Funny Pictures & Signs

Originally Posted by altis

Here's another weird one. This time round the backstreets of Pershore, Worcestershire, where there's a little bit of cycle lane across each road junction. Why?

If the cycle lane is along the pavement (as it appears to be) and then goes across the road *before* the Give Way line, it means that every time the cyclists get to a junction they're going to have to stop and check for traffic turning left as well as coming out of the T junction or risk being hit.

Any cyclist will tell you that the worst think you can do is keep stopping and starting because that will knacker you out much more than keeping moving.

With the layout in the picture the cyclists can blend into the main road, pass the junction without necessarily needing to stop, then get back on the pavement (and away from the traffic) and thus keep their momentum.

It's actually a very sensible design.

[punky]

Originally Posted by Graham

then get back on the pavement (and away from the traffic) and thus keep their momentum.

Last time I heard, that was illegal.

http://www.heron-cycles.co.uk/advice.htm

[altis]

Indeed... rule number 54:
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/03.htm#54

Note also that it says MUST NOT and not should not.

[bmxbandit]

Originally Posted by punky

http://www.heron-cycles.co.uk/advice.htm

Originally Posted by that website ^^^

20" Wheel Cycles - Suitable for ages 7 to 9

Originally Posted by punky

Last time I heard, that was illegal.

http://www.heron-cycles.co.uk/advice.htm

If you look at the markings, you'll see that the cycle lane follows off the pavement (although it could be more clearly marked), thus it's a reasonable conclusion that the pavement is a designated cycle lane, hence "Only cycle on the carriageway or where cycling is permitted."

[Raistlin]

Actually, it doesn't (follow off of the pavement that is).

If you look closely (easier to see on the opposite side of the road) there isn't a dropped curb at the point where the cycle area appears to lead to the path.

However the entrance (and exit) to the area, which leads from and to the road, has a broken line.

I would suggest that the reason for having this here is not so that it tells cyclists where they can cycle (or what route to take) but so that it reminds motorists that:

a) There may be cyclists crossing their path, and
b) Cyclists (like other traffic going across the junction) have right of way and that they must wait until the junction is clear before moving off.

You would find that if cyclists were being directed to leave the pavement at the start of the box and then rejoin it at the end the lines at either end would be solid

[Ramrod]

OMG!

Originally Posted by Raistlin

Actually, it doesn't (follow off of the pavement that is).

If you look closely (easier to see on the opposite side of the road) there isn't a dropped curb at the point where the cycle area appears to lead to the path.

Hmm, it's too small a pic to see that clearly. But if that isn't the case, IMO it should be! The pathway there doesn't look like one that gets massive pedestrian use, but it would be safer to allow cyclists on it than force them onto what looks like a road that could have a lot of fast moving traffic.

Anyway, this is well off topic for in here

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Ramrod

OMG!

Seperated at birth maybe?

Maybe we should give the new pope the title "Darth"?

Apropos of certain other threads going on in CF I had to post this:

http://www.comics.com/comics/dilbert...-20050429.html

[bmxbandit]

Originally Posted by Graham

Apropos of certain other threads going on in CF I had to post this:

yesterdays was better.mainly due to me being an engineering student, t'missus being an english student, and me trying in vain to help her with ms word at the time...

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Graham

If the cycle lane is along the pavement (as it appears to be) and then goes across the road *before* the Give Way line, it means that every time the cyclists get to a junction they're going to have to stop and check for traffic turning left as well as coming out of the T junction or risk being hit.

Any cyclist will tell you that the worst think you can do is keep stopping and starting because that will knacker you out much more than keeping moving.

With the layout in the picture the cyclists can blend into the main road, pass the junction without necessarily needing to stop, then get back on the pavement (and away from the traffic) and thus keep their momentum.

It's actually a very sensible design.

I looked at this closely, and I tend to agree with bmxbandit.
There is no cycle lane on the pavement.
There is a broken white line at the begining and end of the cycle lane across the junction.
It is to stop cars overtaking cyclists and then turning directly in front of them (I've seen many idiots do this for the sake of a 3 second delay!)
In the picture, cyclists travel on the road, enter the cycle lane and then exit the other end, hopefully without any cars cutting them up.
It's one of those "probably not really needed, probably a waste of council money, but we'll do it anyway" things, like the cycle lanes they put along the A32 in and out of Gosport, just before re-surfacing the road!


Here in Leighton Buzzard, they've put cycle lanes down each side of a road that is used by large lorries, problem is, they've not re-done the faded centre line, so you often find oncoming traffic in the middle of the road and they don't like moving over!

Originally Posted by Xaccers

It is to stop cars overtaking cyclists and then turning directly in front of them (I've seen many idiots do this for the sake of a 3 second delay!)

Tell me about it! I've had it happen on more than a few occasions

There's a side road in Portsmouth which comes from past the Tesco's store and crosses a main road.

The majority of cars turn left there, but I go straight across (into other side streets) because it's a less busy route into Southsea.

Whenever I approach it now I make sure I sit right in the middle of the lane to stop idiots trying to turn across my path

[Xaccers]

Originally Posted by Graham

Tell me about it! I've had it happen on more than a few occasions

There's a side road in Portsmouth which comes from past the Tesco's store and crosses a main road.

The majority of cars turn left there, but I go straight across (into other side streets) because it's a less busy route into Southsea.

Whenever I approach it now I make sure I sit right in the middle of the lane to stop idiots trying to turn across my path

Well you are a militant cyclist aren't you?
I know some cyclists in Gosport have suggested clearing out the old railway lines so that cyclists can use those without going anywhere near pedestrians or motorists, if the layout is right, I don't see why it can't be done.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Well you are a militant cyclist aren't you?
I know some cyclists in Gosport have suggested clearing out the old railway lines so that cyclists can use those without going anywhere near pedestrians or motorists, if the layout is right, I don't see why it can't be done.

As long as they are not being used by trains.. I figure, based on the fact you said "old" that they aren't, but could be wrong.