Homer wrote:
Steve wrote:
Could the position of the cyclist be different when in a cycle lane? (this was not mentioned within the article)
Where there is no cycle lane, cyclists would be more inclined to be as far left as possible. If there is a cycle lane, cyclists may be tempted to remain in the centre of the cycle lane, hence not being so far left as they otherwise would have been. Some may believe it to be equally appropriate to be in the right hand half of the cycle lane (an issue of entitlement). Those using their wheels as the reference point may not realise their handblebars have gone beyond the dividing line.
Can't speak for every person who cycles but this is certainly not the case for me.
When there is no cycle lane I'm more likely to ride wide of the kerb to give myself somewhere to go when I sense someone is cutting it a bit fine. Where there is a cycle lane I'm generally as far left as the general build up of rubbish will allow
Primary is always safer and you would normally be at a decent-ish speed within the flow of traffic too.
The rubbish /debris is an issue .. I do so agree. I will give Darlington its due though as a "beacon city for cycliing" as it does use road sweepers each week
Homer wrote:
It is my personal experience that there is a tendency for vehicles to pass close to the line when the line is there.
If councils would stick to the 5ft rule, and where there is insufficient room, not have a cycle lane then I think it would be an improvement (though do we really need a cycle lane if there is 5ft of spare road space?
I think this is an issue of "target boxes to tick in many a case"
I think some areas like Exeter have the right idea when they re-engineered to make wider shared ped/cycle paths per the model we've enjoyed when holidaying in the past on the "North German Plain" in the flatlands of Osnabruck Northwards and eastawards towards the Harz rolling hillocks and mountains. I thought Bremen to Cuxhaven was just pure
as far as riding facilities are concerned.. but because it's flat.. it actually takes more out of me on a workout than the climbs and downs do.. as I find my cadence has to be more sustained to keep up the pace on the flats. I found it more challenging than the recent 195 miler we just did around the Vorarlberg with "Team Swiss "Uebermensch"
(They ain't normal.. Jay-zuss! I just baout managed to keep up./. poor old Ted got trounced and we had to wait for him to roll up at our our watering holes by 40 minutes at one point
)
Errr sorry .. I'm still on a "bit of a high from the ride in gorgeous scenic bliss" I will write up my "blog" to share with you all later.
Back to topic. I am saying that shared ped/cycle lanes can work very weil. I concede that sometimes in urban areas we may need to have the cycle lane sharing the space with cars.. and somehow I think that sharing with a bus is a right
.. especially if the area uses those stupid bendy
ones. I would rather see cyclists and car drivers sharing the available road space in harmony.. negotiating with each other in mutual respect... but to achieve this? Well I keep shouting COAST to everyone as this helps for now. I would rather see a comprehensive road safety programme which starts at age 7 to twilight of our time as pensioner stewards of our world. One which allows for our ever-changing needs and our constant innovations to improve our lot in life.
Homer wrote:
Where there is a marked cycle lane then the message given is that there is room for both cycle and motor vehicle, the result is obviously going to be some badly judged passing. On narrow sections without the lane it may result in drivers thinking more about where to pass and just maybe more would get it right.
I think too many fail to realise the pinch points.. .
Inevitably there will be some and I am minded about a skit with the late Ian Carmichael and the late Peter Sellers in a film where neither would reverse to give the other passage past a rural "natural" pinch point.
I think ti was resolved by the other "held ups" pushing the cars in dsipute into a field
- and showing how negotiation helps things move along pleasantly
I think this was 1950 Black White film and I cannot recall the title. It was not "I'm All right Jack" which was the other timeless classic starring this pair
I am hoping someone can . . It was just superb!
But I ma trying to say .. we've always had this problem of squablles over pinch points ...
and we've never really resolved it
I think we should try to do so via this board guys! So think. I can think of various . but think all of us should .. and exchange ideas so as to help present a fair minded lobby which helps all road users.
That's what road safety's really about
and the public input should carry just as much value as that of engineers and law makers. I am no arrogant police officer. I listen. Point out the law from my side of the fence.. and we take it from there. Those who feel they are above the Members of the Public are arrogant affronts. The public outnumber us and the majority "middle class of UK Ltd" are professionals in their own fields of expertise .. and their concerns certainly matter or should matter to that minority enforcing the laws with their general tacit consent and good will.
I am sorry if those too full of their own importance think me "odd". I happen to represent the real police officer who wants to do his or her best. Homer wrote:
I don't suppose they studied which types of vehicles tended to pass the closest did they? I've yet to do any scientific study but buses and small cars (supermini size) seem to be the biggest culprits.
Ah.. the BMW mini. the Micra. the Corsa.. The Ka..
a sterotype perhaps?
Buses are a bit different . I think they are way too close because their ruddy size makes me feel so ruddy small! Again some of the problem may be because of the confusing signals sent out b the cycle lane and centre lane markings?
I am trying to expplore each angle here for debate purposes ..
Most of the real issues are resolved by thought ful COAST .. Others need a bit more thought.
Hey I do not say COAST solves all ./. but it helps a lot!