Along with many other councils, Birmingham has provide some road features intended to assist the cyclist. Some of these prove really useful in practice, others, although well-intentioned, have proved less successful.

The most obvious provision is to find the occasional stretch of Cycle Lane (NOT to be confused with the Cycle Path). This one, along Pershore Road approaching the city centre, is quite useful; it is adequately wide and continues across a junction on the left. This lane then runs on to the traffic light junction at Hurst Street, where it becomes the feeder to an Advanced Stop Line (see below).

A Cycle Lane will be signed at its start, carry the cycle symbol at intervals along its length and sometimes be coloured to emphasise its difference from the vehicle carraigeway. Although there is a minimum width stated in design regulations, this can vary and some lanes are very (too) narrow. Cars should keep to the right of the white line and not park over the lane (yea, right!)

However, cyclists are free to use any part of the carriageway and are NOT OBLIGED to use a Cycle lane (or any other feature designed to 'assist' the cyclist). A cycle lane marked with a 'dotted' white line indicates that cars should not enter the lane. However, a cycle lane marked with a CONTINUOUS white line is a MANDATORY or COMPULSORY cycle lane. This is a directive to the motorist - NOT the cyclist. Cars MUST NOT ENTER a mandatory cycle lane, whether being driven or being parked! Cyclists may use a compulsory cycle lane if they wish.

While some Cycle Lanes are useful, cyclists have several 'moans' about others. As already stated, some are far too narrow and place the cyclist almost in the gutter (remember Fig 1`from the previous page?) Then the lanes are never long enough, or are too frequently interrupted by junctions, or finish just when they are most needed - at a complex junction or traffic island. But a feature that is generally welcomed by cyclists is the Advanced Stop Line (ASL) provided at some traffic light junctions.

Here we have TWO white lines across the carriageway. The leading line, extending to the kerb, is the conventional line at the lights and it is a traffic offence for ANY vehicle - yes, including cyclists - to cross that line when the lights are on the 'red' phase. But at an ASL, every vehicle that is not a cyclist must stop at the first line, which does NOT reach to the kerb. If they wish, cyclists approaching the red light can use the feeder cycle lane to enter the 'box' (this is why the first line does not extend to the kerb) and position themselves AHEAD OF AND IN FRONT OF the vehicle queue.

This places the cyclist clearly in the vision of the lead vehicle and allows the cyclist some 'acceleration space' when the lights change. A variant of this layout is that the feeder lane can be placed in the centre of the carriageway (eg. Hurst Street, into city, where it junctions Smallbrook Queensway).

Although the ASL has generally been applauded, there needs to be a few words of caution. If the lights change from the red while the 'box' is being approached, cyclists should NEVER continue riding if that would place them next to the lead vehicle as the queue begins to move. That vehicle probably has not seen you and may be turning left - even if not indicating as such. Cyclists should stay behind the lead vehicle but be ready to move and eventally merge back into the traffic flow, checking behind for any other vehicles who may be intending to turn.

ASLs are generally effective, and motorists generally do observe the 'box' and wait at the first line. But you may find that a few of the 'first' lines have been painted right up to the kerb. This is incorrect marking - unfortunately to stay legal cyclists cannot enter the 'box'. If you find any of these, contact the council or your local councillor and ask for these markings to be corrected.

But in Birmingham, many cyclists just do not want to use the carriageway at all, and take instead to the footway (pavement). This IS illegal and fines can be issued. Cyclists can only legally use a footway if it has been formally designated by the Council as a Cycle Path.

The Segregated Cycle Path (symbols may be reversed) is intended to separate the cyclist, who can be travelling at some speed, from the slower-moving pedestrian. Good idea - snag is, most pedestrians either do not notice, or do not heed the separation and 'wander' into the cycle path anyway.

The Shared Use Cycle Path simply designates usually a wide footway as available for cyclists. Pedestrians will be using this pavement in the normal way, so cyclists must ride with care.

But most roads have none of these features, and there is a view among many cyclists that they should not be provided anyway; that the cyclist should use the road in the same way as all other vehicles.