Randomdiabetictype1
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
thanks
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Cycling & Safety
- Thread starter Dave W
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I have cycled all over the country. Driven all over the country & Europe. There are ways to get where you want. Been to Asia on a Motorbike. Its not worth the risk ? When I see a cycle lane & cyclists not using them & being on a main road ????
We all weigh up risks, and sometimes it’s more risky on the cycle path. I think a few people have made this point.
TrevA
Active Member
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
Reasons why I often don't use cycles lanes/paths:
The council build them but don't maintain them. So you get small stones, bits of trees, broken glass, etc on them over time. They really need to be swept every so often. Car tyres do a very good job of sweeping the roads clean so which do you choose - the nice smooth Tarmac road, or the gravelly, twig and glass infested cyclepath/lane?
Many of them are sub-standard and some are downright dangerous. They aren't wide enough, they cross from one side of the road to the other and back again for no apparent reason. They are often just converted pavements and often shared with pedestrians which means that you have to ride very slowly and give way to the pedestrians.
You lose priority over side roads and entrances. Again, this means that you have to keep slowing down or stopping, whereas on the road you retain priority over side roads.
So the council builds a sub standard farcility and we are expected to use it, whatever? No thanks, I'll take my chances on the road. I've been cycling for 45 years, done close on 200,000 miles on my bike and have only been knocked off once.
The council build them but don't maintain them. So you get small stones, bits of trees, broken glass, etc on them over time. They really need to be swept every so often. Car tyres do a very good job of sweeping the roads clean so which do you choose - the nice smooth Tarmac road, or the gravelly, twig and glass infested cyclepath/lane?
Many of them are sub-standard and some are downright dangerous. They aren't wide enough, they cross from one side of the road to the other and back again for no apparent reason. They are often just converted pavements and often shared with pedestrians which means that you have to ride very slowly and give way to the pedestrians.
You lose priority over side roads and entrances. Again, this means that you have to keep slowing down or stopping, whereas on the road you retain priority over side roads.
So the council builds a sub standard farcility and we are expected to use it, whatever? No thanks, I'll take my chances on the road. I've been cycling for 45 years, done close on 200,000 miles on my bike and have only been knocked off once.
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RichardA
Member
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- Type 2
They only build them to get “brownie points” most of the time they are disgrace with weeds pocking up through the poorly made path after a few months of use.
I have been told off from “plod” that there is a maximum 10mph on a mixed cycle/peds path, I'm not too sure if this is law or not.
Chris Hobson
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- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 2
I had a van pull out of a side road on me yesterday. It was very early in the morning and a sort of half dark damp overcast day. I had a bright yellow top on and twin re-chargeable lights that are like searchlights. Fortunately I was going slightly uphill so not riding very fast and my road positioning was good so I managed to avoid getting hit.
I doubt it, but there probably should be. That includes runners! A friend of mine was stopped and given an on the spot fine for not wearing a cycle helmet! He was very surprised when he found out there is no such law but wouldn’t be persuaded to put in a complaint. Makes me wonder if he wasn’t doing something else he didn’t tell us about. On the other hand it does illustrate that the constabulary sometimes aren’t as all knowing as we might expect!
Matt Cycle
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No, more made up b*****ks from Britain's finest. As bikes are not required to have speedometers how are people supposed to know how fast they are going? Although cyclists have to abide by the law e.g. stopping at red lights, riding on pavements etc according to the highway code on public highways speed limits don't apply to bikes only motor vehicles. In reality how many cyclists are going to break the speed limit anyway? A DoT code of conduct for cycling and walking stated that for cycle paths if you wish to ride over 18mph consider using the road but this isn't law. Royal Parks are an exception where cycle speed limits can be applied and in theory local laws could also be created and enforced. Be careful out there as there's the 150 odd year old law of 'riding furiously', yes seriously!
Matt Cycle
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- Type 1
Ah, that will be a byelaw created by the council as in the local laws I mentioned above. Just found this:
http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/ne...ng_on_the_seafront_to_be_restricted_all_year/
It states the law is self-regulated although the seafront rangers can enforce it presumably if they get bored of collecting deckchairs. I'm still not sure how they could prove what speed you were doing. In general most people would ride to the conditions. It was busy then take it steady. Quieter then go a bit quicker.
Any other shared cycle lanes without applicable byelaws then it's no limit although people should be considerate of others.
I always go on the roads anyway. 🙄
Might go out for a "Furious" ride this weekend
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