Cycle paths or road??

[Drencrom]

The reason i dont use the path in peak times is because of joggers with ipod that have no lane discipline,

That'll be because in the vast majority of cases in the UK you won't be riding on a 'cycle path' - it'll be a mixed-use path. Which means that the pedestrian has the right of way at all times, regardless of lane division - for example a thick white line down the middle means that the cyclist must stay ONLY in the marked lane, whereas the pedestrian can use both.

An interesting fact that an awful lot of cyclists don't seem to understand (and it's usually commuters) is that mixed-use paths are designed for cyclists to be travelling up to 10-15 mph; anything above that is deemed as a speed that is suitable for the road only - remember that 'cycle 'paths' exist to protect slower, more vunerable cyclists from motorists, not as a shortcut or express-way for people to race along unimpeded claiming the moral high ground when they don't have it in the first place.

I walk and cycle on mixed-use paths daily, incidentally. And although there are inconsiderate people in all walks of life, cyclists do not come across well on 'cycle paths'. If you are using a genuine cycles-only path, then have a pop, by all means!

 

[lumos2000]

i use both depending on the situation, or though the last time i used a path things got a bit messy and it all ended up in court, i do however think that a lot of cycle paths are badly planned and probley there because someone at the local planning office is justifying their job.

 

[lumos2000]

the path in question :roll:

 

[CAS]

I often use cycle paths abroad because they are continuous and in some countries bikes have priority.

Here cycle lanes are often discontinuous and disjointed and if you need to cycle to get somewhere it's often better on the road.

And don't even start me on the subject of walkers and joggers..... :roll: :roll:

 

[We_are_Stevo]

It's a no-brainer really...

"Use the f*ck*ng cycle path you brainless moron and stop holding up the traffic!"

I'm sorry but I drive hundreds of miles a day and it makes my blood boil when I come across a cycling commuter holding up a queue of traffic when there is a perfectly good cycle path a couple of feet to his left! :evil:

I don't hold with the 'safety objections' either...

"Take the f*ck*ng earbuds out and you might actually be able to hear what's going on around you you tw*t! Jesus f*ck*ng H Christ! Do you want to f*ck*ng die at the side of the road or what?"

"Oh, I have to listen to my (insert mp3 player variant here...) because it's so boring cycling/walking/riding to work every morning" is actually a reply I have had countless times from collegues/commuters/ ped's/teenagers on slo-peds/any other vacant, unaware twat... Aaaargh! :shock:

"...and try observing the f*ck*ng Highway Code like the rest of us have to! What do you think the f*ck*ng red light is there for?"

I'd much rather be listening to Chris Evans than trying to avoid suicidal cyclists thankyou very much!

And I've never had any problem with joggers, ped's, dog-walkers etc - I have brakes and good bike control; a nod, a smile and a 'thank you...' make all the difference too

 

[drystonepaul]

Are you sure you meant to post that on here Stevo? :?

I'm sure there are plenty of anti-cycling groups on Facebook who would love this sort of thing.

 

[Raging_Bulls]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ

'nuff said

 

[gbsimpsa]

I commute 13.5 miles to work 3 times a week.

In 3 separate locations along my route there are fairly new and badly designed bike paths parallel to the road which 'No cyclist uses'.

The reasons no-one uses them:
They are dangerous to enter and exit on narrow wheels at any speed.
They are overgrown with thorns bushes and trees.
They contain enormous amounts of unswept glass and detritus.
Vehicles park on them frequently.
They are so short they are almost pointless, 200 yds at most.
They are shared with pedestrians, bus stops and crossings.
They dip up and down for every house driveway they cross for which owners blindly pull out onto without looking.
They are simply not fit for purpose!! (unless I were a parent walking alongside my toddler with stabilisers) and I am 100% certain this was not the demographic the council was targetting.

The most galling thing about it is the council narrowed the road for the sake of this stupid path no-one uses, at our (tax payers) considerable expense, making it more dangerous than if they had done nothing. I can only assume it was designed by a fat arsed motorist without consultation or a clue what would work in practise. I am a motorist too btw, and I also drive this route.

The speed limit is 50mph and I am just as frustrated as the drivers I hold up!!

I think people who blame cyclist in circumstances like these should attempt to cycle these routes daily themselves. Hopefully on something other than a fully sprung clunker BSO over 5mph.

 

[bojangle]

It's a no-brainer really...

"Use the f*ck*ng cycle path you brainless moron and stop holding up the traffic!"

I'm sorry but I drive hundreds of miles a day and it makes my blood boil when I come across a cycling commuter holding up a queue of traffic when there is a perfectly good cycle path a couple of feet to his left! :evil:

I don't hold with the 'safety objections' either...

"Take the f*ck*ng earbuds out and you might actually be able to hear what's going on around you you tw*t! Jesus f*ck*ng H Christ! Do you want to f*ck*ng die at the side of the road or what?"

"Oh, I have to listen to my (insert mp3 player variant here...) because it's so boring cycling/walking/riding to work every morning" is actually a reply I have had countless times from collegues/commuters/ ped's/teenagers on slo-peds/any other vacant, unaware tw*t... Aaaargh! :shock:

"...and try observing the f*ck*ng Highway Code like the rest of us have to! What do you think the f*ck*ng red light is there for?"

I'd much rather be listening to Chris Evans than trying to avoid suicidal cyclists thankyou very much!

And I've never had any problem with joggers, ped's, dog-walkers etc - I have brakes and good bike control; a nod, a smile and a 'thank you...' make all the difference too

X2 i couldn't agree more!

I've been riding a bike on the roads for about 23 years now and have been knocked off :x far too many times. The idea of a cycle path is to make it safer for EVERYONE! there are NO arguments against it.period!

If you get hit by a car on the road and there was a cycle path available say goodbye to ANY compensation due! Also there are far more dangers on the road that off it, come listen to yourselves, ipods, dog poo!!!!! What about potholes, car doors opening, cars overtaking not seeing you, lorry drivers that have been at the wheel for 36hrs and 'didn't mean to drift over and crush your legs and put you in a wheel chair"! COME ON!

I don't have the luxury of cycle lanes i ride on a busy A road, i have a near miss at least once or twice a week!! usually on roundabouts! So please, if not just for the reputation of sensible riders, for the sake of safety USE THE CYCLE PATH!!

P.s i drive a car also! and get very annoyed when the traffic is held up because someone feels that it's safer on the road, by safe they mean 4ft away from the kerb! I guess to miss the potholes or broken glass or dog poo or car door or missing drain cover or slower bike rider or..........i could go on!

 

[gbsimpsa]

Sad to see this kind of (road rage style) aggressive language, on a bike forum of all places. Regardless of the rights and wrongs!!!

If you can be this angry in the comfort of your own home on the internet, I imagine it's only a matter of time before you do kill someone and end up in prison.

You can't reason with some people. Life's too short!