Substandard Cycle Path In North Somerset
This ridiculously narrow cycle lane has been here for a long time. However, a new set of arrangements are being constructed either side of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and rather than improve things for cycling, this makes things even worse than they were. The central kerb (to prevent overweight vehicles cheating the weighbridge) has been made higher, encouraging people driving vehicles to edge away and into the cycle lane. The UK's Department for Transport MINIMUM width for a cycle lane in special circumstances is 1500mm. Otherwise the recommended width is 2000mm. This one varies between 880 and 1050mm.
One short step and you've crossed it without touching it. There is nothing about this site that would justify such a narrow cycle lane.
As I watched this morning, even small cars were taking a line that encroached into the cycle lane. Most of the people who were cycling chose the centre of the carriageway (the "primary" position) or else used the footway (as you can see in this picture if you look further on). There were enough who did use the cycle lane itself to make me to feel very uncomfortable as I watched. It is a well-used cycling route for family and leisure cycling. The 8-80 slogan is already a reality here - the new provision should match that new reality.
This awful piece of road engineering shows just how little regard North Somerset have for established practice in the world of sustainable and accessible transport. Sadly they have a record for disregarding safe cycling for all. (see road.cc/content/news/108543-sustrans-blasts-incredibly-da... )
Substandard Cycle Path In North Somerset
This ridiculously narrow cycle lane has been here for a long time. However, a new set of arrangements are being constructed either side of the Clifton Suspension Bridge and rather than improve things for cycling, this makes things even worse than they were. The central kerb (to prevent overweight vehicles cheating the weighbridge) has been made higher, encouraging people driving vehicles to edge away and into the cycle lane. The UK's Department for Transport MINIMUM width for a cycle lane in special circumstances is 1500mm. Otherwise the recommended width is 2000mm. This one varies between 880 and 1050mm.
One short step and you've crossed it without touching it. There is nothing about this site that would justify such a narrow cycle lane.
As I watched this morning, even small cars were taking a line that encroached into the cycle lane. Most of the people who were cycling chose the centre of the carriageway (the "primary" position) or else used the footway (as you can see in this picture if you look further on). There were enough who did use the cycle lane itself to make me to feel very uncomfortable as I watched. It is a well-used cycling route for family and leisure cycling. The 8-80 slogan is already a reality here - the new provision should match that new reality.
This awful piece of road engineering shows just how little regard North Somerset have for established practice in the world of sustainable and accessible transport. Sadly they have a record for disregarding safe cycling for all. (see road.cc/content/news/108543-sustrans-blasts-incredibly-da... )