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Cyclists get new right to turn ‘wrong’ in one-way street
A traffic-dodging dash the wrong way up a one-way street may be the tempting risk for many a frustrated cyclist. But it will no longer be against the law under an experiment designed to encourage more people to switch from four wheels to two.
The change – which will simply legitimise what many cyclists, including David Cameron, the Conservative Party leader, do already – will be welcomed by thousands of law-abiding riders who have to take long diversions around one-way systems.
Motorists, however, might be taken by surprise after failing to spot new signs at entry points and could find themselves being held liable for a collision with a bicycle.
The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, Mr Cameron’s home authority, has decided to test two-way access for cyclists on six residential roads. If there is no significant increase in collisions, it will extend the policy to other streets. Many other councils are expected to copy the idea to capitalise on the recent surge in the popularity of cycling.
Some authorities have already created “cycle contraflows” but these are rare because of the expense of installing bollards, white lines and other infrastructure to segregate cyclists from vehicles travelling in the opposite direction.
Kensington & Chelsea intends to make the changes simply by putting up a few signs. It will replace no-entry signs with “no motor vehicles” signs, which show a silhouette of a car with a motorcyclist apparently jumping over it. Blue signs will also be put up indicating that bicycles are permitted to travel against the flow of motorised traffic.
There will be no dividing line between cyclists and motorists because the council believes that it will be safer to allow them to negotiate their own path past each other.
Daniel Moylan, deputy leader of the Conservative-controlled council, was persuaded of the need to make the change after noticing that hundreds of cyclists a day were ignoring no-entry signs on a street near his home.
He told The Times: “If this is what bicyclists want to do and they can do it safely, then we see it as our responsibility to adapt the legal position to allow them to do it legally.
“We are recognising the reality that cyclists prefer to take the shortest route through quieter streets. The alternative of having a policeman standing on the road to catch cyclists would be foolish and unworkable.”
Mr Moylan said he hoped that the changes would persuade more motorists of the benefits of cycling. “Bicyclists feel they are offered very little in terms of safety and convenience – I hope that our trial will encourage other boroughs and as a result bicyclists will be much freer to travel around.”
He is also lobbying the Department for Transport to alter its rules to allow no-entry signs to be adapted with the words “except cyclists”.
He said: “It is absurd that we are being forced to put up signs showing flying motorbikes which are much less well understood and may result in more drivers disobeying them.”
Roger Geffen, policy manager of the Cyclists’ Touring Club, welcomed the council’s position, saying that it was unfair to make cyclists comply with one-way systems that were imposed either to deter rat-running or enable faster journeys for motorised traffic. He said: “The alternative to cycling the wrong way down a one-way street is often to use a much less safe busy road.”
He added that the club would urge the courts to give the benefit of the doubt to cyclists in any collisions with motorists coming the other way on narrow streets.
In March Mr Cameron was caught on film cycling the wrong way down Dawson Place, a one-way street in Kensington & Chelsea. He said afterwards: “I know it is important to obey traffic laws – but I have obviously made mistakes on this occasion and I am sorry.”
Mr Moylan said that any comments offered by Mr Cameron, as a resident of the borough, would be welcome.
Facing up to reality or letting the lawbreakers win?
For: Jon Snow
The very essence of cycling is that it means taking the route that is the shortest distance between A and Z. The Dutch and Germans don’t make cyclists ride in great loops in their cities and nor should we.
If a camera followed me on my bike, it would be bound to find me breaking the law somewhere, including riding the wrong way down one-way streets. It’s the inescapable reality of riding a bicycle.
The traffic has been so dense near Holborn Tube station recently that you can’t even squeeze a bike between the lines of vehicles.
I have been going through a no-entry sign on a short one-way street. I’m also campaigning for two-way access on Gray’s Inn Road near King’s Cross, where I would have to make a four or five-minute diversion every morning if I were to comply with the one-way rules. I try to cycle for only 15 minutes at a time, as that is the limit within which Body Shop can restrain the stench.
