Why are so many cyclists so reluctant to use the cycle paths/lanes?

Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?
Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost) parallel
to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on riding (
sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road. Cyclists complain when there aren't
any cycle-lanes provided for them, yet when they do get them, they don't use
them.
Would a law stating that "cycling along a main road when there is a
perfectly good cycle-path running parallel to it is illegal" be of any use
do you think?

While in Belgium recently I noticed that there were a much greater number of
cyclists and all of them were using the cycle-lanes provided. Are UK
cyclists more stupid or more bloody-minded?

On Mar 15, 8:02*pm, "Mr. Benn" wrote:
Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?
Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost) parallel
to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on riding (
sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road. Cyclists complain when there aren't
any cycle-lanes provided for them, yet when they do get them, they don't use
them.
Would a law stating that "cycling along a main road when there is a
perfectly good cycle-path running parallel to it is illegal" be of any use
do you think?

While in Belgium recently I noticed that there were a much greater number of
cyclists and all of them were using the cycle-lanes provided. Are UK
cyclists more stupid or more bloody-minded?

Because the militant cyclists believe, for reasons known only to
themselves, that they have to make a political point every time they
take to the road.

They more often than not are involved in collisions because of this
attitude allied to their actions. They're a menace and a law onto
themselves and should be summarily executed.

"Mr. Benn" writes:

Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?
Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost)
parallel to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on
riding ( sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road. Cyclists complain when
there aren't any cycle-lanes provided for them, yet when they do get
them, they don't use them.

On a main road near here it is even more idiotic. Along one stretch of
road (40 limit), from a roundabout to a set a traffic lights[1], there
was been a cycle path separated from the road by a wide grass verge. The
road used to be wide enough for 2 lanes of traffic. When they recently
resurfaced the road they narrowed it by painting white lines on either
side of the road to create another cycle lane. A couple of months ago,
that stretch of road was closed for a few hours during morning rush hour
because a cyclist was hit by a lorry and killed.

[1] where the limit changes to 30.

On Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:02:57 -0000, "Mr. Benn" wrote:

Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?

Because they are rarely suitable for any but leisure cyclists.

Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost) parallel
to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on riding (
sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road. Cyclists complain when there aren't
any cycle-lanes provided for them, yet when they do get them, they don't use
them.
Would a law stating that "cycling along a main road when there is a
perfectly good cycle-path running parallel to it is illegal" be of any use
do you think?


It would almost certainly be an illegal law, and would also be very
stupid because it would be impossible to define "perfectly good" in
any meaningful way.


While in Belgium recently I noticed that there were a much greater number of
cyclists and all of them were using the cycle-lanes provided. Are UK
cyclists more stupid or more bloody-minded?

I don't believe they are likely to be either.
--
Alex Heney, Global Villager
Jesus to His followers: "You did WHAT in My Name?!?"
To reply by email, my address is alexDOTheneyATgmailDOTcom

Alex Heney wrote:

On Thu, 15 Mar 2012 20:02:57 -0000, "Mr. Benn" wrote:

Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?

Because they are rarely suitable for any but leisure cyclists.

What other type are there?
Why are the cycle paths no good?

Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost)
parallel to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on
riding ( sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road. Cyclists complain
when there aren't any cycle-lanes provided for them, yet when they
do get them, they don't use them.
Would a law stating that "cycling along a main road when there is a
perfectly good cycle-path running parallel to it is illegal" be of
any use do you think?


It would almost certainly be an illegal law,

How can you have an illegal law?


--

"Mr. Benn" wrote in message
...
Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?

Many started life as footpaths so are below the standard needed for bikes.

They need to have a smooth surface like a road, but also should not be
interrupted every fifty yards by a side-road where you are expected to stop
and give way, or be full of obstacles to navigate around. On the road you
can make much better time.

Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost) parallel
to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on riding (
sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road.

I don't remember the last time I saw cyclists 2 abreast, let alone 3. You're
either lying, or there was a cycling event on.

Cyclists complain when there aren't any cycle-lanes provided for them, yet
when they do get them, they don't use them.
Would a law stating that "cycling along a main road when there is a
perfectly good cycle-path running parallel to it is illegal" be of any use
do you think?

While in Belgium recently I noticed that there were a much greater number
of cyclists and all of them were using the cycle-lanes provided. Are UK
cyclists more stupid or more bloody-minded?

The ones I've seen in Holland are purpose-built high-quality cycle lanes,
not the result of some council slapping white paint over a few pavements and
calling them cycle lanes.

