Cyclists are prohibited from using Games Lanes, however, as 95% of these lanes are offside and will be busy with Games Family traffic, they are not ideally located for cyclist use.
Q: Can cyclists use the Games Lanes?
A: The ORN/PRN design allows cyclists to enter the majority of Games Lanes where they are on the nearside, as this is seen as the normal cycling position on the road. Cyclists will not be allowed to enter the offside Games Lanes for safety reasons or to make other movements that would be deemed unsafe.
Zavod imeni Likhachova, more commonly called ZIL is a major Russian truck and heavy equipment manufacturer, which also produced armored cars for most Soviet leaders
Garrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer Surface Transport, TfL, said:
"In conditions of slow moving traffic, we encourage cyclists to avoid putting themselves in danger by staying safe and staying back."
As a generalisation - the near-side Olympic Lanes allow cyclists, offside ones don't.
Speed bumps are being removed from the Olympic Lanes to be replaced afterwards. Watch out for BMWs being driven at 60mph through London streets
QuoteGarrett Emmerson, Chief Operating Officer Surface Transport, TfL, said:
"In conditions of slow moving traffic, we encourage cyclists to avoid putting themselves in danger by staying safe and staying back."
WTF?
If I didn't overtake slow moving traffic it would take me an hour to get home, instead of twenty minutes. I can filter perfectly safely.
According to the TfL Games Lane information line, those who are unable to pay the fine may have their bicycle impounded.
If I didn't overtake slow moving traffic it would take me an hour to get home, instead of twenty minutes. I can filter perfectly safely.
Paddington -> King's Cross this morning, leaving Paddington at approx 08.58, arrived KX at approx. 09.15, moving time 11 minutes, stopped for 6. Filtered once, but not to the front of the queue. It's the bus lanes that make that feasible, since they're mostly empty.
Chatterati have termed Olympic lanes Zil lanes for past two months.Ahem. (http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=36211.msg681512#msg681512)
QuoteAccording to the TfL Games Lane information line, those who are unable to pay the fine may have their bicycle impounded.
Seriously? When did this become the legal way of imposing fines in this country? If you're not carrying £130 in cash, they take your possessions?
Later they amended this to say you'll be fined £200 for cycling in them, and there will be actual people enforcing as well as ANPR...
QuoteLater they amended this to say you'll be fined £200 for cycling in them, and there will be actual people enforcing as well as ANPR...
ANPR? How will that work with bikes? ???
Thanks Julian that's really useful information.
Just to be 100% clear: using the lanes as someone not in the "Olympic Family" :sick: is a civil offence and one won't be chased down by a copper on a Smith & Wesson because they wouldn't GAF?
What about disobeying one of the temporary no turn/no striaght on signs? Are they real moving traffic offences or just plastic ones?
If by some unfortunate chance, a Civil Enforcer were to grab me or my bike and not let go, what would I be threatening to sue him for?
If there were a handy plod nearby, would he be able to get the plod to find out who I am?
The reason for asking is my route to work, which is normally chokka when 2 lanes are in use, will be down to a single lane barely a gnat's crotchet wider than the tipper lorries which will be nose to tail along the length. So do I take my chances in the gutter, or in primary hoping the tipper drivers actually look down and don't just run over the top of me, or in the Zil lane with the 60mph BMWs? Then the street where I work has a no right turn. I can't go the alternative route, because there's also a no straight on, nor can I pass and double back because there's no U turns either.
So I assume, because the media is reporting that it will attract a PCN not an FPN. I haven't checked that this is accurate for myself, but if the media have got it right then so have I.
Penalty Charge Notices will be issued for vehicles that contravene traffic regulations on the ORN.
Failure to do so will result in a Penalty Charge Notice and could mean your vehicle being removed.
Well, it's not utter impunity, because of the potential for HASSLE. I'd rather avoid confrontations with civil enforcement officers who wish they were police officers. And of course you have further potential for extreme bullying from the Zils who have been assured that there won't be any pesky cyclists on their red carpets. So I'll be avoiding them.
But legally speaking as long as you don't end up giving them your details I don't see how they could have you.
Well, thankfully in my case I won't be anywhere near London - I'm just concerned that this could set a precedent re: civil enforcement officers.You worried that they will be/believe they get extra powers? I agree with you, it is a major concern.
