# Traffic Signs Manual/Chapter 3/2008/17

GENERAL
17.1 This section deals with the signing of cycle facilities, including cycle lanes and cycle routes shared with pedestrians. Detailed guidance on the use of road markings is given in section 16 of Chapter 5. For cycle parking place signs see para 7.7.
17.2 A mandatory cycle lane requires an order which prohibits other vehicles from using that part of the carriageway while the lane is in operation. It may be either a with—flow lane or, in a one—way road, a contra—flow lane. The latter must be operational at all times, but a with—flow cycle lane may operate for only part of the day. Advisory lanes do not require an order and may be used in situations where mandatory lanes would be too restrictive, typically where road width is restricted and motor vehicles might occasionally need to encroach on the lane. They are often used as lead—in lanes to advanced cycle stop lines at junctions controlled by traffic signals (see para 17.13 in this section and paras 16.20 to 16.22 in Chapter 5) where it is not practicable to introduce a mandatory lane. They may also be used to by—pass parking bays as shown in figure 16-3 in Chapter 5. Contra—flow advisory cycle lanes may be introduced in one—way streets, but special sign authorisation is required (see para 17.25).
WAITING AND LOADING RESTRICTIONS
17.3 Waiting should be prohibited during the operational periods of a mandatory cycle lane as it is an offence for motor vehicles to enter the lane. Signs and markings, provided in accordance with section 6, are required only where an order is made to prohibit waiting during any period when the cycle lane is not in force. The time period shown on the upright signs should not overlap the operational period of the lane; the road markings will therefore be to diagram 1017 (single yellow line) even if the combined effect results in a 24-hour prohibition of waiting.
17.4 Loading should also be banned in a mandatory cycle lane, although there may occasionally be special reasons why it needs to be allowed, such as off—peak loading in a 24-hour with—flow cycle lane. Any prohibition of loading, whether during or outside the hours when the lane is in force, should always be indicated with signs and markings in accordance with section 6, but without the need also to indicate a prohibition of waiting unless waiting is prohibited outside the operational period of the lane.
MANDATORY WITH-FLOW CYCLE LANES
17.5 A mandatory cycle lane is marked with a continuous line to diagram 1049. Figure 17-1 shows a typical layout. Regulation 4 requires that a cycle lane commences with a road marking to diagram 1009. This is laid diagonally across the carriageway to guide motor vehicles away from the lane. A taper of 1:10 is recommended. Warning of the cycle lane should normally be given in advance of this taper by a sign to diagram 958.1. Where the speed limit is 20 mph or 30 mph, the sign should be sited 20 m in advance of the taper, with a minimum clear visibility distance of 45 m. Where the speed limit is 40 mph, the sign should be sited 40 m in advance of the taper with a minimum clear visibility distance of 60 m. Where siting of the sign is likely to be difficult and where the cycle lane is clearly visible to drivers, the sign to diagram 958.1 may be omitted. However, in the interests of road safety, the sign should be provided wherever possible. It must be used only in conjunction with the road marking to diagram 1009 (direction 17). It is not appropriate to use the sign at intermediate junctions along the cycle lane.
17.6 A sign to diagram 959.1 should be provided at the start of the continuous line denoting the edge of the cycle lane (i.e. immediately following the taper described in para 17.5). This is a regulatory sign that prohibits motor vehicles from encroaching on the cycle lane. The sign should be provided after each road junction on the same side as the cycle lane, even if the side road is one way leading away from the major road. The sign should also be provided after a junction on the opposite side of the road if vehicles can turn right from it to join the flow of traffic alongside the cycle lane. No two signs should be more than 300 m apart; it might be necessary, therefore, to provide additional signs between junctions.
958.1 Mandatory with—flow cycle lane ahead'
May be used with diagram 967
959.1 Mandatory with—flow cycle lane
May be used with diagram 967
961 Times of operation of a with—flow bus lane or cycle lane
May be used only in combination with diagrams 958, 958.7, 959 and 959.7. Times and days of the week may be varied
Figure 17-1 Example of signing a mandatory with—flow cycle lane
962.1 Cycle lane on road at junction ahead
The cycle symbol and arrow together may be reversed. "lane" may be varied to "track". The arrow may be omitted and the word "lane" varied to "lanes" "track" or "tracks". The operational period of the cycle lane may be added
17.9 The sign to diagram 962.1 is intended mainly for use in conjunction with contra—flow cycle lanes (see para 17.21). However, it may be provided on side roads, as shown in figure 17-1, to warn emerging drivers of the presence of a with—flow cycle lane on the major road, although this is not essential. The arrow on the sign indicates the direction of travel within the cycle lane and will normally point to the left, as a sign is not required to indicate a lane on the opposite side of the road. However, where there are with—flow cycle lanes on both sides of the major road and there are no banned turns, the arrow on diagram 962.1 is omitted and the word "lane" varied to "lanes". Where there are two cycle lanes in the major road and the right turn from the side road is prohibited, the sign to diagram 962.1 should indicate only the cycle lane to the left.
