Is it time to bring back compulsory cycle lanes?
Discussion
There are two signs for cycle routes which have changed in meaning.
In The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 :
Diagram 967 ( Blue rectangle with picture of bicycle ) Route recommended for pedal cycles on the main carriageway of a road
Diagram 955 ( Blue circle with picture of bicycle ) Route for use by pedal cycles only
When I learned to drive in the 1970s, the Highway Code had different descriptions:
( Blue rectangle with picture of bicycle ) cyclists and moped riders only
( Blue circle with picture of bicycle ) route for cyclists and moped riders only ( compulsory)
Apart from dropping mention of moped riders, the two signs now seem to have broadly the same meaning and in practice, seem to be used interchangeably.
Where there is provision of properly and safely designed cycle routes which are separate from the carriageway, is there a case for their use by cyclists to be made compulsory? ( like many routes used to be )
In The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016 :
Diagram 967 ( Blue rectangle with picture of bicycle ) Route recommended for pedal cycles on the main carriageway of a road
Diagram 955 ( Blue circle with picture of bicycle ) Route for use by pedal cycles only
When I learned to drive in the 1970s, the Highway Code had different descriptions:
( Blue rectangle with picture of bicycle ) cyclists and moped riders only
( Blue circle with picture of bicycle ) route for cyclists and moped riders only ( compulsory)
Apart from dropping mention of moped riders, the two signs now seem to have broadly the same meaning and in practice, seem to be used interchangeably.
Where there is provision of properly and safely designed cycle routes which are separate from the carriageway, is there a case for their use by cyclists to be made compulsory? ( like many routes used to be )
personally in many instances (not always), I rather ride my bicycle on the road and take the risk of being run over by a car than ride on a cycling lane and risk running over a pedestrian, child, dog etc. Depends on the type of cycling lane / how close it is to where pedestrians are. I do try to keep my speed reasonably high though and stay as close to the edge of the road as possible and I don't mind if cars go past quite close to me. When there is a lot of traffic and there is a cycling lane option, I obviously use that (same if the cycling lane is part of the road etc).
Count897 said:
As a cyclist if you have a dedicated lane surely this only makes good sense? I hate riding on an A road say with massive trucks and buses thundering past. If there s a lane available I ll use it.
If they're properly designed yes. Cycle lanes where you have to give way to motorists at every side road, for example, are worse than useless. From my experience, I'd say 80% of cycle lanes fall into the "worse than useless" category.
kambites said:
Count897 said:
As a cyclist if you have a dedicated lane surely this only makes good sense? I hate riding on an A road say with massive trucks and buses thundering past. If there s a lane available I ll use it.
If they're properly designed yes. Cycle lanes where you have to give way to motorists at every side road, for example, are worse than useless. From my experience, I'd say 80% of cycle lanes fall into the "worse than useless" category.
kambites said:
Count897 said:
As a cyclist if you have a dedicated lane surely this only makes good sense? I hate riding on an A road say with massive trucks and buses thundering past. If there s a lane available I ll use it.
If they're properly designed yes. Cycle lanes where you have to give way to motorists at every side road, for example, are worse than useless. From my experience, I'd say 80% of cycle lanes fall into the "worse than useless" category.

This is my favourite.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgC717262c4GTeaZA
To turn right at the t junction, I'm expected to go onto the pavement. stop, wait for any traffic to pass then cross to the other pavement, ride on the pavement round the corner then wait for more traffic to allow me to use the zebra crossing to re-join the road.
f


The other problem is that cycle lanes reinforce to the stupider members of the UK that "bikes arent traffic and dont belong on MY roads that I pay road tax for!"

Cats_pyjamas said:
kambites said:
Count897 said:
As a cyclist if you have a dedicated lane surely this only makes good sense? I hate riding on an A road say with massive trucks and buses thundering past. If there s a lane available I ll use it.
If they're properly designed yes. Cycle lanes where you have to give way to motorists at every side road, for example, are worse than useless. From my experience, I'd say 80% of cycle lanes fall into the "worse than useless" category.

BunkMoreland said:

This is my favourite.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgC717262c4GTeaZA
To turn right at the t junction, I'm expected to go onto the pavement. stop, wait for any traffic to pass then cross to the other pavement, ride on the pavement round the corner then wait for more traffic to allow me to use the zebra crossing to re-join the road.
f


The other problem is that cycle lanes reinforce to the stupider members of the UK that "bikes arent traffic and dont belong on MY roads that I pay road tax for!"

MDL111 said:
BunkMoreland said:

This is my favourite.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgC717262c4GTeaZA
To turn right at the t junction, I'm expected to go onto the pavement. stop, wait for any traffic to pass then cross to the other pavement, ride on the pavement round the corner then wait for more traffic to allow me to use the zebra crossing to re-join the road.
f


The other problem is that cycle lanes reinforce to the stupider members of the UK that "bikes arent traffic and dont belong on MY roads that I pay road tax for!"

Yes it seems to be a very short diversion indeed, but if there’s a truck behind it ensures it gets past safely,
MDL111 said:
BunkMoreland said:

This is my favourite.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NgC717262c4GTeaZA
To turn right at the t junction, I'm expected to go onto the pavement. stop, wait for any traffic to pass then cross to the other pavement, ride on the pavement round the corner then wait for more traffic to allow me to use the zebra crossing to re-join the road.
f


The other problem is that cycle lanes reinforce to the stupider members of the UK that "bikes arent traffic and dont belong on MY roads that I pay road tax for!"

Is not that difficult to see this is designed to help non-confident cyclists, maybe because they're new to cycling, or very young.
Having to stop in the middle of a busy road, while trying to indicate, brake, steer, and not get rear-ended, is intimidating for the above groups.
Without help like this, it's a potential block to getting more people on bikes.
When is a cycle lane a cycle lane?
I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
POIDH said:
When is a cycle lane a cycle lane?
I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
Because you can? More of a challenge?I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
I’d prefer a quiet safe route than one full of crazy close passing drivers?
There is a cycle lane near me on an A Road, which is very poor. The surface is far too rough as it was never laid properly, full of grit etc, not wide enough and that means you end up hitting cats eyes, or you move further out into the road. Cats eyes in the wet can be dangerous as they can cause a change in path if you slip off them.
Most cyclists will ride outside the lane because of all the above and then get abuse from drivers.
Most cyclists will ride outside the lane because of all the above and then get abuse from drivers.
Count897 said:
POIDH said:
When is a cycle lane a cycle lane?
I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
Because you can? More of a challenge?I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
I d prefer a quiet safe route than one full of crazy close passing drivers?
Count897 said:
POIDH said:
When is a cycle lane a cycle lane?
I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
Because you can? More of a challenge?I can ride directly down a moderately busy 50mph wide road (half of it old dual carriageway from before the bypass) with a 20m climb, or I can take the 'cycle route' which is 2km longer, 130m of climbing, broken old road with no street lights, overgrown in summer and often icy in the winter.
So yeah, I could take the cycle route/lane, but why?
I d prefer a quiet safe route than one full of crazy close passing drivers?
If you think roads should be a challenge then let's do the same for cars...
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