P.S. Volgas were more attractive than Zils.My money is on the Volga getting smashed up in a Bond movie first.
(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ajOjSXWZUwg/TV1V9L1aDbI/AAAAAAAAAEY/Np18Tpz_mXQ/s1600/zil_41047.jpg)
Zil
(http://www.classiccarsworld24.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/91.jpg)
Volga. Had many a fun taxi ride in them. ;D
It's the Olympics. You're driving in London. The left lane turns into a bus lane so you have to merge right. Hang on…
That this House recognises the outstanding development and success of professional cycling in the UK over the past 10 years, as well as the welcome growth of amateur cycling in the UK; but raises concern about the logistical impact of Olympic Games Lanes on the daily commute of cyclists; and calls on Transport for London (TfL) to monitor on a daily basis whether cyclists need to be excluded from the Games Lanes which will exacerbate congestion and send the wrong message about the importance of commuting by bike.
This has popped up on BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18885587
Comments are allowed.
This has popped up on BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18885587
Comments are allowed.
It said one such section was the 70mph section of the A12 as it approaches the Lea Interchange.
This has popped up on BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18885587
Comments are allowed.
Just proves that TfL haven't a clue about the roads in LondonQuoteIt said one such section was the 70mph section of the A12 as it approaches the Lea Interchange.
If you approach the Lea Interchange eastbound it's a 40mph limit and heading west it's 50mph. Unless of course they've decided to make the games lanes 70mph of course!
However the government has said that if traffic jams are too bad, then the Lanes will be axed to ease congestion.
This has popped up on BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18885587
Comments are allowed.
Just proves that TfL haven't a clue about the roads in LondonQuoteIt said one such section was the 70mph section of the A12 as it approaches the Lea Interchange.
If you approach the Lea Interchange eastbound it's a 40mph limit and heading west it's 50mph. Unless of course they've decided to make the games lanes 70mph of course!
This has popped up on BBC
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-18885587
Comments are allowed.
Just proves that TfL haven't a clue about the roads in LondonQuoteIt said one such section was the 70mph section of the A12 as it approaches the Lea Interchange.
If you approach the Lea Interchange eastbound it's a 40mph limit and heading west it's 50mph. Unless of course they've decided to make the games lanes 70mph of course!
Standard, and effective tactic. Talk bollocks and hope no-one checks.
Is this road even legal for bikes? It is certainly rarely if ever used by cyclists, I commuted out of London on it for 3 years and never saw a bike on it.
Coming along the Embankment today I noticed a lot more traffic in the left hand (non Olympic) lane than in the Zil lane, even though the latter isn't in use yet. Trouble is, with all the parked up coaches, etc, the left hand lane is not wide enough for a car to pass a cyclist, let alone for a lorry to do so. The confident among us will need to take primary and put up with the punishment passes, etc., or take to the Zil lanes. I worry for the safety of the less confident.
I know about half of London light controlled junctions can be controlled by TfL remotely, so presumably someone will pull a big (software) switch at some point, and those lights will all switch into ORN priority mode.
*hums the tune from The Italian Job*
I know about half of London light controlled junctions can be controlled by TfL remotely, so presumably someone will pull a big (software) switch at some point, and those lights will all switch into ORN priority mode.According to that which I heard on the radio, this happened last Wednesday or Thursday.
That seems excessively early. Presumably they want to make sure that it doesn't cause too many problems with the existing traffic patterns, in case they need to start adjusting things.,
I read that half of all the UK's road painters are in London this weekend and one of their tasks is to remove pedestrian crossings from the Zil lanes. Also, traffic lights are to be set to green for the Zil lanes - presumably this means a presumption of green not that other roads will face constant red for the next three weeks.
Coming along the Embankment today I noticed a lot more traffic in the left hand (non Olympic) lane than in the Zil lane, even though the latter isn't in use yet. Trouble is, with all the parked up coaches, etc, the left hand lane is not wide enough for a car to pass a cyclist, let alone for a lorry to do so. The confident among us will need to take primary and put up with the punishment passes, etc., or take to the Zil lanes. I worry for the safety of the less confident.