17.10 Two sizes are prescribed for the sign to diagram 962.1; in most cases the smaller size will be sufficient. The sign should be mounted below any GIVE WAY or STOP sign or, if the junction is controlled by traffic signals, mounted a sufficient distance in advance of the junction so as not to obstruct the view of the signal head. The days and times of operation may be shown on the sign where appropriate. For a 24-hour cycle lane no times are shown; "At any time" is not a permitted variant. Where the sign has been varied to "Cycle lanes" (see para 17.9) and the two lanes operate at different times, no time period should be shown. Drivers will be informed of the period of operation by the combined sign to diagrams 959.1 and 961 after turning into the major road.
17.11 The end of the cycle lane is normally indicated by the termination of the continuous white line to diagram 1049, although the road markings to diagram 1057 (cycle symbol) and diagram 1058 (END) may be used. The "end of cycle route" sign to diagram 965 (see para 17.36) is not intended to indicate the end of a cycle lane, although it might be helpful if a lane ends at a hazardous location where cyclists would need to take extra care.
ADVISORY WITH-FLOW CYCLE LANES
17.12 The boundary of an advisory with—flow cycle lane is indicated by a hazard warning line to either diagram 1004 or 1004.1 (see para 16.9 in Chapter 5). The start of the lane must commence with diagram 1009 (regulation 4) laid diagonally across the carriageway. The taper may be much shorter than that for a mandatory with—flow cycle lane (see para 16.10 in Chapter 5). An advance upright sign is not prescribed for advisory lanes. The sign to diagram 958.1 indicates a mandatory lane, and must not be used.
17.13 The sign to diagram 967 is used to indicate an advisory with—flow cycle lane. It should be provided at the start of the lane, immediately after the taper, and after each road junction on the same side as the cycle lane, even if the side road is one way leading away from the major road. The sign should also be provided after a junction on the opposite side of the road if vehicles can turn right from it to join the flow of traffic alongside the cycle lane. No two signs should be more than 300 m apart; it might therefore be necessary to provide additional signs between junctions. Where the lane ​is provided as a short approach to an advanced stop line, an upright sign is not required; the cycle symbol marking to diagram 1057 within the lane will be sufficient. This is the only occasion where direction 18(1) (item 11 in table 1) permits the marking to diagram 1057 to be used for a cycle facility where there are no upright signs. It is not practicable to provide a sign where the lane is in the centre of the carriageway. Advisory with—flow lanes are available at all times, and a time plate is therefore not used with the sign to diagram 967.
967 Route recommended for pedal cycles on the main carriageway of a road
17.14 The sign to diagram 967 is prescribed in two sizes. The smaller size should be used on roads with a speed limit of 20mph or 30mph. The larger size is for use on roads with higher limits.
17.15 As direction 7 does not apply to the sign shown in diagram 962.1, the sign may be provided on side roads to warn emerging drivers of the presence of an advisory with—flow cycle lane on the major road, although this is not essential. It should be used in a similar manner to that for mandatory with—flow cycle lanes (see paras 17.9 and 17.10).
17.16 The end of the cycle lane is normally indicated by the termination of the boundary line to diagram 1004 or 1004.1, although the road markings to diagram 1057 (cycle symbol) and diagram 1058 (END) may be used. The "end of cycle route" sign to diagram 965 (see para 17.36) is not intended to indicate the end of a cycle lane, although it might be helpful if a lane ends at a hazardous location where cyclists would need to take extra care.
MANDATORY CONTRA-FLOW CYCLE LANES
17.17 As with mandatory with—flow lanes, a mandatory contra—flow cycle lane is bounded by a continuous white line to diagram 1049 and all other traffic is prohibited from entering that part of the carriageway. The order should establish a one—way street for all traffic, with a contra—flow lane for cyclists.
