Byng Place Waste of Green Paint.

[dondare]

Saw a cyclist get knocked off today by a people carrier pulling out of Gordon Square into Byng Place. The cyclist was using the cycle-lane, which is two-way on one side of the road, which means cyclists going East to West are exactly where no-one is expecting them to be or looking for them. It wasn't serious, no harm done, a bit of an argument and everyone gets on with their day.
But that is the most stupid design of cycle-lane that there can be and it makes accidents of this sort inevitable.

 

[skwerl]

that's a really crappy junction. never done it on a bike but have in the car. same as people carrier you mention. When you get to the junction you start to think "WTF is going on here?" Bi-directional cycle lane. Zebra crossing on a corner and next to a junction. It's all a bit busy and confusing. You also get cabs coming from teh east, turning into the square. They would have to look behind and across the road for cyclists but there are no warning signs.
Looking on google maps, the only sign is a crappy "two way cycle lane" on the approach to Byng Place. It's twisted away from the road and part-obscured by branches. Nice

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sou...=Z-p4SvYiJ17S0WCWgIUIQA&cbp=12,249.37,,0,27.4

 

[XmisterIS]

Yeah, some cycle lanes are not particularly well thought out! The ones round Fareham, Portsmouth and Gosport are pretty much OK, there is one in Gosport though which hops up onto the pavement for about 20 feet, and then stops just infront of a lamp post!

 

[CotterPin]

I've posted this before but the best bit is further along Tavistock Place. Earlier the scheme has put you in conflict with motor vehicles - now it puts you in conflict with other cyclists! This is not a cycle route, it is an assault course:

Google Maps Link

 

[Jonny]

Saw a cyclist get knocked off today by a people carrier pulling out of Gordon Square into Byng Place. The cyclist was using the cycle-lane, which is two-way on one side of the road, which means cyclists going East to West are exactly where no-one is expecting them to be or looking for them.

Yes, I nearly got wiped out there last winter. It was a foreign coach (left hand drive) turning right. When I saw it bearing down on me I had to take a swift evasive right turn, fortunately no traffic in the way.

 

[redjedi]

That is a cycle lane that I would refuse to use. Just stick to the road.

 

[joolsybools]

Exactly, safest thing most of the time is not to use them

 

[leoc]

indeed, but the problem with such a visible rubbish cycle lane is the impatient drivers who think you *should* be in it

 

[akaAndrew]

It is dangerous, I'd agree and motor vehicles are are not the only risk. You also get pedestrians crossing looking the wrong way, and the bi-directional lanes means that gung-ho cyclists are overtaking slower ones and into on-coming bikes! I quickly decided not to use it.

 

[atbman]

Why not ask the local highways dept what risk assessment was carried out during the "design" of this "facility" as well as venting frustration on this forum?

How about involving London Cycling Campaign?

 

[CotterPin]

Why not ask the local highways dept what risk assessment was carried out during the "design" of this "facility" as well as venting frustration on this forum?

How about involving London Cycling Campaign?

IIRC the local LCC group, Camden, were consulted on the scheme and have actively campaigned for segregated cycle facilities. Personally I feel this scheme indicates why their campaign is doomed to failure.

 

[Molecule Man]

Sadly, Camden Cyclists seem quite attached to this piece of crap, and don't want to see it altered significantly as part of any further street improvements (this impression based on only a cursory search through their website).

I wonder if the Judd Street junction mess has been featured on the Warrington Cycle Campaign Facility of the Month yet.

 

[CotterPin]

I recall that one of their former leading lights was very keen on segregation and this led to some very, very heated discussions on the LCC email lists.

 

[Molecule Man]

I can imagine. I suppose I ought to join LCC and take part in debates like this, rather than just moaning about things like this on an internet forum.

This junction (part of the scheme under discussion) doesn't seem to have made it onto Facility of the Month yet, I think I might send it in.

 

[CotterPin]

I can imagine. I suppose I ought to join LCC and take part in debates like this, rather than just moaning about things like this on an internet forum.

This junction (part of the scheme under discussion) doesn't seem to have made it onto Facility of the Month yet, I think I might send it in.

Go for it, MM, http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=27

Yep - that is the most insane piece of cycle infrastructure on the planet Earth (well that might be a little exaggeration). In my view it represents the reductio ad absurdum of the policy of segregated cycle facilities. I certainly think it deserves to be Cycle Facility of the Month.