Strange Toucan Crossings

[magnatom]

On my commute to and from work, I come across some very strange crossings. Today, I had to stop at one (God forbid! ) and having the time to look at them and think about them, I realised how strange they were.

Here and here. Typical Toucan crossings that have a green bike allowing cyclists to cross whilst on the bike. But, cross from where to where? There are on road cycle lanes (which are poor and have been discussed elsewhere), but the only reason you'd want to cross from one to the other is if you suddenly realised you'd left the gas on and needed to double back!

There are no lanes on the paths, so a cyclist would have to walk their bike up to the lights, mount when the green bike appears, cross and dismount on the other side . So does anyone have any ideas why these Toucan crossings are here?

 

[summerdays]

Sorry I can't help you with that one but it reminds me of I have one near me that I have problems with:


http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...vPZ_p7YvS6Bl_89QijrZKQ&cbp=12,133.48,,0,16.88

I am usually approaching this set from the cycle contraflow on Elton Road, which goes up onto the pavement at the end. When I get the green bike I cross the road and try to cycle down the A38, but come into conflict with the traffic coming out of Zetland Road at the same time which is often trying to cross the A38. Now someone has told me that I am merely to cross the road then stop on the other side. I'm not sure whether at that point I should be rolling back to the ASL behind (difficult) or waiting just in front of the crossing (where you can't see the lights). Has any ideas on this junction. At one stage you did get a 10 second head start on the traffic coming out of Zetland and that did work - but they have removed it and now I just look as if I am jumping the lights. There is no cycle path on the other side of the road.

 

[hackbike 666]

No good without video.

 

[marinyork]

My guess is they were put in for kids to get to the Park like thing on the right. That said that's probably a monumental waste of 2x£20,000.

It's quite hard to say with certainty on toucans as they've just built a fairly pointless one here (so not on streetview) and yet there are always 'objections' to having ones in functional places e.g. ring road, end of a cycle route onto a main road etc.

 

[magnatom]

I forgot about this one here as well. No cycle lanes/paths anywhere to be found near here...

 

[magnatom]

My guess is they were put in for kids to get to the Park like thing on the right. That said that's probably a monumental waste of 2x£20,000.

There are no parks near any of the crossings.

 

[davefb]

. So does anyone have any ideas why these Toucan crossings are here?

council was probably underneath their quota of toucan crossings in order to qualify for an EU grant...

so stuck em 'somewhere'

 

[magnatom]

council was probably underneath their quota of toucan crossings in order to qualify for an EU grant...

so stuck em 'somewhere'

I have a sneaky suspicion that this is the answer. I think it is about time Magnatom made himself known to East Dunbartonshire council...

 

[marinyork]

There are no parks near any of the crossings.

OS lists a park called 'Lennox Park' right next to the first crossing.

 

[magnatom]

OS lists a park called 'Lennox Park' right next to the first crossing.

Ah, I thought you meant right next to the lights. The play park is a bit further along (it's quite good my kids have played there). I've never seen kids use that crossing on bikes.

Anyway, that doesn't explain that the other lights, and the fact that there is no connecting cycling infrastructure!

 

[jonny jeez]

On my commute to and from work, I come across some very strange crossings. Today, I had to stop at one (God forbid! ) and having the time to look at them and think about them, I realised how strange they were.

Here and here. Typical Toucan crossings that have a green bike allowing cyclists to cross whilst on the bike. But, cross from where to where? There are on road cycle lanes (which are poor and have been discussed elsewhere), but the only reason you'd want to cross from one to the other is if you suddenly realised you'd left the gas on and needed to double back!

There are no lanes on the paths, so a cyclist would have to walk their bike up to the lights, mount when the green bike appears, cross and dismount on the other side . So does anyone have any ideas why these Toucan crossings are here?

first is to allow residents from the southgate estate to access the tescos in Woodburn way and the second is to allow access to the Allander leisure centre and visa versa. Both (I assume) attract a lot of foot and wheeled transport. But to answer your question on a techinical basis, yes they would need to wheel their bikes up to the crossing first, but shortley after the wheel, walk outing, they would ride on.

They both could do with a bit of paint on the pavement to "share the pavement" section untill the next appropriate road/lane.

 

[magnatom]

first is to allow residents from the southgate estate to access the tescos in Woodburn way and the second is to allow access to the Allander leisure centre and visa versa. Both (I assume) attract a lot of foot and wheeled transport. But to answer your question on a techinical basis, yes they would need to wheel their bikes up to the crossing first, but shortley after the wheel, walk outing, they would ride on.

They both could do with a bit of paint on the pavement to "share the pavement" section untill the next appropriate road/lane.

You're not the cycle farcility planner for East Dunbartonshire are you?

 

[jonny jeez]

You're not the cycle farcility planner for East Dunbartonshire are you?

ahh see, that's the power of google maps for you!! sound like a local wherever you travel.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

Possibly installing the lights before 'upgrading' the cycle lane to the pavement rather than the road?

 

[marinyork]

I do sort of wonder whether they were built to save money. A toucan is quoted as an extra £20k. As they've not bothered putting up any signs, red bricks, paint, railings or anything the extra cost is probably a lot less than £20k especially putting it in at the same time rather than converting it. Put in other facilities later (which never come)? Make sense? Some councils do do this sort of thing.