Cycle lane give way

[tatanab]

I've been watching a video about a new cycle lane in Portsmouth. It is the usual thing, a dashed line at the side of the road and some bicycle symbols. In the newspaper comments of course there's the usual misunderstanding because contributors do not understand what a dashed line means. However, that is not my question -
Sections of the lane end in a Give Way line. Does this mean that motorists can cross my path (left hook or by turning right) with impunity because if there is a collision it is the cyclist's fault for not giving way?

[meic]

Yes, so best to try and get out of the cycle lane to the side enough before you reach its end.

[gaz]

This sort of thing?

Unfortunately the "give way" marking is the one in the highwaymen's handbook for use at the end of a cycle lane. In effect "give way" to overtaking traffic.

Any pictures or plans for the scheme in question?

[tatanab]

http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/travel ... -1-7636242
I did not link originally because the video was not running. The road in question is one that varies wildly in width and with parking bays and shops.

[RickH]

Unfortunately the "give way" marking is the one in the highwaymen's handbook for use at the end of a cycle lane. In effect "give way" to overtaking traffic.

I thought it was no longer recommended practice & should just have the "end" so it becomes 2 lanes becoming 1 as with "normal" traffic lanes. It seems to vary around here - Chorley (maybe all of Lancashire, I don't encounter them much when I'm further afield so haven't noticed). Bolton seem to generally use give way lines. There is one potentially bad one in Horwich that has the give way /end immediately before a side road on the left meaning, technically, traffic from behind you turning left has priority. Fortunately, in practice, I've never encountered problems there.

[Mark1978]

Some of them are even worse here when approaching a roundabout it directs you onto the footpath. So drivers are expecting you to disappear not leave the cycle lane and continue in the lane.

[reohn2]

FWIW, this kind of marking up of roads with give way/double broken lines,as in the 3rd post and directing cyclists onto footways at traffic islands etc,as Mark1978 above mentions is winding up to compulsory legislation where cyclists rights on the road will become secondary to motors IMHO.

[horizon]

AIUI "give way" means that a vehicle is still in motion while allowing the driver sufficient visibility to assess the road for oncoming vehicles - if clear, he continues to move. This is different from STOP which means that the vehicle must physically halt whether or not there is oncoming traffic. My experience of Give Way on cycle lanes is mostly that the traffic is coming literally from behind or at least from an acute angle, say 5 o'clock. This is very different from Give Way on roundabouts where the traffic is coming from the side or better (say 2 o'clock). In the cycle lane situation I find it very difficult to Give Way - you really have to stop and look to check for a fast moving vehicle out of your line of vision that has already factored in your giving way. This is different from a glance over the shoulder in moving traffic. AFAICS, none of the GIve Ways on cycle lanes (especially at junctions) are intended to be Give Ways at all: the cyclist is meant to stop and look, just as a pedestrian would. While the instruction isn't STOP, the net effect of not assuming STOP is probable death.

[reohn2]

AIUI "give way" means that a vehicle is still in motion while allowing the driver sufficient visibility to assess the road for oncoming vehicles - if clear, he continues to move. This is different from STOP which means that the vehicle must physically halt whether or not there is oncoming traffic. My experience of Give Way on cycle lanes is mostly that the traffic is coming literally from behind or at least from an acute angle, say 5 o'clock. This is very different from Give Way on roundabouts where the traffic is coming from the side or better (say 2 o'clock). In the cycle lane situation I find it very difficult to Give Way - you really have to stop and look to check for a fast moving vehicle out of your line of vision that has already factored in your giving way. This is different from a glance over the shoulder in moving traffic. AFAICS, none of the GIve Ways on cycle lanes (especially at junctions) are intended to be Give Ways at all: the cyclist is meant to stop and look, just as a pedestrian would. While the instruction isn't STOP, the net effect of not assuming STOP is probable death.

FWIW,I can think of a situation where if a cyclist didn't 'give way' at a one of the 'give way' signs(paint on the road)on leaving a cycle lane,and was side swiped or rearended,the cyclist would be in the wrong and would compromise any claim against the driver,but may be I'm becoming too cynical in my old age .
Think if laws are introduced compelling cyclists to use some of the crazy and practically useless farcilities currently available on the road network,and having bought any former campaining groups by turning them into 'charities and providing them with money cycling as a whole would have no voice.
I'm being cynical again aren't I?

[Mistik-ka]

I'm being cynical again aren't I?

"Cynic, n, A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they aught to be." — Abrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1911

[reohn2]

I'm being cynical again aren't I?

"Cynic, n, A blackguard whose faulty vision sees things as they are, not as they aught to be." — Abrose Bierce, The Devil's Dictionary, 1911

[MikeF]

The City Council has put humps in the place they expect expect cyclists to ride??
Another example of councils wasting money, because both councillors and staff do not cycle themselves. It would be better if just cyclist symbols were painted in the middle of each carriageway if the aim is to remind drivers of cyclists. Is there a need for a lane anyway and why only in one direction. It seems pointless, but I don't live there.

[Ruadh495]

Is that the same Portsmouth "cycle lane" (now repainted) that finished with a right angle turn of one lane width and a "give way"? The reason: on street parking bays.

In my opinion the "give way" lines are incorrectly marked. They should extend from the edge of the cycle way marking across to the centre line of the road.

[Pete Owens]

How about this one:
http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/facility-of-the-month/April2004.htm