We all know you can’t enter a cycle lane with a solid white line (during the times of operation etc) but when can you enter a cycle lane with a broken white line?
Having read the Highway Code some years ago I have always believed I could use them with broken white lines when it is not possible to drive on the carriageway. I have never been pulled up on this before.
Today a boy in blue tried to give me a ticket for being in a lane with a broken white line but I argued my point and he relented. He could not easily my questions ‘So why are they different and when can I use it?’
Checking again today the Highway Code reads:
Rule140
Cycle lanes. These are shown by road markings and signs. You MUST NOT drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a solid white line during its times of operation.
Do not drive or park in a cycle lane marked by a broken white line unless it is unavoidable.
So what does that mean in practice??? What a loose and unhelpful definition but it does mean it is open to interpretation. Any good lawyer would get you off a ticket based on this description of the offence.
If the carriageway is blocked by stationary traffic would you think this description would allow you to use the cycle lane where there’s a broken line?
I was on the ride scheme course on Monday 5th and asked about cycle lanes as I usualy use the ones between embankment and tower hill the bloke running it said you never allowed in cycle lanes
With all due respect that’s your own judgement sir.
I’ve trawled the net and can’t find any clear definition. Does anyone know if there’s a body that issues the Highway Code that you can send these type of questions to? I’ve looked with no joy.
True… but to use the cycle lane just because there is traffic doesn’t seem an unavoidable excuse as you could avoid the cycle lane by filtering to the right . I personally never use cycle lanes or bus lanes anymore as have picked up too many bikers and cyclists as well as car users caught in left turn incidents with lorries, cars etc etc. Would rather filter on the right and pull back in approaching a turning etc etc
It is normally not advised to filter on the inside (left), even if there is no cycle lane there, for a number of reasons:
Pushbikes will usually filter through there anyway, so they might block you in, or you might block them in at the lights.
Cars do not expect motorcycles to pass there, so in moving traffic they might unknowingly squash you onto the pavement, cut across you to turn left on a junction without indicating. Or, while stationary, open the door in front of you.
That being said, I do it all the time, but at least I am aware of the risks.:hehe:
Many moons ago, my Dad was booked for filtering on the left of a queue of traffic. On his push bike. After he went into the passenger door that had suddenly opened and sent him head over tit.
I always try to avoid filtering on the left. Although I will use bus lanes if there, but just stay wary of cars pulling across them or peds stepping out from stationary traffic on right.
Police riders use broken line cycle lanes all the time when not in a hurry and not using lights or sounds. The HC used different words for cycle lanes with a broken line and chevrons with a broken line. Maybe it is the passing on the left that makes a difference.
