cyclists should be grateful...
Discussion
… that we you have built a dangerous cycle path:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-25759...
A cycling charity claims a new cycle lane in Weston-Super-Mare is "dangerous" and unfit for purpose.
According to Sustrans, the cycle lane, on the approach to the M5, is too narrow and does not meet minimum guidelines.
North Somerset Council has defended the lane, claiming cyclists "should be grateful" for it.
The new cycle lane - about two metres narrower than guidelines - is part of a £15m package of roadworks in the area.
The lane, which is a metre wide, is on a section of the A370 as it approaches the motorway roundabout from Weston-Super-Mare.
'Incredibly dangerous'
Jason Torrance, director of policy at Sustrans, said: "It's very clearly dangerous. I would ask the people who built this and designed it, 'would they cycle on there with their kids?' The almost certain answer would be no.
"This alleged cycle lane is incredibly dangerous. Putting something like this in is worse than not having it at all."
Elfan Ap Rees, deputy leader of North Somerset Council, said: "We couldn't change it if we wanted to.
Elfan Ap Rees says cyclists should be grateful the council has managed to put in a cycle lane at all
"I think the cyclists need to bear in mind that the approach to this area has no cycleway at all, indeed it doesn't even have a pavement, so I think they [cyclists] need to be grateful for the short length that we've actually managed to put in.
"I would [cycle on it]. I wouldn't have a problem with it."
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman said: "Local councils are best placed to find local solutions and we only offer guidance to minimum widths for cycle lanes."
According to DfT guidelines, cycle lanes should be a minimum of three metres wide.
Fair play on him for saying it as he sees it - reading between the lines I would say he sees this as a complete waste of money which could have been spent on something more worthwhile… and I would probably have to agree with him. Do something properly or don't do it at all - especially if it gives people a false sense of security.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-25759...
A cycling charity claims a new cycle lane in Weston-Super-Mare is "dangerous" and unfit for purpose.
According to Sustrans, the cycle lane, on the approach to the M5, is too narrow and does not meet minimum guidelines.
North Somerset Council has defended the lane, claiming cyclists "should be grateful" for it.
The new cycle lane - about two metres narrower than guidelines - is part of a £15m package of roadworks in the area.
The lane, which is a metre wide, is on a section of the A370 as it approaches the motorway roundabout from Weston-Super-Mare.
'Incredibly dangerous'
Jason Torrance, director of policy at Sustrans, said: "It's very clearly dangerous. I would ask the people who built this and designed it, 'would they cycle on there with their kids?' The almost certain answer would be no.
"This alleged cycle lane is incredibly dangerous. Putting something like this in is worse than not having it at all."
Elfan Ap Rees, deputy leader of North Somerset Council, said: "We couldn't change it if we wanted to.
Elfan Ap Rees says cyclists should be grateful the council has managed to put in a cycle lane at all
"I think the cyclists need to bear in mind that the approach to this area has no cycleway at all, indeed it doesn't even have a pavement, so I think they [cyclists] need to be grateful for the short length that we've actually managed to put in.
"I would [cycle on it]. I wouldn't have a problem with it."
A Department for Transport (DfT) spokesman said: "Local councils are best placed to find local solutions and we only offer guidance to minimum widths for cycle lanes."
According to DfT guidelines, cycle lanes should be a minimum of three metres wide.
Fair play on him for saying it as he sees it - reading between the lines I would say he sees this as a complete waste of money which could have been spent on something more worthwhile… and I would probably have to agree with him. Do something properly or don't do it at all - especially if it gives people a false sense of security.
So this lane is a metre wide, is also two metres narrower than the guidelines?
That means cycle lanes are supposed to be 3m wide, no wonder more aren't getting built.
From the picture it looks like a pavement rather than a cycle lane although the drop, if any, doesn't look very high. And it's on the right side of the traffic, which looks odd. How do you get to it, by crossing the road?
This comment:
How can this be correct?
Attitude of council could be better though, if they actually say, cyclists "should be grateful". Context and misquotes aside.
That means cycle lanes are supposed to be 3m wide, no wonder more aren't getting built.
From the picture it looks like a pavement rather than a cycle lane although the drop, if any, doesn't look very high. And it's on the right side of the traffic, which looks odd. How do you get to it, by crossing the road?
This comment:
director of policy at Sustrans said:
his alleged cycle lane is incredibly dangerous. Putting something like this in is worse than not having it at all
is highly debatable from what the picture shows.How can this be correct?
Attitude of council could be better though, if they actually say, cyclists "should be grateful". Context and misquotes aside.
jesusbuiltmycar said:
Just thinking the same - on my ride earlier the "cycle lanes" (gutters) were mostly full of water...
Actually some of the "cut through" cycle sections that allow a bike to go straight on while there's a road narrowing bollard (can't remember what the damn leaf choked things are called) struggle to be 30cm wide....Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff