Comments on: Easily Pleased with York Cycling Facilities

By: John Gallagher

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 17:53:03 +0000

Cycling in York offers a unique experience, the chance to travel faster than the speed of light. Part of the Trans Pennine Trail goes to York from Selby, on a disused railway, formerly a section of the East Coast Main Line – so it’s level and dead straight, a bit boring but ideal for what has been installed: a scale model of the solar system at just over 1:500,000,000.

The sun is at the boundary of York racecourse, Mercury is 100m or so later, then Venus another 100m or so, etc. for the return trip to Selby. A leisurely walking pace is equivalent to 3 times the speed of light, while pootling along on a bike at 11 to 12 mph gets you up to warp-factor 10.

See http://www.solar.york.ac.uk/

Eat your heart out Captain Kirk !!!

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By: AJM

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 05:21:55 +0000

Back in 1992 (when young and fit) I used to ride to work to supplement my running training, a 26ml round trip daily.

In all those miles I used to be on the main road for approx. 1ml.

For that 1ml I was given a wide berth by all passing vehicles and treated by them with the common courtesy and respect that all cyclists/pedestrians deserve (this was not always the case when I was in my car).

The cycle lanes were well off the road too, cycling nirvana!

This wonderful place so long ago?

Unfortunately not GB but Germany bordering Holland.

If other countries have been getting this right for so long why are our so called council safety officers and local government officials not turning to these countries for advice?
Why do people keep trying to re-invent the wheel?

I am a motorcyclist too and whichever two wheels I happen to be on the standard of driving is diabolical.

Unfortunately it’s cheaper for government to pass laws making the victims (on two wheels) rather than the cage drivers (on four ie. cars/busses/lorries etc.) pay for these short comings.

Oh how I wish, when I look back on those days I had realised just how lucky I was!

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By: Patanga

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 20:58:57 +0000

I have cycled in Queens/NY and it seems like cycle heaven when compared to Sao Paulo, where I live. Comparatively, Queens is so safe and drivers are so courteus! (Ah, the world of comparison!)

Nevertheless, you are right about the positive side. I just love riding my bike to work and back home. I feel like a little boy.

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By: tejvan

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:57:54 +0000

Yes, there aren’t many who would ride in Queens.

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By: Tim

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 12:18:58 +0000

Touché. Freewheeler (Waltham Forest blogger) can be a bit of a sarcastic grumpy-pants. I do like his point about promotional photos of cycling though – another good example is the TfL “freedom” logo, where cycling is banned in a lot of London parks. ( http://www.flickr.com/photos/sludgeulper/7775063506/ )

As you say, it’s all relative. And I think it’s important to always consider not just ourselves as existing cyclists, but those who claim they would love to cycle but don’t. I’m sure even York has its share of those. I appreciate you do touch on this, but the fact that you still cycled in Queens speaks volumes.

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