Last week, I highlighted an excellent cycle path. So I was disappointed that in the past week, a cycle path has appeared in Blackbird Leys, which again displays the councils lack of awareness about cycling.
The problem with the cycle path is that they can’t decide whether to put cyclists on the road or on the pavement.
There is a short section where the path is incorporated into the road, but separated. However, after about 100 yards, cyclists are pushed back on to the pavement.
Cyclist ignoring the cycle path altogether. I would too. Why? Because on the pavement there are the obstacles of
- pedestrian crossing (with cyclists dismount sign)
- Bus Stop
- Pedestrians on road
If you look at the top picture, the thing that really stands out is that this cycle path is a bad deal for pedestrians. In theory pedestrians are squeezed into a one foot gap by the wall. In practise, pedestrians ignore this (and I don’t blame them) so it means that there will be people walking in the cycle path. This means unless you want to cycle at walking pace it is not safe. I’m sure there will be non-cyclists who say why can’t you just cycle at walking pace? Well, why not ask motorists to drive at walking pace and see what reaction you get.
At the bus stop, the cycle path conveniently disappears, what are cyclists supposed to do here? Get off and push for 5 yards? Of course, the cycle path will frequently be blocked by pedestrians, push chairs, e.t.c.
I use this road on many training routes, but, there is no way I’m going to start cycling on the pavement. The day cycle paths are made compulsory is the day I leave for Belgium or France.
The good news is that just at the end of the cycle path, the road becomes a 20mph zone, so cycling on the road is in theory more desirable.
Cyclists staying on the pavement, once you push cyclists on to the pavement, some stay there.
I always feel pavements are for pedestrians. Cyclists need to be accommodated on the roads through enforcing better driving. Pushing cyclists off the road onto pavements because motorists won’t stick to speed limits / drive sensibly is not the solution.
Such a typical attitude from a cyclist. My journey to work has an excellent cycle path bordering the road, yet a very large percentage of them choose to totally ignore it and slow down the rush hour traffic to a crawl as a result.
Half of them have their ipods on and are clad in dark clothing. I have no sympathy for them at all. Yet i’m still forced as a tax payer to fork out millions for cycle paths for them that they don’t use.
Please do go live in Belgium.
Around 6 weeks ago I was in collision with a small van while I was cycling home. Fortunately, after i came round in the ambulance i received only severe grazing down the left side of my body. The van driver didn’t see me and failed to stop at a roundabout which meant that I collided with the drivers side wing and was thrown over the bonnet. I received a letter from his solicitor claiming that I was riding negligently. Is this advise the driver would be given by his insurance/solicitor?
I agree with not putting cyclists on pavements except in exceptional circumstances.
However, I disagree that – “In theory pedestrians are squeezed into a one foot gap by the wall.” In most situation the pedestrians have every right to use the whole pavement. The cycle sign does not mean cycles only.
Which is another reason to oppose shared use path (separated or not). While pedestrians have the right to use the road too, it is not a comfortable environment and the pavement is (or should be) vehicle free and much preferred. If we mess that up with shared use it just makes it worse for everyone except the car drivers. And I see no reason to pander to them.
A shame planners and highway engineers won’t read this!
I understand the frustration about cycle paths but on the continent this is exactly what happens. We spent a while in Heidelberg this summer. Cycle paths switched from road to fottpath to road, all the time. Nobody cared because cyclists were so common they “essentially” always had right of way. We simply need to get more people cycling.
I used to cycle on the pavement, I always gave pedestrians the right of way, I never rushed them as I should not have been there. A lot of my cycle paths are mixed and pedestrians walk on the cycle paths and cars park on them (and get away with it) so I just risk it and use the road.
As a car driver I would have gone nuts at a 20mph speed limit in urban areas. However as a cyclist I so wish it was made compulsary.
My personal conclusion is either provide good safe cycle paths or introduce a 20mph urban speed limit, I imagine it will be down to cost. Looks like if I were in control thinking of cost and implementation the quickest and most simple option is 20mph.