Cycle Paths
Comments
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If it can be done for Bus lanes then it should also done for cycleways
But it can't - the buses don't stay in the bus lanes. Perhaps their drivers cycle to work?
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I imagine cyclists use the road because they feel they can make better progress unrestricted by the obstacles generally found on urban cycle routes? And they have right of way on the road over cycle routes.
David
.Thats why it needs a law change
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Don't blame him / her af all. It's exactly what I would do.
Ian
Just out of interest why would you choose the road rather than an adjacent cycleway especially if it was designed as a cycle way rather than being a shared footpath?
David
Well David, as I pay two lots of road tax, there shouldn't even be any question about me using the roads.
But perhaps more relevantly, I have a road bike, designed for use on roads. The tyres are 19mm wide and not at all suitable for 'off road' use.
Cycle paths are often strewn with glass and other debris. Possibly thrown from vehicles on the road. Not an ideal surface to cycle on with road tyres.
Also, cycle paths are often only of short lengths and can run out, with no obvious way for the cyclist to then go. They are also used as footpaths (despite being clearly marked as cycle paths) which means a cyclist then has to stop / negotiate pedestrians
who shouldn't even be there.I hope that answers your question.
I would add that, if a car driver has to just occasionally slow down, just a bit, for a cyclist, it's hardly the end of the world, is it?
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Don't blame him / her af all. It's exactly what I would do.
Ian
Just out of interest why would you choose the road rather than an adjacent cycleway especially if it was designed as a cycle way rather than being a shared footpath?
David
Well David, as I pay two lots of road tax, there shouldn't even be any question about me using the roads.
But perhaps more relevantly, I have a road bike, designed for use on roads. The tyres are 19mm wide and not at all suitable for 'off road' use.
Cycle paths are often strewn with glass and other debris. Possibly thrown from vehicles on the road. Not an ideal surface to cycle on with road tyres.
Also, cycle paths are often only of short lengths and can run out, with no obvious way for the cyclist to then go. They are also used as footpaths (despite being clearly marked as cycle paths) which means a cyclist then has to stop / negotiate pedestrians
who shouldn't even be there.I hope that answers your question.
I would add that, if a car driver has to just occasionally slow down, just a bit, for a cyclist, it's hardly the end of the world, is it?
...If only that was the case of occasionally
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I think when there's a cycle lane or path, which has cost thousands of pound to construct , and some cyclists totally ignore them and ride along the road at the side of them . Then it is coming it a bit don't you think ?
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To restart,
Last couple of days cyclists weaving in and out between slowing cars , when riding at side of a cycle lane Baaaaaaaar.
Must be because they were dressed in 🚴♂️
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Sadly, a lot of the UK is still not Cycle friendly. There are some very bad examples of “cycle lanes”, wasted money in some instances, nothing more than a line of paint, cars parked on them, wheelie bins left on them, other obstructions. Couple this with some very ignorant and aggressive drivers, some bloody minded and stubborn cyclists, and it’s still not a good place to be on a bike on certain roads.
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As a 'leisure' cyclist I most certainly do use cycle lanes to avoid traffic and especially love the cycle only paths and routes (usually old railways or pit wagonways).
I agree with TDA, some 'cycle paths' round here were simply a narrow extra lane with no protection to the cars passing by to the left. I've noticed that finally the local councils are replacing these by widening the pavements and making them shared use but (from a youtube video by the Black belt barrister) there is no legal requirement for cyclists to use them in place of the roads even if next to each other.
However if I were a) a lot fitter and b) younger and I was interested in road cycling and being as fast as I could then I'd use the road and can understand why some cyclists do use the road.
Also these weaving cyclists may be employed as couriers which earn their money by being as quick as possible, especially in busy cities.
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yep, much like you Corners. There are an awful lot of illegal ebikes out there that cause issues as well, speeds not governed and going too fast. But on the whole, if a safe cycle path is provided, we try and use them. Some areas of the country are a lot better than others. We are fortunate to have the Trans Pennine Trail running not far away from home, with lots of local spurs off it. Shared with horse riders and walkers, and on the whole everyone respects others. my OH has done the whole of the TPT trail, from the Liverpool area, right across to Hornsea.
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Just reading an article about bike hijacking on the Bath to Bristol cycle path where some armed yobbos have been stealing bikes at knife point. Local people very concerned with 1 saying it's safer to use the road. Seems to be happening after dark, a Deliveroo driver had his stolen this way.
Just posting in case anyone in that area and using it.
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That’s awful. Doesn’t matter how some folks choose to enjoy their hobbies, there’s sadly always a few low life types to spoil things. Bikes are often worth a lot of money nowadays, and the crooks know it. We had a couple of very nice bikes stolen from home, a long time ago, but someone had clocked them and thought yes, I will have those.😡 Did a lot of damage getting to them as well. Thankfully all insured but it doesn’t half make you wary.
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Nothing surprises me around what nasty things some folks will do on cycle paths. Tacks are a frequent hazard. Around us, a lot of folks leave their wheelie bins across them.
On a nicer note, there are some very nice cycling areas, we particularly like the Borders area of Scotland, and parts of Cornwall, if you can get up the hills (own steam or battery) are very nice. We used to cycle from the Marazion Club Site right through Hayle, and up close to Godrevy, mix of cycle paths, quiet lanes and a bit of busier road, but lovely scenery, nice eateries along the way. We did make the mistake of trying to cycle across a bit of beach though, boy that was hard work🤣 Into Marazion, along through Long Rock, seafront at Penzance, right through to Mousehole was another good ride, mainly on shared cycle paths, quiet lanes. Happy days.
