Cycle paths and ribbed paving slabs

[Cockney Scot]

Maybe it is just me but why is it when a cycle path and footpath are side by side to find ribbed paving slabs at regular intervals? The slabs for the footpath tend to be arranged across the footpath causing a slight bumpy section, however the slabs on the cycle paths are arranged with the ridges running in the direction of travel, the result is like tram lines which if you do not get the bike exact can throw you of, surely this is a danger to cyclists. Has anyone found this to be a problem?

 

[steve52]

ribs

ive never found em to be a problem the idea may be to allow for a smother ride, if these were th roughest thing we had to ride over cycling woukd be navarna!

 

[Baggy]

Yes, I've had a couple of slithery moments when my tyre has caught the edges. One friend has also come off in the wet (there's a section here with a bit on a corner).

Paths are set out this way so blind or visually impaired people know which side to stick to, but unfortunately the bike side doesn't seem to have been designed by cyclists...

 

[andrew-the-tortoise]

Yeah, they certainly ain't ribbed for pleasure !

 

[Cockney Scot]

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Sent the following email of to Sustrans

"Apologies if I am sending this to the wrong email address. I took up cycling again last year and find the Sustrans network to a great aid , however why is it when a cycle path and footpath are side by side to find ribbed paving slabs at regular intervals? The slabs for the footpath tend to be arranged across the footpath causing a slight bumpy section, however the slabs on the cycle paths are arranged with the ridges running in the direction of travel, the result is like tram lines which if you do not get the bike exact can throw you of, surely this is a danger to cyclists."

And here is the reply which I recieved



Hi there. ​

​

If you could tell exactly which section of the National Cycle Network this is I will endeavour to find out why it has been surfaced this way. ​

​

Kind regards. ​

Sam Howard​

​

Information and Trading Officer​

​

0845 113 00 65​

​

www.sustrans.org.uk

Seems thatSustrans is interested I have forwarded details of the location where I encountered the ribbed paving , can only hope that something might be done.
​

 

[Fab Foodie]

Maybe it is just me but why is it when a cycle path and footpath are side by side to find ribbed paving slabs at regular intervals? The slabs for the footpath tend to be arranged across the footpath causing a slight bumpy section, however the slabs on the cycle paths are arranged with the ridges running in the direction of travel, the result is like tram lines which if you do not get the bike exact can throw you of, surely this is a danger to cyclists. Has anyone found this to be a problem?

Yep, my colleague did, she lost her front teeth needing a load of dental work due to slipping on these on a frostly morning. The good paths of Abingdon are littered with them and they should all be at 90 degrees to the direction of travel IMO. I always go to the 'walkers' side to cross them. It's one of those examples of planning/engineering where nobody seems to have sought opinions from those that know.

 

[Davidc]

Stupid and dangerous.

Not the worst thing out there though.

 

[bottombracket]

Here's what I heard...

There are 2 types of rib - rounded-off and squared off...
A cyclepath should have one particular type and the other type is used on walkways (I can't remember which should go where).

It seems that some navvies are fitting them the wrong way round i.e. the wrong ones on the cyclepath!

I've had some heart-stopping squirms on some - presumably they are the wrong ones.

 

[Crankarm]

I've had one or two cycling short staining moments on the them in the wet. They are bloody lethal. It won't be long before a cyclist crashes, is seriously injured, sues the local authority, wins a huge payout, that they are taken out, turned so that they run across the path instead. IMHO they are an accident waiting to happen. I hate them. Where ever I encounter them I always cycle on the side with them going across the path so I am crossing them at 90 degs. Those in local authority planning departments that think they are safe for bicycles need their heads examined.

 

[Old Walrus]

Evil things, several in Brighton! I had an 'off' last year on an icy one en route to work. Another is on a right angled bend on a sloping bit on pavement, lethal when dry, lethal when wet.