Can I join a shared pavement cycle path from the road at lights?

[RockStrongo]

Hello - I routinely turn left at this corner by joining the shared path as the red line indicates.
If the traffic lights are red am I in the wrong? Obviously I'm not doing it if anyone is using the crossing.

[PH]

Technically you shouldn't cross the solid white line.
Realistically, I'd consider stopping there to be pointless. I frequently do similar.

[Nearholmer]

If you bump up the kerb just to the left of the traffic light, I think you get a win on both fronts, legal and practical.

[Nicholas]

If the lights are at red, you could always dismount and wheel your bike along the pavement and onto the cycle path.

[miek60]

No - you have to stop at the solid white line if the lights are on red

Having said which - if there were no pedestrians in the way then I would
just not too fast otherwise I would look like a ****head and give all cyclist a bad name

[djnotts]

Plus 1 to what miek60 says IMO.

[Bmblbzzz]

What they all said!

[a.twiddler]

I often do this. Bearing in mind to use judgement so as to not cause conflict with other road/pavement users. I do live in a small country town though, might be a bit easier to cause offence in a city, with more people going around in angry mode.

[tim-b]

As above.
Yes, it's an offence, however, most drivers would prefer you were out of their way, safely and at the earliest opportunity

[mjr]

Write to the local county council or equivalent and request a filter lane to legalise the move.

[RockStrongo]

Thanks to all for the replies - As stated I don't do this if there's anyone on the crossing and go slowly and use my bell if there is anyone on the path and stop if they don't hear me.
Sadly the kerb doesn't "drop" until after the white line and I doubt the local council would pay for any alterations given that they don't seem to be able to afford to sort the potholes.

Thanks again

[Jdsk]

Write to the local county council or equivalent and request a filter lane to legalise the move.

And, as always, I'd recommend working with a local cycling group.

Jonathan

[mjr]

Sadly the kerb doesn't "drop" until after the white line and I doubt the local council would pay for any alterations given that they don't seem to be able to afford to sort the potholes.

Alterations and pothole filling come from different budgets and the alteration will have a higher benefit -cost ratio. I think it is worth a quick request.

[deeferdonk]

Playing devils's avocado..

surely this is not worth your time to make an enquiry, and or the councils time and resources to do anything, when there are absolutely no issues or consequences (apart from a desperately minor breach of traffic regs that no one is going to enforce) from just leaving the road sensibly and with due care to any pedestrians.

I regularly do same at this crossing in Derby because its just asking for you to!

But then i'm commenting here so i can't really criticise!

[Pinhead]

Technically you shouldn't cross the solid white line.
Realistically, I'd consider stopping there to be pointless. I frequently do similar.

I am a great one for NOT breaking the law, personally I would get off and walk on to the pavement, BUT, if there is no one there, I too see no harm as long as the lights are GREEN