| Topic: | Re:Boston Manor new cycling lanes | |
| Posted by: | Trevor | |
| Date/Time: | 19/07/18 06:48:00 |
| As a cyclist, why on earth would I want to use the cycle lane? The road is the better choice for me. Let's compare the cycle lane and the road on three points: 1) Side roads On Boston Manor Road, I have clear priority at junctions with side roads and don't need to stop. I'm not sure non-cyclists realise how tiring stopping and starting is. On the cycle lane, it's not clear who has priority where it crosses a side road - would a car turning into a side road see me on the cycle lane? I probably need to slow down or stop before crossing the side roads for safety. Road wins round 1. 2) Obstructions On Boston Manor Road it is unlikely there will be large groups of school children in the middle of the road. On the cycle lane, it is likely pedestrians will accidentally step into the cycle lane. Road wins round 2. 3) Separation On Boston Manor Road, I have to share with cars going in the same direction, but they are required to give as much room as a car when overtaking. Traffic going in the opposite direction is on the other side of the (wide) road. On the cycle lane, two way cycle traffic is squeezed into an 8 foot wide space. Tie on round 3. Agree no excuse for rudeness, if I were to receive unsolicited, incorrect, but well intentioned advice I'd hope I would try to smile and say "thanks but no thanks" - but I hope you can see that it may come off rather badly as you zoom past in your car as someone is sweating their way up hill ... |