UK laws about riding a bike?

[advent]

I rode my bike yesterday after not riding for a few years however apparently you can get fined £30 by the police or have the bike seized if found to be doing anything inappropriate with it.

Apparently you have to ride on the road NO MATTER WHAT, you HAVE to wear a helmet and reflective bright clothing, you have to stop at red lights etc etc.

Now that's fair if you're on a motorbike and I understand some people do get hurt by cyclists inappropriate behaviour like charging along a path knocking down old men. But I want to cycle to college in September, I've had my bike 7 years since I was 12 it's in literally brand new condition immaculate, gears, brakes, red and amber and reflector and whatever on it you name it the bike has it.

The problem being that the road to college is uphill, the roads are very dangerous, badly over crowded and a lot of the people driving around this town are foreign and do not have a drivers license or just cannot drive, some of the roads there are very thin and the cars really won't slow down or stop for anything (not even when I'm on my horse they will fly by with half an inch to spare)

I cannot afford the bus and I cannot drive etc.

Do I HAVE to wear a helmet? there's no way I'm putting one on I do not care about safety I am not wearing a helmet. What about cycling on the path to college? if it's 8am the roads are packed with tired, angry drivers surely they can't expect you to sit in traffic on a bike for hours and be late then some nut case drive out and send you flying over the tops of houses.

What exactly are the laws? I've seen people ride on the path no helmet etc, I did it myself yesterday and so did another man and nobody cared, surely if you're being responsible, going at a decent pace and paying attention they can't stop you. Apparently the laws were made when there wasn't very much traffic on the roads and there was very little danger?

[collyer]

All the laws are here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_069837

It doesn't matter who you saw do what, whether you want to do it or not, care about safety or not, whether the law was old or not, whether you can or can't afford the bus - if you don't do it then you break the law, simples. Lots of people do break the law and it's up to you whether you do or not - but don't cry about it if you get fined knowing that was the law. You can't use any of the arguments you have to change the law - that's why it's the law!!!!!

[ern]

The link below tells you what the Highway Code says

Pay particular attention to Rules 60, 62, 64, 68, 69, 71 and 81. They are LAWS, not just rules.

If you break the Rules, you may get injured or killed. It's up to you and how much you think your life is worth, really...

[baigh75]

The link below tells you what the Highway Code says

Pay particular attention to Rules 60, 62, 64, 68, 69, 71 and 81. They are LAWS, not just rules.

If you break the Rules, you may get injured or killed. It's up to you and how much you think your life is worth, really...

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=UK+cycling+%20laws+

[gilleabart]

Some of the laws are stupid, but they are what they are. You don't have much of a choice.

Learn real bicycle safety. See my references.