Cyclists Road Features

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Cyclists and road features

Environment DepartmentRoad Safety 01992 556808www.hertsdirect.org/roadsafety


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CYCLING S FELY

Once you have the skill to control your cycle well and understand how to undertake the basicmanoeuvres of starting, stopping, overtaking parked cars and turning left and right, you will wantto get out and about on your cycle as much as possible.

The further you go the more road features you will meet. This leaflet gives some hints andadvice on dealing with various situations you may encounter.

The following publications also offer useful advice:

Keep on the Safe Side A handbook for young cyclistsHMSO

CyclecraftSkilled Cycling Techniques for Adults

By John FranklinUnwin Paperbacks

The Highway CodeThe Stationery Office

If you have any queries on cycle training or cycling to school please contact

Hazel Clarke

Road Safety UnitEnvironment Department Hertfordshire County CouncilCounty HallPegs LaneHERTFORD SG13 8DN

Telephone 01992 556808 Fax 01992 556820

Email hazel.clarke @hertscc.gov.uk

Website www.hertsdirect.gov.uk/roadsafety


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Road Features

Physical features or road markings are used for a variety of reasons: to help the flow of traffic at junctions, to aid a particular type of road user and to slow traffic down and make a saferenvironment for everyone.

For Cyclists

Cycle paths

One of the safest places to ride is a cycle path away from the road and our leaflet on sharedroutes gives further information.

Please remember that it is against the law to ride on footpaths or pavements unless there is ablue sign showing that cycling is permitted.

On unsegregated paths pedestrians have right ofway.

Cyclists should ride at a reasonable speed with duecare and consideration to others.

Be prepared to slow down or dismount ifnecessary.

Politely warn pedestrians of your approach, butremember that some may have difficulty seeing orhearing.

On segregated paths keep to theside allocated to cyclists.

This is shown by a cycle on the signand a cycle symbol on the pathitself.

The surface colour or texture maydiffer and a raised white line willseparate the two halves.


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Obey the give way markings found when a cycle path crossesa road.

Where the cycle path runs in front of houses watch out forcars exiting driveways and crossing the path.

Signs will show you when the cycle path comes to an endand you need to dismount.

Cycle lanes

Cycle lanes are separated from the main carriageway by solid or broken white lines andsometimes have a different colour surface.

They are signed with a blue rectangular sign showing a cycle and marked on the carriagewaywith a white painted cycle symbol.

Do not be confused by white lines put down to mark the edge of the carriageway on unlit roadsor as a means of narrowing the road. The gap left is not meant to be used by cyclists as it willbe too narrow.

Take care if the cycle lane leaves the carriageway to join acycle path away from the road, but be extra careful if it rejoinsthe road.

At the end of a cycle laneremember that you will be joining the main flow of traffic.

Cyclists in a cycle lane travel in the same direction as therest of the traffic.

Occasionally the cycle lane is contra-flow.

This means that cyclists travel in theopposite direction to motor traffic. In this case white arrows on the signsand as road markings show the direction of travel.


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Bus lanes

Bus lanes are also separated from the main carriageway by solidwhite lines or different coloured road surfaces.

Cyclists may only use a bus lane if the road signs show this ispermitted by the inclusion of a cycle.Take extra care as buses are large vehicles and their drivers maynot be aware of cyclists, particularly when the bus is stopping or pulling away from a bus stop.

Watch out for passengers who may leave the bus and step out in front of you to cross the road.

Traffic Calming

Gateways

As the name suggests these features show road users that they are entering a new area:possibly coming from the open countryside to a village or town with a lower speed limit.

Often it is just a gateway atthe side of the road and adifferent colour roadsurface, but sometimes theroad has been madenarrower at this point.

If this is the case and there

is other traffic about, ensureyou have enough room toget through safely.

Gateways within urbandistricts usually lead to amore pedestrian friendly

area such as a 20mph zoneand often mark the start ofa series of traffic calmingmeasures.

Flat top humps

Put in to slow down trafficand help pedestrians crossthe road.


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Some go straight across the road and join the kerb, others have a gully between them and thekerb. When cycling do not try to use the gully. Ensure you are far enough away from the kerb tobe on the top of the hump. If there is a white line showing the edge, be on the road side of it.

Watch out for pedestrians using the hump as a crossing point. They do not have the right ofway, but cyclists should be prepared to stop if necessary ( as should drivers).

Round top humps

Put in to slow down traffic.

