Dotted line bike lane

JuliusCaesar · 17-09-2012 10:50AM #1

I use the bike a good bit to get around in Dublin and to commute to work. I've no problems usually with either the pink cycle lanes or no bike lane at all. But I just don't see the point of the dotted line bike lane. There's one in Kilmainham which always has cars stopped on it - people going to the shops I suppose, and the traffic uses it too so they can be in two lanes at the traffic lights.

A dotted line is an 'advisory' bike lane. Well, if there was none, I'd still be cycling next to the kerb. As it is, the dotted line gives me the illusory idea that there is a bike lane. So what's the point? Anyone know?

seamus · 17-09-2012 10:59AM

The dotted line is mandatory for cyclists to use, but cars can optionally park or drive in it if they wish.

In other words, they're a complete crock of ****.

Fun note: In order to be legally considered a cycle track, the track must have a blue sign at the start with a picture of a bike only and the words "cycle track" written underneath. All other signage is non-legal and has no status. So unless the cycle lane has this exact sign at the start (and is bounded by a solid or broken line), then you are not legally required to use it.

The_Wrecker · 17-09-2012 11:17AM

A dotted line is a shared surface. We merge buses with cyclists (insane) around the Leeson st bridge area.

Rock of Gibraltar · 17-09-2012 11:40AM

The_Wrecker wrote: »

A dotted line is a shared surface. We merge buses with cyclists (insane) around the Leeson st bridge area.

Yeah Leeson St bridge is bonkers, five car lanes and two bike lanes! yeah right.
I always think of that bridge as an example of insane car centric thinking in Dublin.

JuliusCaesar · 17-09-2012 12:30PM

seamus wrote: »

The dotted line is mandatory for cyclists to use, but cars can optionally park or drive in it if they wish.

In other words, they're a complete crock of ****.

Thanks... there is no point to them so. :mad:

monument · 17-09-2012 07:59PM

JuliusCaesar wrote: »

Thanks... there is no point to them so. :mad:

They have less value than solid while line lanes, but they tend to help keep the edge of the road clear so cyclists can bypass traffic.

Also, at least half of the roads with dashed cycle lanes are also clearway at peak times -- so parking is not allowed and in theory stopping isn't.

New standards set in the National Cycle Manual do not invistage them been used in widespread way they are, it notes: "Only to be used in exception circumstances where Mandatory Cycle Lane is inappropriate."

JuliusCaesar · 17-09-2012 08:41PM

monument wrote: »

They have less value than solid while line lanes, but they tend to help keep the edge of the road clear so cyclists can bypass traffic.

Also, at least half of the roads with dashed cycle lanes are also clearway at peak times -- so parking is not allowed and in theory stopping isn't.

This really doesn't happen in Kilmainham. When I said to a fellow cyclist that I intended going to the Garda station in Kilmainham to ask about it, he nearly fell off his bike laughing at the idea that I was prepared to make such an eejit of myself.

It's NEVER a clearway!

Dotted line bike lane

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