Designated Cycle lanes/tracks

[Mike Braddock]

Why is it that cyclists ignore designated cycle tracks and ride on the road. Is there something I'm missing here or do they really get a kick out of riding in traffic.
Mike

 

[Spinney]

If this is a serious question, rather than an attempt at trolling (on only your 2nd post...)

Cycle tracks are often:
- poorly designed, including things like too narrow and with obstructions
- covered in litter, including things likely to cause punctures
- full of pedestrians and dogs, often linked together with long leads across the track

If you are talking about cycle lanes marked on roads, they are often
- full of parked cars
- forcing cyclists to cycle in the door zone (you do know what that is, don't you?)

In addition, there is somewhere a piece of government advice that cyclists travelling at 18mph or more should be on the road, not a cycle path.

And cyclists aren't in traffic, they are part of the traffic.

 

[raleighnut]

If this is a serious question, rather than an attempt at trolling (on only your 2nd post...)

Cycle tracks are often:
- poorly designed, including things like too narrow and with obstructions
- covered in litter, including things likely to cause punctures
- full of pedestrians and dogs, often linked together with long leads across the track

If you are talking about cycle lanes marked on roads, they are often
- full of parked cars
- forcing cyclists to cycle in the door zone (you do know what that is, don't you?)

In addition, there is somewhere a piece of government advice that cyclists travelling at 18mph or more should be on the road, not a cycle path.

And cyclists aren't in traffic, they are part of the traffic.

I thought you'd covered it all but there is also turning right at roundabouts when staying to the left is not a good idea

 

[vernon]

Why is it that cyclists ignore designated cycle tracks and ride on the road. Is there something I'm missing here or do they really get a kick out of riding in traffic.
Mike

Designated cycletracks do not have to be used. They are an optional alternative to riding on the road which was designed to cater for all road users.

 

[Glow worm]

Oh blimey- look who's just found the Internet.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

Why is it that cyclists ignore designated cycle tracks and ride on the road. Is there something I'm missing here or do they really get a kick out of riding in traffic.
Mike

Have you tried thinking about the possible reasons? If you're struggling to think of what these could be, see if you can borrow a bike and give cycling a go - it might become clearer then.


GC

 

[mick1836]

What's worse or better, cycle path on road or cycle path on foot path? I personalty dislike the idea of cyclists mixing with pedestrians. A pedestrian cannot hear a cyclist approaching from their rear then could panic on seeing or hearing a quick approaching cyclist and step the 'wrong' way into the path of the bike

Our County town of Stafford is a prime example where during the day the town centres main street is suppose to be pedestrianised but no one stops cycling through.

 

[Accy cyclist]

Designated cycle tracks aren't compulsory and as others have stated on many occasions are often littered with litter,broken glass, dog dirt etc etc. Yes some cyclists do "get a kick out of riding in traffic" as they're part of the traffic and not some obstacle on the road there to be looked down upon or even abused!

 

[Glow worm]

Have you tried thinking

Somehow, I very much doubt it.

 

[Profpointy]

Virtually all cycle lanes are along the relatively safe straight bit of road, but end awkwardly at junctions, thus making the potentially hazardous part of a journey more hazardous or even actually dangerous. they nearly always narrow or vanish at pinch points - as well as encouraging close overtakes. Mostly it's safer to cycle just outside them - to the great annoyance of motorists unfortunately - but my safety is more important than someone else's convenience - and hey, I didn't aske for the wretched things. in fact,


cycles lanes are (almost) always "a bad thing". i'd probably go as far as to say the mere fact of having them makes cycling more dangerous whether I use them or not. Not all cyclists share this view

 

[theclaud]

@glasgowcyclist is right. It only takes a moment's thought to come up with at least half a dozen reasons why a cyclist my prefer to be on the road, whether one shares that preference or not - just as it is understandable to those of us who love cycling on the road that others might find it an intimidating environment and choose the generally inferior cycle track instead. In my view, a "genuine" question is not just one that is without malice, but one that is animated by a modicum of thought.

 

[vernon]

I really had to bite my tongue one day while pedalling through York and my pal insisted on riding on a much inferior cycle path on the pavement punctuated by give ways signs drives to people houses and he commented 'Join me on the cycle path, you're giving cyclists a bad reputation by pedalling on the road'

In fact I wanted to smack him in the gob to highlight the error of his sentiments.

 

[summerdays]

I use a cycle path every day but it annoys me that it goes up and down whilst the road next to it is flat, but it is more pleasant than using the dual carriageway.

Another problem mentioned above is that cyclist have to stop and give way to traffic at each junction. If they change the priority so that motorists gave way at some or all of the junctions it would make it more appealing, until then I will stick with the traffic most of the time.

 

[Dark46]

I use the cycle parts marked out on the path on the commute when there is one. But in one part the greenery on the side of the path is overgrown and encroaches on to the path, making it impossible for cyclists and pedestrians to be on that stretch at the same time.

 

[stephec]

I really had to bite my tongue one day while pedalling through York and my pal insisted on riding on a much inferior cycle path on the pavement punctuated by give ways signs drives to people houses and he commented 'Join me on the cycle path, you're giving cyclists a bad reputation by pedalling on the road'

In fact I wanted to smack him in the gob to highlight the error of his sentiments.

Does your mate ever read your posts on here?