peetee wrote: ↑8 Feb 2023, 7:16pm
I would be interested in reading your opinions on the following road layout. It’s a somewhat curious location inasmuch as cyclist have the choice of using a shared path or a cycle lane on both sides of the road.
I enclose a photo but the road markings are now different: As the main carriageway passes the side road there is now a continuous solid white line on both sides of the (pale surfaced) cycle lane.
With that in mind, a cyclist is proceeding in the same direction of traffic and travelling on the shared pavement/cycle path (not the pale cycle lane). Should they give way to a vehicle turning in to the side road or do they have priority?7EABCDAF-47C2-4719-AC43-07C00F6224EC.png
The lack of a break in the white lines is curious and suggests that drivers are not meant to be crossing it at all. But assuming that is a mistake, my approach as the driver of a car, van or whatever would be to time my crossing of the cycle lane to coincide with a sufficient gap in the cycle traffic.
It is the driver's job to sort that out. The cyclist would be best advised to maintain a constant and therefore easily predictable speed approaching and passing the junction. But of course, remain vigilant and ready to brake if it becomes necessary.
But users of shared use paths (the other option for cyclists here) normally have to give way as they cross a road. One reason I don't much like using them. The "shared use path" in the pic isn't identified by singage or road markings as being anything other than a footway with a dropped curb for wheel chairs etc. It lacks the usual "give way" lines where it meets the road. I wonder if it is just a footway. Nothing in that image suggests otherwise.
On further investigation, I locate the place, have a look around, and find that further up the path it does have a blue cycling sign. And look at what I think is the same junction from a different angle, a different approach to crossing for cyclists seems to be indicated:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@50.23188 ... 384!8i8192
It puts the crossing point a little further away from the main junction, and it has Give Way lines for cyclists joining or crossing the road.
I could make less than complimentary comments about the indicated angles cyclists are meant to approach their crossing / joining of a road, but that would leave Pete O with nothing to say