Advanced Stop Lines and Bicycles

[creampuff]

The rather odd law which makes it only lawful for a cyclist to enter a bicycle box (during the red light phase) by passing the BROKEN part of the advanced stop line on the left hand side of the road near the kerb:

Anybody got a link to the applicable leglislation?

[Wyvern971]

Why does it matter? Just be grateful they stop at all.

I have to say though that they find it rather annoying when I stop short of the ASL on my motorcycle, whilst in the cycle lane when filtering (broken rather than solid lines) as I'm not allowed in the cyclist box.

[SS2.]

See Section 2.

Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 said:

Meaning of stop line and references to light signals

43. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), “stop line” in relation to light signals for the control of vehicular traffic means—

(a) in relation to any vehicle except a tramcar the road marking shown in diagram 1001 placed in conjunction with the light signals;

(b) in relation to a tramcar, the road marking shown in diagram 1001.1 placed in conjunction with those light signals, or when that marking has not been so placed, the marking shown in diagram 1001 so placed.

(2) Where the road marking shown in diagram 1001.2 has been placed in conjunction with light signals, “stop line” in relation to those light signals means—

(a) the first stop line, in the case of a vehicle (other than a pedal cycle proceeding in the cycle lane) which has not proceeded beyond that line; or

(b )the second stop line, in the case of a vehicle which has proceeded beyond the first stop line or of a pedal cycle proceeding in the cycle lane.

..snip..

Link.

[ohHello]

You'd have to be incredibly unlucky to get fined or whatever for breaking that law; I doubt many PCs are even aware of it. It's ridiculous, and I understand they are looking at changing it, but who knows when?

Where there are two or three lanes, and you want to be in the right hand lane, it means to get there legally you need to enter to the left of the left hand vehicle and then swing all the way over to the right inside the ASZ - if the lights change while you're doing that it would be incredibly dangerous!

So yeah, I just enter it wherever is safest, which is sometimes to the right of the right hand vehicle, and nuts to that crap piece of legislation. If there is a conflict between what's safe and what's legal - my safety wins.