Anti-motorbike barriers to be removed from National Cycle Network

[Drago]

Because they don't ride bikes of any kind, and don't have Wives in wheelchairs?

 

[jarlrmai]

Around 50% of the ones on the cycle-path I rode from Warrington to Altrincham were easily bypassed on a motorbike

 

[RichK]

I'm not sure on this one, having been involved in a head on collision with a yoof on a motorbike (on NCN5)

 

[Shut Up Legs]

Manchester leading the way

The barriers on the Fallow field loop never seemed to be a problem for me but I only ride a 'normal' bike. The ones that really wind me up are the tall ones that lean inwards to narrow at the top. These are a total menace and are not even wide enough for my shoulders to fit through, never mind the bike handlebars!

This kind of thing - View attachment 152980
Although there doesn't seem to be any set standard on the width and some are worse than others. I have actually felt as if I have slightly jarred my neck and shoulders on some occasions after negotiating/man-handling me and bike through some of these.

What on earth is that!? A whippet-lean roadie with matching bike might be able to squeeze through it, but everyone else would have trouble. Also, it doesn't cater for larger bikes, e.g. tandems, bakfiets, recumbents, etc. Whoever designed that obviously does no cycling.

 

[dodgy]

What on earth is that!? A whippet-lean roadie with matching bike might be able to squeeze through it, but everyone else would have trouble. Also, it doesn't cater for larger bikes, e.g. tandems, bakfiets, recumbents, etc. Whoever designed that obviously does no cycling.

Lots of them around here, the angle of lean is adjustable, hence every single one is at slightly different severity, therefore you can't take it for granted that you might make it through at slow speed. So badly thought out, and the ones that are suffering are those in most need of help.

 

[mjr]

You really have no clue what you are talking about have you

These are the same as on your bike are they?

Not THE SAME but SIMILAR - measure the diameter, width and so on. People really did use some motorcycle handlebars on bikes. See, for example, https://hadland.wordpress.com/2012/06/30/did-brits-invent-the-mountain-bike/

We're not arguing with you, we agree with you, are you actually reading what we type or is there a hidden agenda we don't know about

...writes someone who seems to be reading "the same" where I wrote "similar"?

 

[mjr]

Since when has my cycling preferences been restricted by, or had to conform to some idealogical standard dreamt up by SUSTRANS?

It isn't. You're quite free to do whatever agility tests you want between consenting adults off the main routes, but the context of this is removing such torture devices from the Sustrans NCN.

 

[Drago]

I think the problem with these obstacles is that they prove to be an impediment to many legitimate users, while doing little or nothing to address illegal motorcycle use.

 

[I like Skol]

It isn't. You're quite free to do whatever agility tests you want between consenting adults off the main routes, but the context of this is removing such torture devices from the Sustrans NCN.

I don't see that type being a barrier to wheelchair access, not like the type I pictured, but I would have to consult with affected user groups to confirm this before I would ever elect to install one.

 

[mjr]

I don't see that type being a barrier to wheelchair access, not like the type I pictured, but I would have to consult with affected user groups to confirm this before I would ever elect to install one.

They do consult... and then install the bloody things anyway, in my experience!

The towpath ones in the picture, if those are typical 100mm-deep pavers under/around them, seem to be set with a gap only 700mm wide and contain two zero-radius right-angle turns. There will be some types of wheelchair that can't make that corner.

 

[Drago]

Or the wheelchair can, but the person pushing it can't.

 

[dodgy]

How about this one, been like this years, I've contacted the LA and also Sustrans - nothing. Not that bad if you know it's coming, but what about first timers?

 

[mjr]

How about this one, been like this years, I've contacted the LA and also Sustrans - nothing. Not that bad if you know it's coming, but what about first timers?

When you say "nothing" do you mean you had no reply? Are you sure your reports are getting through? Log it on www.fixmystreet.com as that usually hits home.

 

[Deleted member 26715]

How about this one, been like this years, I've contacted the LA and also Sustrans - nothing. Not that bad if you know it's coming, but what about first timers?

Does the gate open?

 

[dodgy]

I don't think they see it as a problem, I should have explained. I guess nobody has died yet.