Fareham-Gosport BRT/Bike highway

[Francis]

Not sure if this is the place for this thread (I'm new here) but here goes...

OK, it only opened today but has anyone tried the BRT as a bikie yet (or, indeed, a BRT passenger)? The pics make it look like a wonderful bit of blacktop and what must be the only stretch of road in the Kingdom where bikes are allowed but peds are banned (which raises the question - how do you get off if struck down by a mechanical?)

I had intended to give it a bash today but was gardening in the morning and the rain dissuaded me in the afternoon.

 

[downfader]

Not sure if this is the place for this thread (I'm new here) but here goes...

OK, it only opened today but has anyone tried the BRT as a bikie yet (or, indeed, a BRT passenger)? The pics make it look like a wonderful bit of blacktop and what must be the only stretch of road in the Kingdom where bikes are allowed but peds are banned (which raises the question - how do you get off if struck down by a mechanical?)

I had intended to give it a bash today but was gardening in the morning and the rain dissuaded me in the afternoon.

I'm not yet sure if the route is open to bikes or not...?

EDIT found this:
http://www3.hants.gov.uk/tfsh/bus-rapid-transit/brt-video-how-the-route-will-look.htm
One cyclist is their vision, LMAO!

 

[ufkacbln]

We ran a long campaign against the original LRT and this route. The original had a bike ban as well as pedestrians.

Unfortunately for most of us it has no function as it misses the population areas, extends the present journey times and means fewer buses for the other routes.

In my case it is a major diversion ans totally useless.

 

[Francis]

I have yet to try it as either a passenger or a cyclist yet but I can't think of any reason to object to it on principle.

From a cyclist's POV, there are some clear plus points:
- no lorries, school run mums, 4x4s, saxo boys, bin lorries etc etc
- an almost dedicated cycle route that will be maintained, cleared and gritted to highways standards,
- not the A32.

From a bus passenger's POV,
- just the start of the South Hants BRT (OK, shame the tram and tunnel went unfunded but this is second best and better than driving)
- dodges most of the insane delays on the road; connects with rail station; comes with new buses
- it's not the A32

What's not to like?

 

[ufkacbln]

Unfortunately (and one of the reasons I am against this) is the next stage is to extend into Gosport along the present Cycle track which is fine as it is.

We will lose the facility during the build and also lose the rights to pedestrian access on a route that is popular with both cyclists and walkers.

There is also the adverse effect on local schools. There are three schools on the route that have good safe cycle access, and in each case this will put the children on main roads during the lengthy build.

Pedestrian access will also change from a wonderful facility to main roads. Brune Park in particular means kids now have to cross two main roads, a dual carriageway and face a lengthy detour.

This will NOT be restored when the route is completed.

Then there is also the poor design!

At Wych Lane there is a new cycle track!

It starts 5 metres along the pavement with a bank at the side, so you can't actually cycle on to it!
Then just to complete the debacle, some 50 feet later it finishes 5 metres short of the A32 junction.

So instead of travelling with the traffic, we are now expected to dismount, walk 5 metres, ctcle 20 metres, dismount, and then try and join a queue of trafic!

 

[ufkacbln]

Not my video, but this is what we are losing to the BRT
... and t does continue ahead at 09:36 when this rider turns left

 

[Trickedem]

Just came across this sad news about an accident on the new cycle path. http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/lo...ne-leaves-cyclist-seriously-injured-1-3786233
The policeman's comments on helmet usage are typical. "PC John Bridgeman-Hills, from the Fratton roads policing unit, said:
‘I can’t emphasise enough the need to wear a cycle helmet while out and about on your bike.
‘In most situations, cycle helmets can significantly reduce the gravity of the injuries if worn.
‘In this case the cyclist’s injuries could have been greatly reduced by a helmet.’

 

[Francis]

That's really awful. I've been reading the comments on the News website about the busway - demoralizing at the best of times and utterly depressing when road space being used by bikes/buses/peds rather than cars is the topic. Too many prangs will see the cyclists sent back onto the A32 and banished from what must be the safest bit of highway standard tarmac in Hampshire.

I was planning to take a spin along the busway today but was put off by the rain. Still reckon the scheme is a good 'un. Although I'd have preferred the tram.

And don't start me on bloody hats. When I was run over I got a bit fed up with being told that wearing a helmet would have somehow saved my arm from damage.

 

[ufkacbln]

The saddest thing is that the route was not designed for cyclists.

The original plan was to exclude all pedestrian and cycle access to this route. It was only due to heavy pressure form the local communities that cycle use was allowed, however no design changes were made to facilitate cycle use.

As for being an alternative to the A32... it isn't!

Most cyclists on the A32 travel east to Portsmouth and using this route merely prolongs the journey, and is of no benefit whatsoever.

It is only a matter of time before they ban cyclists to reinstate the original plans

 

[Francis]

It may not have been "designed for cyclists" but then neither were 99% of the roads in the Kingdom - the A27, for example. The difference is that on the busway you get to share with a professional driver every 7 minutes rather than a random, possibly untrained, possibly drunk, probably rushed driver every seven seconds!

As I say, I have yet to try it but from a safety POV, it looks head and shoulders above most roads round here.

 

[2PedalsTez]

I intend to go for a spin along it, but thought I'd let the excitement settle a bit at first (and a dry road).
I spotted the News article and noted the helmet comment. I choose to wear a helmet, but confess to finding those comments poor. I dont quite understand how a report about an accident can pass judgement on the rider and lecture on what could have been had the rider wore a helmet
That said, I'm not the biggest fan of The News in terms of the quality of articles.