Coming along the Embankment today I noticed a lot more traffic in the left hand (non Olympic) lane than in the Zil lane, even though the latter isn't in use yet. Trouble is, with all the parked up coaches, etc, the left hand lane is not wide enough for a car to pass a cyclist, let alone for a lorry to do so. The confident among us will need to take primary and put up with the punishment passes, etc., or take to the Zil lanes. I worry for the safety of the less confident.
Hope you don't mind - I've just quoted that at my MP together with a link to the EDM.
Not sure whether this deserves its own thread, but I'll leave it here.
This is a serious warning.
I was riding around town today, and the Olympic vehicles have arrived in force, all over the place.
The warning? There are a huge number of out of town drivers, driving all manner of vehicles, especially "official" buses and coaches - some from as far afield as Eire - foreign cars, all sorts. This means that there are an unusually high number of drivers that are NOT be used to London traffic, roads and cyclists. I've had a couple of unusually close passes from coaches, seen drivers peering at the roads, obviously lost, been asked the way to Victoria station in Proctor Street High Holborn by a bloke with a broad Scots accent (I told him, but don't rate his chances). There's a kicker here - even when they have satnav, the changes for the olympics are going to make it ... interesting. (eg, no right turns off the Embankment westbound at all !!)
Be careful out there, take extra care, please.
....eg, no right turns off the Embankment westbound at all !!....
*hums the tune from The Italian Job*
Apparently they deliberately caused the traffic jams in Turin for that. They just got the local police to block some junctions, and then filmed the result!
The Speshact family cycled from Kennington to Trafalgar Square today. Bloody horrible. Going over Westminster Bridge there's no right turn to the Embankment there, then no bus/cycle right turn on Parliament Sq so you have to go around it. Whitehall stuffed with cars and buses so ended up walking as we neared the square as no room to filter. Coming back via the Embankment - it was stuffed full of traffic with limited space to filter.Sorry we drove from Ascot to Bloomsbury Central London Baptist Church (Shaftsbury Ave / New Oxford Street) yesterday morning (saw a PBP 2011 top between Chiswick and Sheppards Bush :thumbsup: )
It must have been complete torture in a car. I can't for the life of me understand why so many people chose to drive into central London today. I was sorely tempted to ask some of the car occupants as I filtered past what their thought processes were.
The Speshact family cycled from Kennington to Trafalgar Square today. Bloody horrible. Going over Westminster Bridge there's no right turn to the Embankment there, then no bus/cycle right turn on Parliament Sq so you have to go around it. Whitehall stuffed with cars and buses so ended up walking as we neared the square as no room to filter. Coming back via the Embankment - it was stuffed full of traffic with limited space to filter.Sorry we drove from Ascot to Bloomsbury Central London Baptist Church (Shaftsbury Ave / New Oxford Street) yesterday morning (saw a PBP 2011 top between Chiswick and Sheppards Bush :thumbsup: )
It must have been complete torture in a car. I can't for the life of me understand why so many people chose to drive into central London today. I was sorely tempted to ask some of the car occupants as I filtered past what their thought processes were.
Then after serving Lunch to 70 people we drove across to South Ken to visit the Science Museum Turing Exhibition.
Doing that by Train / Tube is not easy as the first train of the day doesn't get in early enough to prepare Lunch before the service.
Hopefully they will still include a pedestrian phase, not force everyone to use the footbridges.
Hopefully they will still include a pedestrian phase, not force everyone to use the footbridges.
I hoped wrong...
The ped crossings have nearly all had their lights fixed to green, and there are signs telling you how far to the working crossings. One says 560m. So that's a 1.1 km stroll to get from one side of the road to the other.
That's going to make all the tourists feel really good. ::-)Hopefully they will still include a pedestrian phase, not force everyone to use the footbridges.
I hoped wrong...
The ped crossings have nearly all had their lights fixed to green, and there are signs telling you how far to the working crossings. One says 560m. So that's a 1.1 km stroll to get from one side of the road to the other.
Hopefully they will still include a pedestrian phase, not force everyone to use the footbridges.
I hoped wrong...
The ped crossings have nearly all had their lights fixed to green, and there are signs telling you how far to the working crossings. One says 560m. So that's a 1.1 km stroll to get from one side of the road to the other.
But at least the Olympic Family won't be slowed while travelling from their West End penthouses to the events. Let's just hope no one sabotages the routes with stingers or anything similar.