17.18 Figure 17-2 shows a typical entry to a one—way street and the repeater signs for general traffic. The "one—way traffic" signs to diagram 652 (see paras 4.35 to 4.37) are replaced by signs to diagram 960.1. These should be located at the beginning of the road and after every junction, in each case on both sides of the road. Additional signs should be provided where the distance between them would otherwise exceed 300m. Where a traffic island segregates traffic from the opposing cycle lane, the off side sign should be located on this island. The number of arrows pointing upwards on the left hand side of the sign should be varied to indicate the number of lanes available in that direction. Two sizes are prescribed for the sign to diagram 960.1 . The smaller size will usually be adequate. The larger size might be more
Figure 17-2 Example of signs indicating a mandatory contra—flow cycle lane to other drivers
960.1 Mandatory contra—flow cycle lane
The number of upward—pointing arrows may be varied
appropriate where there are more than two lanes for general traffic or where there is a particular conspicuity problem.
17.19 Figure 17-3 shows a typical arrangement at the start of a contra—flow cycle lane; this should be separated from opposing traffic by a traffic island in the centre of the road. The exit side of the road, used by all traffic, should be protected by a pair of "no entry" signs as for ordinary one—way roads (see paras 4.39 to 4.43). These should be 750 mm in diameter. A sign to diagram 955, with a diameterof 450 mm, should be provided on the left hand side of the road at the entrance to the contra—flow cycle lane. A second, smaller sign may be provided in a bollard on the traffic island.
955 Route for use by pedal cycles only
May be used in combination with the regional or national cycle route number plate shown in diagram 2602.3
17.20 Where segregating islands are provided along the lane, these should have ”keep left” signs to diagram 610 in both directions, as they would on a two—way road. The end of the lane should be segregated from traffic entering the one—way street as shown in figure 17-2. ”End of cycle route” signs to diagram 965 are not used with contra—flow lanes, nor are time plates, as these lanes operate
Figure 17-3 Start of a mandatory contra—flow cycle lane
17.21 A sign to diagram 962.1 should be provided on side roads to warn emerging drivers of the presence of a contra—flow cycle lane on the major road, as shown in figure 17-4. For a cycle lane on the same side of the major road as the side road, the arrow will point to the left. The sign should be accompanied by the ”no left turn” sign to diagram 613 with a supplementary plate ”Except cycles” (diagram 954.4 or 954.5 variant) (see para 4.14). Where the cycle lane is on the opposite side of the major road, the arrow on the sign to diagram 962.1 will point to the right. A "no right turn" sign to diagram 612 should be provided, again with an "Except cycles” plate. If, for road safety reasons, the right turn ban also applies to cycles, the "Except cycles" plate and the sign to diagram 962.1 should be omitted. The presence of a sign to diagram 962.1 in this case might encourage cyclists to turn right into the cycle lane. If possible, the cycle lane should be segregated from the major road at the junction by a traffic island. The sign to diagram 960.1 ​immediately after the junction in the major road will warn drivers of the presence of the contra—flow lane. A convenient alternative route should be provided for cyclists wanting to turn right at the junction. Where the road layout is such that traffic may turn only into the major road (e.g. the junction is not a crossroads), a sign to diagram 606, with an "Except cycles" plate as appropriate, should be provided opposite the side road as shown in figure 17-4.
Figure 17-4 Example of the use of the sign to diagram 962.1 to indicate a mandatory contra—flow cycle lane
17.22 Two sizes are prescribed for the sign to diagram 962.1; in most cases the smaller size will be sufficient. The sign should be mounted below any GIVE WAY or STOP sign or, if the junction is controlled by traffic signals, mounted a sufficient distance in advance of the junction so as not to obstruct the view of the signal head.
17.23 The sign shown in diagram 963.1 warns pedestrians of the presence of a cycle lane; it should not be used as a substitute for diagram 962.1 to warn drivers approaching the cycle lane from a side road. The sign is normally used for contra—flow lanes where cycles will be approaching from the opposite direction to the flow of traffic. The signs should be sited where the majority of pedestrians cross the carriageway. Where pedestrians first cross a general traffic lane, the sign, varied to LOOK LEFT with the symbols facing right, should be located on the opposite side of the road, adjacent to the cycle lane. Signs may be located on a pedestrian refuge adjacent to the cycle lane. Two sizes are prescribed for diagram 963.1. The larger size, with a 50 mm x—height, should normally be used. The smaller sign, with a 40 mm x—height, may be more suitable where ​there are space constraints, such as on a pedestrian refuge. The sign may also be used for cycle tracks (see para 17.32).
