How is it not an offence to park in a cycle lane? (At least in Leicester)

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vickster

Squire
Have you contacted the council to ask why they are not fulfilling their obligations? What was their response. I am interested as am now involved in cycling lobbying locally
 

sidevalve

Über Member
Quite an amusing thread. It seems we are happy to not use /ridicule cyclepaths untill somebody parks in them and then they become sacred ground. IF the rules are to be applied and all other vehicles excluded has it not crossed anyones mind that cyclepaths where they exist MAY become compulsary ? Is that really what we want ? All the comments about parking on the footpath are quite irrelevant to this thread unless we have become a spin off of the ramblers/walkers association because we do not ride on the footpath do we ?
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
OK if you want to bring it back to cycle lanes (on road), then they need to be marked with either a solid line (usually in the case of contraflows), or double yellow lines (and as most motorists don't realise the meaning of the solid white line they are often marked with double yellows anyway. That is my interpretation of the law currently ... I may be correct (or not ...in which case enlighten me as I do like knowing the rules).
 
OP
OP
Cyclopathic

Cyclopathic

Veteran
Location
Leicester.
Quite an amusing thread. It seems we are happy to not use /ridicule cyclepaths untill somebody parks in them and then they become sacred ground. IF the rules are to be applied and all other vehicles excluded has it not crossed anyones mind that cyclepaths where they exist MAY become compulsary ? Is that really what we want ? All the comments about parking on the footpath are quite irrelevant to this thread unless we have become a spin off of the ramblers/walkers association because we do not ride on the footpath do we ?
Allowing people to park in them makes having them a complete waste of time and money no matter what one thinks of their contribution to cycling. My personal view is that in most cases the painted ones are worse than nothing as motorists only think they have to stay out of the cycle lane and can actually end up giving a cyclist less room than they would otherwise. That said when they are provided it makes it more dangerous still if people go and park in them. Especially in cases where they allow bikes to contraflow against one way motorised traffic. Then it really is stupid because you are forced to stop and get off and walk your bike around the pavement side or else take the chance and cycle round against traffic if you think there's enough time.

Another point is that it just reinforces the idea that cycles don't matter at all and that any provision (however poor) that is made for them can just be ignored the second it becomes even the slightest bit inconvenient to drivers. I have trouble understanding the point you are trying to make other than it should be fine to park in cycle lanes. If so why have them at all. Just save everybody the time and money and not have them. At least then we know to expect parked cars.
 

Joey Shabadoo

My pronouns are "He", "Him" and "buggerlugs"
I agree pretty much with Cyclopathic. Why delineate one part of the road for users then block it? Nobody would park in a bus lane or a bus bay, nor would they park in a taxi rank.
 

Glow worm

Legendary Member
Location
Near Newmarket
Quite an amusing thread. It seems we are happy to not use /ridicule cyclepaths untill somebody parks in them and then they become sacred ground. IF the rules are to be applied and all other vehicles excluded has it not crossed anyones mind that cyclepaths where they exist MAY become compulsary ? Is that really what we want ? All the comments about parking on the footpath are quite irrelevant to this thread unless we have become a spin off of the ramblers/walkers association because we do not ride on the footpath do we ?

In the particular example I gave upthread, the cycle path is, unusually, pretty good. It's wide, smooth and provides a good alternative to a horrible bit of narrow road full of impatient twunts. Where all the cars park illegally though is just before where the cycle path becomes narrow and crap, and is just the spot where I re-join the road (to aviod numerous side entrances etc). The parked cars make it very difficult to join the road safely aside from all other anti-social considerations.
 

vickster

Squire
I agree pretty much with Cyclopathic. Why delineate one part of the road for users then block it? Nobody would park in a bus lane or a bus bay, nor would they park in a taxi rank.
But People do park in bus lanes when there are no restrictions., I.e. Out of hours of operation. Same as with the cycle lanes. At least in and around London
Again if a part time bus bay or taxi rank, and parking allowed, same as bays on red routes etc

Illegally parked vehicles ignoring correct signage should of course be penalised
 

Brandane

Legendary Member
I agree pretty much with Cyclopathic. Why delineate one part of the road for users then block it? Nobody would park in a bus lane or a bus bay, nor would they park in a taxi rank.
They do on our Main Street! Despite the taxi rank being an off-shoot separated from the main carriageway by a footpath, and clearly marked by large "No Entry except for taxis" signs on posts either side of the entrance. Then the drivers get all stroppy when taxi drivers block them in and point out their lack of observational skills!
 
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