Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
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BaldEagle
Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
I use a cycle path everyday which goes along beside a main road & crosses side roads at T junctions. At most of the junctions the cycle path has the right of way. The cycle path is a 2 way path and in 1 direction it is reasonably safe apart from having to check behind for traffic turning left. However in the other direction it is lethal (had a near miss last night). At one particular junction cyclists approaching from the left of the T are obscured from cars at the T by hedges plus the car drivers are always looking right if they are turning left and are not looking for cyclists approaching the T from the left. Some day someone will be seriously hurt here and it could be me - who do I complain to?
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Andy Tallis
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
Just one of the many reasons I use the road. You could try writing a letter to the local paper: it isn't going to solve the issue but at least if it's printed more people will be aware of the probablem and (hopefully) take extra care.
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Tony Smith
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
I'll agree with Andy - stick to the road. Try fitting a mirror, you'll be amazed at how much safer you feel when you can see that you've been seen!
Trouble is, motorists often think that if a cycle path is provided you should be on it and may get that bit closer to teach you a lesson! Also, if most cyclists do use the path motorists don't expect to see cyclists on that section of the road.
Is the path gritted in the winter? If not does that mean you'll only take to the road when it's cold and dark?
Trouble is, motorists often think that if a cycle path is provided you should be on it and may get that bit closer to teach you a lesson! Also, if most cyclists do use the path motorists don't expect to see cyclists on that section of the road.
Is the path gritted in the winter? If not does that mean you'll only take to the road when it's cold and dark?
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mas051
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
Hi
After seeing the article in the current cycle mag surely the person to contact is the cycling officer at the local county council (or unitary authority) they were probably responsible for the layout in the first place and pointing out the faults with it while possibly not fixing the problem may stop them making the same one again.
matthew
After seeing the article in the current cycle mag surely the person to contact is the cycling officer at the local county council (or unitary authority) they were probably responsible for the layout in the first place and pointing out the faults with it while possibly not fixing the problem may stop them making the same one again.
matthew
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BaldEagle
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
Thanks for the comments.
Since posting I have obtained contact details for Sustrans and West Sussex County Council and have aired my views with them so I'll see what ensues.
I've had a mirror for several years now and yes it does make me feel more secure - I wouldn't be without it.
Cycle Path or Road? Well, I will always use a cycle path if it's there purely because I consider that the more people use cycle paths the more we will get and hopefully the greater distance between me and vehicles. Use it or lose it as they say!
In the winter - different story - if the cycle path's not gritted I use the road. The hope being that they will start gritting the cycle paths to get me off the road - I live in hope!!
Since posting I have obtained contact details for Sustrans and West Sussex County Council and have aired my views with them so I'll see what ensues.
I've had a mirror for several years now and yes it does make me feel more secure - I wouldn't be without it.
Cycle Path or Road? Well, I will always use a cycle path if it's there purely because I consider that the more people use cycle paths the more we will get and hopefully the greater distance between me and vehicles. Use it or lose it as they say!
In the winter - different story - if the cycle path's not gritted I use the road. The hope being that they will start gritting the cycle paths to get me off the road - I live in hope!!
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gar
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
I am very tempted at certain times to drop a load of
white paint on a dangerous corner just here.
It would make it much safer, and make the Council highways daily routine highway checkers...... think!
white paint on a dangerous corner just here.
It would make it much safer, and make the Council highways daily routine highway checkers...... think!
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Andy Tallis
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
I personally would rather lose it and be without cycletracks totally with the way they design them.
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Tony Smith
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
If everyone uses the cycle lane and motorists get used to not having cyclists on that stretch of road how surprised will they be to not see you on a dark winters morning when you have to move to the road to avoid the ice.
I'm not totally against cycle lanes. We don't have many around here but when I do come accross them I'll sometimes use them, sometimes not.
To the people who think it should be compulsory to use a cycle lane where one is provided I suggest the same for cars - If an old A road has been downgraded and bypassed by a dual carriageway (otherwise known as a "car lane") it should surely be illegal to drive a motor vehicle on it.
Not sure who the question about mirror attachment is aimed at but in my caes I use a mirrycle mountain mirror. Fits into the end of "flat" bars securely using an expanding wedge. The swivels are held tight by allen bolts so can be left loose enough to move if knocked or to fold out of the way for parking on trains etc. and tightened up to cater for wear. I guess a balljoint type works loose eventually. Only trouble is I haven't got one on the Brompton and I really miss it!
I'm not totally against cycle lanes. We don't have many around here but when I do come accross them I'll sometimes use them, sometimes not.
To the people who think it should be compulsory to use a cycle lane where one is provided I suggest the same for cars - If an old A road has been downgraded and bypassed by a dual carriageway (otherwise known as a "car lane") it should surely be illegal to drive a motor vehicle on it.
Not sure who the question about mirror attachment is aimed at but in my caes I use a mirrycle mountain mirror. Fits into the end of "flat" bars securely using an expanding wedge. The swivels are held tight by allen bolts so can be left loose enough to move if knocked or to fold out of the way for parking on trains etc. and tightened up to cater for wear. I guess a balljoint type works loose eventually. Only trouble is I haven't got one on the Brompton and I really miss it!