Hopefully they will still include a pedestrian phase, not force everyone to use the footbridges.
I hoped wrong...
The ped crossings have nearly all had their lights fixed to green, and there are signs telling you how far to the working crossings. One says 560m. So that's a 1.1 km stroll to get from one side of the road to the other.
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/561054_10151042357537500_1171752769_n.jpg)But that lane (A40 near Marylebone) doesn't come into force until the 25th!!
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/561054_10151042357537500_1171752769_n.jpg)But that lane (A40 near Marylebone) doesn't come into force until the 25th!!
The Speshact family cycled from Kennington to Trafalgar Square today. Bloody horrible. Going over Westminster Bridge there's no right turn to the Embankment there, then no bus/cycle right turn on Parliament Sq so you have to go around it. Whitehall stuffed with cars and buses so ended up walking as we neared the square as no room to filter. Coming back via the Embankment - it was stuffed full of traffic with limited space to filter.
If everybody avoids the hotspots are they still hotspots?
I came across an Olympic lane in the nearside today. There was no sign to say whether it was one of the ones that cycles were allowed in, but I vaguely remembered reading that it was the offside ones they didn’t want us in. ...
I nearly came unstuck, in a flattened kind of way, yesterday.
Going west to east under the Woolwich flyover roundabout which is traffic light controlled, I had a green light.
What I wasn't expecting was the traffic across my path to have had their red light black bagged, and their stop line painted out and converted to a 'give way' line which they were happily ignoring.
No warning of this on approach to the roundabout (which already has one ghost bike attached to the railings).
I dont twit - whats the plan?
I dont twit - whats the plan?
gather at Hyde Park Corner at 6pm, I think.
(I won't be there but I hope it's well-attended)
I nearly came unstuck, in a flattened kind of way, yesterday.
Going west to east under the Woolwich flyover roundabout which is traffic light controlled, I had a green light.
What I wasn't expecting was the traffic across my path to have had their red light black bagged, and their stop line painted out and converted to a 'give way' line which they were happily ignoring.
No warning of this on approach to the roundabout (which already has one ghost bike attached to the railings).
There's a line running on Twitter that Friday's critical mass will be prevented from crossing the river. Not sure on what legal basis that could happen, given that it comprises individuals making personal decisions about where to cycle, but shows the paranoia at the heart of the Met.
I haven't been on a CM for many years but, were I to be in the UK on Friday, I'd be tempted to join it if there was a prospect of the plods trying to prevent a perfectly legal activity.
Sadly, despite instructions by text message, I forgot to stop off at Oddbins in the village.... :'(OT - but I thought the whole Oddbins chain had closed?
After that it was fine
I nearly came unstuck, in a flattened kind of way, yesterday.We (Lewisham Cyclists)recently made this video, which is wending its way to TfL to highlight the dangers of this particular junction. It's where Greenwich High Rd and Deal's Gateway meet the A2. The two roads
Going west to east under the Woolwich flyover roundabout which is traffic light controlled, I had a green light.
What I wasn't expecting was the traffic across my path to have had their red light black bagged, and their stop line painted out and converted to a 'give way' line which they were happily ignoring.
No warning of this on approach to the roundabout (which already has one ghost bike attached to the railings).
used to have separate dedicated green lights. TfL, in pursuit of its illogical aim of improving traffic flow at all costs, changed this to a shared green. This is the result.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EuZSJCMMX8
Linky no worky...Well, it works on my iPad. I don't have sufficient IT skills to suss out why it's not working elsewhere. Here is the link itself for you to cut and paste. That might work.
(first post embedded in "flash" tags - all that's needed is the URL)Yes, I thought I had to do that. You learn something new every day. Thanks.
I nearly came unstuck, in a flattened kind of way, yesterday.
Going west to east under the Woolwich flyover roundabout which is traffic light controlled, I had a green light.
What I wasn't expecting was the traffic across my path to have had their red light black bagged, and their stop line painted out and converted to a 'give way' line which they were happily ignoring.
No warning of this on approach to the roundabout (which already has one ghost bike attached to the railings).
I nearly came unstuck, in a flattened kind of way, yesterday.We (Lewisham Cyclists)recently made this video, which is wending its way to TfL to highlight the dangers of this particular junction. It's where Greenwich High Rd and Deal's Gateway meet the A2. The two roads
Going west to east under the Woolwich flyover roundabout which is traffic light controlled, I had a green light.
