Disasterous cyclepaths?
Discussion
On one of my regular routes, there is a piece of pavement that is shared use, it is signed by one of these 
- it does not however have any markings on the pavement to indicate lanes for part of its length, so when it is busy, people use the full width (understandably). Where it does have markings, they are only white lines and pedestrians still walk on the whole pavement, even in the lanes (annoyingly).
I think this type of cycleway is more dangerous than most - pedestrians don't seem to notice the signs and assume you are cycling on the pavement, I know this from people who walk the route and did not believe me when I said it was a cycleway as well. In my opinion, a few signs does not a cycle path make, the danger is as great to pedestrains as a cyclist on a normal busy footpath - only the density of cyclists is greater as it is legal.
And then there are those paths that are about 10 foot long and direct you to join or leave the road at right angles to traffic....
- it does not however have any markings on the pavement to indicate lanes for part of its length, so when it is busy, people use the full width (understandably). Where it does have markings, they are only white lines and pedestrians still walk on the whole pavement, even in the lanes (annoyingly). I think this type of cycleway is more dangerous than most - pedestrians don't seem to notice the signs and assume you are cycling on the pavement, I know this from people who walk the route and did not believe me when I said it was a cycleway as well. In my opinion, a few signs does not a cycle path make, the danger is as great to pedestrains as a cyclist on a normal busy footpath - only the density of cyclists is greater as it is legal.
And then there are those paths that are about 10 foot long and direct you to join or leave the road at right angles to traffic....
Guy at work has a lovely line of stitches in his chin as a result of one of these shared-use paths.
Not busy. Pedestrian walking along in a straight line suddenly decided to take 3 steps sideways, straight into the bike's path. Needless to say, he went straight over the bars and landed on his chin. Lovely.
Not busy. Pedestrian walking along in a straight line suddenly decided to take 3 steps sideways, straight into the bike's path. Needless to say, he went straight over the bars and landed on his chin. Lovely.
I believe there is a directive with a target for the amount of miles of new cycle lanes created by a certain future date which means that local authorities are just putting in as many as possible wherever they can squeeze them regardless of safety, or practicality.
Many are just downright dangerous. Who's stupid idea is it to mix cyclists & pedestrians?
Many are just downright dangerous. Who's stupid idea is it to mix cyclists & pedestrians?
I have also heard similar to that; council states "we have added X number of miles of cyclepaths" and someone gives them pat on back.
They are as dangerous as riding on a normal pavement, you get fined for that for a reason.
I suppose many car drivers would also percieve it as cyclists breaking the rules again (the cyclepath signs aren't at all visible)
They are as dangerous as riding on a normal pavement, you get fined for that for a reason.
I suppose many car drivers would also percieve it as cyclists breaking the rules again (the cyclepath signs aren't at all visible)
beyond rational said:
I have also heard similar to that; council states "we have added X number of miles of cyclepaths" and someone gives them pat on back.
Bristol City Council is very proud of its total mileage of cycle paths. What they don't like to admit is that every sodding bus lane in the county counts towards that total. Thanks then. Feckwits. beyond rational said:
I suppose many car drivers would also percieve it as cyclists breaking the rules again (the cyclepath signs aren't at all visible)
Had a bloke moan at me the other day for cycling on a "footpath". He was standing literally beneath the shared use sign. :shakesHeadSlowly:Interesting example of this is the cyclepath round Hyde Park. When they resurfaced the paths a few years back, they laid down a different coloured asphalt bordered by solid white lines for the cyclepath with a white painted cycle symbol at regular intervals all the way along it. Result? Everyone walks along the cyclepath rather than to either side of it.
Nick_F said:
I'm sure you're right, but try explaining that to an angry old giffer trying to shove his walking stick through your spokes as he steps into the road in front of you...
Had a mother with her 2 children call me a w*nker this morning (nice example, love) for daring to not hit her when she stepped out right in front of me. Not quite sure what she'd rather I'd have done... plough straight into the pushchair I suppose? Personally, I thought my solution of dodging around her with at least 2ft clearance was possibly one of the better options. 
And no, it wasn't a pedestrian crossing point
Nick_F said:
Doh. She wasn't looking for cyclists in the road because they're all supposed to be on the pavement.
Actually, I think I must have been waering my Cloak Of Invisibility™ this morning, as a few minutes before that I had to lock both wheels avoiding some old codger pulling out right across my path. 
these things are a nightmare, in london they are just dangerous, particularly as motorists seem to think you should not be on the road if there is a cycle lane ( I had an altercation woth one on the ride to work last week who decided to drive at me, when I hopped onto the pavement and went behind some railings he stopped his car and produced a bat so I scarpered) unless you are from the shopping basket school of cycling, you'll be going too fast to be safe for pedestrians who are not expecting you/might be pissed/listening to a iPod etc.
The Londoner said:
Interesting example of this is the cyclepath round Hyde Park. When they resurfaced the paths a few years back, they laid down a different coloured asphalt bordered by solid white lines for the cyclepath with a white painted cycle symbol at regular intervals all the way along it. Result? Everyone walks along the cyclepath rather than to either side of it.
There is a path like this from Tower Bridge to the edge of Docklands. I've lost count the amount of times I've seen peds narrowly missing getting clobbered when walking across the busy bike lane.
bga said:
The Londoner said:
Interesting example of this is the cyclepath round Hyde Park. When they resurfaced the paths a few years back, they laid down a different coloured asphalt bordered by solid white lines for the cyclepath with a white painted cycle symbol at regular intervals all the way along it. Result? Everyone walks along the cyclepath rather than to either side of it.
There is a path like this from Tower Bridge to the edge of Docklands. I've lost count the amount of times I've seen peds narrowly missing getting clobbered when walking across the busy bike lane.
There's one of those across the Downs in Bristol, on one of the main student halls -> classes routes. The cycle path and pavement run parallel but completely separated from one another by a 2ft wide grass strip. Where do all the pedestrians walk? On the cyclepath of course - you know it makes sense!
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