ASLs..... Worth the paint?

[Boris Bajic]

I do not have a strong view on this, but am interested to see what the views of others are.

I cycle less frequently in London and other cities these days, but still cross (and stop at) quite a few ASLs there and around the place.

I cannot be sure when I saw my first one. Or where.

I tend not to use them as intended. I occasionally use them as a means of slipping past another cyclist I imagine might hold me up at the green. I see other people using them like that too, so if it makes me a Pariah I'll have company on the naughty step.

But the questions are as follows:

1. Have they really improved your lot as a cyclist?

2. Do you get the impression that other road users understand their presence and function?

3. (Not in any way a loaded question here) Do you sometimes get the feeling that there is something a little token about their introduction?

4. Are they worth the paint?

With the caveat (as ever) that I am right and always will be, I'm interested nonetheless in reading the views of others (however risibly wrong) and seeing whether I am anything like a snug fit into the standard, urban-cycling mindset.

 

[Davidsw8]

I like the idea of them but I often find myself behind motorcyclists (perhaps THE vehicle that can get away the quickest) in them. Also, most other motorists quite happily sit in them so, if I want to be ahead of them, I have to position myself in the pedestrian crossing area.

I get the impression that they're partially intended to stop motorists stopping in the crossing area, i.e. if they feel like they're getting away with being in an area ahead of where they're meant to be, they won't take the P and go one further...

Almost like giving someone who's persistently late a false meeting time half hour ahead of when you need them there

Saying all that, I think I'd rather have something there than nothing at all.

 

[MontyVeda]

1. they have plenty of ASLs in Lancaster, but I seldom encounter them on my routes through, in, or out of town... so i don't really ever use them.

2. They're a big red box with bike icon painted in them... so even if other road users don't really understand what they are for, they are a frequent reminder that cyclists use the one way system and have as much right on the roads as other vehicles... if this wasn't the case the ASLs wouldn't be there.

3. No... they are useful for getting across two lanes of stationary traffic without squeezing and weaving through cars, buses and lorries. Not 'token' in the least, useful and usable... but i seldom use them personally.

4. Yes... they are a frequent reminder that cyclists use the roads and have as much right on them as other vehicles

I find for the most part, motorist don't stop in the red bit... but when they first appeared, they did more often than i see now.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

I don't ride anywhere where there are any, but I think they are an ill thought out idea, as a motorist as well, why would you allow what is likely to be the slowest vehicle access to the front of the queue, I feel that by encouraging this, you are putting cyclist in more danger than expecting them to queue like the rest of the traffic.

Alan...

 

[MontyVeda]

I don't ride anywhere where there are any, but I think they are an ill thought out idea, as a motorist as well, why would you allow what is likely to be the slowest vehicle access to the front of the queue, I feel that by encouraging this, you are putting cyclist in more danger than expecting them to queue like the rest of the traffic.

Alan...

they're to allow cyclists to safely cross lanes of traffic at a junction... therefore putting them in less danger, not more.

 

[Davidsw8]

I don't ride anywhere where there are any, but I think they are an ill thought out idea, as a motorist as well, why would you allow what is likely to be the slowest vehicle access to the front of the queue, I feel that by encouraging this, you are putting cyclist in more danger than expecting them to queue like the rest of the traffic.

Alan...

I'm tending to agree with you there Alan, it may be worth having a more sophisticated lighting system that allows cyclists away from the blocks 3 seconds before everything else. But, even with that, you will definitely get most of the other vehicles not waiting those 3 seconds.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

they're to allow cyclists to safely cross lanes of traffic at a junction... therefore putting them in less danger, not more.

This is where I disagree, not having used them this is all theoretical, but my thoughts are that with proper observation & manoeuvring yourself into position BEFORE you get to the junction. I have a junction in the local town, a Y junction, I invariably want to go up the right hand Y, as I approach, I check behind, signal 'if necessary' & move over & join the right hand queue. All I can see ASL's promote is extra antagonisation against cyclist by other road users & putting them in further danger by being at the head of the queue.

Alan...

 

[redcard]

If a large queue of traffic, and there's a chance I might miss the green light, then I'll filter to the front. If there 2-3 cars ahead, then I'll wait in line, ride primary for ~100 yards, then take secondary

I think cyclists should be banned from ASLs if they can't accelerate at a decent rate.

 

[Andrew_P]

Daft idea that and the 30-50ft cycle Lane leading up to them. Encourages noobs to try and make there way up the side of cars and lorries to "get to the front" they think it is ok because there is a 3ft lane with a bike on it. I do not cycle with lots of other commuters so might be entirely different in major towns. But me pootling up and dropping in front of Jenson Button in his Vauxhall Corsa and trying to hold him off untill it is safe is not my idea of fun and being safe.

I would much rather be behind the second or third car in primary rather than at the head of a traffic light GP, two lanes in to one fight for space situation.

If they really want them they should put them two or three car lengths behind the stop line, kind of like a junction box, minus any cycle lanes leading up to them.

 

[CopperCyclist]

They may be of use in a city with a lot of cyclists. In cities like mine, where the vast, vast majority of the time I am alone, I'm not so sure they serve a great purpose.

 

[summerdays]

I like them. They are not completely respected by cars and lorries, but most do. I start faster than cars who then get faster than me. If I'm at the front I can clear the junction in primary and then move back to secondary (if safe), whereas if I'm behind the car first they slow me down initially, then I slow them down, whilst still in primary.

I think a lot of cyclists don't know how to use them properly - for example if there are two lanes, most tend to opt for the left hand lane even if they are going to be going the direction of the traffic in the right hand lane. Or if I put myself in a good position for going left but not in the gutter I find someone sitting in the gutter trying to go straight on. But they are the same cyclists who would put themselves in the wrong position anyway.

 

[simon.r]

I like them. They are not completely respected by cars and lorries, but most do. I start faster than cars who then get faster than me. If I'm at the front I can clear the junction in primary and then move back to secondary (if safe), ...

Exactly this. I do filter to the front of lengthy queues at junctions and if there's an ASL when I get to the front they allow me to do what summerdays describes. They also increase the visibility / road presence of cyclists IMO - I place myself in front of the first car, in primary, so there's no missing the fact that I'm there.

 

[Matthew_T]

Well my council seem to think that ASL's are a waste of time.

See here an ASL: https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=rhyl&hl=en&ll=53.319523,-3.488419&spn=0.000961,0.002642&geocode= &hnear=Rhyl, Denbighshire, United Kingdom&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=53.319555,-3.488469&panoid=FVSMhkPq6NuO-IkJBfjUGA&cbp=12,200.66,,0,20.28
The road now looks like this:

 

[daSmirnov]

None in Horsham, but I could think of a few locations where I'd like them.

However the ones in Crawley come in handy when I cycle over there during rush hour, nice being able to filter and not give up a primary position through a junction.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

Well my council seem to think that ASL's are a waste of time.

I have to agree with them apart from jumping the queue & possibly encouraging dangerous filtering to get to the ASL, what benefit of putting the ASL was there?

Alan...