Bike Industry Slams Traffic Calming
Dangerous, badly thought out schemes being implemented before basic road repairs
The Motor Cycle Industry is calling for changes to traffic calming branding some measures as "dangerous obstacles". It is concerned that some traffic calming is having the side effect of introducing hazards to motorcycle, scooter and moped users.
Speed bumps, speed cushions, road narrowing and some cycle lane schemes are bringing with them dangerous obstacles which can catch out the unwary biker, particularly at night.
Recent examples include Fountain Drive, near Crystal Palace, where speed cushions have been placed directly in the line a motorcycle would take when entering the road. This is particularly dangerous as the calming measure lies on a corner. Posts have also been placed in stages along the same road, some feet away from the kerb to indicate a cycle lane. These are not visible at night and a number have already been knocked over, leaving hazardous lumps of concrete in the path of traffic.
Elsewhere in London it appears that traffic calming installation has taken priority over ensuring that the road itself is safe for two wheeled traffic. Lambeth has a number of roads where the Borough has installed fresh speed bumps on roads which are potholed, crumbling and breaking up. In one step doubling the hazard motorcyclists' face on such roads.
Numerous other examples of such ill considered schemes are littered across London, making the city a dangerous traffic calming obstacle course for motorcycle riders.
MCI Director of Public Affairs Craig Carey-Clinch said; "We hear a lot about motorcycle safety concerns, yet it seems that some London Boroughs are creating the very danger that they say they wish to stop. Traffic calming is not designed or positioned with motorcyclists in mind. There is also negligible consultation at borough level with riders or industry .
"It is absurd that the basic condition of the road infrastructure is allowed to decay while some quite alarming traffic calming measures are put in place. This is a self defeating policy. In addition to creating hazards for motorcyclists, the poor state of the basic road means that any speed bumps that are placed won't last for very long before requiring replacement anyway .
"It seems that a desire to make life as difficult as possible for car drivers, is blinding traffic planners to the additional danger which is being created for powered two wheel users. This approach is both flawed and institutionally biased against motorcycle users .
"MCI is not anti traffic calming, indeed there are occasions where it is very necessary. However, we deplore the current scattergun approach to traffic calming and call on the London Boroughs to consult riders and industry on both existing and planned schemes."
Knee jerk reaction
Keep the moaners happy
That's the 3 reasons for the above
"We have no money to put the roads right 'cos Central Govt. has taken it all"
Better please the "Road Safety" campaigners, 'cos they know best...and the'll keep on wingeing 'til something's done, may even get on the telly and make me (Councillor) look sily and I won't get re ellected.
If we can only get it through to them that they represent US too.....but no they represent only themselves...
PAH
Custard filled speed bumps... that's what we need - custard solidifies the harder you hit it - genius!
A
about 2 inches high, and slightly bevelled. The idea was to count traffic that past over it.
try hitting it, cuz you can't see it.
oh yes, it was on a tight corner too..
(its gone now - Thank god.)
ing feckwits
crankedup said:
And this is nothing compared to the steel hawser 'safety barriers' appearing straight from 'Mad Max' it seems. Just right to sever the limbs from the poor devils who take a tumble and slide into them. When are the cretins going to see some common sense.
Perhaps we should tie a minister to a bike Mad Max stylie and take him for a ride "real close" to the hawsers. Bet they would understand then!
Is that why road rage has gone up so much in line with these measures ?
Most of them are simply lethal to motorcyclists - the half size speed bumps that sit in the middle of the road ( designed so ambulances and fire engines can travel at full speed with a wheel either side ) this prompts cars to swerve into the middle of the road to avoid them. Safe !
I nearly had a crash on a newly built chicane, which had a small speed bump at either end. This allowed water to build up, which then froze, making a smooth sheet of ice. Thank god I was driving the car.
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