I'm unsure about the meaning of blue circular "Route to be used by pedal cycles only" sign
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs04.htm says: "Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction." Some people take this to mean that cyclists MUST use this path and not the road. My concern is motorists might abuse cyclists who don't use the cycle path. It seems it might be an anomaly in the colour coding of signs.
I don't use a dedicated cycle (not shared) path recently built parallel to a road on my commute (between Harborne and Selly Oak, Birmingham) because it often has wayward pedestrians on it; when I reach a side road I have to slow right down to go round bends and give way to traffic entering and leaving it - which I don't whilst cycling on the road. It becomes a wide divided pavement but pedestrians ignore the cycle markings and it is often obstructed by parked vehicles - if I veer on to the pedestrian side to avoid an obstruction I'm breaking the law: something I don't risk when on the road. If I have an accident whilst on the road it might be argued that I should have been using the cycle facility - although I consider an accident more likely using the cycle path.
I'm unsure about the meaning of blue circular "Route to be used by pedal cycles only" sign
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs04.htm says: "Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction." Some people take this to mean that cyclists MUST use this path and not the road. My concern is motorists might abuse cyclists who don't use the cycle path. It seems it might be an anomaly in the colour coding of signs.
I don't use a dedicated cycle (not shared) path recently built parallel to a road on my commute (between Harborne and Selly Oak, Birmingham) because it often has wayward pedestrians on it; when I reach a side road I have to slow right down to go round bends and give way to traffic entering and leaving it - which I don't whilst cycling on the road. It becomes a wide divided pavement but pedestrians ignore the cycle markings and it is often obstructed by parked vehicles - if I veer on to the pedestrian side to avoid an obstruction I'm breaking the law: something I don't risk when on the road. If I have an accident whilst on the road it might be argued that I should have been using the cycle facility - although I consider an accident more likely using the cycle path.
www.JohnPitcock.com
blue signs are advisory only
-- "You can't see paradise if you don't pedal" (Fowler, Chicken Run)
Discussed often at length before here but; Circular blue can mean compulsory (and still does for some things like minimum speed, one way etc) but since cycle paths became widespread the definition is "route to be used by pedal cycles only". I think a lot of drivers misinterpret the signs. Tell them to read the HC if they get shirty.
I'm unsure about the meaning of blue circular "Route to be used by pedal cycles only" sign http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs04.htm says: "Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction."
They're the converse of round red signs - they explicitly permit something, whereas red ones prohibit. So a round blue sign with a bike on it is the equivalent of the red no motor vehicles sign.
It is not compulsory to use any cycle facility in this country - but see also recent threads on proposed changes to the Highway Code.
It becomes a wide divided pavement but pedestrians ignore the cycle markings
As indeed they are at liberty to do - the whole of the path remains a route for pedestrians - cyclists are permitted on the cycle side ONLY (as you correctly identify), but pedestrians can wander at will wherever they fancy. Cyclists have no priority over pedestrians, even on the cycling side of any line. Another good reason to avoid using them.
"John Pitcock" <j-pitcock(nospam)@msn.com> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...
Quoted message said:
If I have an accident whilst on the road it might be argued that I should have been using the cycle facility - although I consider an accident more likely using the cycle path.
A weak argument assuming you're riding correctly methinks. If you are struck by another vehicle when riding a bicycle on the road then you may assume you'd have been struck had you been riding a motorcycle at the time, which of course is not permitted on the pshychopath. Still, I suppose some smart [censored] will try and claim contributary negligence. -- Pete http:[email hidden]/Stuff
I'm unsure about the meaning of blue circular "Route to be used by pedal cycles only" sign
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs04.htm says: "Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction." Some people take this to mean that cyclists MUST use this path and not the road. My concern is motorists might abuse cyclists who don't use the cycle path. It seems it might be an anomaly in the colour coding of signs.
Some years back the Highway Code did list this as 'Compulsory' but it had no legal status and was removed from subsequent editions.
There are still books about which give this incorrect impression. 'A Highway Code for Young Road Users' 1997, shows the blue cycle signs and says ""Always use them". The latest edition, now titled 'Arrive Alive' shows the signs but says "Always use routes away from busy roads".
I am not at all surprised there are motorists who think cyclists must use these routes given the conflicting messages sent out.
However my trainees yesterday thought they meant 'No Cycling' ;-)
As indeed they are at liberty to do - the whole of the path remains a route for pedestrians - cyclists are permitted on the cycle side ONLY (as you correctly identify), but pedestrians can wander at will wherever they fancy. Cyclists have no priority over pedestrians, even on the cycling side of any line. Another good reason to avoid using them.
This needs clarifying - I think the OP was referring to a 'cycles only' path. I think you are describing a shared path with a dividing line. I certainly never knew that pedestrians could legitimately use the lane designated for cycles in these paths - is this really the case?
This needs clarifying - I think the OP was referring to a 'cycles only' path. I think you are describing a shared path with a dividing line. I certainly never knew that pedestrians could legitimately use the lane designated for cycles in these paths - is this really the case?
It becomes a wide divided pavement but pedestrians ignore the cycle markings
As indeed they are at liberty to do - the whole of the path remains a route for pedestrians - cyclists are permitted on the cycle side ONLY (as you correctly identify), but pedestrians can wander at will wherever they fancy.
13: Routes shared with cyclists. Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths, with a dividing line segregating the two. Keep to the section for pedestrians. Take extra care where cyclists and pedestrians share the same path without separation (see Rule 48).
The "keep to the section for pedestrians" is actually a firmer rule than "keep within the cycle lane where possible"; do pedestrians get done for contributory negligence if involved in an accident on the cycle side?
