Advance stop lines (asl's/ bike boxes) A WARNING!

[Farjo]

Yes you're right

[MarchRide]

Say sorry then!!  :biker :kiss VVVVVV

[Punkstig]

Nice to see what I said in the first place to warn you was paid attention to!
:wall

[seangee]

Paid special attention on the way home in rush hour today and here's my observations.

1. Most bikes did stop before the first line most of the time. Must have read similar articles cos they don't usually (including me).
   
2. Scooter riders paid no more attention to the lines than they do to red lights, other road users or their mirrors. If you do stop before the first line 20 scoots will jump in front of you. Yes I know that's a generalisation but I ride in London every day and they are the things that frighten me most about it.
   
3. Bicycles mostly ok, a few take the pish. Proper cyclists that is. Much as I like the idea of Boris' bikes many of their occupants don't have a foccin clue.
   
4. Sometimes it's hard. Got an amber and would have had to brake very hard to make the first line. Decided sod it I'll just go. Good job because the cab behind me also went through without braking and so did the van behind him.
   
5. Turning right from Embankment into Northumberland - filtered up slowly and stopped behind the line. Light for cars going straight turned green, still red for right turners. Narrowly missed by a Bentley and a cab, spotted a bus hurtling towards my mirror, crapped meself and moved into the ASL pronto
   

Sorry officer but I tried - honest.

[Frosties]

As you seem to ride in London a lot like myself seangee you (anyone) may be able to help me with this one.


There are cycle lanes along Upper Thames Street, the one in particular is the last section before Southwark Bridge. This cycle lane has dotted lines so live dotted chevrons I use it. Trouble is, when it comes to the Southwark Bridge junction it turns into an upside down L bike zone - question is, where the hell do you stop...or do you have to. The first effective solid line is the second one as it doesn't cross the cycle lane.


Don't know if this  Sat link view will work


[size=78%]https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=upper+t...TF-8&hl=en[/size]

Its the junction of Queen Street and A3211, travelling East (or right to left)

[Punkstig]

140Cycle 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. You MUST NOT park in any cycle lane whilst waiting restrictions apply.
Law RTRA sects 5 & 8

[Punkstig]

We shouldn't be riding in any cycle lanes solid line or broken, only enter a cycle lane with a broken lane to avoid an accident!


Although we all know in town we use them when we shouldn't (like on upper Thames)
I've been avoiding doing this as I've seen many being pulled for it!


As for your question I can't pinpoint from the top of my head the markings- but clarify which way as riding east would be left to right
Right to left is heading west!

[Frosties]

We shouldn't be riding in any cycle lanes solid line or broken, only enter a cycle lane with a broken lane to avoid an accident!


Although we all know in town we use them when we shouldn't (like on upper Thames)
I've been avoiding doing this as I've seen many being pulled for it!


As for your question I can't pinpoint from the top of my head the markings- but clarify which way as riding east would be left to right
Right to left is heading west!

You're right...travelling West - was up at 5am!


As far as I knew, a dotted line meant you can enter the lane (as it is leading up to the junction) and use it as you can a chevroned area with dotted lines. However, I think I've just been proved wrong. I never use a lane when its a solid line.


If you've seen riders being pulled for riding inside a dotted line then I'm going to have to learn to adjust to this one also.


Christ I hate London but it's where the work is  :'(

[Punkstig]

Sorry to say this but we shouldn't use those chevron areas either (yes the ones with broken lines!)
These are provided as a safe area for vehicles turning right and also to avoid blocking flowing traffic.


Same as the broken line cycle lanes they should only be used only if completely necessary!


Don't get me wrong, in the past I've used the cycle lanes  (but don't anymore) and I currently still use chevron areas to filter down, so I'm not giving a holier than thou statement, I'm just letting you know if you see police about best avoid them!
When I do use them I try to pay special attention to all vehicles I'm passing, this is one of the instances where if you are involved in a collision its more likely to be a 50/50 fault
What annoys me is those drivers that don't use those areas for their purpose and do block flowing traffic when they're turning right- dumbfocs!

