Photomap

[Image taken 8.2.23] Lendal Bridge/Museum Street (looking eastwards/towards the Minster), York. Cycle symbols appeared on the tarmac in the week beginning 6.2.23. This is in response to years of lobbying by this resident and the Cycle Campaign (yorkcyclecampaign.bike/) to tackle the close- and fast-passing by drivers including those who operate local bus services.
The plan had been to add physical signage. In January 2023, I received an explanation from the Executive Member for Transport of why that won't happen: "Unfortunately, I have been advised by officers that our request to DfT to use the advisory sign ‘Give cyclists space 1.5m’ with the dimensions of a car passing a cyclist illustrated (as I have seen in other places including in Scotland) was REFUSED – in spite of this being now clearly stated in the new Highway Code as what is required as a minimum passing width in a 30mph limit.”
The no overtaking sign was also ruled out: “Happy to be advised otherwise, but I don’t think there is a ‘no overtaking cyclists’ sign prescribed in the regulations, although it is used in conjunction with temporary road works where a cycle lane is blocked. The ‘no overtaking’ sign shows the silhouette of two cars which drivers will not see as including cycles. Installing double white lines along the centre would apply to all vehicles and be the most readily enforceable but could actually make matters worse in encouraging close passing by car drivers staying in lane.”
The Smart Transport Programme Manager replied: “You are correct Councillor, a ‘no overtaking cyclists’ sign is not a permitted sign within the legislation / statutory instrument (TSRGD) and we are therefore not able to support installation of such a sign without special authorisation from the DfT. Whilst that variation of the sign is not the specific variation we requested special authorisation to use, it is so similar that it will receive the same response (refusal).
Consideration of double white lines along the centre was considered as part of the feasibility work for this scheme, presented within the relevant Executive Member report, which can be found below:
democracy.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx (Item 15)”
The white symbols on their own don’t mean anything. Most people who cycle in this city (likely the case everywhere in the UK) won’t have taken cycle training and know they are safest if they cycle assertively ie occupy the centre of narrow lanes as here to (try to) make drivers think – Is there space to do this safely? - before they overtake. But too many of us have also been bullied and put at risk by drivers who don’t see cyclists as ‘traffic’ and/or who can’t/don’t anticipate distances and possible outcomes, and who can’t/don’t believe they could endanger life by their actions on the roads.
I’m not sure where this leaves us for Lendal Bridge or the other two city centre bridges (see markings on Ouse Bridge: #191070 and a close-pass: #191075); where people on cycles are intimidated and put at risk by drivers.
Other image today and links: #190884.