The worst I've seen recently were in Bologna (where you have to navigate
around bus shelters, big wheelie bins, bollards, etc) which would probably
suit a 3-year-old on a tricycle but not anyone trying to get anywhere.

--
Bartc

On 16/03/2012 01:05, BartC wrote:
The ones I've seen in Holland are purpose-built high-quality cycle lanes,
not the result of some council slapping white paint over a few pavements
and
calling them cycle lanes.

The worst I've seen recently were in Bologna (where you have to navigate
around bus shelters, big wheelie bins, bollards, etc) which would
probably suit a 3-year-old on a tricycle but not anyone trying to get
anywhere.

In my area the council just painted a white line about a half metre away
from the kerb and called the resulting lane riddled with drains and
regularly covered by parked cars, bins etc. a cycle lane.
They could proudly declare a huge mileage of cycle lanes when, in fact,
most of it is little more than an unnavigable narrow bit of the road.

We do have dedicated cycle lanes that but many are overgrown with bushes
because there is no money in the budget to cut back the vegetation and
any cycle groups who volunteer to adopt a lane and do the cutting back
gets told that any such action will be regarded as vandalism and
criminal damage.

However on the few good cycle lanes we have, even in good weather and
good light we still get cyclists on the roads. Apparently (from speaking
to some hard-core cyclists) leisure cyclists use lanes, *real* cyclists
use the road.

Andy

On Mar 15, 8:02*pm, "Mr. Benn" wrote:
Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?

Because most of the paths/lanes are rubbish, as BartC has pointed
out.

In Britain as a whole priority is given to motorised traffic and
vulnerable road users are neglected and discriminated against. It is
often pointed out that road design and operation is primarily to speed
up traffic flow and cycle paths/lanes can therefore be perceived as a
way of removing those who might slow traffic flow. There was an
attempt a while back to alter the Highway Code so as to make some
cycle paths/lanes mandatory but this was firmly resisted and didn't
take place.

-- .
All public road users are equal but some are more equal than others.

BartC wrote:

Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost)
parallel to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on
riding ( sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road.

I don't remember the last time I saw cyclists 2 abreast, let alone 3.
You're either lying, or there was a cycling event on.

I remember, it was yesterday. Maybe it is area specific?

Cyclists complain when there aren't any cycle-lanes provided for
them, yet when they do get them, they don't use them.
Would a law stating that "cycling along a main road when there is a
perfectly good cycle-path running parallel to it is illegal" be of
any use do you think?

While in Belgium recently I noticed that there were a much greater
number of cyclists and all of them were using the cycle-lanes
provided. Are UK cyclists more stupid or more bloody-minded?

The ones I've seen in Holland are purpose-built high-quality cycle
lanes, not the result of some council slapping white paint over a few
pavements and calling them cycle lanes.

There is no money available to repair roads, let alone cater to a few
people who complain about cycle lanes not being olympic standard.


The worst I've seen recently were in Bologna (where you have to
navigate around bus shelters, big wheelie bins, bollards, etc) which
would probably suit a 3-year-old on a tricycle but not anyone trying
to get anywhere.

Then the solution is to reduce the obstacles not make new roads for the
obstacles to live in.

--

On 15/03/2012 20:02, Mr. Benn wrote:
Why are so many cyclists in the UK so reluctant to use the cycle
paths/lanes?
Here in North Wales we have new cycle lanes built (at great cost)
parallel to the main roads but a large number of cyclists insist on
riding ( sometimes 2 or 3 abreast) on the road. Cyclists complain when
there aren't any cycle-lanes provided for them, yet when they do get
them, they don't use them.
Would a law stating that "cycling along a main road when there is a
perfectly good cycle-path running parallel to it is illegal" be of any
use do you think?

While in Belgium recently I noticed that there were a much greater
number of cyclists and all of them were using the cycle-lanes provided.
Are UK cyclists more stupid or more bloody-minded?

The other aspect is the enthusiasm of a council to encourage cycling.

We have an A road with a 40mph limit.

The pavement is a designated national cycle route.

There are no markings on the pavement to indicate its status. Except for
small white triangles on either side of the lampposts in the centre of
the track.

There are bus shelters and rubbish bins impinging on the track.

Because it was widened, it has now become an extended parking area.

The surface is uneven - repairs and 'tracks' from cable installation.

At side junctions there is no right of way. This tends to be irrelevant
as you have to stop and dismount to manoeuvre over the 3-4" kerbs.

So, most cyclists use the road - a 40mph A road with frequent traffic
islands throttling the flow.

And these cyclists are not popular with the commuter car drivers.

Impasse?

Flop