What I wasn't expecting was the traffic across my path to have had their red light black bagged, and their stop line painted out and converted to a 'give way' line which they were happily ignoring.
No warning of this on approach to the roundabout (which already has one ghost bike attached to the railings).
used to have separate dedicated green lights. TfL, in pursuit of its illogical aim of improving traffic flow at all costs, changed this to a shared green. This is the result.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EuZSJCMMX8
I tweeted the video this morning and, courtesy of the local council, learned that this junction was the responsibility of Transport for London (run by Bungle) rather the local authority, so is set up to maximise speeds on the through route - in this case, the A2. I'd like to think that it will be one of the junctions considered under TfL's forthcoming review, but I suspect that review is just a PR exercise and will change nothing
Well, as you may have seen in my original post with the video, Lewisham Cyclists has already sent a copy of the video to TfL. We are well aware of the junctions in Lewisham that are TFL controlled and which are the responsibility of the council. We have already had a long dialogue with TfL regarding this junction, after they redesigned it about two years ago and combined the green light for the two roads crossing the A2. After much hassle they moved the ASL and stop line much further forward, which improved it a bit. But people are still complaining, not just cyclists, as it happens. It causes problems for motorists trying to drive straight ahead to Greenwich.
I tweeted the video this morning and, courtesy of the local council, learned that this junction was the responsibility of Transport for London (run by Bungle) rather the local authority, so is set up to maximise speeds on the through route - in this case, the A2. I'd like to think that it will be one of the junctions considered under TfL's forthcoming review, but I suspect that review is just a PR exercise and will change nothing
So, the road junction in question is here (http://tinyurl.com/c7ze2df)
This is my perspective on approach, with my light on green - I've red-ringed the bagged traffic signals for clarity.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7111/7655119726_63cf6ff92f_b.jpg)
You can see the cross-flow traffic approaching from the left under the far side of the flyover.
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8159/7655119454_5d0d0c83cb_b.jpg)
Here is where said traffic stops. If they feel like it. You can see the chalk guide lines, suggesting that the give way line is a recent addition. Visible to the right of the picture is where the original stop line has been scrubbed out.
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7115/7654847568_78a9b52f4f_b.jpg)
Can anyone spot any signs warning of the change of signalling on approach to this junction?
(http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7254/7654847246_965b138965_b.jpg)
I thought not.
I'm not disagreeing with you...
..but there are still give way lines on that entrance to the roundabout so the normal rules of roundabout use apply and the traffic should give way to vehicles from the right. The traffic lights are only there to even out traffic flow - not to replace the rules for roundabout use.
Have you told Greenwich Cyclists about this? They will probably know who to contact at the council. Although, I know Greenwich are not considered the most cycle friendly of the London councils.
@regulator:
(I'm going to regret this... )
It's not a roundabout any more - it probably was when first designed, but none of the present signs and road markings are for a roundabout.
But your point still stands - the markings mean give way so there's no excuse.
Is there a requirement for a triangle on the road and a give way sign, or are these optional extras?
I'm not disagreeing with you...
..but there are still give way lines on that entrance to the roundabout so the normal rules of roundabout use apply and the traffic should give way to vehicles from the right. The traffic lights are only there to even out traffic flow - not to replace the rules for roundabout use.
I'm not disagreeing with you...
..but there are still give way lines on that entrance to the roundabout so the normal rules of roundabout use apply and the traffic should give way to vehicles from the right. The traffic lights are only there to even out traffic flow - not to replace the rules for roundabout use.
Bzzt.
There are two different entrances, one with give way lines (recently added, and the traffic lights temporarily removed). One with traffic lights. And it's quite clear in the Highway Code that traffic lights override normal roundabout use.
Cyclists protesting against Olympic restrictions arrested after scuffles with police outside Opening Ceremony
ZiL lanes were lanes on some principal roads in Moscow dedicated to vehicles carrying the senior officials of the Soviet Union. They are named after the very high specification cars produced by ZiL.
The term has also been used pejoratively for road lanes in London dedicated to vehicles transporting VIPs, athletes and officials during the 2012 London Olympics.