My only concern about Kensington & Chelsea’s policy is that motorists and pedestrians could be caught unawares. They should paint some lines and white bicycle symbols in the road so people know to expect that a cyclist could be coming the other way, legally.
I can understand the need to keep costs to a minimum but a few tins of white paint would make the new rules much clearer to all.
Jon Snow is president of the Cyclists’ Touring Club
Against: Captain Gatso
The same rules should apply to every road user. You cannot make exceptions just because someone happens to be on a bicycle. Cyclists already get away with blue murder and it would be a mistake to give in to their law-breaking.
If they get their way on one-way streets they will then start demanding the right to intimidate pedestrians on pavements.
I would like to see cyclists pay a £10 registration fee to the DVLA and be forced to wear a bib bearing a unique number whenever they use the public highway. Then they could be caught on CCTV cameras, just as motorists are, when they ignore no-entry signs and jump red lights. If a police officer saw a cyclist without a bib, he could pull the cyclist over automatically as he would a car without number plates.
What makes drivers angry and frustrated with cyclists who ignore the Highway Code is that they know there is very little chance of them being stopped by police. Cyclists are already far too smug – and giving them special rights that are denied to motorists would only encourage them in their arrogance.
I can understand why some drivers may not feel inclined to give way to cyclists coming the wrong way down a one-way street. I shout at them when they ride past me but they either ignore me or come out with the old gag: “But I’m only going one way.”
Captain Gatso is an anti-speed camera activist
Birmingham has these already. I have been gestured at by motorists who didn't realise it was allowed. One short road has a bike stencil painted on the road at one end but no signs or lane painted which could lead to an accident. I have reported this to the council but they are not interested.
Nick, Birmingham,
'Flying motorcycle' signs are actually fairly common, and have been in the highway code for many years. A red circle around a motorbike and a car - not that hard to understand is it?
Ian, Bristol,
Capt Gatso is correct, all road users should obey current Traffic Laws in addition I firmly believe that cyclist s should pay a form of Road Tax & get insurance, if a cyclist is allowed the wrong way up a one way street, will they also be allowed to jump RED lights?? Please enforce the Law.
Andrew Hones, St Austell, UK
As a cyclist I have to agree with Jon Snow and disagree with Capt. Gatso.
Bicycles should not have to follow the same rules as cars because they are different from cars. Other road users; trucks, motorcycles, scooters all have slightly different sets of rules to follow as should bicycles.
Adrien, Montreal, Canada
As a pedestrian, cyclist and driver I quite agree with Captain Gatso that the same rules should apply to all road users. So why do we let drivers park their vehicles on pedestrian footways? This contravention of the law is condoned and even encouraged by police and Local Authorities alike!
R Edwards, Ipswich,
Pedestrians are encouraged to walk facing oncoming traffic. The same rule should also be applied for cyclists. Are not most cyclist fatalities when they are hit from the rear quarters by motors?
J Lynch, St Francis Bay, South Africa
Wow, a anti-speed camera activist having a go at cycling for partaking in illegal activities. Thats a bit hypocritical isn't it?
Anything that makes cycling just that bit safer simply makes sense, especially in London.
HT, Oxford,
Maybe if pedestrians actually looked before they stepped into the road they wouldn't be "surprised" by these silent cyclists.
pedestrians put themselves and others in danger without fear of prosecution. I think they should be "forced" to wear bibs with numbers on and have third party insurance.
alf noakes, London,
Heh, 'Captain Gatso'. Against this idea? don't want the guilt of having killed a cyclist because you were going TOO FAST down a one way street? maybe we should install speed cameras on these streets too.
Anon, anonville,
The bigger transport vehicle you drive, the more you risk other's lives, thus the more responsibility you take on for other's lives. Hit a cyclist as a car-driver, SUV-driver, etc, you are automatically more responsible. Just like a truck that hits a car or a car that hits a motorcyclist. Simple!
