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The Highway Code (@HighwayCodeGB)
22/05/2012 11:00
Do not overtake unless you are sure it is safe and legal to do so.
Overtake only on the right. #HighwayCode rule 267
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Is it things like this that make things worse for cyclists?
Some drivers think bikes shouldn't filter on their left.
Undoubtedly. Although a comparative number also think you shouldn't filter down the right....
Some drivers think bikes shouldn't filter on their left
also think you shouldn't filter down the right....
And the highway code agrees:
Rule 163:
"stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left"
No exception for cyclists there, I'm afraid.
Which is the only purpose of a cycle lane, ie it gives you the right to filter on the left of slow moving traffic. The HWC is clear that there is no other time when you can filter on the left of traffic, and since it is so dangerous, I cant see why people are so keen to assert the right to do so.
Right, going to have to dig out my article on this. Perfectly legal to filter left or right past traffic on a bike. Completely and utterly. Don't restrict yourself to the Highway Code, the underlying legislation is more clear.
"I cant see why people are so keen to assert the right to do so" -
otherwise in urban traffic (without cycle lanes) a lot of the speed/journey time advantage of cycling would be lost.
There would be little point to ASLs if they could only be reached by bikes getting to the front of the traffic queue that they were patiently waiting in.
From the BikeHub legal pages (as I can't track down my piece which looked into this in more detail - but effectively the principle is here:
"The new Highway Code has cleared up the uncertainty. Old rule 129 has been replaced by new rule 151, which has a new bullet-point on the end:
151 In slow-moving traffic. You should
• […]
• be aware of cyclists and motorcyclists who may be passing on either side
Cyclists and motorcyclists overtaking slow-moving traffic on either the left or the right can now say that this is sanctioned by the Highway Code, as it alerts drivers to both possibilities."
(actually the civil position on motorcycles is now that, primarily, if a motorcycle is filtering, and a car then turns across that bike, the driver of the car is responsible - only in stationary traffic).
"... since it is so dangerous, I cant see why people are so keen to assert the right to do so"
Primarily because it's not dangerous, as long as you know what you're doing. There are times I don't filter, if I don't know the light sequence ahead, or there's simply no space, or there's a junction ahead that a car might turn into without indicating etc etc etc.
But do it sensibly and it's perfectly safe, as well as one of the prime benefits of riding a bike. And as chdot says, if you can't filter what's the point in having an ASL? (though the amount of cars that stop in them you could ask the same question).
Surely the reason people filter is simply that if they didn't, it would be better to take the car?
If I'm going to sit stationary for extended periods in inclement weather, I'd rather do it with a comfy seat, radio, and climate control!
If the HWC has a warning about speeding traffic or drivers not paying attention, does that make their behaviour legal too?
the underlying legislation is more clear.
Possibly, but I've no idea what that legislation is or where to find it. The main purpose of the Highway Code seems to be to make the legislation clear to the likes of me so it's a fail if it's as you say (and I'm sure it is!).
There would be little point to ASLs if..
Indeed, and the graphic associated with ASLs (rule 178)shows cyclists filtering up the left of queueing traffic but deftly puts them on the wee "tail" of the ASL (which tend to be vestigial appendices in Edinburgh for some reason) without giving any guidance as to how to get there in the first place!
...can now say that this is sanctioned by the Highway Code, as it alerts drivers to both possibilities
Well, no. Not sanctioned exactly. More highlighted as an unexpected hazard for road users to beware of, like (as mgj says) speeding or inattentive drivers.
"be aware of politicians and lawyers who may be using spin" doesn't mean spin is sanctioned, does it? Mind you, that would explain a lot....
Filtering is still legal though. No-one can declare something illegal simply because they don't like it.
Like I say, I went into more detail in the article (and there's definitely a lot of the legislation that isn't reflected in the HC very well - and of course there are 'rules' that are merely 'it would be nice if you did this' without there being a statutory requirement), which I'll dig out and post a link to.
@alibali, lawyers eh, slimy evil gits the lot of them.
From Highway Code rule 88 (for Motorcyclists):
"Additionally, when filtering in slow-moving traffic, take care and keep your speed low."
If filtering (by motorcycles) wasn't allowed presumably it would say, you MUST NOT filter?
(obviously this is a rule for motorcycles).
[quote]Overtake only on the right. #HighwayCode rule 267[/quote] is from the Motorways section of the Code, so doesn't apply to (pedal) cyclists, and maybe this should have been pointed out more clearly to motorists?
Some parts of the Highway Code are wrong/contradictory or at least misleading or incomplete.
rule 163 says (in part) "only overtake on the left if the vehicle in front is signalling to turn right, and there is room to do so.
stay in your lane if traffic is moving slowly in queues. If the queue on your right is moving more slowly than you are, you may pass on the left"
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Cycling Edinburgh @CyclingEdin
@HighwayCodeGB Might need to add some clarification for #cycling on "overtake only on the right. #HighwayCode rule 267"
http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=6675
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Don't suppose they'll respond.
Regarding ASLs, some of them don't have a cycle lane (broken white line) entrance to them, simply an unbroken white line all they way across.
Does this technically mean those ASL's are meaningless because in order to access them you need to cross a stop line?
I suspect you would never actually be pulled up for this but some of them are badly designed!
Filtering, aye, I do that. On the left through Corstorphine, and right down the middle of the A8 dual to Newbridge at 20+mph. The latter is legal, but I realise not for the faint of heart, or particularly wise, but it can be exhilarating.
In the City centre I tend to stay in the que of traffic unless a cycle lane is available. Don't know why I treat different areas of congestion differently, perhaps it feels safer to filter on the wider traffic lanes in Corstorphine?
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Does this technically mean those ASL's are meaningless because in order to access them you need to cross a stop line?
I suspect you would never actually be pulled up for this but some of them are badly designed!
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I'm not clear if badly designed or just poorly executed.
So legally you can't use some feed in lanes!
Strictly it must mean you can't cross into the box anywhere along the line when lights are red - which isn't exactly practical or - presumably - intended.
Unless first line doesn't actually apply to bikes??
@anth Sorry if I touched a nerve there. Surprised no politician rounded on me though. Maybe a bad example, but you know what I mean.
I do the filtering thing too, but I have to say it is more dangerous for me (than staying in the queue) bcause I don't know what I'm doing and just learning what's dangeous as I go.
@alibali, it's alright, you'll just get my notice of proceedings being raised against you in the post... ;)
More annoyed that I can't find the thing I wrote about the legality of filtering.
Every day when I go down South Gyle Broadway, round the Lightning Roundabout and down South Gyle Access, I filter right down the middle of the 2 lanes of traffic, which is either stopped, moving very slowly, or blocked by a car trying to be cheeky and go up the outside lane before cutting into the inside. The edge-of-roundabout cycle lane there is not just pointless but dangerous, and the greenway has been suspended for over 2 years thanks to the interminable tram works by the railway. The only other option would be to simply sit and wait it out with exhaust fumes in your face.
No thanks.
@baldcyclist @ Chdot yes, noticed a lot of this over and around the Pleasance / Southside - hadn't been through there much of late, and have now cycled it three or four times this week. All the ASLs I encountered have solid lines across the 'bike access'.
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