Opstelvak voor fietsers

[slbslb]

Hello,

First, I have to say this is a very nice forum. Sorry I cannot speak Dutch, so I post my question in English.

I have a doubt about Opstelvak voor fietsers. During the practice today, I encountered a junction like the picture below. Besides the traffic lights, there is also a stop sign. The traffic light is flashing in amber continuously (not red, not solid amber). My instructor told me to stop before the second stop line. But I thought I should stop before the first line. I know when the traffic light is red, I have to stop before the first stop line. When the traffic light is flashing in amber, will it be different?

Could anyone suggest what is correct? Thank you in advance!

[Jozef]

Thank you for the compliment for this forum. We are glad to know that you like it.

Your question is a very interesting one.

The legal text with respect to your question is the following (I give you the official Dutch version and will then explain it in English):

Article 77.6. Markeringen die een opstelvak aanduiden voor fietsers en bestuurders van tweewielige bromfietsen.

De zone, aansluitend op een fietspad, afgebakend door twee stopstrepen en waarin het symbool van een fiets in het wit is gereproduceerd duidt de plaats aan waar de fietsers en bestuurders van tweewielige bromfietsen zich enkel tijdens de rode fase van de verkeerslichten mogen opstellen.

De andere bestuurders moeten tijdens de rode fase van de verkeerslichten stoppen voor de eerste stopstreep.

This means that only when the traffic light is red:

• cyclists and drivers of mopeds with two wheels are allowed to take place in the area between the two stop lines, and
• other drivers have to stop before the first stop line.

As in your case, the traffic light was not red, these rules didn't apply. Therefore, you had to stop before the stop line which was closest to the stop sign, so the second one.

[slbslb]

Thanks, Jozef! Now, it is clear for me.