Poll: Poll pls: In the presence of a dedicated cycle lane, should cyclists be allowed to use the roads?

In the presence of a dedicated cycle lane, should cyclists be allowed to use the roads?

  • Yes

    Votes: 170 26.6%

  • No

    Votes: 218 34.1%

  • Yes but only if conditions of cycle lane are unsafe

    Votes: 252 39.4%
  • Total voters
    640
String said:
Really, and would you think it OK to walk on the road if you justified it by saying you were travelling to work?

No. That's why we have pavements. And it's also why we have cycle lanes.

It's not that complicated.
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Sure, if you are willing to pay billions into cycle lanes of every single road in the country, literally digging up the countryside, wiping out all towns and villages for tens of thousands of miles to get dedicated cycle lanes.
 
Amp34 said:
I was on my phone so that may be why, it works fine on my laptop.:)

Looking at the rondabout now it's fairly obvious why so many cyclists don't use the lane - if you're not taking the first exit then it'll be a massive pain to get round. It's another prime example of poor design for competent cyclists, but then i'm sure it's great for those less confident.

So in this case no, there should be no requirement for cyclists to use a cycle lane. Just as there is technically no requirement for pedestrians to use a path. Motor vehicles are different because they are licensed and significantly larger.
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Good point about roundabouts, when I did use the pavement to get around a roundabout it took so much longer than using the road.
 
hornetstinger said:
Until you are a cyclist, you won't understand why cycle lanes are stupid concept, unless you drive your car to a cycle lane, cycle about 50 yards, cycle back, then put the bicycle in the car then drive back home. :rolleyes:

I'd be slamming into pedastrians at 20 + mph, and having to slow right down every time the cycle lane drops onto a turning into a road. Then I'd have to cycle on the walk way because they put those corrugated paving slabs the wrong way.

Then smash into people at 20mph bus stops because the cycle land stops at bus stops so you have to use the walk lane.
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Guess it depends on the quality of the cycle lanes where you are, round here they definately arent like that, although we dont have too many in urban areas.

I would take the bike to a 50yrd cycle lane as you suggest, but i'd have to cycle, bike dont fit in me car :p

Also, realise the irony of cyclists complaining about pedestrians and busses holding up their progress but not accepting the same criticism from motorists....
 
Haze said:
The need to get bloody horses off the roads, i just dont see any need, and all their arguments are just flawed
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Don't worry, soon all vehicles will be automated and horse riders/cyclists will have a much easier time using the roads. :p
 
neil_g said:
Would you want to be forced to ride in an environment where there could be obstructions around any corner (bollards, bins, lamp posts, railings) or a shared environment where there could be children or dogs with outstretched leads, or a path that suddenly merges into live traffic, or an unmaintained surface with sunken drains and potholes.

Because all of those are valid examples. And if you're a proficient cyclist that can knock our 20mph average, that's askibg for trouble.
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Pretty much proved my point? What motorist loves to have an obstruction moving slowly in their way?

You cant have it both ways. If waiting 20 seconds to zip around a cyclist by a motorist is deemed ok by a cyclist, then you waiting 20 seconds to zip around a child/dog/lamp post is equally as "ok".
 
NoobCannon said:
The lycra clad imbeclies are the worst. I actually hate them more than addison lee drivers and thats saying somethng.

Working and driving in london 5/6 hours every day i get to see these idiots at thier worst. And due to the nature of my job get to let say "interact" with them quite a lot and they are so ignorant and self entitled its no wonder everyone hates all cyclists. It pains me to admit that altho an pita and hinderance 50% of Non lycra wearing cyclists are ok and actually conciderate to other road users.

We spent months modifying junctions (wasting tax payers money) building the cycle super waste of time only for the cyclists to ride in the road anyway. But the end goal isnt to make london safer its to move traffic and pollution away from roads like the embankment and onto council roads so that the polution target can be met. It was done in islington aswell ive seen the traffic models, reducing the angel down from 3-2-1 lanes.
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I hope you're not a taxi/white van driver...
 
Voted 3, I would always use the cycle lane unless it was blocked or otherwise unavailable. I don't like riding on the road anyway and when I use the bike vs. car for work, 95% is on cycle paths or, well "shared" pathways as they call them round Swindon.
 
String said:
If you drove a car along a country road at the speed of a cyclist you would most likely be fined for causing a hazard.... but do it on a bicycle and you're golden.
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In some cases you'd actually be safer driving country roads at a reduced speed. With potential horse riders, tractors pulling out of fields etc.
 
I prefer roads to cycle lanes. They are cheaper and faster.

Every time I've used a cycle lane I got a puncture and got fed up replacing inner tubes and the time it took sometimes in the dark. Lots of cars don't pay car tax or vehicle excise duty so that negates that argument. The roads are much better in terms of progress because otherwise you are stopping and unclipping at every junction whereas on a road you get to plan your route in a timely and safe manner.

On your roundabout do the cyclists turn left only or do they go straight on or turn right too? If the former - yes a cycle path could make sense, if not then it doesn't make sense as it would take you an absolute age to get across.

Cycle lanes are for families or the unconfident/unsafe.
 
hornetstinger said:
Sure, if you are willing to pay billions into cycle lanes of every single road in the country, literally digging up the countryside, wiping out all towns and villages for tens of thousands of miles to get dedicated cycle lanes.
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Or maybe just restrict roads to cars? And we could save all those billions and just improve the public transport system? And you could then travel to work safely.
 
FrenchTart said:
Cyclist training should indeed be compulsory - for everyone, not just cyclists. I see idiot pedestrians, drivers and cyclists all the time.
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I'd go one step further. I still think a set number of hours on the road on a bike should be completed before you can do you driving test. You can teach it as a way of learning the rules of the road and road manners before getting into a motor vehicle.

I think it would change the attitude of many motorist massively, both for what and why other road users do what they do, but also instil things like defensive driving more into their psyche.
 
String said:
Or maybe just restrict roads to cars? And we could save all those billions and just improve the public transport system? And you could then travel to work safely.
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Or ban all cars and make people cycle or use public transport. Think of the money the NHS would save and how the environment would benefit. Also no road deaths.
 
Vern1961 said:
Voted 3, I would always use the cycle lane unless it was blocked or otherwise unavailable. I don't like riding on the road anyway and when I use the bike vs. car for work, 95% is on cycle paths or, well "shared" pathways as they call them round Swindon.
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When you drive your car, do you have buildings in the way, and have to drive on terrain that isn't suitable for your car so have to drop down in speed every 30 yards, for miles and miles, the road is covered with material that makes you lose traction and damages your tyres?

Not the same thing at all.
 
Further to what people are saying - the cycle lanes in the UK are an absolute joke. And not a funny one at that. Stevie Wonder could have done a better job. We need cycle lanes like in Australia. They are fantastic, kept away from roads and regularly cleaned.
 
String said:
Or maybe just restrict roads to cars? And we could save all those billions and just improve the public transport system? And you could then travel to work safely.
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Why would I pay for buses? If I relied on public transport I wouldn't be able to go to work. But if there was a bus it'll take longer, the bus drivers are late I'd lose my jobs. And with cycling I stay fit, I save money.

So no, it doesn't work.

On the bike I am faster than the bus. From time I leave my house to when I arrive at work, travelling by bus takes 2x as long.

As for safety well that's I risk I take, just like you take a risk everytime you go in your car or a motorbike.
 
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