Cycle lanes: they're crap (It's official)

[KeeperofDragons]

I know it. You're not supposed to cycle the wrong way down a contra flow cycle lane; you're supposed to cycle on the road. I often get the feeling that a lot of motorists have forgotten their Highway Code.

Some cyclists too, I've lost count of the times I've had abuse from fellow cyclists when they are the ones going the wrong way down a contra-flow cycle lane

 

[Geri]

I was in a cycle lane on my way home today and in the lane to my right up ahead was a big coach. The lights changed as I was approaching them but bearing in mind the presence of the coach I was in two minds as to whether I should carry on at the speed I was going as I would have gone on the inside of the coach. I decided to slow down and not pass it, which was just as well as it totally veered over into the cycle lane!

 

[nino_savatte]

Some cyclists too, I've lost count of the times I've had abuse from fellow cyclists when they are the ones going the wrong way down a contra-flow cycle lane

Yep, I've encountered them too. Occasionally I come up against some fool cycling on the wrong side of the road. If you remonstrate with them, they juts grin inanely at you.

 

[Crispy]

The lights changed as I was approaching them but bearing in mind the presence of the coach I was in two minds as to whether I should carry on at the speed I was going as I would have gone on the inside of the coach. I decided to slow down and not pass it, which was just as well as it totally veered over into the cycle lane!

- The correct approach

 

[a_chap]

If you want more fine examples of the UK's most innovative cycle lanes try this link http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/facility-of-the-month

 

[nino_savatte]

If you want more fine examples of the UK's most innovative cycle lanes try this link http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/facility-of-the-month

How do you submit pics to that site? I've got loads of photos of crap cycle lanes and pics of vehicles blocking cycle superhighways.

Here's a classic case on Whitechapel Road

 

[a_chap]

How do you submit pics to that site?

Maybe try clicking the "Contacts" link?

 

[nino_savatte]

Maybe try clicking the "Contacts" link?

I just did that and there is no specific email address to which to send them.

 

[a_chap]

So, e-mail them to ask where to send pictures.

 

[Dogsauce]

I love that Warrington Cycle Campaign site. I have so many potential submissions locally.

My pet hate is those shared cycle/footways (which in many cases just involves painting a bike stencil on an existing pavement) - a lot of them around here don't let you off the pavement once you're on it (unless you want to bust an axle jumping off a high kerb), for example if you want to subsequently turn right into a sideroad, or take the correct lane for a forthcoming roundabout. Invariably they end at a toucan crossing where you have to wait several minutes. No thanks, I'll take my right of way and my chances with the traffic. Fine for the parent-and-toddler on a little pedal around the neighbourhood, total waste of time if you want to actually get anywhere in a reasonable time.

One of these days I'll take the proper marked cycle route up to work with all the pissing about on toucans at various roundabouts and meandering routes through housing and around the edges of playing fields, and time it to see how it compares. I'm reckoning double.

 

[pissflaps]

the shared use one that meanders along the South Lambeth Road is particularly useless, especially considering it is broken up by stupid 'yield' signs at every intersection, effectively making it a considerably more dangerous place to be than the road.

http://goo.gl/maps/FRfdl

 

[Dogsauce]

Hey, at least you have markings! Most of the ones up here just have the blue signs attached to the post of another roadsign or lamppost and the occasional bike stencil (though some have no stencils) which means you'll also get yelled at occasionally for 'riding on the pavement'. The pavements in the business park I work in are 'dual use' but have no signage whatsoever. This just adds to people's contempt for 'pavement-riding cyclists' without justification.

 

[pissflaps]

i do often wonder how much of the tiresome 'cyclists riding on the bloody pavements' bollocks that ultimately leads to this sort of depressingly predictable shit http://road.cc/content/news/87312-tebbit-if-youre-going-get-your-bike-you-should-be-made-carry-id is from people not understanding what a shared use lane is?

 

[pissflaps]

fucking 'lords' and 'baronesses' . this country is fucking laughable sometimes.

 

[gentlegreen]

Lord Taverne is next to speak up, in favour of Dutch-style infrastructure, while Baroness Butler-Sloss wonders what can be done about cyclists "with ear things otherwise filled with music, turning right across the traffic when the light is red against them."

/popular beat combo m'lud.

 

[nino_savatte]

So, e-mail them to ask where to send pictures.

That's sounds rather long-winded and convoluted for something that should be so simple. No offence but I'd rather set up my own Wordpress blog about bad cycle lanes tbh.

 

[plurker]

- The correct approach

See now I'd have shoulder-checked, moved across and overtaken coach on outside. I always do this on approaches to lights. I think it's cause I rode motorbikes prior to buying a bicycle, but it surprises me more cyclists don't eschew 'cycle lanes' where safe and appropriate and use the road, to which we are all entitled.

