In built-up areas it's often (usually?) a bicycle lane, i.e. on the same piece of asphalt as where the cars are. In that case, bicycles always have priority. It's the same as taking a right turn: wait for bikes that go straight. Outside built-up areas it's always a separate bicycle path, often with some distance from the car lanes.

The confusion can arise inside built-up areas where there's a separate bicycle path, usually close to the car lanes.