Did you slip on the ice on Roundhay Road in Leeds on 6th December 2011?

[oldredeyes]

Apologies for the very specific post for those not in Leeds (and for those that didn't slip on the ice last year). Some of you may recall that I posted that I came off the untreated new cycle lane on 6th December last year; I actually posted that I had a badly bruised hip but after many weeks of pain I had it looked at again and it seems that I fractured my pelvis!

I've been working with the CTC's solicitors to try to get Leeds City Council to pay for my written-off bike (and change the layout of the cycle path) but they have naturally denied responsibility. Four other cyclists came off during the time I was being treated by paramedics and it would help my claim if they would provide their details to my solicitor.

I have the details for one of the four; on a site visit a few months ago, a cyclist stopped to see if the chap in a yellow jacket was connected with the council and he was one of those who came off (thanks for your details Pete!). If one of the other three was you, would you mind sending me a mail and I'll get in touch.

Thanks, Stuart.

 

[John_c]

Sorry for your crash and resulting damage, but do you expect that all cycle routes should be gritted in the depth of winter? Have LCC said they will ensure all such routes would be free of ice/snow during the winter, if not why do you hold them responsible?

 

[fossyant]

Oh you will be lucky to get anywhere. Hope you do, but it's not likely.

Ice is ice - very dangerous and you can easily crash on a gritted road. Only one way to reduce the chance of a crash is to use studded tyres.

 

[oldredeyes]

Sorry for your crash and resulting damage, but do you expect that all cycle routes should be gritted in the depth of winter? Have LCC said they will ensure all such routes would be free of ice/snow during the winter, if not why do you hold them responsible?

Hi John,

No, of course I wouldn't expect every road to be gritted, but Leeds CC changed a very safe road into a high occupancy vehicle lane which means that cyclists now have to follow a cycle path onto a shared use pavement, round a bus stop and back onto the road, thus bypassing traffic lights that don't trigger for bikes. On the day in question, the road was gritted (great for some vehicles) but the cycle path wasn't (not so great for other vehicles). My argument with the council is that if they force some vehicles onto the pavement then they should treat that route the same as other routes.

 

[fossyant]

You don't have to use the path - this surely is not mandatory ? I can see your point if indeed you can't cycle on the road, but I'd certainly be still on the road, rules or not

 

[growingvegetables]

Hmmm - it's a bit grittier than that (sorry!)

Memory's vague - but I think the ice on the new farcility was caused by some sort of water flow across it, from a semi-permanent spring in an adjacent property? It doesn't take a genius to take that into account when they're planning and building the thing! [You have a pm, oldredeyes]

 

[Leodis]

When I visit family I look at the cycle routes around North Yorkshire and feel ashamed a city like Leeds has some of the worst cycle routes I have seen, make do ped paths over pot hole ridden residential roads. Then again cycling down Meanwood road is horrid, its just 1.5 miles of pot holes which is one reason why I can't get a roadie.