thirdcrank wrote:tim-b wrote: ... Also see s33(2) and s36(1) The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002. Cyclists must stop at " Light signals for the control of vehicular traffic consisting exclusively of pedal cycles"
Those light signals are at sch 8 but only include a "conventional" circular red traffic light rather then a BSO, with amber and green BSOs below ...
That reminds me that if anybody is wondering how the man on the Clapham Omnibus - or rather the bloke on a bike crossing Leeds Ring Road - should know this. here's the relevant bit of the HC
Rule 80
Toucan crossings. These are light-controlled crossings which allow cyclists and pedestrians to share crossing space and cross at the same time. They are push-button operated. Pedestrians and cyclists will see the green signal together. Cyclists are permitted to ride across.
Rule 81
Cycle-only crossings. Cycle tracks on opposite sides of the road may be linked by signalled crossings. You may ride across but you MUST NOT cross until the green cycle symbol is showing.
Law TSRGD regs 33(2) & 36(1)
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway ... s-59-to-82The tell-tale being that there's no legislation quoted under Rule 80
Nor any mandatory 'you MUST' / 'you MUST NOT' in the text.
I do not think I have ever come across a cycle only crossing in the UK. At most toucan crossings, I have normally crossed before the cycle/pedestrian phase goes green - walking or cycling.
The problem with sharing a crossing is that the timings are based on a slow pedestrian, and not appropriate for cyclists. This is especially the case when the crossing is part of a road junction, and the cycle/pedestrian phase goes green automatically while on on road is held at red. But then goes to red far too early, when there is still plenty of time to cycle cross.
I recently observed the lights at one of the (many) large roundabouts in Basingstoke. While the total light cycle time varied between 40 and 60 sec, depending of the amount of traffic, pedestrians / cyclists were only given 10 sec of green. There was then up to 20 sec before the road traffic got green. It means unless you arrives just when the road traffic stopped, you have to wait a full cycle before getting green to cross. Interestingly, every other person (cyclist/pedestrian) I saw, crossed on red! This rather defeats the purpose of the lights.
The request push buttons were also redundant, and serve no purpose, except in testing your patience!