| Comment | As a road vehicle bicycles are allowed on the road (unless there is a sign to indicate otherwise, which would be very unusual, and unless it's a motorway).
If a cyclist can maintain a decent speed, then the advice is for them to be on the road where that speed is safer:
> Ride at a sensible speed for the situation and ensure you can stop in time. As a general rule, if you want to cycle quickly, say in excess of 18 mph/30 kph, then you should be riding on the road.
[Source](https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2004/ltnwc/annexdcodeofconductnoticefor1688)
Cycle lanes are often very poorly designed and laid out (mingling with pedestrians, street furniture in them, flooded, blocked by inconsiderate drivers, randomly stopping or changing road sides, and in the "door zone" of parked vehicles). In those cases it is often safer for cyclist to be on the road.
> Rule 61
> Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Use cycle routes, advanced stop lines, cycle boxes and toucan crossings unless at the time it is unsafe to do so. Use of these facilities is not compulsory and will depend on your experience and skills, but they can make your journey safer.
[Source](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82). |
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