Designated Cycle lanes/tracks

[ComedyPilot]

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pete.meg/wcc/facility-of-the-month/September2007.htm

Yeah, I really wonder why cyclists don't use the designated lane...?

For an OP like this we really need a sarcasm smiley.....

 

[vernon]

Does your mate ever read your posts on here?

We don't like each other enough to share electrons.

What's worrying is how he erroneously believed that it was in a cyclists best interests to use cycle paths. What has he been exposed to for him to form that opinion?

Maintaining the theme of cycling stupidity, also in York, on winter I saw cyclists stubbornly sticking to icy and slushy cycle paths on pavements when the roads were salted, dry and clear of surface crap. They were failing to make satisfactory progress and would have been faster if they'd walked.

 

[ufkacbln]

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

This is the access point for a cycle farcility on the A32

With this quality of maintenance and standard of design.... why on earth should anyone WANT to use something like this?

 

[ufkacbln]

Then we have the "Cycle in Tesco"

Given that people are sensible enough to interpret this misleading and dangerous signing.......

You are supposed to use the pedestrian access to the Superstore, turn sharp right and manage to squeeze through one of the gaps left either side of the sign that the Council has helpfully placed smack bang in the middle of the Cycle track!

 

[EltonFrog]

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.

As a lawyer might say in the best Hollywood court room movies "asked and answered"

Edit: I don't want to use designated cycle paths, I want to cycle on the road with the grown ups.

 

[Over The Hill]

We just seem to have it all wrong and let people who have never seen a bike design cycle paths.

As a result the cycle path is generally difficult to use, takes longer to cycle along and tend to be only 50 yards long.

I am not against them, just against bad ones. Netherlands has lots of cycle paths as well as shared use and the cycle path is simply the better option and a pleasure to use.

 

[Deleted member 1258]

. Is there something I'm missing here or do they really get a kick out of riding in traffic.
Mike

I've been cycling for over 40 years, when I first rode a bike there were no cycle lanes, well not by us any way, I learned to ride on the road, I have been riding on the roads ever since, I'm comfortable in traffic.

 

[Pat "5mph"]

My local on road cycle lanes have a tendency to start/stop at dangerous places, like junctions and pinch points. Instead of keeping an erratic direction, I mostly choose to ignore the dedicated lanes.
Where the facilities are well designed and properly maintained of course I will give them preference, even if this means crossing on foot to access them.

 

[ufkacbln]

.... or this one in Portsmouth.

Portsmouth City Council cannot act "in case the drivers are disabled"

 

[raleighnut]

Although strangely, he does not seem to be breaking any laws, no yellow lines or no (visible) parking restrictions. Bloody inconsiderate though

 

[raleighnut]

However those wing mirrors look inviting

 

[Mike Braddock]

I am not surprised at some of the negative replies. Why not get on to your councils to improve and invest in facilities for cycling. I have been cycling for over 50 years. I use the cycle tracks as a part of a pedestrian path and they have been made wide enough for walkers and cyclists around our town. Pedestrians are used to them and will normally respond to the sound of a cycle bell . Isn't there a cycle path on the old railway from Fareham to Gosport and yes it is used by buses. Our council did get grants to create cycle tracks and lock up facilities. Cant other councils do this. Trolling?

 

[sazzaa]

My council turned down fifty million from a local businessman to improve the city center, they're beyond backwards when it comes to any kind of progress. I'll stick to the roads thanks.

 

[ufkacbln]

Although strangely, he does not seem to be breaking any laws, no yellow lines or no (visible) parking restrictions. Bloody inconsiderate though

The Council has the authority to issue fines as the vehicles are blocking a dropped kerb

 

[vernon]

However those wing mirrors look inviting

As does a prosecution for malicious damage.