Just heard this via the London Cycling Campaign. It seems it's now illegal for cars to stop within those green bits with bikes on them at traffic lights (what these 'ASLs' are for is to make sure cyclists are at the front of the queue when waiting at a red light). Also, cyclists now officially have right of way over cars on cycle paths.

It's going to make such a difference, isn't it? (No, me neither)

The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 come into force on 31 January 2003 replacing the 1994 version. Highlights include making ASLs fully enforceable - a motor vehicle crossing the first line when the signal is not showing green (unless it's gone to amber and stopping would cause a collision) will be seen as jumping the lights and could be fined or have penalty points imposed. Also s25 gives those on cycle tracks priority expressly for the first time:

(6) Where the transverse lines [give way markings] are placed in advance of a length of the carriageway of the road where a cycle track crosses the road along a route parallel to the transverse lines, then the requirement shall be that no vehicle shall proceed past such one of those lines as is nearer the cycle track, in a manner or at a time likely to endanger any cyclist proceeding along the cycle track or to cause such a cyclist to change speed or course in order to avoid an accident.

Full text and illustrations here