 

[Crispy]

I tend not to do too much overtaking to get to the front of lights, because motorbikes are often pulling the same trick and there's potential for collision.

 

[Geri]

See now I'd have shoulder-checked, moved across and overtaken coach on outside. I always do this on approaches to lights. I think it's cause I rode motorbikes prior to buying a bicycle, but it surprises me more cyclists don't eschew 'cycle lanes' where safe and appropriate and use the road, to which we are all entitled.

But immediately ahead of the lights I need to get back in the left hand lane to turn off. There's actually a really wide pavement alongside of the cycle lane so I often go on there, depending which is the less busy and what colour the lights are as I approach them.

 

[pseudonarcissus]

I see there has been the first Boris Bike fatality

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environme...08/cyclists-killed-lorries-legislation-london

Aldgate East in the cycle "super highway"

as it happens, I got an email today about a redevelopment a few hundred yards away at Aldgate

if you look at the proposal the improvements to cycling are a white line pained on the road....not even the blue safety paint that provides an impenetrable barrier to save cyclists safe on the superhighways...

no talk of integration with CS2 which suddenly expires at Aldgate East, or CS3 which dumps you at the Royal Mint gyratory

this would seem to be a good time for those that cycle through the area to make their voices heard.




The Aldgate Highway Changes and Public Realm Improvements project proposes to introduce two-way traffic working on Aldgate High Street, St Botolph Street, Minories and part of Middlesex Street. It would also enable the creation of two new public spaces.

The City of London is keen to find out your views on the proposals as you have either expressed an interest in the area, or currently work in the vicinity.

Proposals include:

* enhanced greening, planting, street trees and seating in the area
* transforming the subway entrances into green public spaces
* having new surface level pedestrian crossings and closing the subway access.
* improved cycling facilities
* a café kiosk in the western new public space
* improved wayfinding and connections

All of the proposals can be found on our website www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/aldgatearea where you can access our online survey

 

[pissflaps]

heard this terrible incident reported on bbclondon as 'cyclist collides with HGV' or words to that effect.

i expect to hear the next stabbing reported as 'man walks into knife'.

 

[Dogsauce]

I think there's some kind of 'flash ride' on Friday in Aldgate to highlight poor cycling facilities in that area. Since I'm down in London for the nightride on Saturday I might come along.

 

[Dogsauce]

heard this terrible incident reported on bbclondon as 'cyclist collides with HGV' or words to that effect.

i expect to hear the next stabbing reported as 'man walks into knife'.

Maybe they'll also give particular attention to the fact that the victim wasn't wearing a stab-proof vest too.

 

[Dogsauce]

.

 

[SikhWarrioR]

The only cycle paths worth bothering with are ones that are completely seperated from other traffic by pyhsical barriers and wide enough for two cyclists to pass eachother with out the risk of colision the ones that are blue pant and lines and cycle logos on existing road space are a waste of time and not allways complied with by other road users and as a motorcyclist you dont have to tell me that most cardrivers really should go to specsavers

 

[gentlegreen]

I was directed to this disaster this morning :-

The "cycle lane" starts off being too narrow ....

 

[Dogsauce]

The only cycle paths worth bothering with are ones that are completely seperated from other traffic by pyhsical barriers

I'm not keen on continous barriers - sometimes you need to drop back on to the road to make a turn, or want to join a track part way along. I don't like 'closed systems' that channel you somewhere you might not want to go.

I saw some pictures of a new scheme a few days ago that had a series of planters segregating the cyclelane from the rest of the road, with gaps between. Enough to keep the cars out but let bikes through if they wanted. It seemed like a good approach. Bollards could also achieve the same, but whatever it is some consideration has to be given as to what would happen if a bike collided with the feature. Maybe we should make our own barriers like this with hay bales, cheap and sustainable.

 

[nino_savatte]

I was directed to this disaster this morning :-

The "cycle lane" starts off being too narrow ....

View attachment 39146

Crikey, I know that road. But painting a cycle lane through a road narrowing is not only silly but also convinces road users there's enough room for a car and a bike to pass through it simultaneously.

 

[fredfelt]

Crikey, I know that road. But painting a cycle lane through a road narrowing is not only silly but also convinces road users there's enough room for a car and a bike to pass through it simultaneously.

I just don't get how planners get it so wrong!

It seems that on the occasions when you really need a cycle path they are narrowed by so much that they become a danger to use, or they disappear completely.

The solution to the picture above probably to paint a solid, wide cycle track so that any passing cars feel that they need to make space for cyclists and that they are coming into your space. This cycle path encourages drivers to pass when there's not any room.