Quality cycling infrastructure...
Discussion
...what can I say to expand on the title? A simple thread idea really (and I'm hoping it hasn't been done before).
"Let's see your local examples of top quality, well thought out cycling facilities".
I'll start the ball rolling with this...
...now it's not like business is slow at the A&E department not 100 yards away, but that isn't stopping Frimley Park Hospital from actively trying to recruit new trauma patients.
Not so long ago, it was just a footpath, and the lamp post was sticking out of the grass verge. Now, they've installed a new concrete path for cyclists to more easily access the bike parking facilities just inside the structure to the right. It's a pity the project manager didn't consider moving the lamp post prior to laying the new concrete surface though. Cyclists as second class citizens. What's new there? They wouldn't expect cars to swerve off their carriageway onto the footpath to avoid an obstruction, so why is it OK to expect cyclists to do the same?
"Let's see your local examples of top quality, well thought out cycling facilities".
I'll start the ball rolling with this...
...now it's not like business is slow at the A&E department not 100 yards away, but that isn't stopping Frimley Park Hospital from actively trying to recruit new trauma patients.
Not so long ago, it was just a footpath, and the lamp post was sticking out of the grass verge. Now, they've installed a new concrete path for cyclists to more easily access the bike parking facilities just inside the structure to the right. It's a pity the project manager didn't consider moving the lamp post prior to laying the new concrete surface though. Cyclists as second class citizens. What's new there? They wouldn't expect cars to swerve off their carriageway onto the footpath to avoid an obstruction, so why is it OK to expect cyclists to do the same?
Quite right, but you've pretty much covered it. Not much more to add.
Saw something similar on Facebook recently where people had photo shopped roads with equivalent obstacles....
End of the day I'd vote for cycle lanes on existing roads. Cyclepaths are pretty much unusable at any pace even without obstacles like that!
Saw something similar on Facebook recently where people had photo shopped roads with equivalent obstacles....
End of the day I'd vote for cycle lanes on existing roads. Cyclepaths are pretty much unusable at any pace even without obstacles like that!
yellowjack said:
...what can I say to expand on the title? A simple thread idea really (and I'm hoping it hasn't been done before).
"Let's see your local examples of top quality, well thought out cycling facilities".
I'll start the ball rolling with this...
...now it's not like business is slow at the A&E department not 100 yards away, but that isn't stopping Frimley Park Hospital from actively trying to recruit new trauma patients.
Not so long ago, it was just a footpath, and the lamp post was sticking out of the grass verge. Now, they've installed a new concrete path for cyclists to more easily access the bike parking facilities just inside the structure to the right. It's a pity the project manager didn't consider moving the lamp post prior to laying the new concrete surface though. Cyclists as second class citizens. What's new there? They wouldn't expect cars to swerve off their carriageway onto the footpath to avoid an obstruction, so why is it OK to expect cyclists to do the same?
In that there's an entrance to what looks like a carpark two car lengths away, after which the cycle path comes to an abrupt halt I'm not really seeing what your problem is. "Let's see your local examples of top quality, well thought out cycling facilities".
I'll start the ball rolling with this...
...now it's not like business is slow at the A&E department not 100 yards away, but that isn't stopping Frimley Park Hospital from actively trying to recruit new trauma patients.
Not so long ago, it was just a footpath, and the lamp post was sticking out of the grass verge. Now, they've installed a new concrete path for cyclists to more easily access the bike parking facilities just inside the structure to the right. It's a pity the project manager didn't consider moving the lamp post prior to laying the new concrete surface though. Cyclists as second class citizens. What's new there? They wouldn't expect cars to swerve off their carriageway onto the footpath to avoid an obstruction, so why is it OK to expect cyclists to do the same?
If you're head down, going hell for leather at that point then it's a good job there's an A&E right there.
Fotic said:
In that there's an entrance to what looks like a carpark two car lengths away, after which the cycle path comes to an abrupt halt I'm not really seeing what your problem is.
If you're head down, going hell for leather at that point then it's a good job there's an A&E right there.
In practical terms, you are correct. (As is everyone who expresses an opinion on the internet If you're head down, going hell for leather at that point then it's a good job there's an A&E right there.
) However. It's a brand new facility, and the lamp post has been there for quite some time. It would have made sense for the installation team to just gently curve the bike path out to the right, around the pole. There is space, and it wouldn't have cost very much in excavation/materials terms either.
It's almost inevitable now that the lamp post will need replacing soon, resulting in another gang digging up the concrete, and then there'll be a hole, with ugly plastic barriers around it for months, and it's back to square one, with cyclists and pedestrians (many of whom have mobility issues. It's a hospital, after all
) sharing a single path.The irony of this is that FPH are currently pushing alternatives to driving very hard, especially among their staff. There's a distinct shortage of parking on site, and walking and cycling more is one way of reducing their limited space issues. They've even started a cycling club, to encourage more staff to ride in for their shifts. Besides which, there are a number of 'health care professionals' on the staff who could do with a bit more exercise, and fewer cream cakes, in order to set a better example to their patients.
Why make excuses for badly executed infrastructure delivery? As I said earlier, you wouldn't expect, nor would you accept, the same situation on a motor traffic road lane, now. Would you?
PS: I didn't start this thread looking for a serious debate on the issue. I just thought it'd be mildly amusing to see examples of poor cycling provision form other PHers' daily lives
Maybe we'll get some examples of genuinely brilliant cycling provision too
But it IS the end of the cycle path, regardless of anything else.
If this was in the middle of a cycle path that lead to somewhere, I'd agree with you but it is the end of the path! Why would they gently curve a cycle path around a lamp post for it then to end? That would be insane.
I'm genuinely not making excuses for 'badly executed infrastructure delivery', just pointing out that it's the end of the cycle path so it's moot.
If this was in the middle of a cycle path that lead to somewhere, I'd agree with you but it is the end of the path! Why would they gently curve a cycle path around a lamp post for it then to end? That would be insane.
I'm genuinely not making excuses for 'badly executed infrastructure delivery', just pointing out that it's the end of the cycle path so it's moot.
Fill your boots here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/facility...
Loads of entertaining or silly box-ticking exercises in cycle facility provision.
Loads of entertaining or silly box-ticking exercises in cycle facility provision.
Not the end of the world really, I do hate it when cycle paths are just parts of pavements, Wokingham to Winnersh was a death trap if you used the Cycle "lane"
In this case it would have cost quite a bit (relatively) to move the lapost, one should be coasting along anyway due to the location, so is quite easy to avoid the lampost and it is the end of a cycle lane.
At least there is a designate lane for riders so you dont have to brave car parks or push down the pavement
In this case it would have cost quite a bit (relatively) to move the lapost, one should be coasting along anyway due to the location, so is quite easy to avoid the lampost and it is the end of a cycle lane.
At least there is a designate lane for riders so you dont have to brave car parks or push down the pavement
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