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BaldEagle
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
I have the same mirror as Tony http://www.ctcshop.com/product.jsp?style=11497 - works well.
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CyclingCarl
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
I'm in the ride on the road camp. I live in a rural area. Some cycle paths exist in the market towns but they are ridiculous. Some are no more than a >1m wide strip of red road surface which just stops when the road becomes too narrow. Others are part of the (already too narrow) footpath.
Motorists seem to be surprised to see me on the road.
As an aside, I have got quite good at deducing the gender of drivers as they approach from behind me. A revving car right on my back wheel is usually male, single occupant, got off the same commuter train as me, and been stuck in traffic whilst I have made the same speed as always through the town. A gentle purring quite a way back from my bike (but usually sitting there much longer than the need to) is probable female, maybe with others in the car. Both worry me equally: the macho-man coz he may try to get past at an inappropriate time on the narrow roads. The cautious ones coz I really don't know when they will try to get past plus they will be holding up the next Mr Impatient ho then becomes Mr Really-Impatient and follows the first car past me without really considerding how much road space there is.
Education of ALL road users is the answer. I have cycled nigh on all my life and been a driver (and motorcyclist) for over 2/3 of it. As far as I can recall, I've not had a day's training (education?) on cycling on the road. I've learnt a few things the hard way, I've learnt some things from the unfortunate incidents involving others. I know some schools have cycle training for the children as they get to about age 11. Why not all? Why not have general road awareness training for children (and those adults that seem to have no idea about the lethality of pedestrian/cycle/horse rider/motor vehicle mixes)?
Back to the topic. Cycle paths have their uses, especially in urban areas where there may be old rail tracks that can be used for longer commutes. But they have to be properly designed and implemented. Half-hearted attempts by councils to get their "cycle paths" stats up should not be used. I especially detest the shared use foot and cycle paths that seem to be used a lot around here.
Carl
Motorists seem to be surprised to see me on the road.
As an aside, I have got quite good at deducing the gender of drivers as they approach from behind me. A revving car right on my back wheel is usually male, single occupant, got off the same commuter train as me, and been stuck in traffic whilst I have made the same speed as always through the town. A gentle purring quite a way back from my bike (but usually sitting there much longer than the need to) is probable female, maybe with others in the car. Both worry me equally: the macho-man coz he may try to get past at an inappropriate time on the narrow roads. The cautious ones coz I really don't know when they will try to get past plus they will be holding up the next Mr Impatient ho then becomes Mr Really-Impatient and follows the first car past me without really considerding how much road space there is.
Education of ALL road users is the answer. I have cycled nigh on all my life and been a driver (and motorcyclist) for over 2/3 of it. As far as I can recall, I've not had a day's training (education?) on cycling on the road. I've learnt a few things the hard way, I've learnt some things from the unfortunate incidents involving others. I know some schools have cycle training for the children as they get to about age 11. Why not all? Why not have general road awareness training for children (and those adults that seem to have no idea about the lethality of pedestrian/cycle/horse rider/motor vehicle mixes)?
Back to the topic. Cycle paths have their uses, especially in urban areas where there may be old rail tracks that can be used for longer commutes. But they have to be properly designed and implemented. Half-hearted attempts by councils to get their "cycle paths" stats up should not be used. I especially detest the shared use foot and cycle paths that seem to be used a lot around here.
Carl
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GreenArrow
Re:Cycle Path Safety - Who Is Responsible
I was pottering along the cycle path on my 'bent trike by Millenium Way in Barry (near Cardiff) this afternoon, just had a nice wander around the revisalised docks area, been taking some photos.
Even though it is downhill there and I could have been belting along, I was just potteling along enjoying the afternoon sunshine.
So when I saw the area in front of me scattered with broken glass, I was able to stop. If not, I'd have at best sliced open a couple of tyres. Being on a trike, I'm unlikely to have fallen off- but if a child/inexperienced cyclist had come across it, maybe it would have been different (and isn't that part of the point of the cycle paths- to encourage new cyclists?).
So I've taken a few pics, and will be e-mailing tham to the Vale of Glamorgan council this afternoon. And I'll be checking every evening now to see if they do clear it. Along with the next pile I found 100 yds further down the hill.
It's not just about having cycle paths- it's about maintaining them to a reasonable state.
Even though it is downhill there and I could have been belting along, I was just potteling along enjoying the afternoon sunshine.
So when I saw the area in front of me scattered with broken glass, I was able to stop. If not, I'd have at best sliced open a couple of tyres. Being on a trike, I'm unlikely to have fallen off- but if a child/inexperienced cyclist had come across it, maybe it would have been different (and isn't that part of the point of the cycle paths- to encourage new cyclists?).
So I've taken a few pics, and will be e-mailing tham to the Vale of Glamorgan council this afternoon. And I'll be checking every evening now to see if they do clear it. Along with the next pile I found 100 yds further down the hill.
It's not just about having cycle paths- it's about maintaining them to a reasonable state.