963.1 Cycle lane with traffic proceeding from right (Sign for pedestrians)
"RIGHT" may be varied to "LEFT" and the cycle symbol reversed. "RIGHT" may be varied to "BOTH WAYS". "LANE" may be varied to "LANES" or "TRACK"
ADVISORY CONTRA-FLOW CYCLE LANES
17.24 Where it is not practicable to provide a mandatory contra—flow cycle lane (prohibiting other traffic from using that part of the carriageway reserved for cycles), an advisory contra—flow lane might be considered. This is likely to occur where (a) oncoming vehicles need occasionally to encroach into the cycle lane, for example to pass parked vehicles on the opposite side or to pass cyclists travelling in the with-flow direction, (b) occasional loading and unloading needs to be allowed for within the lane, or (c) it is not possible to prohibit waiting in the lane at all times. Each of these situations will limit the benefit of the lane for cyclists, and the traffic authority will need to be satisfied that this form of provision will not unduly compromise their safety. Advisory contra—flow lanes should normally be considered only where either the 85th percentile speed of traffic is less than 25 mph, or vehicle flows are less than 1000 vehicles per day. The order required for the one-way street should permit cyclists to travel in the opposite direction without formally designating a lane for use by cycles only. The advisory lane is marked on the carriageway in a similar manner to an advisory with-flow lane, i.e. the boundary is indicated by a hazard warning line to diagram 1004. The line may be omitted where the two conditions referred above are both met, or where the road is within a 20 mph zone (see paras 14.30 to 14.32).
Figure 17-5 Contra—flow cycles with or without an advisory lane marked on the carriageway
This sign is not prescribed by the Regulations and requires authorisation
17.25 The one-way street signs to diagram 652 (see paras 4.35 to 4.37) are replaced by a non-prescribed variant of the sign to diagram 960.1 as shown in figure 17-5. Design details are provided on working drawing NP960.2, available from the Department on request. The drawing shows two sizes (as for diagram 960.1); the smaller size should normally be used, but the larger size might be more appropriate where no contra—flow cycle lane has been marked on the carriageway. Authorisation should be sought from the Department to use the sign (see para 2.1).
17.26 Where it is possible to provide a traffic island at the start of the contra—flow lane, signs should be the same as those shown in figure 17-3 and described in para 17.19. A "keep left" sign to diagram 610 should be provided on the island, facing oncoming traffic approaching the end of the one-way street. The island should also be protected by hatched markings as shown in figure 17-3. The continuous line denoting the edge of the cycle lane is replaced by a hazard warning line to diagram 1004. Where the lane is not marked along the whole length of the road (see para 17.24), a short length of hazard warning line, marking the boundary, should be provided at the start of the lane.
17.27 Figure 17-6 shows the start of an advisory contra—flow lane where it is not possible to provide a traffic island. This arrangement is not suitable for a mandatory contra—flow cycle lane. "No entry" signs to diagram 616 are not used because the absence of segregation would mean that they would apply to cyclists also. Direction 21(2) prohibits the use of the "Except cycles" plate with diagram 616, the main purpose of which is to protect the exit from a one-way road. "No entry" is a safety-critical sign which is very well respected. The only exception ​permitted is for contra—flow bus lanes; to extend this to cycles would risk undermining public respect for the sign, as to indicate that the road was not in fact one way only would invite contravention. Two "no motor vehicles" signs to diagram 619, without exception plates, are therefore used instead, as they do not prohibit pedal cycles. They should have a diameter of at least 750 mm, as drivers would be at risk if they were not seen. These signs may be supplemented by the NO ENTRY road marking to diagram 1046, in the position shown in figure 17-6; it must not encroach on the area where cyclists enter the contra—flow lane. The Directions do not prevent the NO ENTRY marking from being used on its own, i.e. it does not have to be used in conjunction with the sign to diagram 616. On the left hand side of the road, a sign to diagram 967 should be provided to indicate the cycle facility. Two sizes are prescribed; the smaller size should be adequate. The start of the contra—flow lane has a boundary line to diagram 1004 which should normally be continued for the whole length of the lane. However, where the advisory lane is not marked on the carriageway throughout its length (see para 17.24), the line to diagram 1004 should comprise at least five marks (see table 4-3 in Chapter 5). This is to ensure that vehicles emerging from the one—way street and two—way traffic turning right at the junction do not encroach on that part of the carriageway used by cyclists travelling in the opposite direction.
Figure 17-6 Start of an advisory contra—flow cycle lane without a traffic island
Figure 17-7 Cycle entry to a false one—way street
17.28 Where a side road joins the one—way street, signs should be provided in accordance with para 17.21. The advisory contra—flow lane should be marked with a boundary line to diagram 1004 on the carriageway of the major road through the junction, together with the pedal cycle road marking to diagram 1057.
FALSE ONE-WAY STREETS
17.29 These are two—way roads with entry from one end permitted for pedal cycles only. However, motor vehicles can make a U—turn and return to where they entered the road. This allows vehicles requiring access to premises to exit the road from either end.