As they have a curved surface, ensure both your hands are on the handlebars when negotiatingthem.

Speed cushions

Put down in pairs across theroad to slow traffic.

There is usually room for acycle between the cushionand the kerb.

If there is not, ensure you ride over at its centre or the cycle may slip on the sloping sides.

Junction tables

Put in to slow down trafficand help pedestrians crossthe road.

These are large flat tophumps constructed across junctions.

Beware of signalling on the upward approach and remember some surfaces become veryslippery when wet.

Zebra crossings on flat top humps

Put in to slow down traffic and helppedestrians cross the road.

These are the same as normalzebras except they have beenpositioned on a hump.

Remember that you must give way topedestrians on the crossing and awaiting to cross.


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Road narrowing

These are width restrictions used to narrowthe road on one or both carriageways.

They restrict speed and flow of traffic andassist pedestrians by reducing crossingwidth.

They are usually accompanied by give waymarkings at one end and signs indicating whohas priority at the other.

Move into a suitable road position early orelse other traffic may force you into the kerb.Be extra careful of drivers who think there is room for them to pass as well.

Cycle bypass

Some road narrowings have a cyclebypass so that cyclists can keep tothe left hand side of the road and arenot forced to move across thecarriageway.

Watch out for traffic fromboth directions onleaving the safety of thebypass.

Chicanes

Chicanes are road narrowings locatedon either side of the road.

They slow traffic by forcing one streamto give way to the other and bydeflecting vehicles through thenarrowing.


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Kerb buildout / footway extension

These are found at junctions and are used toreduce road width in order to help pedestriansand slow traffic.

They can also prevent unsafe parking.

Since buildouts force vehicles over from their normal line of travel, cyclists need to watch out forfollowing traffic as they adjust their road position.

Mini roundabouts

Slow down traffic, ease congestion and help safe exit from minor roads. They are usually foundon 3 arm junctions. Markings are white paint, with a slightly raised centre circle.

Traffic must go round in the direction of the arrows, giving way to vehicles from the immediateright.

Cyclists should take great care as other road users do not always see them and realise wherethey are going or accept that they might have priority.

Making eye contact with drivers is essential.

Beware if coming out from a relatively unused arm, as regular users of the route may not expecttraffic from that direction and not be prepared to stop. The situation at each roundabout willvary. Experience will tell you what to look for in particular.

You can normally go left, right or straight on. Signal clearly for traffic ahead and behind. Do not

signal whilst going round unless you are sure you are in full control of your cycle.

It is a good idea to keep to the centre of your lane so that traffic from behind cannot squeezeyou into the kerb, and you are also more visible.

Sometimes all 3 drivers are waiting for the person on their right to go. Then they all decide tomove at once. This can be a problem if a vehicle does not go round the roundabout but acrossthe centre.

Larger vehicles, especially lorries, often do this and the front of buses may swing into your pathas they negotiate the turn.

If you feel unsure, you may prefer to dismount and walk. Remember to do so at a safe distancefrom the roundabout.


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Double mini-roundabouts

These consist of 2 mini-roundabouts placed one after the other. Treat each one as a separateentity.

Take extra care.

Make eye contact withother users and payattention to their signalsand your own.

Drivers may not alwaysrealise it is a doubleroundabout until they haveentered the first one.

Signals can be confusing and mistakes made over right of way. If it is a busy junction, you mayfeel safer getting off your cycle and walking.

Large roundabouts

Some are relatively quiet and cyclists can follow the advice in the highway code i.e.Keep left to turn left; keep more to the centre of your lane to go ahead; move to the right anduse the centre of that lane before checking around, changing to a left signal and pulling over tothe left to exit. Make sure drivers can see you clearly and understand your intentions.

At all times beware of other traffic either vehicles pulling onto the roundabout in front of you orcoming up from behind – both can cut across your path. If riding be positive, check to the righton your approach and only stop if there is traffic coming. Be prepared to pedal strongly tocontinue, if it is safe.

Some roundabouts have a special lane forcyclists to use.

However as this usually takes you round theoutside edge of the roundabout you must takeextra care when going right.

Keep looking all around and signal clearly.

If you are at all doubtful, the roundabout is toobusy or weather conditions make visibility poor,it will be best to dismount safely before theroundabout and cross as a pedestrian. Remountonce it is safe to do so.

