encourage people to slow down when cycling alongside canals

[Jake]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/spl/hi/pop_ups/08/uk_enl_1245235556/html/1.stm

Cyclists stop to look at a chalk drawing of a canyon on Regent's canal towpath in London. It was commissioned by British Waterways to encourage people to slow down when cycling alongside canals.

 

[HF2300]

Wonder how many cycle across that plank they've put across it?!

 

[Theseus]

Thing is, this street painting only works when viewed from one very specific location. It will look totally wrong when seen from where the cyclist is standing.

 

[Jake]

anyone see it this morning?

 

[Bigtwin]

Wouldn't give it a second glance - looks like all the rest of the roads and pavements around here.

 

[thomas]

a quick bunny hop and no need to slow down

 

[mr_cellophane]

Is the railing by the canal to stop anyone suddenly swerving into the water when they notice it too late ?

 

[Jake]

oh yes, its some temp' one. Prob due to 'elf and saftey.

on the sky news site, there is a different pic, with a fixie wizzing past

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wo...hina-And-Sydney/Media-Gallery/200906315310557

 

[TimP]

I do like that approach to slowing down traffic!

 

[style over speed]

How busy is that canal with commuter cyclists? I'm curious as I only cycled it at the weekend from London Fields to Regents Park. It was an awful experience, one I won't be repeating in a hurry certainly not every morning and evening... most of the towpath is very narrow you certainly can't cycle two abreast, and under bridges it is even narrower barely a couple of feet. Add in kids throwing bottles and cans at you, weird drunks, and the obvious comedy attempts to push you in, this was not a pleasant leisure ride. Maybe if the towpath was widened, it would be better or very unlikely the canal could be drained, surfaced and it would make an awesome dutch width traffic free cycle path.

 

[Jake]

no, it sucks. Used to use it for work each day, well, twice a day i guess. so many horror stories, glad not to use it any more

 

[HJ]

Quick, someone put in a report to Fill That Hole...

The council might looking in to it in about a year or two...

 

[User169]

How busy is that canal with commuter cyclists? I'm curious as I only cycled it at the weekend from London Fields to Regents Park. It was an awful experience, one I won't be repeating in a hurry certainly not every morning and evening... most of the towpath is very narrow you certainly can't cycle two abreast, and under bridges it is even narrower barely a couple of feet. Add in kids throwing bottles and cans at you, weird drunks, and the obvious comedy attempts to push you in, this was not a pleasant leisure ride. Maybe if the towpath was widened, it would be better or very unlikely the canal could be drained, surfaced and it would make an awesome dutch width traffic free cycle path.

I tried using it (London Fields to Islington) for a few months and then gave up, largely for the reasons you give. I once ended up in the canal itself with bicycle - I tried to pass a cyclist coming the other way in one of the tunnels and ran out of tow path. In the end, I found Hackney Road and Old St much more relaxing.

 

[handsome joe]

HACKNEY!

THE PIT OF HELL!

 

[handsome joe]

I use Regents canal towpath a lot on my commute. If you allow yourself to slow down its quite relaxing. Watching all the birds and things. There is a bit too many lycra clad boy racers using it though. The seem to consider every bicycle journey as a time trial. I've seen one too many cyclists riding very fast until they get right behind someone walking then ringing there bell loudly. The person usually jumps out the way then is understandibly pissed off with every cyclist that passes. I've told a few they should be using a road instead if they want to go that fast. Takes out all the enjoyment for me, but ha ho.