Page:UK Traffic Signs Manual - Chapter 3 Regulatory Signs. 2008 (Second Impression 2008).pdf/148



This section deals with the signing of cycle facilities, including cycle lanes and cycle routes shared with pedestrians. Detailed guidance on the use of road markings is given in section 16 of Chapter 5. For cycle parking place signs see para 7.7.

A mandatory cycle lane requires an order which prohibits other vehicles from using that part of the carriageway while the lane is in operation. It may be either a with—flow lane or, in a one—way road, a contra—flow lane. The latter must be operational at all times, but a with—flow cycle lane may operate for only part of the day. Advisory lanes do not require an order and may be used in situations where mandatory lanes would be too restrictive, typically where road width is restricted and motor vehicles might occasionally need to encroach on the lane. They are often used as lead—in lanes to advanced cycle stop lines at junctions controlled by traffic signals (see para 17.13 in this section and paras 16.20 to 16.22 in Chapter 5) where it is not practicable to introduce a mandatory lane. They may also be used to by—pass parking bays as shown in figure 16-3 in Chapter 5. Contra—flow advisory cycle lanes may be introduced in one—way streets, but special sign authorisation is required (see para 17.25).

Waiting should be prohibited during the operational periods of a mandatory cycle lane as it is an offence for motor vehicles to enter the lane. Signs and markings, provided in accordance with section 6, are required only where an order is made to prohibit waiting during any period when the cycle lane is not in force. The time period shown on the upright signs should not overlap the operational period of the lane; the road markings will therefore be to diagram 1017 (single yellow line) even if the combined effect results in a 24-hour prohibition of waiting.

Loading should also be banned in a mandatory cycle lane, although there may occasionally be special reasons why it needs to be allowed, such as off—peak loading in a 24-hour with—flow cycle lane. Any prohibition of loading, whether during or outside the hours when the lane is in force, should always be indicated with signs and markings in accordance with section 6, but without the need also to indicate a prohibition of waiting unless waiting is prohibited outside the operational period of the lane.

A mandatory cycle lane is marked with a continuous line to diagram 1049. Figure 17-1 shows a typical layout. Regulation 4 requires that a cycle lane commences with a road marking to diagram 1009. This is laid diagonally across the carriageway to guide motor vehicles away from the lane. A taper of 1:10 is recommended. Warning of the cycle lane should normally be given in advance of this taper by a sign to diagram 958.1. Where the speed limit is 20 mph or 30 mph, the sign should be sited 20 m in advance of the taper, with a minimum clear visibility distance of 45 m. Where the speed limit is 40 mph, the sign should be sited 40 m in advance of the taper with a minimum clear visibility distance of 60 m. Where siting of the sign is likely to be difficult and where the cycle lane is clearly visible to drivers, the sign to diagram 958.1 may be omitted. However, in the interests of road safety, the sign should be provided wherever possible. It must be used only in conjunction with the road marking to diagram 1009 (direction 17). It is not appropriate to use the sign at intermediate junctions along the cycle lane.

A sign to diagram 959.1 should be provided at the start of the continuous line denoting the edge of the cycle lane (i.e. immediately following the taper described in para 17.5). This is a regulatory sign that prohibits motor vehicles from encroaching on the cycle lane. The sign should be provided after each road junction on the same side as the cycle lane, even if the side road is one way leading away from the major road. The sign should also be provided after a junction on the opposite side of the road if vehicles can turn right from it to join the flow of traffic alongside the cycle lane. No two signs should be more than 300 m apart; it might be necessary, therefore, to provide additional signs between junctions.

Where a cycle lane does not operate at all times, the signs to diagram 958.1 and 959.1 should incorporate the sign to diagram 961 indicating the days and times of operation. The width of diagram 961 is the same as diagrams 958.1 and 959.1; it cannot be made any narrower or wider, nor can the width of diagrams 958.1 and 959.1 be varied to accommodate diagram 961. Working drawing