My Confusing Commute

[James Whittle]

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Im unsure on where I should be when trying to turn either left or right, could anyone explain it for me ​

1: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=28bwd47&s=6​

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This part of the junction uses filter lights when trying to turn right, i'm not to sure on how I should approach, should i wait in the filter area when I have a green light but there is still oncoming traffic? or stay behind the line? (how would you negotiate this junction)​

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2: http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=311kz79&s=6​

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any help would be much appreciated, because i don't like taking to the pavement with my road bike ​

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Thanks​

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[Sandra6]

I'm far from an expert, but here's what I would do.
In the first situation with the cycle lane, if I wanted to go left I'd move across the front box if the lights were red, and go from there, or I'd probably pull across into the traffic as I approached the lights so I wasn't on the outside of the traffic trying to turn in front of it.
Does that make sense?? Actually - I'd probably go on the pavement 'cos I is a chicken!

In the second with the filter, I'd go over the line if I felt it was safe to do so, that's what you'd do in a car isn't it? I have a similar turn to take sometimes and that's what I do.

 

[James Whittle]

for the first one, say the van was there like it was in the picutre and you was coming behind it, would you cut in front of it? the cycle lane sort of goes in front of it but i don't get it haha


usually for the 2nd one, I go straight on then pull up and U-Turn down the one way slip way to the right

 

[Sandra6]

If the lights are red, the "box" is there for you to cut in front of the traffic, if the lights were green I wouldn't as you might get squished!
When I'm waiting for a filter - or to turn across traffic - I just sit in the middle of the road and curse the cars that squeeze past me.

 

[ohnovino]

1: To turn left, you want to be were the truck is and to turn right you want to be were the car is. I'd ignore that cycle lane unless I was going straight on (I presume there's a cycle path straight ahead). If there was a van stopped as in the picture, I'd sit behind him in the centre of the lane.

2: I'd probably creep forward as the light went green, unless it'd be blocking someone else (although from the pics I don't think you would be). If you sit at the stop line you tend to get drivers behind getting annoyed, even though it's not like they can go anywhere.

 

[lejogger]

It's important to remember that you're part of the traffic, not an obstacle for other vehicles to avoid. If you have a green light for turning right then I would be right in the middle of the lane, and proceeding with traffic flow if it's your right of way and if it's safe to do so.

If there's oncoming traffic then I would edge out like a car would, providing there is a safe area to move into and there isn't a yellow box. This then gives a clear signal to cars behind of your intention and they're less likely to try and get past you where there might not be room.

Above all, ride confidently, and in a strong primary position that leaves no doubt to other motorists that they should be remaining behind until you're both clear of the junction.

 

[lejogger]

for the first one, say the van was there like it was in the picutre and you was coming behind it, would you cut in front of it? the cycle lane sort of goes in front of it but i don't get it haha

The box in front of the van is your safe zone for waiting for the lights. You should be right in front of the traffic so they can clearly see youand wait for you to start moving before they can consider an overtake.

If you're not confident enough to do this then wait in turn with the traffic, but make sure you're in the centre of the lane, not right into the kerb. The ASL is the safest option.

 

[I like Skol]

1: To turn left, you want to be were the truck is and to turn right you want to be were the car is. I'd ignore that cycle lane unless I was going straight on (I presume there's a cycle path straight ahead). If there was a van stopped as in the picture, I'd sit behind him in the centre of the lane.

2: I'd probably creep forward as the light went green, unless it'd be blocking someone else (although from the pics I don't think you would be). If you sit at the stop line you tend to get drivers behind getting annoyed, even though it's not like they can go anywhere.

Spot on for the junction in Pic1, I also think the cycle lane must feed into a straight on cycle lane as otherwise it makes no sense at all.

In picture 2 if I was turning right I would wait for the green light then if there was oncoming traffic I would ride forward to a point approximately level with the island with the bollard on the right and wait for a break in the oncoming traffic. You need to imagine there are markings for 3 lanes at this point and position yourself in the middle of the middle lane. This leaves plenty of room for vehicles going straight on to pass on your left, oncoming traffic to pass to your right but should prevent other vehicles also wanting to turn right from pulling along side you.

 

[I like Skol]

The box in front of the van is your safe zone for waiting for the lights. You should be right in front of the traffic so they can clearly see youand wait for you to start moving before they can consider an overtake.

If you're not confident enough to do this then wait in turn with the traffic, but make sure you're in the centre of the lane, not right into the kerb. The ASL is the safest option.

I would not encourage anyone to try and pass the van in this picture. Waiting behind is the only safe option. Sneaking up the left of the van is a recipe for disaster and if you try to pass on his right (as the silly cycle lane markings suggest) you would be left isolated in the middle of the road if the lights changed before you completed the move. Wait behind the van then he is no danger to you and any vehicle that comes up behind you is fully aware of your presense ,which they would not be if you are hidden in front of the van and this could lead to them coming across you unexpectedly if the van whizzes past you.

 

[GrasB]

I would take the centre of the lane & act like I were a car. There's not much ambiguity on what you're going to do then.

 

[ohnovino]

The box in front of the van is your safe zone for waiting for the lights. You should be right in front of the traffic so they can clearly see youand wait for you to start moving before they can consider an overtake.

If you're not confident enough to do this then wait in turn with the traffic, but make sure you're in the centre of the lane, not right into the kerb. The ASL is the safest option.

Not when there's a large vehicle at the front though. The picture below shows the blind spots at the front of a lorry; if the driver doesn't spot a cyclist as they're filtering he'll have no idea they're there.

 

[lejogger]

Point taken regarding the van and I completely agree. I was thinking about a more general situation rather than with the specific vehicles in the picture.
I actually don't ever try to get past anything on either side that's bigger than a car in this situation, and you always have to allow for the chance that the lights could change at any point.

 

[Maylian]

Much like others I would just imagine I was a car in both these scenario's, ignore the cycle lane completely unless it serves another purpose of going somewhere else and be in the centre and not overtake anything. Big, bold and ballsy so everyone knows what your intent is and more importantly can't get past you until it's safe.

With the junction again act like a car and edge away from the lights and wait until it is safe to turn

 

[HLaB]

Like others have said ignore the cycle lane, unless you are going straight and I'd avoid the ASL, especially if it involves negotiating round a hgv but even if it doesn't car drivers can be blind too or just plonkers and it isnt worth the hassle.
Turning right into the junction do what a car would do, edge forward and prepare to turn right in a gap, if no gap comes wait for the arrow. If you wait behind the line you may not have enough time to complete your move when the arrow comes on (the default is just 4 secs because traffic Engineers assume folk will have edged forward). Be careful if you edge forward too far however, some plonker will try to over take you through the gap!

 

[gambatte]

I'd say for any junction when you're unsure of the intention of the layout of additional cycling facilities - ignore them, remain as all other traffic.
Scenario 1
Is it possible that in this instance they've provided 1 lane to get cyclists to a prime position for either turn? For the left turn, it could get you to the ASL, without having the potential for a closing nearside gap if the lights change midway?
For the right hander, it'd safely get you to within a few cars of the front, before moving out. Not strictly 'cyclecraft' and the normal traffic lane looks wide enough for filtering anyway....
Scenario 2
The lanes right hand only, so you shouldn't have any problem with vehicles to the rear wanting to pass and go straight on. I'd position myself approximately where you expect a cars offside wheel to be. Which should be the prime place to make you visible to oncoming drivers? At a green light, I'd move forward