[nick crisp]

Looks like it's time for me to invest in a new copy of the highway code, as half these road markings weren't around when I last read it - as for London, nope, too scary for me, I'll stick to the tube...

[Frosties]

Sorry to say this but we shouldn't use those chevron areas either (yes the ones with broken lines!)
These are provided as a safe area for vehicles turning right and also to avoid blocking flowing traffic.


Same as the broken line cycle lanes they should only be used only if completely necessary!


Don't get me wrong, in the past I've used the cycle lanes  (but don't anymore) and I currently still use chevron areas to filter down, so I'm not giving a holier than thou statement, I'm just letting you know if you see police about best avoid them!
When I do use them I try to pay special attention to all vehicles I'm passing, this is one of the instances where if you are involved in a collision its more likely to be a 50/50 fault
What annoys me is those drivers that don't use those areas for their purpose and do block flowing traffic when they're turning right- dumbfocs!

Jesus Punkstig, you're just a big meanie.....next you'll be telling me it's wrong to lean down on BMW and Merc side mirrors  :lol

[Pat]

My understanding of this is that TFL have applied for the breaching of ASLs in London to be decriminalised hence allowing them or other London local authorities to fine offenders. However, they don't have the authority to dish out penalty points, only the police have the legal authority to dish out points (in reality an offer of the option of a fixed penalty notice (currently 3 points & £60) in lieu of going to court to be tried for the offence).


This already happens in London with box-junctions & illegal turn offences having been decriminalised a few years ago, they are now monitored by local council & TFL CCTV & transgressors are sent £60 penalty fines with no points.


So if you are nabbed by plod in a cycle box you can get points & a fine but not if caught by CCTV.


Also, when I did Bikesafe with the Met a month ago, the coppers there made a point of explaining that it was perfectly legal to filter using chevroned bits of road if enclosed by broken white lines & actively encouraged their use by bikers as it's often the safest way to do it.

[richfzs]

Thanks for that last paragraph, Pat - I'll also add, that if you don't make use of them to filter, you'll fail your advanced test for not making progress. It's a perfectly valid, legal and safe thing to do.

[nick crisp]

Also, when I did Bikesafe with the Met a month ago, the coppers there made a point of explaining that it was perfectly legal to filter using chevroned bits of road if enclosed by broken white lines & actively encouraged their use by bikers as it's often the safest way to do it.

Yep, won my case (well, 70/30) when knocked off filtering over such chevrons. However, there is of course another risk here - because it's an area not used often, there's often a lot of road debris there so you can easily pick up a puncture.

[Lawrence]

It's also a good way to pick up punctures  :\  I do it where necessary though, but I don't tend to use bike lanes unless it's the only way round some idiot who's blocking the bus lane because he had to wait right til the last second to pull out  :2guns

[Exupnut]

So if you are nabbed by plod in a cycle box you can get points & a fine but not if caught by CCTV.

Wrong wrong wrong wrong wrong and wrong again. If u read the leaflet or spoke to plod u would understand we WILL be getting 3pts aswell.

[seangee]

Miss that one by a couple of hundred metres so haven't ridden there  :rolleyes

[JZS 600]

Looks like they're stepping it up,,,


http://www.mayorwatch.co.uk/drivers-and-.../201326839

[Lawrence]

In addition to stepping up enforcement on motorists, cyclists who jump read lights are also being warned to change their behaviour or incur a £30 fine.

How, if they've just jumped a red and buggered off down the road, are you going to fine them?

[seangee]

Have noticed an increase in the number of two wheelers being pulled over in the last few weeks. Obviously an educational / safety campaign in progress. (How dare you suggest funding is needed for the policepersons summer ball).


Really large flock of bike police at the embankment end of Northumberland this morning pulling bikes over this morning. Cyclists were included in the campaign, although I don't understand how they could enforce it - especially if they are just dishing out warnings..


Hmmm - wonders if its time to unwrap the shiny baffle from the bubble wrap it was shipped in and insert into appropriate orifice