Jack Anderson, Notting Hill, London, UK
I drive a car, ride a motorcycle, but bicycle as much as possible. Now that I ride a bicycle much more I am more aware of and supportive of bicyclists when on my motorcycle or while driving my car.
<br/>Try it!!!
harry murlowski, Los Angeles, USA
The whole point about this proposed concession for cyclists is that we may CHOOSE to pedal legally the "wrong way" along a designated one-way street.
We don't have to do this if in our opinion it may not be safe to do so (perhaps the volume of traffic at particular times of the day).
John Howard Norfolk, Tiverton, Devon, UK
And cyclists are allowed to do it nude. Terrible people!
Dennis Wills, Portsmouth, UK
There is a huge resentment from most motorists towards cyclists. As I am both, maybe the best way forward is to make people take a cycling test when the take their drivering test. It will help them understand cyclists more and maybe help them to better predict cyclists behaviour.
Andy PJ, London, UK
It is not 'flying motorcycle' signs that should be used, but a new sign that says 'Politically Correct Vehicles Only'.
I'm only surprised the council haven't granted cyclists full diplomatic immunity.
Dave, London, UK
Who came up with this daft idea? The summer placement student? I know, as a London cyclist, that this will not work and is dangerous for everyone.
What might work (even though 99% of pedestrians refuse to look before they cross roads) is painting a lane on so motorists can see it.
Sascha Kaye, London,
Just by the way you mention the road signs: there will be two or more signs (start of oncoming cyclists; end of oncoming cyclists) on every one-way street in the land. Manufactured and erected at considerable expense. What a bonanza for the road furniture industry!
Rosemary, Liverpool,
I've cycled, motorcycled and driven in London.... Gatso should opine from a position of experience then, of course, he would change his tune.
As for being imune from the law, my cycling fine was 4 times what it would have been for a similar offence in a car, where's you're inequality now!
Dale, Australia,
This systems exists in Belgium for a few years now, and for example in the city of Ghent, it works quite well. More and more extra bikelanes are being painted on the more busy roads, but not everywhere. It's nice for bikers, good to slow down cars, and certainly safer in disciplined Britain.
Ann Geeraert, Ghent, Belgium
Cyclists are already above the law. You see them every day going through lights on red, riding on the pavement. Nothing is done about them. They are obnoxious when spoken to and believe they have a god given right to do these things. Using the "Green" issue as an excuse.
Trevor Heywood, Stockport,
Terrifying.
So the experimenmt is to see if "too many" cyclists get hurt or killed because drivers won't realise they might come at them the wrong way.
Then if there are not "too many" deaths or serious injuries it'll be 'rolled out' everywhere.
Terrifying.
Shan Morgain, Newport, UK
In reply to Diane, Derby, from my experience, Swedish, German and Dutch cyclists respect the traffic signals and travel on designated areas of the pavement. Quite a difference from the idiots ploughing through banks of pedestrians at speed I see here everyday.
Philip Stobbart, London, England
There's no point buying a bike in most countries as it's more likely to be stolen than a car. i'm keeping my fingers crossed here in Poland.
Marco, Krakow, Poland
Until bikers can move faster than the posted speed limits, they will be a hazard to motorists.
Yesterday on the drive home, I passed a pack of about 40 bikers, 3 and 4 abreast, traveling in the opposite direction who had traffic tied up behind them for one and a half miles!! How inconsiderate!
Scott, Durham, NC, USA
The sort of people who jump red lights and go up one way streets the wrong way are clearly wreckless individuals and as such it is probably better that they do it on pushbikes rather than in cars.
Neil Clark, Windsor,
If you allow this the next group who will trying for this, will be the road standard electric wheelchairs users.
Then who? It will be absolute chaos.
Peter, Exeter, UK
I've just bought a new road bike to cut down on car journeys. Previously I've stuck to a mountain bike off road. What an eye opener cycling on UK roads! Dreadful lack of consideration from car drivers, particularly I have to say, 4x4 drivers. And where are the cycle racks in town centres?
