Has anyone ever received a PCN for driving in a cycle lane

[Roman Moroni]

To clarify, it really is NOT me but I'm interested whether anyone has been fined for being partly or wholly in a cycle lane.

My best mate lives in deepest darkest Wales; he rarely crosses the Severn Bridge. He had to drive into the City of London during the week as he was doing some filming work, which involved transporting cameras, at an office near the Old Bailey (quite ironic really).

After he had finished the job, he loaded up and set off. He travelled north up Farringdon Road from Ludgate Circus, when his passenger said 'I think you're driving in a cycle lane'. This appears to be the case. My mate fully expects to receive a fine (TFL website states £160) as he appreciates he was in the wrong.

As by way of an explination, he said that it felt unnatural to veer to the right towards oncoming vehicles hence he stayed to the left and found himself in a bike lane all be it he didn't encounter any cyclists. Link to show the road layout: https://www.google.com/maps/@51.5142337,-0.1044867...

So, are there any PH'ers who have found themselves in this situation?

[poo at Paul's]

I thought driving in a cycle lane is allowed ‘if necessary’ so it would seem odd for it to attract a camera PCN ?

[clayts450]

The only time you'll possibly get charged for driving in a cycle lane in central London is if it is on a red route and is usually marked by a solid white line on the offside of the cycle lane..

As the road you linked to is a red route...yup, expect a fine, assuming it is one cycle lane which is enforced, which confusingly it appears not all of them are.

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/red-routes/rules-...

I've accidentally driven in a non-red route cycle lane in London. Easily done sometimes, and very embarrassing for someone who is allegedly a 'professional driver' (same day courier)

Edited by clayts450 on Saturday 14th January 20:39

[PF62]

clayts450 said:

The only time you'll get charged for driving in a cycle lane in central London is if it is on a red route and is marked by a solid white line on the offside of the cycle lane..

If you look at the Google map street view link that was provided you will see that the cycle lane being discussed is a completely segregated section of road separated from the motor vehicle section by a kerb and pavement.

[clayts450]

PF62 said:

If you look at the Google map street view link that was provided you will see that the cycle lane being discussed is a completely segregated section of road separated from the motor vehicle section by a kerb and pavement.

Yup, note to self, check location first ! Edited post accordingly

[mgtony]

There has been a few bits on line regarding crossing a solid white line into a cycle lane and now penalties being enforced recently. This was sent to me recently from a friend.

[mgtony]

Having posted that above, it seems that the area where they plan to enforce this is already separated off by bollards and segregated as well

.

[Roman Moroni]

mgtony said:

There has been a few bits on line regarding crossing a solid white line into a cycle lane and now penalties being enforced recently. This was sent to me recently from a friend.

Thanks for that Tony. The TFL site states the same.

Given this occured in Central London it's highly likely that there'll be someone monitoring a camera or there's some sort of alert to highlight a non-cycle in the lane

[Roman Moroni]

clayts450 said:

snip

I've accidentally driven in a non-red route cycle lane in London. Easily done sometimes, and very embarrassing for someone who is allegedly a 'professional driver' (same day courier)

Likewise, all be it my one occured in a back street near Euston Station about 15 years ago. I never heard anything about it but I held my breath for a couple of weeks when the post dropped through the door. I don't think I'd be that lucky now days

[QBee]

mgtony said:

Having posted that above, it seems that the area where they plan to enforce this is already separated off by bollards and segregated as well

.

One can imagine motorbikes using that lane at peak traffic times.....

[mac96]

It is interesting, although it looks to me like a cycle lane (perhaps because I am familiar with such layouts) there seems to be very little signage to deny it to motor vehicles. Just a small round blue sign which means cycles only but which is not only small but also located low down where it is likely to be hidden by vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.

I wonder whether that signage complies with regulations?

[Roman Moroni]

mac96 said:

It is interesting, although it looks to me like a cycle lane (perhaps because I am familiar with such layouts) there seems to be very little signage to deny it to motor vehicles. Just a small round blue sign which means cycles only but which is not only small but also located low down where it is likely to be hidden by vehicles, cyclists or pedestrians.

I wonder whether that signage complies with regulations?

Agreed about the signage. Even if you start from the other side of the junction (ie South of Ludgate Circus) there's no real indication its a cycle lane although it does have the blue sign & road markings. No idea if it conforms with Regs or not.

Maybe the fact no-one has come back and said they've been fined is a positive thing. He'll have to wait & see what happens

[megaphone]

Hope he remembered to pay the congestion charge? And did he check ULEZ?

[dontlookdown]

I don't know about fines, but it's not that unusual to see cars driving in the v similar cycle lane just south of there, between Elephant & Castle and Blackfriars Bridge.

I have seen it a number of times, especially when it is quiet (Sun am for example) and there is little traffic and few bikes to show drivers where they should and shouldn't be.

That suggests that signage is indeed inadequate.

[Aretnap]

poo at Paul's said:

I thought driving in a cycle lane is allowed ‘if necessary’to

It depends whether it's marked with a solid line or a dashed line.

[SeekerOfTruthAndPies]

If you look at the location posted by the OP, it would seem to me to be MORE difficult to find yourself in the cycle lane rather than it being a natural route. The only way that I could see it as excusable is if turning left from Fleet Street and keeping left: from all other directions you would have to veer across to the left rather than follow the natural line.

[freedman]

SeekerOfTruthAndPies said:

If you look at the location posted by the OP, it would seem to me to be MORE difficult to find yourself in the cycle lane rather than it being a natural route. The only way that I could see it as excusable is if turning left from Fleet Street and keeping left: from all other directions you would have to veer across to the left rather than follow the natural line.

I drove down there on Friday, having crossed Blackfriars

From there its obvious, and almost impossible to be unaware its a Cycle only lane, especially as it continues from the cycle lane across the bridge

However, as you say if you came out of Fleet st, or down from Ludgate Hill you could find yourself getting it wrong, I guess

[Roman Moroni]

megaphone said:

Hope he remembered to pay the congestion charge? And did he check ULEZ?

Yes to both

[Roman Moroni]

freedman said:

I drove down there on Friday, having crossed Blackfriars

From there its obvious, and almost impossible to be unaware its a Cycle only lane, especially as it continues from the cycle lane across the bridge

However, as you say if you came out of Fleet st, or down from Ludgate Hill you could find yourself getting it wrong, I guess

Knowing where he was working I would guess he would have turned right from Ludgate Circus into Farringdon Street, hence the reason why he finds himself in this situation.

I spoke to him earlier, he still hasn't heard anything. It's still very possible he'll get something, we shall wait and see

[Dazanator]

I did exactly the same thing at the same spot a couple of weeks before Christmas and havent heard anything..yet.

As I was preparing to turn right, a cyclist stopped in the middle of the juntion so I had to drive around him which directed me towards the cycle lane.

I felt a right prick as soon as I realised what I had done and all the virtuous cyclists were giving me proper tough stares! It would have been more dangerous to reverse out into the junction so I continued to the next possible place to re-join the main carriageway.

London is one big booby trap for drivers, I will avoid driving around town unless absolutely necessary.