This week I've been cycling home really rather later than usual and it's a real surprise what a huge difference it makes to the journey. There are So Many cars and vans parked in the cycle lane that it isn't possible to cycle in it. I'd come across this one weekend on the way back from the North and I'd assumed it was a weekend thing, but apparently it's an evening thing too. Which really sucks. A lot. It did take "only" 44 minutes to get home tonight, including a stop to chat with someone and lend them my lights (well, give, I'm not expecting to get them back) but if I'd been able to cycle in the cycle lane it could have been quicker and a heck of a lot safer.
I don't know what the rules are about the cycle lanes, who isn't allowed to be in them and if there are time rules. I need to find out. And I need to be able to leave work at a time which means I can be a bit more protected from a reasonable proportion of traffic.
I believe that cycle lanes are protected by the local council bylaws and by road traffic law.
ReplyDeleteI know I've interviewed someone at the police station once because they drove down a bus lane and it was reported to us, so I guess the same could/should apply to cycle lanes?
Cycle lanes with dashed lines are discretionary. Other traffic is not banned from entering, or from parking (assuming there are no yellow lines - you might want to look for a sign about timed parking restrictions).
ReplyDeleteCycle lanes with solid lines are compulsory and other traffic must stay out. But it's never enforced, just like advance stop lines are never enforced. *sigh*
I guess if it's a combined cycle and bus lane, it may be time-limited (and enforced), as some near me are. But I would hazard a guess that your route is maybe protected by parking restrictions that ban parking 8am-6pm or something? Could be worth a comment to a local councillor if it's a real deterrent to making that journey by bike...
Cycle Superhighways? It just doesn't seem to be clear and, like red routes, they seem to have parking spaces actually painted in to them.
ReplyDelete"Barclays Cycle Superhighways are new cycle routes that run into central London from outer London to provide cyclists with safer, faster and more direct journeys into the city. The new routes are clearly marked and easy to follow. There are new signs and road markings, as well as information about journey times and links to other cycle routes. Brand new cycle lanes and bold road markings will increase awareness among other road users, and make it clear that the route is used by many cyclists."
No rules, as such, then.