Three lanes have been reduced to one - so I can understand the Cycle Lane Closed instruction - what I do not understand is why the instruction for Cyclists to Dismount.
Am I supposed to get off an walk on the pavement? What is wrong with cycling in the traffic lane as I would normally do? Particularly if I was going straight on or turning right.
Would welcome any suggestions or pointers on the traffic regulations or guidance that the contractors / Manchester Highways could consider for this instruction.....
Update 1 (with thanks to Steve from Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign).
The Department for Transport (DfT) Traffic Advisory Leaflet 15/99 (Cyclists at Road Works) section on "Cyclist dismount and footway cycling" states that:
"Where access is permitted for motor vehicles, "Cyclist Dismount" signs should not be used. The hazards to cyclists at roadworks are rarely great enough to justify this measure. In any case, cyclists are likely to ignore such instructions. The only situation where cyclists should be advised to dismount is where the carriageway is closed off but the footway remains open.
In such cases a white-on-red temporary sign "CYCLISTS DISMOUNT AND USE FOOTWAY" may be used. Under Regulation 41 of the "Transport Signs Regulations And General Directions 1994" this can be done without special authorisation if the sign is not used for longer than 6 months." (Page 6).
From this guidance it would appear that, a) the contractors should have allowed cycling through the road works given that vehicles are still allowed, and b) the sign use may be incorrect as it is the wrong colour, i.e. should be white on red.
A query has been sent to Environment on Call (Manchester City Council) seeking clarification. Email: contact@manchester.gov.uk
Update 2 : (14th October) Well at least the sign has been moved...
...onto the pavement. Am wondering if the sign means that I should get off my bicycle whilst in the road!
Ironically the poster (below right) from United Utilities / Enterprise shows the cycle happily travelling along in a line of traffic. Perhaps their marketing people would like to have a little chat to their road engineering people....
Update 3 : Email from Environment on Call - received 15th October
"Thank you for contacting Environment On Call. The details have been logged on our system. An officer will inspect the location within the next 5 working days."
Hmmm - wonder if the roadworks will have been completed before the officer goes inspecting!
Update 4: Message from Manchester Highway Services - 18th October
"Thank you for your recent email regarding signage relating to cyclist at the above location. I will pass on your comments to the traffic management company working on behalf of United Utilities at this location requesting them to remove any signs that are causing a problem and to also discuss the implications for cyclists at these works.
I would suspect that they need to consider the traffic management implications in relation to cyclists safety at this location. I believe in this particular case no guidance would have been issued as the company are working for United Utilities. The Authority would work to National guidelines for works affecting cyclists and in view of this I will as stated above speak to the company concerned regarding the removal of the signage highlighted."
Translation? I will ask the contractors to remove the 'cyclists dismount' sign... well at least I think that is what this means but to misquote George Bush (Junior) I may have misunderstoodificated.
Update 5: Spot the difference! 21st October
So finally.... after seven days the sign has gone. Am assuming it was as a result of MCC Highways requesting that the contractors remove the sign - alternatively it may have been a mildly miffed cyclist deciding to do a little DIY recycling ....perish the thought!
Update 6: 27th October
Oh dear, it would seem that we are back to the drawing board. It would seem that the contractors have gone away, read the DfT guidance as it relates to the required colour schemes (see above) but ignored the substantive part of the guidance... eg the bit that says very clearly...
"Where access is permitted for motor vehicles, "Cyclist Dismount" signs should not be used. The hazards to cyclists at roadworks are rarely great enough to justify this measure. In any case, cyclists are likely to ignore such instructions. The only situation where cyclists should be advised to dismount is where the carriageway is closed off but the footway remains open. "
So, need to have a think about what to do next. Ideas and suggestions most welcome - please leave a comment on the blog.
Thanks.
Update 1 (with thanks to Steve from Greater Manchester Cycling Campaign).
The Department for Transport (DfT) Traffic Advisory Leaflet 15/99 (Cyclists at Road Works) section on "Cyclist dismount and footway cycling" states that:
"Where access is permitted for motor vehicles, "Cyclist Dismount" signs should not be used. The hazards to cyclists at roadworks are rarely great enough to justify this measure. In any case, cyclists are likely to ignore such instructions. The only situation where cyclists should be advised to dismount is where the carriageway is closed off but the footway remains open.
