Jeremy Vine close-call is familiar to every bicycle commuter who 'takes the lane'

Jeremy Vine close-call is familiar to every bicycle commuter who ‘takes the lane’

When BBC’s Jeremy Vine uploaded a video showing his near death at the hands of a double-decker bus on the streets of London, England, most people who cycle on the regular in major urban centers probably felt a certain kinship with the broadcaster. After all, most who bike in cities on the regular have these […]

The Vine debate following the incident is, again, reminiscent of the never-ending stream of rhetoric that greets those who come between motor vehicle drivers and their final destination.

It shouldn’t have to be explained, but, if a bicycle happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time that doesn’t give a vehicle any right to put that person’s life at risk. Not to mention, the Vine incident offers an opportunity for a refresher on a basic tenet of urban cycling called ‘taking the lane.’

WHAT. THE. HELL.
This morning, 0620, watch this bus pass me.
LK17 AFF, the 243 heading east on Theobalds Road.
So how do I report this, @TfL? pic.twitter.com/okReFOLYXF

— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 7, 2023

Taking the lane is a legal practice in many countries around the world, and is based on the principle that cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. In this practice, cyclists position themselves in the middle of a vehicle lane to prevent unsafe passing by motor vehicles when it is deemed necessary to do so for their own protection.

In the United States, laws regarding taking the lane vary by state. However, the general principle is that cyclists are permitted to take the lane when there is not enough room for a vehicle to safely pass them within the lane. For example, in California, the law states that “any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at a speed less than the normal speed of traffic moving in the same direction at that time shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations: (1) When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction, (2) When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway, (3) When reasonably necessary to avoid conditions (including, but not limited to, fixed or moving objects, vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, animals, surface hazards, or substandard width lanes) that make it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge, subject to the provisions of Section 21656.”

In Canada, the laws regarding taking the lane are similar to those in the United States. In Ontario, for example, the law states that “every person on a bicycle or motor assisted bicycle who is travelling on a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at that time and place shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except where… (b) the lane is too narrow for a bicycle or motor assisted bicycle and a vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.”

Taking the lane is a legal and important practice for cyclists in many countries around the world. While the laws regarding taking the lane may vary by jurisdiction, the general principle is that cyclists are permitted to take the lane when there is not enough room for a vehicle to safely pass them within the lane. By asserting their right to be on the road and ensuring their safety, cyclists and motorists can share the road safely and responsibly.

Of course, taking the lane can lead to confrontations with angry motorists, or for Vine any social media trolls, who just assume cyclists are trying to be intentionally annoying by slowing them down.

“Most London cyclists will have experienced ill-informed motorists who think we’re being arrogant or selfish when all we’re doing is taking a safe, government-approved road position,” Mike Cavenett, of the London Cycling Campaign, told the Guardian. “It can be extremely intimidating and dangerous to have an angry motorist behind you trying to overtake.The fact that even some police officers don’t understand the concept shows how vital it is that a cyclist’s right to take the lane is enshrined in the Highway Code.”

Vine, for his part, is defending his position and has the support of many. And, he is in the right, according to the law, despite some that suggest his behavior was reckless. Cyclists are allowed in bus lanes in the United Kingdom and are allowed to ‘take the lane’ when necessary.

According the CycleGuard, “by ‘taking the lane’, you also reduce the risk of being clattered by a rogue car door, or being pushed off the road by a car abruptly turning without indicating. You should take the lane only when necessary and keep in mind the conditions of the road you’re travelling on. Remember, motorists may give you grief for doing so, but according to the Highway Code, cyclists are entitled to as much room as any other vehicle on the road.”

Vine’s incident is also a good opportunity to support the notion that this incident wouldn’t have happened if there was a safe and separated bike lane on that stretch of roadway. By the way, here is a refresher on how to safely pass a cyclist in a motor vehicle. Pass it around.