Originally Posted by
Dahon.Steve
Since this appears to be a one way road, why did they have to break it in two?
I would have preferred they place a buffered bike lane instead of signs or better yet, no lines at all! I guess that might be asking too much. Here's what happens riding on that road.
1. Lane splitting will be very close -- Drivers will lane split the slower moving cyclist real close as they try to obey the law and stay in their lane. While the sign is useful, it's up to the driver to cross into the next lane if they care to give extra room.
2. Speeds will be higher due to the dotted line --- If there was no dotted line, the driver would not be able to guage his speed other then looking at the dash board. That dotted line on the empty road will make the driver feel he is going slower than normal. As a result, he will more than likely drive faster than normal.
Okay, a little road rules lesson:
This is an Australian road: so we drive on the left (Hint: Victoria == South-east Australian state).
Dotted line: means you may cross the line (e.g. when overtaking, performing a U-turn or entering a road or driveway on the right-hand side of the road). There are a few road markings I'm aware of:
Code:
< and > = direction of travel.
------------------------------------------ : Typical two-way two-lane road
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Vehicles may cross if safe to
####### ######## ######### do so.
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ : Two way two lane road:
> > > > > > > > > > > > > Vehicles may NOT cross.
##########################################
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ : Divider line separating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > on-coming traffic. Vehicles
####### ######## ######### may NOT cross.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
##########################################
##########################################
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
####### ######## #########
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ : Divider line separating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > on-coming traffic. Vehicles
####### ######## ######### in the lane marked (1) may
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) cross if safe. Vehicles in
####### ######## ######### the lane marked (2) may NOT
########################################## cross.
< < < < < < < < < < < < < (2)
####### ######## #########
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ : Divider line separating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > on-coming traffic. Vehicles
####### ######## ######### may cross if safe.
> > > > > > > > > > > > >
####### ######## #########
####### ######## #########
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
####### ######## #########
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ : Divider line separating
> > > > > > > > > > > > > on-coming traffic. Vehicles
####### ######## ######### in the lane marked (1) may NOT
> > > > > > > > > > > > > (1) cross. Vehicles in the lane
########################################## marked (2) may cross if safe.
####### ######## #########
< < < < < < < < < < < < < (2)
####### ######## #########
< < < < < < < < < < < < <
------------------------------------------