Take 5 minutes to learn about lane separator regulations!

Lane separators are physically dividing road safety equipment. This equipment makes travel lanes for bikers and motorists. And they divide traffic into the centre, right-hand, or left-hand lanes for smooth traffic flow. Lane separators or lane segregation make firm boundaries on roads to mark separation for bicyclists and other motor vehicles.

Thus, lane dividers allow protected bike lanes for motorists and bicyclists to avoid crashes, collisions and fatalities. If your city streets, driveways, or roadways also have massive fatality rates due to overspeeding vehicular traffic, you should get to know about lane dividers and install them to maintain steady traffic.

There are also some regulations about lane separators to make your research easy.

What are the standard dimensions for rubber lane dividers?

Lane dividers divide lanes for biking, cycling, walking and driving lanes. Each lane has a particular width and driving speed to ensure the safety of pedestrians and other road users.

Similarly, as per UK traffic regulations, you cannot use lane separators of any length, height or width. Instead, there are recommended standard dimensions for rubber lane dividers. If you do not use lane separators of standard dimensions, they are not safe according to UK traffic rules.

So, whether you want to make lanes on roadways, highways, parking lots, or other sites, make sure to consider these dimensions so the cycling pathways are safe for incoming traffic:

• First, the height of UK lane dividers should be between 50mm to 60mm. This is the ideal length allowed for vehicular traffic. Considering the height of lane dividers is necessary because standard dimensions are set keeping in mind the vehicular design and all safety concerns.
  For instance, bicyclists or motorists may pass over lane dividers, and if they are too high, they will result in falling accidents.

• Similarly, lane segregation should not be exceptionally wider, and their ideal width is 130 – 150 mm. Some roads or streets are narrow, and broad lane segregation is useless.

• The length of lane dividers should be around 1,000 mm. This is neither too long nor too short. Standard lengths allow U-turns, left turns and right turns on the roads. Similarly, extended length also blocks the carriageway for pedestrians’ crossing.
  So, if you think your complete street is quite long, you can install multiple units at a specific distance and extend the lane to your required length.

Standard dimensions of lane dividers also help customize lanes as per new road construction design or other reasons.

Can I drive over lane dividers?

Driving over lane dividers is not allowed, and you can travel only in the specified lanes. There are different lanes on roads marked with allowed vehicles, and if you are travelling on a bicycle or scooter or have different modes of transportation, you should always drive in the lanes.

Driving on the lane dividers not only makes you responsible for disobeying traffic laws but also puts your life at risk. As these lane segregations have the configuration to mark a boundary on the roads, they do not have a flat surface to drive on.

Wrong driving or travelling over lane dividers can result in falling accidents. When you cross it, your bicycle slips, and you are on the road in no time. Then it becomes even more dangerous when high-speed motorists come and hit you back.

Thus, you should never disobey rules, whether you use bicycles for recreational purposes, to promote bicycling culture or as a daily means of transportation.

The transportation departments and other traffic controlling officers make rules for your safety. Make your life secure and benefit from lanes. Similarly, don’t forget to follow speed limit signs, markings, and traffic control plans and drive at a safe distance.

Can you walk on a cycle lane in the UK?

Cycle tracks or cycle lanes are used to make a journey safer. These are usually located away from the road but are sometimes found alongside footpaths and pavements. Some cycle tracks also have separate paths for pedestrians to walk or cross. But this is not always the case, and you need to assess whether you are allowed to walk on the track or not.

Usually, bicyclists travel on the right side of the track to avoid colliding with pedestrians in segregated pathways. So, you need to be cautious and highly alert if a bicycle passes into your lane.

Similarly, you should not block the pathway for bicycles, children, the elderly and disabled persons so everyone has the right of way.

On the other hand, if a lane is particularly destined for bicyclists, you should not walk in it as bicyclists know it is their travelling lane, and they come in speed. If you are using the same path as bicyclists, it may result in an accident for the riders.

Can road users remove lane separators from roads?

Lane separators are installed after approval from the city council and transportation departments. After proper investigation, the concerned departments allow their usage to make segregated pathways and get about their requirements. Thus, it is not allowed for anyone to remove lane separators from the road.

If installed lane separators are not doing well and are causing tripping, you should submit an application to the authorities for uninstallation. They will evaluate the case, and they will do so if they find it worth removing from the roads.

On the contrary, they can give an alternate plan so the lanes are functional without causing tripping or falling accidents.

So, all you need is to consult departments and make a rush decision to take them off the road, as you will be responsible for this act.

What are the rules for bicyclists using cycle tracks?

Cycle tracks are provided to bicycle users only and have separation from the road.

There are certain things bicyclists must remember to ensure the safety of other road users:

• Cyclists are at more risk when entering and exiting the cycle track, so you should slow down and keep an eye on vehicular traffic on the road. If buses, cars or other vehicles are coming at speed, you should not leave the track unless the road is cleared.

• There are no rules about which side of the track to use, but bicyclists generally keep to the left. Thus, you should follow the lane and give space to other bicyclists. If the track is shared and pedestrians use it to a crossroad, you need to be aware of them. Allow them to walk safely.

You are required to have a bell to alert other road users and show your presence so they can take their routes carefully.

Conclusion

Cycle lane dividers are lane-segregating devices used on roads, driveways, or other pathways to make protected lanes.

These lanes allow pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users to follow their route and traffic rules for travelling on the road. If road users come from different directions and do not obey rules, there will be increased chances of accidents.

So, whenever you travel on the highway or on your streets, you should follow all the guidelines to ensure everyone’s safety. When all drivers drive carefully, pedestrians walk keeping the rules in mind, and roads will have steady traffic and fewer accidents.