Cycle Lanes - use thereof etc
Discussion
t was filming on his phone whilst driving eh ?I cycle just under 10 miles across London from NW2 to EC2 on a mountain bike and use all the cycle lanes there and back. I occasionally pop out of them to get past stragglers but otherwise they work fine.
Caveat; the are all one-way, usually separated from traffic by a curb and I ride a MTB on kevlars so don't give a frick about the surface.
Caveat; the are all one-way, usually separated from traffic by a curb and I ride a MTB on kevlars so don't give a frick about the surface.
evosticks said:
Totally unrelated to the subject but more to do with the video, what is that annoying effect of blurring the left and right thirds of the video all about?
It only seems to have been a 'thing' since the last 12/18 months in your social media type videos but it really gets on my tits for reasons I can't explain
It's to fill the screen with something, because most people (naturally, but incorrectly) film using their phone in portrait mode which is tall and skinny, which doesn't fit our tellies very well. And because there has been such an explosion in people out there recording everyday crap on their phones, you will have noticed it more.It only seems to have been a 'thing' since the last 12/18 months in your social media type videos but it really gets on my tits for reasons I can't explain
]I don't always use cycle lanes...
...for the reasons listed above. I have found a couple in the Brighton area that are ace though; from the uni into town, must be a couple of miles. Even then, there are bits that don't make sense, outside the hospital there are a load of bus stops and the bike lane seems to go one side then the other. I guess the council realise more students than most members of the public will ride. There's another one near Lewes that's actually out in the country but still good enough and long enough to be worth using.
...for the reasons listed above. I have found a couple in the Brighton area that are ace though; from the uni into town, must be a couple of miles. Even then, there are bits that don't make sense, outside the hospital there are a load of bus stops and the bike lane seems to go one side then the other. I guess the council realise more students than most members of the public will ride. There's another one near Lewes that's actually out in the country but still good enough and long enough to be worth using.
There is a cycle lane on Marble Arch Roundabout that must be all of 2 metres long.
Really, what's the point?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/maps/@51.5133...
Really, what's the point?
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/search/maps/@51.5133...
okgo said:
You'd begin to notice issues when you get o a roadbike, not only would you be going a lot faster, but you'd also worry about punctures etc.
I'm sure I would. One of the main reasons why I ride what I ride. Although I'm sure if I was 25 I'd be riding something with super skinny high pressure tyres because of "fast".
Most of you have approached this with thought for which thanks
Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
The idea of using less-used roads to provide safer cycling routes in particular came across as a sensible proposal that would not require huge infra-structure changes
Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
The idea of using less-used roads to provide safer cycling routes in particular came across as a sensible proposal that would not require huge infra-structure changes
johnnyreggae said:
Most of you have approached this with thought for which thanks
Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
The idea of using less-used roads to provide safer cycling routes in particular came across as a sensible proposal that would not require huge infra-structure changes
None of us would choose a less convenient route for the benefit of other road users when we're driving, the same thing applies when cycling.Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
The idea of using less-used roads to provide safer cycling routes in particular came across as a sensible proposal that would not require huge infra-structure changes
Here's the video in question.
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/row-over-dri...
Is this the same cycle path that the cycling coffee shop owner got all heated about a while back?
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/row-over-dri...
Is this the same cycle path that the cycling coffee shop owner got all heated about a while back?
WinstonWolf said:
johnnyreggae said:
Most of you have approached this with thought for which thanks
Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
The idea of using less-used roads to provide safer cycling routes in particular came across as a sensible proposal that would not require huge infra-structure changes
None of us would choose a less convenient route for the benefit of other road users when we're driving, the same thing applies when cycling.Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
The idea of using less-used roads to provide safer cycling routes in particular came across as a sensible proposal that would not require huge infra-structure changes
AC43 said:
Well yes and no. I avoid roads like the one in the vid like the plague as they are inherently dangerous. Too narrow, far too many cars trying to squeeze past at speed. I always work out a longer route (no doubt with more stops/starts) as it's generally safer and more relaxing all round. I don't mind stopping as it gives me an excuse to spring off the line and burn off some more calories. Yin and yang.
I do similar in my car for my commute. I choose a route that suits me, might not be shortest, might not be quickest, but it's the route that I prefer.However, WW's point was that 'None of us would choose a less convenient route for the benefit of othera' and he's entirely right. As ever, this is motorists expecting others to put themselves out in a way that they wouldn't.
