Cycle Super-Highways

[lit]

lol where did I say I was "scared" of disruption? I'm just trying to look at it from the angle of all road users, whether they been in cars, on a bike or on a bus.

 

[gouldina]

lol where did I say I was "scared" of disruption? I'm just trying to look at it from the angle of all road users, whether they been in cars, on a bike or on a bus.

Well you did ask only for solutions that don't involve major disruption. The only type of solution that will buy you is something like painting bits of road blue. I'm suggesting that something a bit more radical (and therefore disruptive for a time) might be a good idea.

 

[BentMikey]

What about the pedestrian road users? With pedestrianisation, many people forget about how pedestrian journeys are much better and nicer, and the traffic volume in people numbers goes through the roof. Looked at in that light, the far fewer motorvehicle journeys inconvenienced doesn't count for very much at all.

 

[lit]

I'm suggesting that something a bit more radical (and therefore disruptive for a time) might be a good idea.

I think it'd be a good idea too but it seems the decision makers don't have the balls to do it, personally I love mixing with cars, it teaches you a lot about road safety but then I appreciate some novice cyclists wouldn't be keen on the idea.

 

[Origamist]

Why do you think they are not it? I feel relatively safe on London's roads without the blue paint (I've also cycled over some sections of it and felt a lot of drivers took more notice because of it's the colour. It's not perfect but I haven't seen many valid reasons why it's so bad, just people criticising it ad hoc.

I think the levels of disappointment are based on how the infrastructure was marketed. If you call something a "Cycle Superhighway" peoples' expectations of what will be provided are going to be higher. Of course, some of us were cynical from the beginning and expected pretty much what we're seeing on the trial sections.

As it is currently stands the CS is an improvement over most existing cycle lanes in London (but that is hardly a ringing endorsement when you consider how poor parts of the LCN are) but whether it will actually make cycling safer or will encourage cycling is another matter. I can't help but feel it is a wasted opportunity.

I think of the blue lane as little more than a route marker. I don't cycle in the blue river all the time as it's not always advisable given the traffic conditions.

 

[HJ]

We aren't talking about pedestrianised sections here but it'd be helpful if you could suggest what they could actually do without causing major disruption to all forms of traffic rather than ask a pretty pointless question.

Odd how they managed to do it in New York, only thing that is different about London is that it is so backward

 

[lit]

Backwards is the last word I'd use to describe London.

 

[gaz]

One junction to look forward too is where clapham common south side meets the pavement (yes a road name!) As at present a bus lane merges straight into a car lane and everyone thinks they have right of way! some serious safety issues need to be thought about here.

 

[chap]

Backwards is the last word I'd use to describe London.

Hmm, parts of it are. I love London, I really do...but it's no Edinburgh. Then again, can we really say that it is 'miles better' , after all our main street (even the mile) ain't car free


HJ, just in case you never got the reference: the 'Dear Green Place' has more in common with the Big Apple than crime.

 

[lit]

Never been to Edinburgh, what's it like to cycle?

 

[chap]

Never been to Edinburgh, what's it like to cycle?

Very good in parts, former railway line is now pedestrian/cyclist path. Wouldn't cycle across many of the main A-roads, although the town centre (bar cobbles and tram lines) is nice.

Then there is the stunning scenery: the magnificent landscape, the glorious castle, our inimitable Forth Rail Bridge, and the eyesores that haunt former car-parks as identikit 'luxury apartments'...

Fortunately, the latter will fall apart (and the will be architects arrested due to crime against aesthetics, and harmony) within 5 years since they are ephemeral, poor quality, and overpriced tat.

 

[gaz]

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/test-sections-of-cycling-superhighways-fail-to-impress-25973
featured on bike radar this time, i'm not sure if the LCC has seen my video but i will be sending it to them.

 

[psmiffy]

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/test-sections-of-cycling-superhighways-fail-to-impress-25973
featured on bike radar this time, i'm not sure if the LCC has seen my video but i will be sending it to them.

I am not a Londoner so it is really non of my business but from what I can see it is a start - nowhere near perfect - but it should not be dismissed out of hand - unless the people that produce these things get feedback just as gaz (I hope you have sent it to TfL as well) is doing there will be no impetus to improve the design

As a matter of interest is the blue strip with two red lines down the inside the finished article? warning road signs?

 

[gaz]

As a matter of interest is the blue strip with two red lines down the inside the finished article? warning road signs?

no news on what the finished article will look like yet.

 

[gaz]

More work started today, north bound on clapham common south side and Balham high road.