Search found 606 matches

by PRL
1 Nov 2008, 5:53pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Do you prefer speed cushions to humps?
Replies: 28
Views: 4174

Two problems with cushions - aiming for the gap can squeeze you into the door zone of parked cars. (CID does suggest controlling parking but local councillors will be scared of that ). The other arises when you have snow cover. Hit the side of a cushion and you are neatly flipped over.
by PRL
1 Nov 2008, 5:47pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: new DfT cycle infrastructure design guidance published
Replies: 15
Views: 2987

ITIYM St John's Road. - Yes this certainly works despite the fact that every time I go through there is at least one illegal vehicle. Critical mass of pedestrians ?

Are you suggesting that we drop CTC and spend our time campaigning for Friends of the Earth ?
by PRL
30 Oct 2008, 10:51pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Ending the Scandal of Complacency :Road Safety Beyond 2010
Replies: 62
Views: 7722

George Riches wrote:&
Ways must be found to satisfy the desires of local communities for safer streets. We recommend that local authorities be given the powers and resources to introduce 20-mph limits much more widely.


unfortunately followed by :
Flexibility is required to avoid the prohibitive costs associated with some approaches. The balance of engineering measures, technology, policing and community influence should be a local matter. Systems, however, must not rely on high levels of fines or draconian enforcement.

Why not ???
by PRL
25 Oct 2008, 9:40pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Cyclists routinely ride over zebra crossings, study finds
Replies: 32
Views: 4350

George thanks for this which included such gems as :

[To date, there is insufficient evidence to suggest a change in Rule 64 of the Highway Code is needed and it is therefore not TfL’s intention to pursue this aspect]
• Nearly 90% of cyclists at six sites surveyed cycled across Zebra crossings


One wonders what TfL would regard as sufficient evidence as to the need to change a rule which is not backed by law and is ignored 90% of the time.
by PRL
5 Oct 2008, 9:16pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: This is what happens when we ask nicely?
Replies: 48
Views: 5349

Mick F wrote:Couldn't agree more.

Education is what the dosh should be spent on, not cycle lanes!

Educate the drivers
Educate the cyclists
Educate the pedestrians
Educate all the rest


As a retired teacher I am touched by your faith in education. :?
Actually the cycle lane seems to have challenged the OPs mother which is a good start and hefty fines for violating it might well encourage learning.
by PRL
13 Sep 2008, 10:09pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: thorn club tour
Replies: 11
Views: 2148

I have had an older version of the Thorn Club Tour for about six years and have used for touring and general utility including carrying a bag of fence post concrete. No problems at all. (apart from the powder coat concealing the frame number )
by PRL
13 Sep 2008, 9:57pm
Forum: Touring & Expedition
Topic: Nice flat tour to get my wife started?
Replies: 24
Views: 2933

Another vote for Lincolnshire. NCN routes provide pretty traffic free routes into Lincoln itself (and with the amount of traffic in Lincoln they are useful) which could be built in as a rest day with plenty to see in pedestrian mode. Free cycle maps from county council.
by PRL
25 Aug 2008, 9:17pm
Forum: Bikes & Bits – Technical section
Topic: Brooks B17 fanatics: your thoughts please!
Replies: 39
Views: 8227

The proper position for a Brooks gives the sensation of sitting in the saddle rather than on the saddle.


Hmm - when a Brooks is worn a bit the sitz bones area sags down below the back of the saddle. If you don't want the front of the saddle rubbing delicate bits should you tilt the saddle forward to compensate ?
I remember the saddle I had years ago treated with neats foot oil as more comfortable that the current one treated with proofride. This may just be poor memory or deteriorating bum !
by PRL
27 Jul 2008, 10:25pm
Forum: On the road
Topic: if you want to take you bike on the train...
Replies: 46
Views: 5659

Done - and copied to uk.rec.cycling
by PRL
23 Jul 2008, 10:14pm
Forum: Does anyone know … ?
Topic: Non-folding bikes on National Express coaches
Replies: 11
Views: 7733

If you book in advance trains can be affordable -eg £13 from Plymouth to London with free bike reservation. (http://www.nationalexpresseastcoast.com) gives you the chance to book bike spaces online and has no extra charges.
by PRL
18 Jun 2008, 10:42pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Free Bike Hire
Replies: 7
Views: 1469

Free Bike Hire

Flash your passport in the Tourist Information Office in Ravenna (Italy) and you are given a key to unlock one of a series of yellow bikes for the day. OK they are heavy, single gear and have solid tyres but if you are suffering from cycling withdrawal symptoms.... :P

About time some of the smaller tourist tows in this country caught up.
by PRL
17 May 2008, 5:15pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Helmets
Replies: 371
Views: 28885

Surely the answer is "it depends". When I am popping to the shops I don't wear one. When I am going out playing (second childhood ! ) on my mountain bike and likely to fall off, I do. :wink:
by PRL
16 May 2008, 9:31pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: 20mph for residential areas across the country?
Replies: 39
Views: 4563

downsman wrote:
A short run at highly dangerous speed won't be stopped by these cameras.

:(


If enough longer distance drivers are keeping below 20 then that will make it difficult for anyone else to go much faster. It will be a matter of having plenty of cameras (and digital cameras are getting pretty cheap these days).
by PRL
6 May 2008, 10:07pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Bike to School Week
Replies: 11
Views: 1992

jan19 wrote:
Until local councils stop parents parking right next to the school, the children will never be encouraged to use any other form of transport. I fear Hell will freeze over before my local council dares antagonise local council tax payers that way.


Richmond UT Council (Lib Dem) is proposing to charge for permits to stop near some schools. Letters of anguish in local paper. :twisted:
by PRL
2 May 2008, 10:20pm
Forum: Campaigning & Public Policy
Topic: Speed limit review needed
Replies: 32
Views: 4757

jocks wrote:One day, and what a day it will be, traffic will be diverted from the mortorways & dual carriageways and opened up to cyclists.


There is a fine stretch of the M4 coming down off the cotswolds that I have always fancied cycling down. :wink: