Drivers that moan about ASL (Advance Stop Line)

[itchyrider]

Some drivers are mad, Dont they understand that if all the cycles where off the bikes and in cars they whould be however many behind in that que of traffic???

 

[gaz]

I don't think I've ever had anyone moan about an asl. They just ignore them.

 

[Brandane]

Some drivers are mad, Dont they understand that if all the cycles where off the bikes and in cars they whould be however many behind in that que of traffic???

But if the cyclists were in cars, they wouldn't be able to filter to the front of the queue in their hordes, and then move off from the lights causing a slow moving obstruction. I assume that is their problem (wearing my car drivers hat there!).

 

[barongreenback]

Can't see the point of ASLs myself. From a cycling point of view if I'm adopting a primary position when heading away from the lights, why do I need an ASL? From a driver's point of view, in certain cities it seems to provoke a rush to filter to the left and create problems for the queue of traffic turning left when a few cyclists haven't quite made it to the front.

 

[downfader]

Can't see the point of ASLs myself. From a cycling point of view if I'm adopting a primary position when heading away from the lights, why do I need an ASL? From a driver's point of view, in certain cities it seems to provoke a rush to filter to the left and create problems for the queue of traffic turning left when a few cyclists haven't quite made it to the front.

I've said this before but its worth saying again. ASLs do have their values:

When traffic is completely snarled up and barely moving they allow the cyclist(s) to make their way to the front into a reservour of space, rather than being caught up at the side after heavy filtering (risking hooks).

They have their use for reminding drivers that we're there, as we will be right in their natural line of sight. Remaining at the sides by the kerb can mean being in a blind spot, optically and via the cars structural properties.

They also allow cyclists to get off a nasty hill. I rarely see traffic lights half way up an incline, myself, and stopping halfway can make things difficult for some cyclists.

However if there are only one or two cars at the lights, even a handful, and the traffic along your destination is freemoving or nonexistant ...just pull in "primary" behind the last vehicle and follow it through. Its easier for everyone that way, and safer.

 

[summerdays]

Can't see the point of ASLs myself. From a cycling point of view if I'm adopting a primary position when heading away from the lights, why do I need an ASL? From a driver's point of view, in certain cities it seems to provoke a rush to filter to the left and create problems for the queue of traffic turning left when a few cyclists haven't quite made it to the front.

I like them - I usually accelerate quicker than a car over those first few meters which means I can probably cross the junction and get away from it before they overtake (or turn left / right). I'm also not waiting behind someones exhaust. And I like being at the front showing that cyclists don't go through red and seeing other cyclists going through red lights, together with the smiles/hello's you get from other cyclists waiting together. I don't mind not going to the front if it isn't safe/can't be bothered.

 

[Jezston]

I had an incident today where a bus came up alongside me - pretty uncomfortably close - then the lights changed and we stopped, leaving me totally in the driver's blind spot. He may also have been about to turn left. If it wasn't for the ASZ ahead I'm not sure what I would have done. Having said that, if the bus had stopped in the ASZ then I'm not sure what I would have done anyway. Probably dismounted onto the pavement and waited.

 

[gbb]

I like them - I usually accelerate quicker than a car over those first few meters which means I can probably cross the junction and get away from it before they overtake (or turn left / right). I'm also not waiting behind someones exhaust. And I like being at the front showing that cyclists don't go through red and seeing other cyclists going through red lights, together with the smiles/hello's you get from other cyclists waiting together. I don't mind not going to the front if it isn't safe/can't be bothered.

Thats their greatest value, it gives you a headstart and allows you to negotiate that inevitable pinch point on the other side of the junction before the cars get there.
You do get occasional drivers filling the ASL here...to be honest, i couldnt care enough to berate them. Its 1 in a 100, i'm out to enjoy my ride, not to act like a traffic copper.

 

[naffa]

By ASL's do we mean the green painted boxes approaching TL's? (sorry not really up on the acronym's)

If so then the only ones I'm used to around here always get taken by cars not cyclists.

 

[Alien8]

<br />Can't see the point of ASLs myself.  From a cycling point of view if I'm adopting a primary position when heading away from the lights, why do I need an ASL?  From a driver's point of view, in certain cities it seems to provoke a rush to filter to the left and create problems for the queue of traffic turning left when a few cyclists haven't quite made it to the front.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Spot on. More unnecessary clutter on the roads encouraging separation rather than integration.

 

[vickster]

They annoy me - I always seem to find myself stuck filtering on the outside when the lights change and I have to dive left to be able to get into the correct lane. I only use the ASL area successfully when there's no traffic at the lights in the first place! And if I do make it, it's normally full of cars and there's no space. Bit of a rubbish cyclist me

 

[captain nemo1701]

Adrian -

I always thought the ASL was designed to give motorcyclists a head start on their world land speed record attempts to the next red light .

 

[calibanzwei]

By ASL's do we mean the green painted boxes approaching TL's? (sorry not really up on the acronym's)

That's them. Pointed out to a colleague today that she'd crossed over into one in her car (I was in the car with her), she blamed talking with me had distracted her! Grumble...

 

[davefb]

That's them. Pointed out to a colleague today that she'd crossed over into one in her car (I was in the car with her), she blamed talking with me had distracted her! Grumble...

badump,,, 'what was that?'

oh thats the kid you ran over because you were talking...

seriously, if you can't see a flipping big bit of green tarmac, then its a sign you're being distracted.... grrr

 

[abo]

But if the cyclists were in cars, they wouldn't be able to filter to the front of the queue in their hordes, and then move off from the lights causing a slow moving obstruction. I assume that is their problem (wearing my car drivers hat there!).

The British *YOU MUST QUEUE* mentallity. They see filtering as queue jumping in the same was as when you attempt to zip-merge at motorway/dual carriageway roadworks they try to block you from getting in. No, you *must* get into lane 1 back at the 800 yards marker or more, leaving a completely empty carriageway and lengthening the queue.

Some people are just clueless...