrics and those that will willfully ignore you. If you are polite and don’t bomb pass them, the etiquette for pedestrians when they realise you are there is to jump in fright and move directly into the path you are cycling just to terrify themselves again. The cycle path comes in many useful areas and spaces to allow councils to meet targets.

Image courtesy of Crap cycle lanes of Croydon

Some drivers love the cycle path as it will allow them to gesticulate angrily at a cycle path when they see you on the road, thus providing a useful outlet for the stress of the rush-hour commute.

Part two next....