Advanced Stop Lines

[Robert Bruce]

AFAIK, it is only legal when the lights are red to enter an ASL 'region' via the cycle lane(s)
provided - even though these are usually in the gutter and/or obstructed by motor vehicles.
Yesterday I noticed that a particular ASL in Harlesden (http://tinyurl.com/uo5y) has no entry point
at all. I presume that this is because the road isn't wide enough to accommodate two lanes of motor
traffic and a cycle lane.

Is there any point to this ASL at all? Even putting aside the fact that in normal circumstances it's
illegal to actually use it, in practical terms, the width of the road means that it's almost
impossible to get to without weaving in and out of the traffic queue in a manner that takes the
control and confidence of a pretty experienced cyclist.

Luckily I'm both pretty and experienced ;-)

--
Rob Please keep conversations in the newsgroup so that all may contribute and benefit.

[David Hansen]

On Wed, 12 Nov 2003 09:32:11 -0000 someone who may be "Robert Bruce"
<robatanalytical-dynamicsdotcodotyoukay> wrote this:-

>Yesterday I noticed that a particular ASL in Harlesden (http://tinyurl.com/uo5y) has no entry point
>at all. [snip]
>
>Is there any point to this ASL at all?

There are several such ASLs in Edinburgh. These are frequently used by cyclists. I have no idea if
they are experienced or not.

--
David Hansen, Edinburgh | PGP email preferred-key number F566DA0E I will always explain revoked
keys, unless the UK government prevents me using the RIP Act 2000.

[Adrian Boliston]

"Robert Bruce" <robatanalytical-dynamicsdotcodotyoukay> wrote in message
news:3fb1fdcc_2@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...

> AFAIK, it is only legal when the lights are red to enter an ASL 'region' via the cycle lane(s)
> provided....

This would seem to encourage cyclists to "undertake" and risk getting "car-doored" when it's usually
safer to "overtake" if you *must* get to the ASL.

[Drinky]

[snip]
> >Yesterday I noticed that a particular ASL in Harlesden (http://tinyurl.com/uo5y) has no entry
> >point at all.
[snip]
> >
> >Is there any point to this ASL at all?
>
> There are several such ASLs in Edinburgh. These are frequently used by cyclists. I have no idea if
> they are experienced or not.

Never mind their level of experience - are they pretty?

[Jeremy Parker]

"Stuart Dalby" <stuart_dalby@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:bot84d$1hhbgo$1@ID-74662.news.uni-berlin.de...
> "Ian" <spamandchips@greasy.joes> wrote in message news:BBD7C2C9.16B7D%spamandchips@greasy.joes...
> > > Whilst it is nice to have a cycle lane in place to help
cyclists
> reach
> > > an advanced stop line (ASL), the lack of a cycle lane does not
> prevent
> > > a cyclist from approaching the ASL and using it. Whether there
is
> a
> > > cycle lane or not, if it is not safe to progress, stop.
> > >
> > >
> > I think you will find that if there is a solid line to the front
and
> rear of
> > the ASL, and no cycle lane entering the box then it is illegal to
> use it
> > technically.
>
> A few people's posts suggest it is not legal. I've had a quick
online
> search for clarification but haven't found any. Has anyone a link?

Here in London, Ralph Smyth, Coordinator of the City branch of the London Cycling Campaign, who is a
barrister, has been following this matter. If I understand correctly what he has said, he reports
that it has been illegal to cross the back stop line since the law was changed in January. What
seems to have happened is that the idiots ( not Ralph's description)who drew up the new law decided
(by accident/incompetance I presume, rather than malice) that bicycles were not proper vehicles, and
so forbade "vehicles" from crossing the line rather than "motor vehicles". I don't know whether
there has to be a lane approaching a gap in the stop line for it to be legal to go through the gap.

The obvious remedy is for those who perpetrated the mistake to rectify it, but I haven't heard of
any moves for them to do so.

Jeremy Parker

>
> Thanks, Stuart http://www.radox.freeserve.co.uk/driving.htm