17.30 The entry to the street, for cycles only, is shown in figure 17-7 and is similar to the start of a mandatory contra—flow lane as described in para 17.19. A "keep left" sign to diagram 610 should be provided on the island, facing oncoming traffic approaching the end of the street.
​CYCLE BY-PASSES
17.31 At road narrowings installed for the purpose of traffic calming, a gap is sometimes provided so that cyclists can by—pass the narrowing in order to avoid conflict with motor vehicles. The bollard on the island thus created should have a plain face, and not display a "keep right" arrow to diagram 610, as that would legally apply to cyclists also.
CYCLE TRACKS AND ROUTES SHARED WITH PEDESTRIANS
956 Unsegregated route for use by pedal cycles and pedestrians only
May be used in combination with the regional or national cycle route number plate shown in diagram 2602.3
957 Segregated route for use by pedal cycles and pedestrians only
The sign is reversed in a mirror image when the route reserved for pedal cycles is on the right. May be used in combination with the regional or national cycle route number plate shown in diagram 2602.3
17.32 An off—road cycle track is indicated by the sign to diagram 955, which means that the route is for cycles only and all other vehicular traffic is prohibited. As the route is not intended for pedestrians, there should be a convenient footway or footpath nearby. The sign should be provided at the start of the cycle track and where the track crosses roads used by other traffic. The signs may also be used as repeaters along the route. The sign to diagram 967 is not appropriate for off—road cycle tracks as it is prescribed for use only on the main carriageway of a road. Where a pedestrian route crosses a cycle track the sign to diagram 963.1 may be used to alert pedestrians to the presence of cycles. The sign should be varied to CYCLE TRACK, with LOOK RIGHT varied to LOOK BOTH WAYS where the cycle track is two way.
17.33 Where a footway (forming part of a road) or footpath (e.g. through a park) has been converted to a route shared by pedestrians and cyclists, signs to either diagram 956 or 957 are used. These prohibit the use of the route by any other vehicles. The sign to diagram 956 indicates an unsegregated route. It should be located where the shared route begins and must be used as a repeater, at regular intervals (direction 11), to remind both pedestrians and cyclists that pedal cycles can be legally ridden on the footway or footpath. The sign to diagram 957 indicates a segregated shared route that should be delineated by a continuous white marking to either diagram 1049 or 1049.1 (see para 16.15 in Chapter 5). The sign may be reversed in a mirror image according to which side of the route is used by cyclists and which side by pedestrians. The sign should be located at the start of the segregated route and must be used as a repeater at regular intervals along the route (direction 11).
17.34 Several sizes are prescribed for the signs to diagrams 955,956 and 957. As these signs prohibit motor vehicles, the 600 mm and 450 mm diameter signs should be used where they control entry from the main carriageway of a road and where motor vehicles, especially solo motor cycles, are not physically prevented from entering the cycle track or shared cycle/pedestrian route. The smaller sizes may be used as repeater signs and in bollards.
17.35 Where the cycle track or shared pedestrian route forms part of a national or regional cycle route, the supplementary plate to diagram 2602.3 may be used with the signs to diagrams 955,956 and 957. The plate has a red background for a national route, and a blue background for a regional route. Table 17-1 shows recommended x—heights, depending on the size of sign the plate is used with.
2602.3 The number of a regional cycle route
May be used only in combination with diagram 955,956 or 957. The background colour is varied to red when indicating the number of a national cycle route
Table 17-1 Size of plate to diagram 2602.3 :
| Diameter of sign to diagram 955, 956 or 957 (mm) | x—height of plate to diagram 2602.3 (mm) |
| Less than 300 | 30 |
| 300 | 40 |
| 450 | 50 |
| 600 | 60 |
965 End of cycle lane, track or route
May be used in conjunction with diagrams 1057 and 1058
966 Pedal cyclists to dismount at the end of, or at a break in, a cycle lane, track or route
17.37 The sign to diagram 966 (CYCLISTS DISMOUNT) may be used together with the sign to diagram 965, or on its own. The sign should be provided only where cyclists are required to use a pedestrian crossing facility that they cannot legally cycle on, at the entrance to a pedestrian area, at a location with a low headroom or width restriction (e.g. a subway or bridge) or at places where visibility is restricted to such an extent that cycling would be unsafe (see also para 5.8). Two sizes are prescribed for the sign to diagram 966. The smaller size should normally be used, unless there is a particular hazard or conspicuity problem where the larger size of sign would be more appropriate. A non—prescribed variant of the sign to diagram 966, with the legend CYCLISTS REJOIN CARRIAGEWAY, may be authorised by the Department where this would be helpful at the end of a cycle track or shared footway.
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This version was transcribed in May 2015, from a 2008 impression.
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