UK bike sales plummet
Discussion
Ashfordian said:
272BHP said:
Ever been to one of the new towns like Stevenage?
Miles upon miles of safe wide segregated cycle paths and yet the cyclists and commuters still use the roads - quite odd really.
I'm calling BS on this. I've only ever seen cyclists on the cycle paths and never on the road when I have been to Stevenage. Although considering how good the provision is for cycle paths, I am surprised how little they are used.Miles upon miles of safe wide segregated cycle paths and yet the cyclists and commuters still use the roads - quite odd really.
Same was true in Bracknell. I used to ride through there a lot. But local cycleways are signposted for things like schools, the railway station, and the GP's surgery. No use to me if I'm heading for the next town, or three villages up the road. cycling signposting is getting better. Sustrans' NCN signs can be helpful, but such info is often lost in the streetscape, where as the names of towns and villages several miles away are written larger on signs designed to be read by vehicle drivers.
OutInTheShed said:
Probably safer, the cycle ways will be full of dog walkers, drug adicts and criminals.
Amazing you ever set foot out the front door, the world must look so frightening to you.I grew up nearby & loved bombing round Stevanage as a kid. That's the thing about new towns, if you build a place from scratch, you get to drop the infrastructure in as you go. Can't do that so easily somewhere that's been around since 1382, coincidentally, the year OITS was born.
For a bit of casual bimbling by inexperienced cyclists or children cycle routes are fine. Or routes like canal towpaths or old railways which repurpose previous routes can be very good.
Routes joining random bits of lane and roadside shared paths can be very bad. Exhibit 1. You are in the village of Bottisham. You wish to cycle to Newmarket. Your choice is go by road. 6 miles. Even as a slowish rider. Flat area I'd be there under 30 minutes.
Or go by Sustrans - 15 miles. No doubt many more turns and giving way to roads. Probably an hour and a half. Who would choose Sustrans?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zm2o6XFc8RxjHLSa8
Routes joining random bits of lane and roadside shared paths can be very bad. Exhibit 1. You are in the village of Bottisham. You wish to cycle to Newmarket. Your choice is go by road. 6 miles. Even as a slowish rider. Flat area I'd be there under 30 minutes.
Or go by Sustrans - 15 miles. No doubt many more turns and giving way to roads. Probably an hour and a half. Who would choose Sustrans?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/zm2o6XFc8RxjHLSa8
Edited by irc on Thursday 1st February 11:30
emicen said:
If they’re anything like the ones round here I’m not surprised.
One of the biggest problems with the cycling infrastructure I see getting installed is its purpose. It tends to be fine for bimbling along with the kids, somewhere between frustrating and useless for commuting.
Also as noted above, segregated cycle paths tend to be shared use. Children, dog walkers, joggers, all varying degrees of oblivious hazard.
Nope, not the Stevenage ones - 2 metre wide paths for pedestrians then a bit of grass maybe and then about 4 metres wide of prime well surfaced cycleway fully segregated from the road.One of the biggest problems with the cycling infrastructure I see getting installed is its purpose. It tends to be fine for bimbling along with the kids, somewhere between frustrating and useless for commuting.
Also as noted above, segregated cycle paths tend to be shared use. Children, dog walkers, joggers, all varying degrees of oblivious hazard.
Could not be designed better for cycling really.
272BHP said:
emicen said:
If they’re anything like the ones round here I’m not surprised.
One of the biggest problems with the cycling infrastructure I see getting installed is its purpose. It tends to be fine for bimbling along with the kids, somewhere between frustrating and useless for commuting.
Also as noted above, segregated cycle paths tend to be shared use. Children, dog walkers, joggers, all varying degrees of oblivious hazard.
Nope, not the Stevenage ones - 2 metre wide paths for pedestrians then a bit of grass maybe and then about 4 metres wide of prime well surfaced cycleway fully segregated from the road.One of the biggest problems with the cycling infrastructure I see getting installed is its purpose. It tends to be fine for bimbling along with the kids, somewhere between frustrating and useless for commuting.
Also as noted above, segregated cycle paths tend to be shared use. Children, dog walkers, joggers, all varying degrees of oblivious hazard.
Could not be designed better for cycling really.
People doing a 100km ride as sport, very few cycle lanes are fit for such a purpose in this country. Other countries, yes. Europe, USA, all brilliant. Not the UK because even the dedicated ones are largely s
t.ChocolateFrog said:
272BHP said:
Ever been to one of the new towns like Stevenage?
Miles upon miles of safe wide segregated cycle paths and yet the cyclists and commuters still use the roads - quite odd really.
I mean it's not in the slightest if you're an actual cyclist. Miles upon miles of safe wide segregated cycle paths and yet the cyclists and commuters still use the roads - quite odd really.
Anyhoo, it's dated, 70's idealism, like Telford. Fine for kids on Isla bikes, but for actually moving adults around at more than 10 mph, it's a fail. I tend to take my chances on the road rather than getting T boned on every road junction a cycle lane crosses, or left hooked as someone swings across said lane.
I've never been to Stevenage, why would you?
Most experiance I have of New Towns is Cwmbran and Basingrad, both of which are dumps I've had clients in.
