Byng Place; Cycle Route De-Segregation

[Bromptonaut]

Over the last six months Camden Council has been carrying out ‘street improvements’ at Byng Place (between Gordon St and Malet St); part of the east/west segregated cycle route from Tavistock Place to Tott Ct Rd. Over this stretch the cycle route has now been de-segregated and shares the square, which has been re-paved with stone sets, with pedestrians. So you go from fairly quick segregated cycle route, into shared square for 70metres and then back into segregated. There’s little in the way of warning of the change for either cyclists or pedestrians, from next week the area will be overflowing with students and its dubious how much grip the sets have when wet.



I predict mayhem and am amazed this got past planners and safety cases, never mind what ‘problem’ de-segregating is meant to solve.

What do other regular users think

 

[Theseus]

I don't use it or know where it is, but I bet it looks pretty, which is what the planners were after. There may be a risk assesment, but it won't be worth the disk space it uses on the council server.

 

[Molecule Man]

In my opinion that whole route has always been a disaster. For those that don't know it, it is a two-way bike lane placed to the north side of a two-way road, with many points where you cross side-roads. Not surprisingly, many road users turning in or out of these side roads neglect to check for bikes coming the opposite direction to the near-side road lane. I have heard about at least one accident caused by this in the last couple of years. I don't need to go that way very often, but I usually use the road lane (always when going east to west) and of course get abuse from motorists as a result. At least I know they've noticed I'm there.

 

[dondare]

The cyclepath bit is separated from the rest of the road by an almost invisible kerb which is high enough to tip an unwary cyclist off. The block paving makes it look pedestrianised although there is still a pavement. The cyclepath is too narrow for two-way traffic and means that cyclists are coming from an unexpected direction as far as anyone crossing the road or turning into or out of Gordon Street is concerned.
The whole lot needs to be ripped up and replaced with the sort of road that everyone expects, recognizes and understands.
I wonder if the imbiciles who planned it know anything at all about cycling. I would dearly like an opportunity to educate them.

 

[schlafsack]

In my opinion that whole route has always been a disaster.

Indeed, it's a joke, it's even got a scalextric-a-like lane crossover down towards Tavistock place. Don't get me started on the junction with Gordon Square.....

 

[Bromptonaut]

Indeed, it's a joke, it's even got a scalextric-a-like lane crossover down towards Tavistock place. Don't get me started on the junction with Gordon Square.....

Me neither. The biggest hazard on my commute (until the Byng Place re-paving anyway)

 

[Bromptonaut]

Me neither. The biggest hazard on my commute (until the Byng Place re-paving anyway)

And as if to prove the point.......

Going out tonight so Brommy was left at home and a BoBi picked up from Doric Way. Slight change of normal routing as a result and I joined the cycleway at Tavistock Sq. Sharp brake needed to avoid a scaffolders lorry that failed to give way turning right into Gordon St. he had the grace to apologise.

 

[dondare]

And as if to prove the point.......

Going out tonight so Brommy was left at home and a BoBi picked up from Doric Way. Slight change of normal routing as a result and I joined the cycleway at Tavistock Sq. Sharp brake needed to avoid a scaffolders lorry that failed to give way turning right into Gordon St. he had the grace to apologise.

If you had hit the lorry this would prove beyond doubt that Boris Bikes are lethal because they don't have helmets and that cycling is dangerous even when cyclists are provided with their very own traffic-free lanes.

 

[zimzum42]

Worst bit of cycle lane in London, the whole thing. I just ride in the road, feel much safer...

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

The cyclepath is too narrow for two-way traffic and means that cyclists are coming from an unexpected direction as far as anyone crossing the road or turning into or out of Gordon Street is concerned.

I also think the problem is partly due to the rarity of this type of segregated two-way lane. There can't be many more than half a dozen in the entirety of London. Result is that it's completely unexpected for the average motorist.


It's basically a symptom of the lack of joined-up thinking in cycle provision.

 

[yello]

It's been at least 3 years since I've ridden there but I kind of agree with MoleculeMan here; it's a mess. I have no idea what the intentions of the planners was (short of keep bikes off the road) but it introduced far more problems than it solved; pedestrians crossing looking at the cars and not the cycle lane, cars from and into the side roads, bikes trying to pass each other in narrow spaces. And the turn from Torrington place into TCourt Road, what the f*ck is that all about. Positively encourages car-bike accidents as it forces you across the path of turning cars (unless you jump the lights) if you're heading on to Howland Street.

I either avoided the area or, like zimzum, used the road.

 

[dondare]

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I also think the problem is partly due to the rarity of this type of segregated two-way lane. There can't be many more than half a dozen in the entirety of London. Result is that it's completely unexpected for the average motorist.

It's just a total crock of 5hit. One is too many.

 

[As Easy As Riding A Bike]

Indeed, it's a joke, it's even got a scalextric-a-like lane crossover down towards Tavistock place.

You mean this bit?

That is a complete nightmare.

If the segregated lanes were to make any sense, they should be in the correct position of a cycle lane - on either side of the road.

But instead we have a two-way system on the side the road, putting cyclists on the 'unexpected' side of the road.

And added to that, we have a ludicrous 'cross-over' system, within the lane.

I dread to think of the money spent on this poorly-planned monstrosity.