Vehicles obstructing cycle boxes

[661-Pete]

It's a bit of an immature view banging on about things in such a literalist mode.

But the 'literal' interpretation of the Law is the only definite thing we have to go on here, if that's what you mean by "literalist". Everything else is open to interpretation and subjective arguments.

If you want my subjective approach, fine. I have only one ASL in my area that I have total acquaintance with, seeing as it's on my commute. The feeder lane is on the left, so this tends to encourage the cyclist to approach on the nearside, filtering as necessary, and then position themselves well to the left in the ASL box, inviting the risk of the 'left hook' should they be a bit slow on the off. Motorists often don't indicate there - they don't see need, seeing as the only other road user in sight is 'only' a cyclist. So - I don't like the layout.

But others may - subjectively - see it in a different light.

As it happens, if I'm first there, I tend to take a central position in the 'box': this means ignoring the feeder lane and technically 'breaking the law'. But safer.

 

[skudupnorth]

I just plonk myself in front of the offender if i know the lights are not about to change.Other than that i filter with the traffic if it is on the move.As some have already said,i don't think every motorist knows what the big box with a cycle emblem means,and of course like myself they have proberly not picked up a current highway code for many years which i am sure has our box in it !

 

[Lizban]

But just by being in the box on a red light doesn't mean they are committing and offence. They may well be and many do. But it is perfectly legal to be in there sometimes which is why it is often ignored.

 

[Sh4rkyBloke]

Surely I'm not the only one who thinks it's pretty obviously designed to be a place for cyclists... the big picture of a bike sort of gives a clue about the intent (as well as the (usually) "cycle lane" green paint. If I witness people driving into them illegally I'm afraid I go into awkward mode and will filter past them and take primary. If they hang back then I'm usually happy to stay behind and mingle with the traffic unless there's a longish queue of cars, in which case I make my way to the front but accelerate away quickly and get back to secondary when safe/convenient to do so, so as to not hold them up.

Too many people just don't give a damn and drive right into (and sometimes out the other side of) them.

 

[marinyork]

But the 'literal' interpretation of the Law is the only definite thing we have to go on here, if that's what you mean by "literalist". Everything else is open to interpretation and subjective arguments.

Things out there work on a hierarchy and resources. If you honestly think otherwise, spend your time in the commuting section of the forum where you can argue your fundamentalist point happily ever after.

 

[marinyork]

But just by being in the box on a red light doesn't mean they are committing and offence. They may well be and many do. But it is perfectly legal to be in there sometimes which is why it is often ignored.

That wasn't the reply back from the police force. The police thought here expressed deep reservations for the reasons I outlined.

 

[661-Pete]

Things out there work on a hierarchy and resources. If you honestly think otherwise, spend your time in the commuting section of the forum where you can argue your fundamentalist point happily ever after.

You've lost me entirely now, marinyork. But hey! Steady on there!