Dartmoor NPA wants comments...

[IDMark2]

The National Park Authority popped into my Twitter feed to ask for comments regarding the drafting of a Cyclist guidance leaflet they are intending to produce.

I thought that maybe the comments of enthusiastic cyclists like yourselves might be welcomed.

Link to Proposed Leaflet

I draw particular attention to advice and guidance beyond the law under 'Road Cycling' and 'For your own safety on Dartmoor' sections.

If you have any comments regarding the wording they ask for contributions and opinions to: recreation@dartmoor.gov.uk

My apologies if this has already appeared here, I searched on 'Dartmoor' but didn't see it.

 

[raleighnut]

Looks good to me.

 

[Drago]

Not bad. Only 2 minor gripes...

1. Sportive organisers aren't obliged to contact them or seek their permission to use public roads. While what they say is probably common sense, they might be better "inviting" organisers to contact them, make it sound more like a partnership common sense approach thing.

2. They mentioned the H word, which is bound to be controversial.

 

[IDMark2]

My thoughts, emailed directly, are
1. Do they need to specifically advise cyclists to not take a narrow lane up in either two abreast or large groups, particularly as the sheep, cattle and horses of the area are not known for taking written advice very well and blatantly flout this, so motorists, bless 'em, drive accordingly.
2. Are ramblers also advised to wear a h.

 

[Bollo]

Mainly reasonable - you're never going to get rid of the 'H' word.

Apart from that, one thing I'd add is to remind people not to rely solely on GPS, especially phone GPS, if riding an unfamiliar route.

The advice about large groups also bristles a bit. A large group is perfectly safe as long as the people involved follow a few guidelines.

 

[Deleted member 35268]

The text is pixelated as it is using raster images instead of live text, (sorry, i'm an artworker / designer)

Text seems fair.

 

[ChrisEyles]

Looks good to me. However, one thing I would love to see on the cycle brochures/leaflets and trail signposts across terrain like Dartmoor is some indication of the road/track quality beyond what is visible.

I have been caught out a couple of times now on Dartmoor before by starting out on lovely smooth tarmac (on a road bike) and finishing off piste on what seemed to me more of a mountain biking trail. Once coming up from Bovey Tracey to Moretonhampstead and again on the Dartmoor ring road. A little warning would have been much appreciated in both cases! On the plus side, I did manage to find some baling twine to re-attatch my mudguard after the screws were rattled loose...

 

[snorri]

Assuming a"narrow lane" is the same as a single track road, riding two abreast can be a safety measure to discourage close passes by impatient motor vehicle drivers.

 

[raleighnut]

Assuming a"narrow lane" is the same as a single track road, riding two abreast can be a safety measure to discourage close passes by impatient motor vehicle drivers.

Unless they're doing 60 in which case lets hope they head off the road, not into the outriding cyclist.

 

[Deleted member 23692]

Bikes have a legal right to use Restricted Byways and Byways Open to All Traffic, not just Bridleways which the leaflet only refers to

 

[ufkacbln]

Unless they're doing 60 in which case lets hope they head off the road, not into the outriding cyclist.

If they are going too fast to be unable to avoid the outriding cyclist, the few inches will not save the other ride either

 

[ufkacbln]

"Avoid riding over wet ground"

Have they ever visited Dartmoor?

 

[winjim]

Here's how they do it in Colorado.

http://www.nps.gov/colm/planyourvisit/upload/Share The Road Flyer-2009-Update-2.pdf