In such cases a white-on-red temporary sign "CYCLISTS DISMOUNT AND USE FOOTWAY" may be used. Under Regulation 41 of the "Transport Signs Regulations And General Directions 1994" this can be done without special authorisation if the sign is not used for longer than 6 months." (Page 6).
From this guidance it would appear that, a) the contractors should have allowed cycling through the road works given that vehicles are still allowed, and b) the sign use may be incorrect as it is the wrong colour, i.e. should be white on red.
A query has been sent to Environment on Call (Manchester City Council) seeking clarification. Email: contact@manchester.gov.uk
Update 2 : (14th October) Well at least the sign has been moved...
...onto the pavement. Am wondering if the sign means that I should get off my bicycle whilst in the road!
Ironically the poster (below right) from United Utilities / Enterprise shows the cycle happily travelling along in a line of traffic. Perhaps their marketing people would like to have a little chat to their road engineering people....
Update 3 : Email from Environment on Call - received 15th October
"Thank you for contacting Environment On Call. The details have been logged on our system. An officer will inspect the location within the next 5 working days."
Hmmm - wonder if the roadworks will have been completed before the officer goes inspecting!
Update 4: Message from Manchester Highway Services - 18th October
"Thank you for your recent email regarding signage relating to cyclist at the above location. I will pass on your comments to the traffic management company working on behalf of United Utilities at this location requesting them to remove any signs that are causing a problem and to also discuss the implications for cyclists at these works.
I would suspect that they need to consider the traffic management implications in relation to cyclists safety at this location. I believe in this particular case no guidance would have been issued as the company are working for United Utilities. The Authority would work to National guidelines for works affecting cyclists and in view of this I will as stated above speak to the company concerned regarding the removal of the signage highlighted."
Translation? I will ask the contractors to remove the 'cyclists dismount' sign... well at least I think that is what this means but to misquote George Bush (Junior) I may have misunderstoodificated.
Update 5: Spot the difference! 21st October
So finally.... after seven days the sign has gone. Am assuming it was as a result of MCC Highways requesting that the contractors remove the sign - alternatively it may have been a mildly miffed cyclist deciding to do a little DIY recycling ....perish the thought!
Update 6: 27th October
"Where access is permitted for motor vehicles, "Cyclist Dismount" signs should not be used. The hazards to cyclists at roadworks are rarely great enough to justify this measure. In any case, cyclists are likely to ignore such instructions. The only situation where cyclists should be advised to dismount is where the carriageway is closed off but the footway remains open. "
So, need to have a think about what to do next. Ideas and suggestions most welcome - please leave a comment on the blog.
Thanks.
Can I suggest the Dept for Transport's "Traffic Advisory Leaflet 15/99" (Cyclists at Road Works)
ReplyDeleteA link to this is : http://www.dft.gov.uk/adobepdf/165240/244921/244924/TAL_15-991.pdf
On page 6 it states that:
---
Cyclist dismount and footway cycling:
Where access is permitted for motor vehicles, "Cyclist Dismount" signs should not be used. The hazards to cyclists at roadworks are rarely great enough to justify this measure. In any case, cyclists are likely to ignore such instructions.
The only situation where cyclists should be advised to dismount is where the carriageway is closed off but the footway remains open.
In such cases a white-on-red temporary sign "CYCLISTS DISMOUNT AND USE FOOTWAY" may be used. Under Regulation 41 of the "Transport Signs Regulations And General Directions 1994" this can be done without special authorisation if the sign is not used for longer than 6 months.
---
It looks therefore that given the guidance above, a) they should have allowed cycling through the road works given that vehicles are still allowed, and b) potentially the sign may not be legal as it is the wrong colour, i.e. should be white on red.
Personally I agree the sign should not be there, and is in fact forcing cyclists to swerve into the traffic to avoid this obstacle.
PS - if you are going to complain to the council, it may be worth observing the route for a short while to see, and if possible photograph, what cyclists are doing, to confirm that most cyclists are ignoring the sign and if it is causing a danger, as evidence.
rgds,
Steve
Greater manchester Cycling Campaign
www.gmcc.org.uk