Surely this is recipie for a left hook?

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jazzkat

Fixed wheel fanatic.
I'm about to cycle through Kendal town centre. Never done it before and avoid it in the car- its a traffic 'mare.
Anyway I have a look on google to see what the road layout is like and find they have a lovely cycle lane for us to be in
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...d=wdZUGkhtoACEvejn90PnCg&cbp=12,6.62,,0,17.21

except as you get to the lights
the cycle lane goes straight on while the traffic in that lane have to turn left!!
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...=aHiQXwEtGa-fjgZxOdu7Iw&cbp=12,306.1,,0,17.41

It's been there a while, as can be seen from the worn out paint. But what idiot in traffic planning thought that it was a good idea? It would make more sense if the lane had been put in the centre (the other lane must turn right), but you'd be a brave man to cycle down the middle of that road! I don't know if there have been any incidents there and I doubt making an issue out of it will amount to much. Kendal traffic planning is a complete mess anyway.

Suffice to say I won't be using the cycle lane today.
 

summerdays

Cycling in the sun
Location
Bristol
We have one in Bristol and yes it does cause accidents and has been regularly raised as a problem here.

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&s...pTjc0DUoSWMFTncy6Xw2iA&cbp=12,184.99,,0,22.05

I either use the middle of the left lane or move over into the straight on lane depending on the traffic - never the cycle lane.
 

gavintc

Guru
Location
Southsea
That is why cycle lanes are useless. They force bikes into the wrong position. A bike is traffic and should use the appropriate traffic lanes, signals and positioning. The problem here is that experienced cyclists will know to avoid the area, but the novice who needs the protection more will fall into the trap, believing it to be the safer option.
 

Andy in Sig

Vice President in Exile
gavintc said:
That is why cycle lanes are useless. They force bikes into the wrong position. A bike is traffic and should use the appropriate traffic lanes, signals and positioning. The problem here is that experienced cyclists will know to avoid the area, but the novice who needs the protection more will fall into the trap, believing it to be the safer option.

Unless of course they are done properly as in e.g. Holland. Perhaps the Ministry of Transport could recruit a Dutch bloke to give them advice?
 
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