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That’s all good TTDA but, cyclists near me just don’t use cycle paths which run adjacent to busy roads. In actual fact they are a danger not only to themselves but to motorists as well.
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@hostahousey cyclists are like any other group on the roads, you get good and bad across the user spectrum. Some so called cycle lanes are not fit for purpose, which might only become apparent when you try and use them. Hence why you often see disability scooters on the roads as well, simply because the pavements might be more hazardous.
Purpose built, totally separate cycling lanes, well surfaced with no obstructions are a rare commodity in the UK, and even then you will have to contend with pedestrians who sometimes don’t have a clue as well……expanding dog leads, toddlers running around, those who can only walk four abreast, phone zombies. On a cycle path you learn to treat every pedestrian as potentially hazardous, could be actual deafness, induced deafness to surroundings because of ear pods/ headphones, children or pets not fully under control, sheer ignorance. Cyclists should give way to pedestrians, so it gets less than satisfactory if things are busy. But there are some very ignorant, stubborn cyclists out there as well. Usually all in black, and without any due regard for other road users. Swings and roundabouts.
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Agree TTDA,👍🏻
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Most cycle paths in the UK are designed for off-road bikes. The surfaces are gravel or mud which are not suitable for road bikes with narrower tyres. The paths expect cyclists to give way at side turnings, cars are supposed to give way to pedestrians according to the revised Highway Code. Finally many cycle paths come to an end abruptly and become pedestrian only.
It's generally far safer to ride on the road, you just need to be aware of the current traffic and be considerate. We don't have any cycle paths in our part of Wales. Unfortunately, there are some adults who insist on racing along the pavement even though there aren't any cars on the road.We always use our cycles once on site. Much more environmentally friendly.
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Never seen any off road bikes or mud and gravel cycle paths where I live . They are all tarmac that no one seems to use . These usually include pedestrian paths which were made for cyclists as well at great cost.
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We had a lovely holiday near Barmouth, Llangwyril to be precise. OH used some really good cycle routes round there. A mix of quiet on road and dedicated cycle paths. He took his road bike and had no issues. There are lots of good cycle routes all over Wales. We had a look around some of the gravel and off road tracks at Coed Y Brenin in the Forest. Superb.
If we are out cycling and roads are busy, if there’s a pavement alongside I will ride on there, but taking great care. Our home town has recently accessed £12m funding to put a cycle lane in on a busy commuter road at home. Unfortunately, they haven’t consulted with local cycle clubs, cyclists in the local community, and the “we know what’s best for you” Road engineers Dept are going to use it on the wrong road. So it will just be another lost opportunity that few will use. 🤷♀️
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Here in Milton Keynes we have over 200 miles of dedicated cycle paths called Redways(the surface is a red tarmac). They are a shared space so pedestrians can use them and more recently the little robot delivery vehicles (about the size of a large suitcase). They are not always the most direct route but probably a lot safe than National Speed Limit roads? One of my sons uses the Redways to get to and from the station several times a week. (he has a Brompton which folds up and he uses the other end from Euston to his office, if you have ever watched W1A, you get the idea!) It seems from what I have seen in Germany from what I have seen they use shared use pavements quite a lot. It doesn't seem to be a concept that is very welcome in the UK?
David
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I think the shared pavement thing is a bit dependent upon where you might be cycling tbh. Our town, folks haven’t got a clue, hence you have to be very careful and use a bell as gently as possible to avoid the occasional verbal abuse. I have been knocked off my bike twice on shared pavements, once by a phone zombie and once by someone just oblivious to other people being around. We used to visit Ferry Meadows quite a bit and cycle into the town centre on shared paths, much better there as pedestrians and cyclists seem to stick to their own side of path.
Our town has problems with aggressive young drivers as well, and I was once driven straight at on the road at speed, to frighten me. He got short shrift from me, and had failed to notice my OH and his friend who were waiting for me close by on their bikes. He was too cowardly to try and take them on. We passed his number on to police, it’s all you can do.
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I thought that was against the Law ?
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I have to agree with @davetommo its a regular occurrence around us as well. Lots of our so called cycle lanes are actually bus lanes that cycles can use. However, most are time limited, so outside of the “keep out cars” periods, there are cars parked in them as they are not double yellowed. Then there are our lovely new purpose installed cycle paths closer to town that seem to be additional parking for the takeaways and fast food outlets. Like anything else provided, they have to be policed by someone, but that simply doesn’t happen.🤷♀️ Every now and then our Council will blow a gasket and haul illegally parked vehicles away and crush them, but trying to educate certain sections of society who put their own needs first is proving difficult. Likewise with pavement parking🤷♀️
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Maybe but it happens so often in my experince.
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Sadly it’s the old story. There can be as many laws passed, rules implemented as required, but it all falls apart if there’s no one to see that such are followed.
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yes but how many complain to the police. ? If they don’t get any then No ! Nothing will be done, unfortunately this happens with other type problems also .
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I think I read somewhere that the police won't do parking violations but leave that to others.
As I posted elsewhere if I was in a hurry, younger, or was 'upgrading' my fitness and wanted to go as fast as I could (too late now) then I would use the road as cyclists are legally entitled to do so, cycle path or not alongside.
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