Since the icey winter weather many of our roads are resembling dirt tracks from a pre-industrial age. Potholes have sprung up all over the place, making cycling a pretty tough business. Oxford city council does get round to filling in some holes. But, at the moment, some roads are in a pretty rough state.
It’s rather ironic that the road users who create potholes are those least affected by them. On any bus route, the road surface will deteriorate much quicker than on a non bus route. Even 12 months after new road has been laid, buses will manage to churn up the road so it is very bumpy and potholes will start emerging.
Car drivers complain potholes cause expensive damage. But, for cyclists, potholes can be very dangerous. This pothole is on a fast descent. The road is quite narrow and if you were passing a car, you have to keep your wits about you to avoid the hole. If you hit the hole, the consequences would be unpleasant.
Sometimes people will say, cyclists should pay road tax. Well I won’t go into that debate now. But, if we charge road users for the actual damage they cause the road, there would be a big surcharge for buses and heavy lorries.
Apparently, if a pothole is reported and then you fall off because of the pothole, the council is liable to be sued. If the pothole is not reported it may be difficult to sue the council. Cycling organisations and individuals who report potholes are helping alot.
Reporting Potholes
The CTC have a good website to help report potholes. – Report a pothole
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