Brendan Burgess
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I came across this UK FAQ.
http://www.cyclelaw.co.uk/faq
It would be great to have an Irish version.
Brendan
http://www.cyclelaw.co.uk/faq
It would be great to have an Irish version.
Brendan
Great guide to the law on cycling on boards.ie
- Thread starter Brendan Burgess
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Boards has a good Cycling Legislation thread that contains a summary of legislation followed by some relevant discussion. The summary post is updated as legislation changes, so it's actively kept up to date.
Brendan Burgess
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Leo
That is great. I have learned a lot from it already.
"You need to have a bell on your bike, unless it is a racing type bike (which rules out a lot of bicycle types including road bikes, TT bikes, mountain bikes etc). A bell is the only warning device you can use. Horns, sirens etc are illegal."
I don't know what this means, but I have not read the entire thread:
"Legally, an advanced stop box appears to consist of two stop line road markings, with a bicycle symbol placed between the two. There is no specific exemption for pedal cycles to cross the stop line into an advanced stop box, meaning it is only legal for cyclists to enter the box on red via a feeder lane, into which the stop line does not extend."
This is also news, but what is the penalty? In other words, could I lose my driving license?
"You can't cycle while intoxicated. Also, the use of the word "intoxicant" means that the legislation covers all drugs, not just alcohol. There is no alcohol/drug limit in place, which means that Garda has to form an opinion that you are intoxicated. They are entitled to ask you to perform an impairment test."
That is great. I have learned a lot from it already.
"You need to have a bell on your bike, unless it is a racing type bike (which rules out a lot of bicycle types including road bikes, TT bikes, mountain bikes etc). A bell is the only warning device you can use. Horns, sirens etc are illegal."
I don't know what this means, but I have not read the entire thread:
"Legally, an advanced stop box appears to consist of two stop line road markings, with a bicycle symbol placed between the two. There is no specific exemption for pedal cycles to cross the stop line into an advanced stop box, meaning it is only legal for cyclists to enter the box on red via a feeder lane, into which the stop line does not extend."
This is also news, but what is the penalty? In other words, could I lose my driving license?
"You can't cycle while intoxicated. Also, the use of the word "intoxicant" means that the legislation covers all drugs, not just alcohol. There is no alcohol/drug limit in place, which means that Garda has to form an opinion that you are intoxicated. They are entitled to ask you to perform an impairment test."
Here's a good image of an advanced stop box.
The first solid white line in the traffic lane is the stop line. Vehicles approaching the lights must stop before this line on red.
You will note the cycle lane continues into the box. When the lights are red, cyclists may proceed into the box via that entry point, and take up a suitable position to the right if they are turning right, or outside other slower cyclists so they can overtake more quickly and safely when the lights go green.
The solid white line after the advanced stop box is the advanced stop line. Cyclists may not proceed beyond that line when the lights are red.
A cyclist breaching the above can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice and fined €40.
The law allows for cyclists to lose their driving licence for cycling offences. Like cars etc., breaking red lights is very unlikely to lead to that without other issues in the mix. Cycling while intoxicated however is a more serious offence with fines up to €2,000. That specific instrument does not allow for the forfeiture of a driving licence, but I'm sure other RT offences could be included in the charge to make that a possibility depending on the seriousness of the offence / mood of the Gardai.
The first solid white line in the traffic lane is the stop line. Vehicles approaching the lights must stop before this line on red.
You will note the cycle lane continues into the box. When the lights are red, cyclists may proceed into the box via that entry point, and take up a suitable position to the right if they are turning right, or outside other slower cyclists so they can overtake more quickly and safely when the lights go green.
The solid white line after the advanced stop box is the advanced stop line. Cyclists may not proceed beyond that line when the lights are red.
A cyclist breaching the above can be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice and fined €40.
The law allows for cyclists to lose their driving licence for cycling offences. Like cars etc., breaking red lights is very unlikely to lead to that without other issues in the mix. Cycling while intoxicated however is a more serious offence with fines up to €2,000. That specific instrument does not allow for the forfeiture of a driving licence, but I'm sure other RT offences could be included in the charge to make that a possibility depending on the seriousness of the offence / mood of the Gardai.
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Brendan Burgess
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I use these advanced stop boxes all the time, and knock on the windows of cars if they wait in them.
"There is no specific exemption for pedal cycles to cross the stop line into an advanced stop box, meaning it is only legal for cyclists to enter the box on red via a feeder lane, into which the stop line does not extend."
This is not clear to me.
If I am approaching a set of traffic lights and want to turn right, I pull into the outside lane and proceed directly into and through the Advanced Stop Box.
Is the above wording suggesting that I can only enter it from the side?
Brendan
"There is no specific exemption for pedal cycles to cross the stop line into an advanced stop box, meaning it is only legal for cyclists to enter the box on red via a feeder lane, into which the stop line does not extend."
This is not clear to me.
If I am approaching a set of traffic lights and want to turn right, I pull into the outside lane and proceed directly into and through the Advanced Stop Box.
Is the above wording suggesting that I can only enter it from the side?
Brendan
Cars waiting in these boxes have in effect broken the lights, it's not enforced though.
Yes, by law, cyclists should only use the left hand entry point to enter the advanced stop area (ASA) when the lights are red. When they're not red, cyclists can of course pass the stop line and move into and beyond the ASA. By entering the advanced stop area on the left, you are not crossing the solid stop line. I guess that may have been deliberately enacted like that to keep things simple and not impact other sections of the legislation that deal with stop lines.
Like other vehicles in the ASAs though, I have yet to see or hear of any enforcement on cyclists crossing the stop line to enter an ASA.
Brendan Burgess
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But the purpose is to allow the cyclists a safe get away especially on turning right.
So it would be perverse to prosecute a cyclist for cycling into the ASA directly while the lights were red.
The Gardai should speak to drivers who drive into it and explain the purpose of the box. Of course, repeat offenders should be prosecuted.
It appears to attract 3 penalty points.
I think if the Gardai told drivers this, most would begin respecting it.
Brendan
So it would be perverse to prosecute a cyclist for cycling into the ASA directly while the lights were red.
The Gardai should speak to drivers who drive into it and explain the purpose of the box. Of course, repeat offenders should be prosecuted.
It appears to attract 3 penalty points.
I think if the Gardai told drivers this, most would begin respecting it.
Brendan
It would help if someone told the Gardai about it first.
Brendan Burgess
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I only once stopped a Garda car in the ASA but the driver explained that they were caught in it by a light changing to red. And to be honest, that had happened to me before. I proceeded into the box in traffic. The lights changed. I was stuck.
Brendan
Brendan Burgess
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I suggested to the Dublin Cycling Campaign that they should do a FAQ. They think it's a good idea, but would need a volunteer solicitor to do it for them. They sent me this email.
"we would love to find a (Dublin based) solicitor who cycles, who has a good knowledge of traffic law, and who would be happy to offer Dublin Cycling Campaign (informal) advice on various issues. Relatedly, we would like to be able to refer cyclists who contact us (generally post-collision) to a knowledgeable solicitor who either has or wishes to develop a specialism in dealing with cycle collisions etc. They can find out more about our organisation on www.dublincycling.ie"
Brendan
"we would love to find a (Dublin based) solicitor who cycles, who has a good knowledge of traffic law, and who would be happy to offer Dublin Cycling Campaign (informal) advice on various issues. Relatedly, we would like to be able to refer cyclists who contact us (generally post-collision) to a knowledgeable solicitor who either has or wishes to develop a specialism in dealing with cycle collisions etc. They can find out more about our organisation on www.dublincycling.ie"
Brendan