Sue, Sheffield, UK
When cyclists are told they can ride through no-entry signs, don't you think that will lead even more of them to disregard all signs and laws? At least a quarter of cyclists break the law in our faces and insult and threaten us if we tell them not to. I am bitter that they are to be encouraged.
james Robertson, Edinburgh, Scotland
German, Dutch and Swedish pedestrians co exist fine with cyclists. Hope John Scott doesn't think the British are less aware!
Diana, Derby,
Seetal, have you considered driving most of the way to work, then cycling? You may be able to park somewhere cheaper, avoid the slowest part of your journey, get some exercise and save gym membership. And the added joy of being able to go the wrong way down a quiet one way street!
Diana, Derby,
Cyclists can be such a nuisance - ignoring the red light, cycling across pedestrian crossings, etc. They seem to think they have the rights of both motorists and pedestrians, yet the responsibilities of neither. They need stricter regulations and compulsory third party insurance.
Anna, London,
Steve, by the same logic millions of motorists ignore red-lights and speed limits. It will soon be legal for motorists to drive through red lights, and as fast as they want.
Martin., London., England
New cycle routes down quieter one-way roads means that more cyclists will be off the dangerous, main routes. I cycle to work & am amazed at the selfish and dangerous attitudes of many drivers on an almost daily basis. Let alone the pedestrians who step into roads without looking & then yell at you!
Gwynaeth, London, UK
I would love to cycle to work, it's only a 10 minute drive but I have to take my kids to nursery and am terrified of using the bike trailer in the morning rush hour. We have no cycle lanes and I can't go on the pavement, what we need are cycle lanes on every road then car collisions would be minimal
Sarah, Newport Pagnell, Bucks
As long as cyclists behave sensibly on the road, are predictable to other road users and take the consequences when it all goes wrong, who cares what they do? I'm a driver and a cyclist and regularly take little short cuts when it's safe to do so. I know I may pay for mistakes with my life however.
C. Harvey, Lboro, UK
I understand the cyclist's predicament, but I have nearly been mown down on many occasions by inconsiderate cyclists going the wrong way down one way streets and jumping red lights. Most of them were unrepentant if not down right belligerent and feel that a form of registration should be compulsory
Sheila, London,
By the same logic, as thousands of cyclists ignore red-lights it will soon be legal to go through them too. Im a cyclist in London but still cannot believe the selfishness and arrogance and dont care attitude of most cyclists.
Steve, London, UK
This seems to ignore the fact that this is not allowing cyclists to travel "the wrong way" down one way streets, it is recategorising streets to better suit the demand from different forms of traffic. The roads were one way for a reason, and the reason may not apply to cyclists in these cases.
Ed, London,
I'm a cyclist in London and find a lot of cyclists are either stupid or don't care about the risks they place on themselves and other people.
I personally won't be going the wrong way down one way streets, whether legal or not. The risks just don't make the time saved worth it.
Matthew Hotchen, London,
I'd cycle to work... If I didn't live and hour and a half drive away from it!
Fair enough you want people to cycle to work, good idea, but no one will because most travel a fair amount to get there in the first place! An hour and half by car or 3 by bike... I know what I would rather do!
Seetal Udeshi, London, UK,
As someone who has had a person on a bike hit my car while I was not moving I agree with Captain Gatso. They should have a registration and have to pay insurance.
The one who hit me had no money, so I have to get the damage repaired at my cost (£350's worth).
Carl, Bristol,
motorists get away with murder, just look at the fatality statistics, yet how many are correctly convicted? cyclists do the opposite, riding bikes saves lives, by removing cars and improving the riders health, all borne out by facts.by the way, I do pay road tax, I am insured and I've passed a test.
