'Cyclists Dismount' sign at roadworks

[Smurfy]

There's a short stretch of dual carriageway on my commute. It's urban but close to city centre, so it's a 30 limit (unless you're a taxi driver or a hot-hatch knobber). There's a cycle lane marked out, it's not very wide, but I suppose it might be better than nothing (it's been there as long as I've used the road).

Anyway, enough of the background info. Today the gas network people were digging up the right hand lane, which was coned off and occupied by workmen and a JCB among other machinery. Just before the roadworks was a red sign with 'Cyclists Dismount' in white letters. The roadworks were only ~50 yards long, and the cycle lane was unaffected (although it would mean that wide vehicles couldn't use the second lane when passing cyclists). My immediate reaction was 'Cheeky Sods', and I just carried on.

What do other people think of this?

 

[Herbie]

There's a short stretch of dual carriageway on my commute. It's urban but close to city centre, so it's a 30 limit (unless you're a taxi driver or a hot-hatch knobber). There's a cycle lane marked out, it's not very wide, but I suppose it might be better than nothing (it's been there as long as I've used the road).

Anyway, enough of the background info. Today the gas network people were digging up the right hand lane, which was coned off and occupied by workmen and a JCB among other machinery. Just before the roadworks was a red sign with 'Cyclists Dismount' in white letters. The roadworks were only ~50 yards long, and the cycle lane was unaffected (although it would mean that wide vehicles couldn't use the second lane when passing cyclists). My immediate reaction was 'Cheeky Sods', and I just carried on.

What do other people think of this?

I probably would have done the same

 

[buggi]

cheeky sods

there was one near me like this. I ignored it too. You don't have to use the cycle facility and its only for those that do use it.

 

[ianrauk]

There's one of those signs on my commute at the moment. I and every other cyclist I see ignores it and carries on using the road.

 

[Mile195]

I think it's probably just a*se covering. If you have an accident due to the lack of a cycle lane and try to sue the contractor, they can say that you were warned so it's your own fault, or something like that.

Only circular signs are order signs that are enforceable. Triangular signs are warnings. Anything else is merely a trip hazard!

 

[Smurfy]

Thanks for all the replies. I was a bit annoyed at the cheekiness of it, and the attempt to dodge responsibility for anything that may happen. I was tempted to stop and lay the sign flat on the grass, but people get arrested for such trivial things nowadays, I decided to just ignore it and carry on. As it happens, stopping and dismounting at that exact location would be a PITA. The sign was positioned just after a junction, and the pavement where you'd want to walk after dismounting is set well back from the road, up a short grassy bank. To dismount you'd either have to dodge cars trying to exit the junction, or drag your bike up a grassy bank. I guess a site safety assessor attended the site 1/2 hour after they set up this morning and decided a sign was required. Whoever it is obviously knows nothing about cycling, or they would've accepted the cyclists right to use that bit of road, and made a sign that said 'Cyclists Use Whole Lane, Motor Vehicles be Patient'.

 

[Smurfy]

I think it's probably just a*se covering. If you have an accident due to the lack of a cycle lane and try to sue the contractor, they can say that you were warned so it's your own fault, or something like that.

Only circular signs are order signs that are enforceable. Triangular signs are warnings. Anything else is merely a trip hazard!

Is the octagonal STOP sign the only exception to the shape pattern?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

The appropriate sign is not ''Cyclists Dismount,'' it's ''Narrow Lane - Do Not Overtake Cyclists.'' (This may not be the exact wording but it's very close.) I have seen it but very rarely.

 

[Andy_R]

Is the octagonal STOP sign the only exception to the shape pattern?

And the upside down triangle......

 

[Smurfy]

The appropriate sign is not ''Cyclists Dismount,'' it's ''Narrow Lane - Do Not Overtake Cyclists.'' (This may not be the exact wording but it's very close.) I have seen it but very rarely.

Well said! I'm tempted to write to them and ask them what their policy is, and how they justify it.

 

[Mile195]

Is the octagonal STOP sign the only exception to the shape pattern?

Yes. I think because it's the only sign that is the same internationally.

 

[Mile195]

And the upside down triangle......

Triangle's a triangle, whether it's upside down or not! And it is kind of a warning. i.e, if you don't look to see what's coming something may very well plough into the side of you!

 

[Andy_R]

Triangle's a triangle, whether it's upside down or not! And it is kind of a warning. i.e, if you don't look to see what's coming something may very well plough into the side of you!

Nope...it's ordering you to "give way to traffic on the major road " (text direct from HC)

 

[Mile195]

Nope...it's ordering you to "give way to traffic on the major road " (text direct from HC)

Makes no odds round my way. They assume everyone in London is too stupid to read roadsigns so they just put traffic lights at every single junction instead, regardless of whether or not they're really needed...

 

[snorri]

What do other people think of this?

Cycle on as if there was no sign, but write to the roads authority telling them of your objection to such signs and pointing out the failure of their contractor to provide a safe passage for cyclists (and pedestrians?) through the roadworks.
It really is time all these Cyclists Dismount signs were consigned to the scrap metal skip.