Commuters don't tend to use the cycle paths much, because people who work there tend to live miles away, given a choice.
The New Town philosphy post war seemed to think people would live there and have a long career in the local factory.
Reality is more like people commute 10, 20, 40... miles both in and out of these places.
Mostly by car.
There isn't the need for lots of journeys within the town.
Most experiance I have of New Towns is Cwmbran and Basingrad, both of which are dumps I've had clients in.
Commuters don't tend to use the cycle paths much, because people who work there tend to live miles away, given a choice.
The New Town philosphy post war seemed to think people would live there and have a long career in the local factory.
Reality is more like people commute 10, 20, 40... miles both in and out of these places.
Mostly by car.
There isn't the need for lots of journeys within the town.
Julian Scott said:
As has been said above, perfect for school kids, commuters, 70yr old mavis going to lunch club.
People doing a 100km ride as sport, very few cycle lanes are fit for such a purpose in this country. Other countries, yes. Europe, USA, all brilliant. Not the UK because even the dedicated ones are largely st.
Yes, but in the grand scheme of things who gives a sPeople doing a 100km ride as sport, very few cycle lanes are fit for such a purpose in this country. Other countries, yes. Europe, USA, all brilliant. Not the UK because even the dedicated ones are largely s
t.t about people who ride as sport?We need more commuters not roadies.
OutInTheShed said:
I've never been to Stevenage, why would you?
Most experiance I have of New Towns is Cwmbran and Basingrad, both of which are dumps I've had clients in.
Commuters don't tend to use the cycle paths much, because people who work there tend to live miles away, given a choice.
The New Town philosphy post war seemed to think people would live there and have a long career in the local factory.
Reality is more like people commute 10, 20, 40... miles both in and out of these places.
Mostly by car.
There isn't the need for lots of journeys within the town.
Stevenage has a sizeable industrial area that is accessible by cycle tracks and lots of people who work in the town live there - few use the cycle tracks.Most experiance I have of New Towns is Cwmbran and Basingrad, both of which are dumps I've had clients in.
Commuters don't tend to use the cycle paths much, because people who work there tend to live miles away, given a choice.
The New Town philosphy post war seemed to think people would live there and have a long career in the local factory.
Reality is more like people commute 10, 20, 40... miles both in and out of these places.
Mostly by car.
There isn't the need for lots of journeys within the town.
272BHP said:
Julian Scott said:
As has been said above, perfect for school kids, commuters, 70yr old mavis going to lunch club.
People doing a 100km ride as sport, very few cycle lanes are fit for such a purpose in this country. Other countries, yes. Europe, USA, all brilliant. Not the UK because even the dedicated ones are largely st.
Yes, but in the grand scheme of things who gives a sPeople doing a 100km ride as sport, very few cycle lanes are fit for such a purpose in this country. Other countries, yes. Europe, USA, all brilliant. Not the UK because even the dedicated ones are largely s
t.t about people who ride as sport?We need more commuters not roadies.
What we do need is less ****s like you!
272BHP said:
Julian Scott said:
As has been said above, perfect for school kids, commuters, 70yr old mavis going to lunch club.
People doing a 100km ride as sport, very few cycle lanes are fit for such a purpose in this country. Other countries, yes. Europe, USA, all brilliant. Not the UK because even the dedicated ones are largely st.
Yes, but in the grand scheme of things who gives a sPeople doing a 100km ride as sport, very few cycle lanes are fit for such a purpose in this country. Other countries, yes. Europe, USA, all brilliant. Not the UK because even the dedicated ones are largely s
t.t about people who ride as sport?We need more commuters not roadies.
272BHP said:
Stevenage has a sizeable industrial area that is accessible by cycle tracks and lots of people who work in the town live there - few use the cycle tracks.
Perhaps they will when their petrol cars get taken away?Perhaps it's a sign that significant numbers of the public prefer to spend their money on a car and drive to work?
Perhaps many of those who live close enough to easily cycle, live close enough to walk?
Maybe their 50s utopian homes don't have good storage for bikes?
Maybe those industrial jobs are not conducive to turning up sweaty and wanting a shower?
Sometimes, people's reasons for not cycling are as simple as valuing an extra ten minutes in bed.
Other people have kids to send to school and time is short in the mornings.
A lot of us might cycle to work if it was more convenient, but not everybody is remotely interested.
272BHP said:
Stevenage has a sizeable industrial area that is accessible by cycle tracks and lots of people who work in the town live there - few use the cycle tracks.
I use cycle lanes if they are well maintained. If not, no. As someone who does like to ride on the road and a bit quick occasionally - 35mph on a flat section I was doing intervals on today - I do believe the road is the best place for 'roadies' and legislation allows for this so there is zero problem in that respect; we can, we do, it is some motorists who need educating with that fact.
Cycle lanes are, however, very nice to ride upon when done properly and for commuting, sightseeing, general cruising they are ideal. If only the UK would catch up to the rest of Europe and invest accordingly.
That said, there are examples of where they have got it right and it's wonderful. I regularly use those that are genuinely fit for purpose. The one's that aren't I use when riding my gravel bike.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff