G
G.Harman
Guest
Near me there is a roundabout which has an area intended for cyclists marked with a different colour
surface and white line border around part of its periphery. Today I seen one of the entrance roads
has gained a new electronic sign,positioned adjacent to the Give way line to the right of a joining
vehicle. Though I have not seen it operate yet it would appear to illuminate showing a Bicycle
symbol within a warning triangle and possibly some flashing lights as well. Presumably the Cycle
"lane" has a sensor sensitive enough to activate the sign. Have these been put up anywhere else? At
first sight it looks quite well thought as regards positioning . Will have to observe it for a while
and see how well it works. A foreseeable snag would be if a cyclist takes a line through the
roundabout without using the marked route,which they are quite entitled to do especially when there
are no other vehicles forcing them to the periphery. A SMIDNSY's Lawyer might argue that not taking
the recommended route and gaining any protection afforded by it was contributory negligence etc. I
have not approached the roundabout from the other direction so I do not know if there is any
information to let a cyclist know about the sign and suggest they use the cycle lane .
The Location is at the end of the Itchen Bridge in Southampton at the city end. Those who
know it will appreciate that the down gradient off the bridge means that cycles can easily
maintain a good speed matching or exceeding the limit for motor vehicles. This does mean that
they can "surprise" joining traffic, however a rider doing that speed will not want to slow
into the cycle lane. Bit of a Dilemma for the highway engineer.
G.Harman
surface and white line border around part of its periphery. Today I seen one of the entrance roads
has gained a new electronic sign,positioned adjacent to the Give way line to the right of a joining
vehicle. Though I have not seen it operate yet it would appear to illuminate showing a Bicycle
symbol within a warning triangle and possibly some flashing lights as well. Presumably the Cycle
"lane" has a sensor sensitive enough to activate the sign. Have these been put up anywhere else? At
first sight it looks quite well thought as regards positioning . Will have to observe it for a while
and see how well it works. A foreseeable snag would be if a cyclist takes a line through the
roundabout without using the marked route,which they are quite entitled to do especially when there
are no other vehicles forcing them to the periphery. A SMIDNSY's Lawyer might argue that not taking
the recommended route and gaining any protection afforded by it was contributory negligence etc. I
have not approached the roundabout from the other direction so I do not know if there is any
information to let a cyclist know about the sign and suggest they use the cycle lane .
The Location is at the end of the Itchen Bridge in Southampton at the city end. Those who
know it will appreciate that the down gradient off the bridge means that cycles can easily
maintain a good speed matching or exceeding the limit for motor vehicles. This does mean that
they can "surprise" joining traffic, however a rider doing that speed will not want to slow
into the cycle lane. Bit of a Dilemma for the highway engineer.
G.Harman