Cycle Lane

A cycle lane is a designated section of road space for the sole use of cycles. A cycle lane may be positioned on the road or pavement.

Basic types of cycle lane

There are three main types of cycle lanes:

• Advisory
• Mandatory
• Shared use

Advisory

Advisory cycle lanes are marked on the carriageway, and are designated by a broken white line. Vehicles are permitted to enter the lane, but are advised not to do this.

Mandatory

Mandatory cycle lanes are designated by a solid line separating them from general traffic lanes. It is an offence for other traffic to enter the cycle lane. Cycle lanes may also be marked on the footway, separated from pedestrians by a solid white line.

Shared use

Shared use cycle facilities are usually marked on the footway, and may be used by pedestrians and cyclists. Cyclists should ride with due consideration to pedestrians.

High volume cycle facilities

Where higher volumes of cyclists are expected, some authorities build cycle facilities that offer a higher level of provision, for example Cycle Superhighways in London. These range from cycle lanes marked on the carriageway to the more recent segregated two-way facilities such as those built in Farringdon Street and across Blackfriars Bridge.

Other authorities have built segregated stepped tracks where the cycleway is separated from the carriageway by a half-height kerb, and is separated from the footway by a second half-height kerb.