Winston, London,
To Roger Tilbury from Worthing, many divoted cyclists across the country DO have insurance, personal accident and 3rd party for vehicle users benefit!!!!! Environmental heroes maybe not, but at least we try. Those who don't cycle regularly preach -don't preach about what you don't even practice.
Oscar, London,
Oh look, a 'cyclists don't pay road tax..' rant. Roads are payed for out of general taxation and the gvmt taxes motor users because they can, not to pay for roads. Additionally, many cyclists not only pay income tax and VAT, but also have cars, but they CHOOSE to cycle because they want to!
Paul, Woodbridge,
Lets get Max Mosely on the case.
Alan Vince, Birgham, uk
No doubt captain gatso will have an entirely different viewpoint when he is forced to take the bike after loosing his driving licence through speeding.
Allowing law-breaking is seen as the cheaper alternative to providing the correct infrastructure by supposedly hard-up councils.
Paul, Driver and Cyclist, Southampton,
In principle cycling in cities is a good thing. The bad part is the total disregard many have for both the law of the land and pedestrians. As a pedestrian, I see cyclists riding on the pavement, through red lights, including at crossings, and down one way streets. This rewards illegal behaviour
Peter, London, UK
To G marling in Hamburg, I generally find cyclists a nightmare in Germany anyway - they travel faster than the cars in the centre and expect everyone to jump out their way, ringing their bells. About the glaring, shouting and swearing, I think this is just a German trait.
Charlie, Munich,
I'm sorry, but if a cycle is going the WRONG way down a one-way street, then they are in the wrong, if in an accident. It's just easier to blame the car driver. Always blame the car driver.
Arthur, Newcastle,
As far as I am concerned, provided cyclist ensure that they are highly visible and behave in a predictable way they can do what they like on the road - but they should be prepared to accept the consequences of their own reckless, careless, thoughtless or inconsiderate actions.
R Bingham, Lauzun, France
What a stupid idea. These so-called 'environmental heroes' pay no tax, carry no insurance, pass no test and yet have part of the road set aside for their exclusive use. They frequently ride on the pavement and across red lights. Will this behaviour be made legal as well?
Roger Tilbury, Worthing,
As a cyclist in London of 50 years and still alive I welcome this new project. I have respected the law on one way streets as a law abiding citizen and wish motorists would do the same with their recognition of speed limits and safe overtaking.
Alex, London,
Who's fault will it be when a cyclist is run down by a car travelling in the right direction. How stupid of me, it will be the care drivers fault!
David Leslie, Perth, Scotland
Great! Lets see this rolled out as quickly as possible across the rest of England.
Bryan, Lancashire, UK
Nice to see Captain Gatso has apparently recanted his wayward past. I assume we are talking about the same man who thinks it's perfectly okay to burn down speed cameras? Perhaps as a token of repentance he could run a community service workshop for speeding motorists, stitching bibs for cyclists.
Michelle, London, UK
Cyclists can already go the wrong way in a one way street, they simply have to get off their bicycles, walk to the end and then remount.
Graham London
Graham , London,
As a Britain living in Germany i can say that cyclists in a one street are a bloody nuisance,as a pedestrian you don't expect them or hear them coming the wrong way.Plus when the road is to narrow they then think its there right to swing onto the pavement only to glare,swear or shout at pedestrians.
G marling, Hamburg, Germany
Cambridge did this some years ago on various central streets. (Along with formal contraflow lanes on others)
Malcolm, Cambridge, UK
Once again, discussion of cyclists does not consider pedestrians. Bicycles are silent, so anything which means they do not have to obey the normal rules of the road makes them a harder hazard to spot for pedestrians.
John Scott, London,
Blimey, a sensible idea. From a Conservative council. Will wonders ever cease?
Oh, and maybe Captain Fatso would like to come discuss his opinions with me and a few of my cycling mates? Ah, no, he prefers to spout his tosh Zorro-style.
Carlton Reid, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
This would be the same Captain Gatso who advocates non-enforcement of speeding rules?
Simon Rumble, Sydney, Australia