Road surface changes

Some approaches to junctions or crossings have a special anti-skid surface in case driversapproach at too great a speed. Others are in different colours, usually red or green, to highlight


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the area. Red areas of the carriageway at the side or centre of the road indicate that vehiclesshould not go there.

White lining

Indicates to the driver the preferred route through a junction or along a road.

Hatch markings show which areas of the carriageway should not be driven on.

These can be found in the centre of the road to narrow each carriageway.

They can also provide protected areas for vehicles turning right.

The examples show howwhite lining has been usedto narrow the carriageway.

Do not ride within thepainted area.

Pedestrian refuge or traffic islands

Put in either to help pedestrians cross the roadby splitting it into 2 halves, or to slow traffic andprevent overtaking.

Beware of cars trying to pass as you cycle bythe island.

Some drivers are too impatient to wait until thereis sufficient room.


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Pedestrian Crossings

Zebra crossing

Recognised by its distinctive black and white stripes across the carriageway. Traffic must give

way to pedestrians on the crossing. If using one to cross the road, walk with your cycle.

Pelican, puffin, toucan crossings

These are all light controlled pedestrian crossings.

The only visual difference between a pelican and a puffin isthat pedestrians see the red or green figure on the oppositepole on the former and above their wait box on the latter.

If using one to cross the road get off your cycle and walk.

Pelican Puffin

A toucan crossing is designed to be used by both cyclists andpedestrians.

It will have a cycle path and footpath leading up to it.

Press the button on the box and wait for the green man and cycle toappear. If it is safe you may ride across being careful of other users.

As a cyclist, obey the light signal, remembering that pedestrians havethe right of way when the lights are in their favour.

Toucan

At a pelican crossing riders will see a flashing amber light after the red. This means they maygo if the road is clear, but must stop and give way to any pedestrians who are still crossing.

Puffins and toucans both have the normal traffic light sequence :- red, red and amber, green,amber, then back to red.


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Traffic lights

Cyclists must obey traffic light signals.

Remember that amber means stop.

If you carry on you may find yourself inthe middle of the junction when thelights change to allow traffic to go fromanother direction.

If waiting at a red light, try to stop inthe centre of your lane so that there is not a vehicle next to you when you move off.

Have your pedal set, and be in a suitable gear.

Make sure you are in the correct lane for the direction you are going, especially at lights with a

filter.

At busy or complex junctions you may prefer to dismount and cross using any pedestrianfacilities provided.

Advanced stop line

At some traffic lights there is a shadedarea (often green) marked for cycles

beyond the stop line.

This allows cyclists to move off ahead ofother traffic when the lights change.


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School crossing patrols

Remember that traffic must stop if signalled to do so by a lollipopperson.

Flashing yellow lights and a school warning sign,together with the same school symbol on theroad indicates that you are approaching an areawhere a school crossing patrol operates.

Ride slowly if children are about and be prepared to stop if ordered to do so bythe patrol.

Junctions

As well as physical features such as roundabouts and traffic lights, road markings help governbehaviour at road junctions.

Stop and Give way

A solid white line going across the carriageway usually accompanied bythe word STOP plus an octagonal stop sign indicates that all vehiclesmust stop at the line and only proceed when the way is clear.

Cyclists should check both directions carefully as visibility may be poor.

Give Way

Depending upon the type of road, give way markings vary from double broken white lines plus apainted triangle and give way sign to a single row of broken white lines.

Start checking the major road as soon as you can see clearly and only continue if you are sureit is safe. If traffic is coming stop and wait until it is safe to go.

If you are in any doubt it is best to stop and check again.

Traffic on the major road has right of way but cyclists should always check side roads as theyapproach in case drivers have not seen them and pull out in their path.


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Take care on quieter roads in housing estates as there are often no road markings. Alwayscheck and be prepared to stop if there is no indication of priority.

Cross roads

Whenever you exit a side road remember that inaddition to any signal that you give, your roadposition helps others to know where you intendto go.

Normally you will be near the left hand kerb toturn left and near the centre of the road to turnright.

If you intend to go straight ahead try to be more

towards the centre of your lane.

If it is a larger junction and there is more thanone lane make sure that you are in the correct position in the correct lane.

Do not forget that you can always dismount and walk if you need to, especially if turning right ata busy junction.

Box junctions

A yellow box with yellow criss cross lines is a means of keeping a junction free of traffic.

You may only enter this area if the road ahead is clear and you can pass through withoutstopping.

The only time you are allowed to stop within it, is when you are waiting to turn right and areprevented from going by oncoming traffic.

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