Discussion
It occurs to me that what we need, if we wish to encourage cycling as a commuting and general mode of transport, is to travel a few miles over to the continent and observe how to do things properly.
A recent trip to Belgium demonstrated quite, quite clearly that by providing safe, smooth cycle paths alongside major routes, sensible markings and planning at junctions and ample, well-designed parking in towns makes it as easy to cycle as to drive. Admittedly the lack of any kind of hill made it easier for me to haul my ample frame along the paths, but to be separated from traffic and having a secure place to park the steed was very appealing.
I took the time to calculate the population per square mile, and it turns out that Belgium is at least as populated as the UK, but has invested adequately in the carrot, rather than, in a George Ferguson stylee, relied on the stick.
A recent trip to Belgium demonstrated quite, quite clearly that by providing safe, smooth cycle paths alongside major routes, sensible markings and planning at junctions and ample, well-designed parking in towns makes it as easy to cycle as to drive. Admittedly the lack of any kind of hill made it easier for me to haul my ample frame along the paths, but to be separated from traffic and having a secure place to park the steed was very appealing.
I took the time to calculate the population per square mile, and it turns out that Belgium is at least as populated as the UK, but has invested adequately in the carrot, rather than, in a George Ferguson stylee, relied on the stick.
Couldn't agree more. I spend quite a bit of time in Belgium with my work (heading over there this afternoon in fact) and if I take the car will often take my bike too.
Riding around Zolder race track is especially fun. It's open to cyclists on Wednesday and Thursday evenings during the summer.
Here is a handy website: http://fietsrouteplanner.vlaanderen-fietsland.be/ It shows all the cycles routes and helps you to plan a journey.
To give you an idea, here's a picture of northern Belgium and all it's cycle routes.
They sign them slightly different to us though. They number the junctions rather than the path, so you head from (for example) 98 to 78 to 77 to 65 etc rather that follow path 1 or whatever. Works nicely once you've got the system in your head.
Riding around Zolder race track is especially fun. It's open to cyclists on Wednesday and Thursday evenings during the summer.
Here is a handy website: http://fietsrouteplanner.vlaanderen-fietsland.be/ It shows all the cycles routes and helps you to plan a journey.
To give you an idea, here's a picture of northern Belgium and all it's cycle routes.
They sign them slightly different to us though. They number the junctions rather than the path, so you head from (for example) 98 to 78 to 77 to 65 etc rather that follow path 1 or whatever. Works nicely once you've got the system in your head.
Agreed. It's also about their attitude towards cyclists as well as the infrastructure.
I did the Liege-Bastogne-Liege sportive this year, and found that at junctions the locals were actually waving us through having slowed even though they were on the continuous road.
It was incredible to be treated like that, where we were allowed to continue our ride at the expense of a driver losing a bit of time. They seemed to actually enjoy seeing us.
I did the Liege-Bastogne-Liege sportive this year, and found that at junctions the locals were actually waving us through having slowed even though they were on the continuous road.
It was incredible to be treated like that, where we were allowed to continue our ride at the expense of a driver losing a bit of time. They seemed to actually enjoy seeing us.
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