Sustrans highlights ten of Britain's worst roads and junctions for cyclists

QUOTE:
Sustrans has revealed a list of ten of the roads and junctions in Britain
that according to National Cycle Network Manager Martyn Brunt are among
those pose the biggest danger to cyclists and need urgent attention to
improve safety. The sustainable transport charity says it is "working flat
out to improve the National Cycle Network to help provide safe alternative
routes." The list is published at a time when The Times newspaper is calling
for cyclists to identify the locations they ride through that they consider
present the greatest risk using an interactive map as part of its Cities fit
for Cycling campaign. Sustrans is encouraging cyclists to add their own
blackspots to the map.

Some of the locations will no doubt be familiar to road.cc users who live or
work locally, while others have been the subject of stories on the site.
Here's the list, in no particular order, together with Martyn's comments
and, where applicable, ours. The list isn't a definitive one, and obviously
there is a degree of subjectivity involved, and as the first comments below
make clear, they may not necessarily reflect the priorities of cyclists
living in the locations concerned. If you have experience of any of these
roads or junctions, or if you want to flag up another in your own area, let
us know in the comments below - and don't forget to add it to The Times map.

ONE EXAMPLE:

Belgrave Middleway, Birmingham

MB: "This ought to work well for cyclists because it's for buses and bikes
only. However it's routinely abused by cars and taxis making it extremely
dangerous. The nature of the junction and the access to the cycle path on
the opposite side of the road means that if you cross on a bike and a car
illegally crosses behind you, you are pitched straight into their path. A
recent study showed over 300 motorists illegally crossing this junction
every day."
?Back in November 2010 we reported on how police had fined more than 100
motorists at this junction for offences including driving in the lane
intended for buses and cyclists and ignoring traffic signals. Sergeant Danny
Cooke of West Midlands Police said: "Drivers who are not paying attention to
the lights controlling the cycle lane are posing a particular hazard for
cyclists, and we are working with the council to make this area safer."

http://road.cc/content/news/55146-su...tions-cyclists

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Simon Mason