Cycling the wrong way!

[middleagecyclist]

I've posted this in the campaigning forum already but feel it has major interest for cycle commuters and needs to be more widely known so here goes!

A recent policy paper from the Department for Transport (DfT) - Signing the Way (Oct 2011) - has some useful and interesting changes for cycling. I've written in more detail on my blog, but the main change I think should be known by all cyclists is the relaxation of the hoops local councils go through in order to allow legal cycling along one way streets, against the traffic flow. This is widespead elsewhere and has been used successfully on a limited basis in the UK.

Councils are under no obligation to make the changes though. So, if you feel there is a one way street near you that would make a good official short cut, why not drop an email to your local council cycling officer/forum and start making the case?

 

[Dave 123]

It happens here in Cambridge. Officially and otherwise!

 

[Jezston]

Could really do with this road being made 2 way for cyclists:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=not...d=SF7gYpCq3B6a7bFhRmD1MA&cbp=12,29.15,,1,8.03

I'm sure they could just get rid of those parking spaces and put in a cycle lane!

Not sure if it will benefit many other people than myself, but I'd find it VERY handy

 

[middleagecyclist]

Could really do with this road being made 2 way for cyclists...

Not sure if it will benefit many other people than myself, but I'd find it VERY handy

What ya goin do bout it then?

 

[Ian H]

Don't think of it as the 'wrong way'. Think of it as a two-way street with one side restricted to bicycles. Implementation needs to be with adequate lane width and clear markings as well as signage where needed.

 

[Ian H]

You may be right. That was the reason I mentioned adequate width. I've seen contra-flow cycle lanes which are scarcely the width of a bike. I was thinking of roads that are wide enough for two-way traffic, but one-way for control purposes - though there again, I bet many authorities would squeeze two car lanes and a half-metre cycle lane.

 

[marinyork]

You dont need lanes as such. Contraflow cycling is widely used on the continent withou the need for demarcation and the evidence would seem to suggest that, where contraflow is used without markings, accidents involving cars and cyclists, or cars and pedestrians, are reduced. Drivers are forced to slow down because they don't know what is coming.

Using strict demarcation would remove that element of needing to slow down and take care ... drivers would speed along with inches to spare as they do with 'with flow' cycle lanes.

Yes, you certainly don't need lanes and it's desirable not to. We have various examples in the UK of contraflow roads (without lanes) and it works fine. It's just people don't seem aware of this or think it'd lead to the end of civilisation as know it. This is a really desirable change and councils have been waiting for a while for it to happen as it'd save a lot of money .

 

[John90]

Good news. I will be having a word with Southwark Council about Neckinger near Tower Bridge, a prime candidate for the 'bike salmon'.

 

[Davidc]

Works OK in a number of places in Taunton. Biggest problem is pedestrians rather than drivers.