Cycling in Bristol - distribution

[summerdays]

There is a web-site : http://www.bristolstreets.co.uk/ which allows you to take part in a cycling survey of Bristol and the surround, and basically mark problems/good bits on a map of Bristol. It has been mentioned on here before (that's how I found it), but I thought I would raise it again. You need to click on the cycle survey bit - though its a bit slow drawing all the layers (and it might only display recent markers).

When I look at the map (zoomed out) of pin points where people have made comments (good or bad), what strikes me is the distribution of the markers. Now either those in the south of the city don't care, have wonderful facilities, haven't heard of it, don't have access to a computer or can't read. Do any of the other folk who cycle in Bristol on here live in the south? And care to add any comments to the site.

I have found it quite interesting reading various pin-points, some I agree with, others I think ... I don't have a problem at that junction, but then maybe I ride slightly differently to them. Or even just looking at the distribution of markers such as the Gloucester road is either has lots of cyclists going down it or lots of problems or both.

 

[User482]

Um, I live in the south, but haven't added any comments as the site is so dreadfully slow whenever I've tried to access it.

 

[summerdays]

Um, I live in the south, but haven't added any comments as the site is so dreadfully slow whenever I've tried to access it.

Well that discounts the not able to read theory then.

Switching off cycle lanes/paths and recommended routes means that it becomes slightly faster (and you could get rid of all the cycle parking ones too).

 

[Jaded]

In my limited forays South I have found a change in behaviour in drivers for the worse..

 

[GrahamG]

I get the impression that the south of the city just isn't as cycle friendly. Plus you don't have all the students and middle-class greenies making up the bike numbers
If I worked for the council, I'd be looking at that gaping hole south of the river (and to some extent to the east) and saying - "that's where all the money's going".

PS. I've made so many comments on there it's getting silly - if they do advertise for staff of my ilk to help spend the cash then I might just have to apply.

 

[Notsoblue]

I lived in Bath for a number of years, and always thought the Bath -> Bristol cyclepath was the best in the country!

 

[GrahamG]

I lived in Bath for a number of years, and always thought the Bath -> Bristol cyclepath was the best in the country!

I think that depends, it's fantastic for leisure use, OK ish for commuting but you wouldn't catch me using it to nip home after a few beers at 11pm over that side of town. The recent assaults/robberies are a case in point there - there's very little 'natural' surveillance (i.e. it's not overlooked by houses/shops/by roads etc.) so it feel unsafe at night when there are far fewer people using it.

 

[summerdays]

I get the impression that the south of the city just isn't as cycle friendly. Plus you don't have all the students and middle-class greenies making up the bike numbers
If I worked for the council, I'd be looking at that gaping hole south of the river (and to some extent to the east) and saying - "that's where all the money's going".

PS. I've made so many comments on there it's getting silly - if they do advertise for staff of my ilk to help spend the cash then I might just have to apply.

I must admit I wondered if they needed anyone... only I suspect I don't have the right credentials.

As for spending the money south of the river ... I still want it spent improving my life too (though as I cycle all over the city anywhere will probably be of benifit to me). You do see people in the south cycling although there is perhaps a bigger rise in Bike Shaped Objects maybe depending on what part of the south of the city you are in.

I think the more comments the better - sometimes I wonder if I have put too many on too. That perhaps its only me and 2 others doing all the markers. I'm hoping that they do get alot of people joining in, just to see what problems we percieve we have. I also realise they won't do it all (well won't do half of it even), but maybe it will make them then the next time they plan any engineering how it will affect a cyclist.

I think that depends, it's fantastic for leisure use, OK ish for commuting but you wouldn't catch me using it to nip home after a few beers at 11pm over that side of town. The recent assaults/robberies are a case in point there - there's very little 'natural' surveillance (i.e. it's not overlooked by houses/shops/by roads etc.) so it feel unsafe at night when there are far fewer people using it.

Yes I must admit I travelled along the Bristol to Bath path on my own (midday) early in the year on a really wet day... it felt quite lonely then, got home and on the news that day was when they started mentioning the muggings...

 

[GrahamG]

I also realise they won't do it all (well won't do half of it even), but maybe it will make them then the next time they plan any engineering how it will affect a cyclist.

Quite right. One of my suggestions was a complete highway re-design from the top of College Green to the Colston St junction on the centre
Same for the St Mary Redcliffe roundabout.

 

[summerdays]

Quite right. One of my suggestions was a complete highway re-design from the top of College Green to the Colston St junction on the centre
Same for the St Mary Redcliffe roundabout.

Have you thought how you could redesign Park Street so that it was flat?

 

[summerdays]

After writing that comment I remembered reading this one actually on the Bristol Streets web-site:
"Please make this hill easier to cycle up" at the top of Muller Road. I have to say I agree with them.

 

[User482]

Quite right. One of my suggestions was a complete highway re-design from the top of College Green to the Colston St junction on the centre
Same for the St Mary Redcliffe roundabout.

Actually, there is a proposal to do exactly that. The roundabout is an artefact from the days when you could drive across Queen Square, so there is an intention to reduce its size as part of developmnent proposals for the Redcliffe area. Just don't expect it any time soon!