My commute is 9 miles, I can do 4 of those of the cycle lane and most of the year do chose to do so as the cycle lane runs alongside a busy dual carriageway - the A4174 ring road in Bristol if anyone knows it.
The only time I don't use it is late autumn when the leaves drop, as most of it is under tree cover it becomes a horrible mess of squidgy wet leaves for 2-4 weeks before the council come and sweep it.
I ride it at 0645 so it's quiet and can maintain speed, I then ride home at 1545 so again it's quiet.
The only time I don't use it is late autumn when the leaves drop, as most of it is under tree cover it becomes a horrible mess of squidgy wet leaves for 2-4 weeks before the council come and sweep it.
I ride it at 0645 so it's quiet and can maintain speed, I then ride home at 1545 so again it's quiet.
My question to any driver who asks about cycle lanes is, should cars be forced to use the motorway whenever there is one going to the same destination? Why would you use other roads when you have a road specifically built for you, as a huge cost to the tax payer that segregates you from other traffic to improve safety. The difference with motorways is they actually do that, where as cycle lanes force you in to gutters, pot holes, stopping for every junction, intentionally mixing you with more vulnerable road users and just generally being poorly planned. Oh, and let's not forget most cycle lanes don't even meet the minimum requirements, because some idiot decided to put exceptions in for narrow roads and the like thinking that this would encorage councils to put down more, when all it did was give them a get out clause and claim everywhere is to narrow.
Looking at the video and seeing comments around this shows exactly why I hate cycle lanes. They encorage the belief that cyclists should not be on the road and that roads are for cars. To be fair, cycle lanes and cycle paths do have a use. If I had children I was taking cycling in to town I would use them. But not if I was doing much more than walking speed.
Looking at the video and seeing comments around this shows exactly why I hate cycle lanes. They encorage the belief that cyclists should not be on the road and that roads are for cars. To be fair, cycle lanes and cycle paths do have a use. If I had children I was taking cycling in to town I would use them. But not if I was doing much more than walking speed.
Edited by SteveSteveson on Tuesday 20th September 08:39
johnnyreggae said:
Most of you have approached this with thought for which thanks
Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
I think it's partly that. I know I'd much rather cruise at a steady speed than stop start (even though the latter burns more calories and is probably better for overall fitness) but it's more the safety aspect. Maybe I'm mistaken but I do get a sense that part of the dislike is a reflection of a demand for uninterrupted speed (hence the comments about cycling vs biking above)
Imagine driving along the inside lane of the motorway and having to do a shoulder check at every junction to see if another car was approaching in the middle/outside lane and then having to stop to give way to that car if they wanted to turn left. You would choose not to put yourself in that position.
It's a recipe for disaster.
If all cycle paths looked like this then we'd be ok, granted this one gets busy at peak times but so does the road. Cyclists get the same priority as cars and it works very well:
Unfortunately, a lot of them are shared use and you don't get priority at junctions and look like this:
Or, you end up stuck in the gutter on a very busy road dodging busses and trucks like this (note the parked van too - there's a parked van/truck there every morning without any doubt):
Basically, painting a white line on a road/pavement does not make a cycle lane. It shows that the authorities have probably never seen a bike let alone ridden one.
Unfortunately, a lot of them are shared use and you don't get priority at junctions and look like this:
Or, you end up stuck in the gutter on a very busy road dodging busses and trucks like this (note the parked van too - there's a parked van/truck there every morning without any doubt):
Basically, painting a white line on a road/pavement does not make a cycle lane. It shows that the authorities have probably never seen a bike let alone ridden one.
heebeegeetee said:
AC43 said:
Well yes and no. I avoid roads like the one in the vid like the plague as they are inherently dangerous. Too narrow, far too many cars trying to squeeze past at speed. I always work out a longer route (no doubt with more stops/starts) as it's generally safer and more relaxing all round. I don't mind stopping as it gives me an excuse to spring off the line and burn off some more calories. Yin and yang.
I do similar in my car for my commute. I choose a route that suits me, might not be shortest, might not be quickest, but it's the route that I prefer.However, WW's point was that 'None of us would choose a less convenient route for the benefit of othera' and he's entirely right. As ever, this is motorists expecting others to put themselves out in a way that they wouldn't.
It has the same effect though - I just won't cycle down these roads.
And if i did I certainly wouldn't ride two abreast.
I occassionally drive past the Priory and there are a LOT of roadies doing that for some reason.
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