I'm unsure about the meaning of blue circular "Route to be used by pedal cycles only" sign
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/signs04.htm says: "Signs with blue circles but no red border mostly give positive instruction." Some people take this to mean that cyclists MUST use this path and not the road. My concern is motorists might abuse cyclists who don't use the cycle path. It seems it might be an anomaly in the colour coding of signs.
I don't use a dedicated cycle (not shared) path recently built parallel to a road on my commute (between Harborne and Selly Oak, Birmingham) because it often has wayward pedestrians on it; when I reach a side road I have to slow right down to go round bends and give way to traffic entering and leaving it - which I don't whilst cycling on the road. It becomes a wide divided pavement but pedestrians ignore the cycle markings and it is often obstructed by parked vehicles - if I veer on to the pedestrian side to avoid an obstruction I'm breaking the law: something I don't risk when on the road. If I have an accident whilst on the road it might be argued that I should have been using the cycle facility - although I consider an accident more likely using the cycle path.
Mandatory cycle lanes are demarked by a solid white line. Mandatory means that motor vehicles may not drive or park in the lane. Optional cycle lanes are demarked by a dashed white line. Optional means that motor vehicles may drive in the lane if they wish.
One type of lane is signed by a blue rectangular sign and the other by a blue circular sign. It escapes my memory which is which, but I am sure some clever person will be able to tell you sooner than I can look it up on Google. (I think the blue circular sign is used for mandatory cycle lanes.) -- Let us have a moment of silence for all Americans who are now stuck in traffic on their way to a health club to ride a stationary bicycle. - Congressman Earl Blumenauer (Oregon)
Mandatory cycle lanes are demarked by a solid white line. Mandatory means that motor vehicles may not drive or park in the lane. Optional cycle lanes are demarked by a dashed white line. Optional means that motor vehicles may drive in the lane if they wish.
119: Cycle lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable.
presumably hours of operation refers to the bus bit of such lanes?
Quoted message said:
One type of lane is signed by a blue rectangular sign and the other by a blue circular sign. It escapes my memory which is which, but I am sure some clever person will be able to tell you sooner than I can look it up on Google. (I think the blue circular sign is used for mandatory cycle lanes.)
Rectangular means cycle route; it may just be an ordinary road with no special cycle farcility which forms part of a larger network, often ending in bollards which allow bikes through.
On 5 Mar 2006 10:11:18 -0800 someone who may be "PD" <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
I think you are describing a shared path with a dividing line. I certainly never knew that pedestrians could legitimately use the lane designated for cycles in these paths - is this really the case?
On 5 Mar 2006 10:49:06 -0800 someone who may be "Simon Proven" <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
13: Routes shared with cyclists. Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths, with a dividing line segregating the two. Keep to the section for pedestrians.
There is no "you must", so this is advice rather than a legal requirement.
On Sun, 05 Mar 2006 19:34:55 +0000 someone who may be David Hansen <[email hidden]> wrote this:-
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
13: Routes shared with cyclists. Cycle tracks may run alongside footpaths, with a dividing line segregating the two. Keep to the section for pedestrians.
There is no "you must", so this is advice rather than a legal requirement.
I forgot to add, compare this with rule 48 for cyclists.
"48: Cycle Tracks. These are normally located away from the road, but may occasionally be found alongside footpaths or pavements. Cyclists and pedestrians may be segregated or they may share the same space (unsegregated). When using segregated tracks you MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists."
Rectangular means cycle route; it may just be an ordinary road with no special cycle farcility which forms part of a larger network, often ending in bollards which allow bikes through.
And usually leading to somewhere you don't want to go.
Mandatory cycle lanes are demarked by a solid white line. Mandatory means that motor vehicles may not drive or park in the lane. Optional cycle lanes are demarked by a dashed white line. Optional means that motor vehicles may drive in the lane if they wish.
119: Cycle lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable.
presumably hours of operation refers to the bus bit of such lanes?
Typically yes. However, I guess there is scope somewhere in the traffic laws to allow for a timed cycle lane :-)
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
One type of lane is signed by a blue rectangular sign and the other by a blue circular sign. It escapes my memory which is which, but I am sure some clever person will be able to tell you sooner than I can look it up on Google. (I think the blue circular sign is used for mandatory cycle lanes.)
Rectangular means cycle route; it may just be an ordinary road with no special cycle farcility which forms part of a larger network, often ending in bollards which allow bikes through.
Not forgetting broken glass, parked cars, route taking 100 yards of unmade mud & stone & bumps & holes un-adopted road, dogs on extending leads, kids playing chicken with the cyclists.....
Mandatory cycle lanes are demarked by a solid white line. Mandatory means that motor vehicles may not drive or park in the lane. Optional cycle lanes are demarked by a dashed white line. Optional means that motor vehicles may drive in the lane if they wish.
119: Cycle lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation. Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable.
presumably hours of operation refers to the bus bit of such lanes?
Nope. Mandatory cycle lanes (the ones with solid white lines) have hours of operation. At least one I know of is a car park the rest of the time.
Quoted message said:
Quoted message said:
One type of lane is signed by a blue rectangular sign and the other by a blue circular sign. It escapes my memory which is which, but I am sure some clever person will be able to tell you sooner than I can look it up on Google. (I think the blue circular sign is used for mandatory cycle lanes.)
No. Mandatory Cycle Lanes are marked by a big rectangular sign similar to a bus lane sign. Advisory cycle lanes require no signs - and have no legal force.
The round blue signs (955) are meant to denote a piece of road or path that is only for cycles. They are often fixed to bollards. I know of one place which should have the rectangular sign (967) but actually has round ones. AFAIK the meaning of the round sign is the same as the no motor vehicles sign.
Quoted message said:
Rectangular means cycle route; it may just be an ordinary road with no special cycle farcility which forms part of a larger network, often ending in bollards which allow bikes through.
