Thursday 19th June 2003

Pedal Power

Govt gives more dosh to cycling schemes

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[Don]

Excellent. Now lets just make sure that cyclists (like myself) are on proper cycle routes away from the car traffic...as much as possible.

That way I can cycle in safety. And drive without having to slow to a crawl to pass cyclists.

But will it happen....?

[v8thunder]

No. Basically the money will go on some more carved-up roads which increase car congestion, and a massive, gormlessly glossy spin campaign to persuade us that by riding a bike you therefore elevate yourself to the status of a Blairite Demi-God.
I too am a cyclist who abides by the rules as much as I do when I'm driving, and I would love to see a scheme devised like the existing one in Holland, but given this government's 'spin now, spend (what's left) later' ethos, I can't see it happening for some time.

[swilly]

If this leads to safe and sensible cycle/vehicle segregation and better cyclist tutition then amen and hooray.

If it is just a PR/spin/appeal to those elements of the cyclist community within the lefty-cycle lobby then burn in hell.

[davidf]

As a cyclist, motorcycle rider, car driver and gas guzzling TVR driver I think extra money to separate cycles from cars is money well spent. I like cycling in traffic no more fun that peeling them of my bumper.
While I'm here, I would like to say that cyclists who think traffic lights are not for them should be fair game. THey give us non-political non-lefty normal people who happen to ride bikes a bad name. Perhaps if a few were flattened the would learn, so go for it.
However if when you drive you see a courteous cyclist using signals and riding in a non-numpty fashion, please give us a little room and patience.
*steps down from high horse*

[mybrainhurts]

The latest Good Idea, in my neck 'o the woods, is to widen footpaths and narrow the roads.

So it's time to integrate cycle lanes with footpaths. But that's a Sensible Idea, so it stands No Chance.

Cycle lanes are popping up like weeds, but there'll be no mass migration to bicycles 'cos we're built on hills and dips that join them. Bloody hard work to cycle anywhere (I know these things).

I would like to have a quiet word with the planners who

(a) painted a 10 metre cycle lane that necessitated the closure of a road, and

(b) painted many cycle lanes on one way streets against the flow of traffic.

Then I would like to

(a) Lead them into a small room and

(b) Firmly superglue them to the toilet seats.......

BARK.................