Royal Albert Cycling Club

admin

This is a message from the Larkhall Reporter for the Hamilton Advertiser, who would like feedback on this topic.

"Hi I have been running a few articles about the main road from Hamilton to Larkhall following the tragic death of an elderly Hamilton couple at Lanark Road End.
Now Sustrans are proposing a cycle lane on Carlisle Road where there have been four tragedies in the past five years. The community in Larkhall think this is dangerous and are against it.
I was wondering what the cycle club thought of the proposals. Are they in favour or against. What concerns do the club have about this? How will affect training etc."

Personally, I don't like cycle lanes on main roads in towns because cars park on them anyway and then cyclists have to weave in and out. Racing cyclists tend not to use them anyway, for these reasons. What do you think, especially all you guys who know Larkhall better than I do?

Please can you all let me have your thoughts on this and I will feed them back together. Thanks.

Dennis

johncampbell · Joined: 24 Jan 2008 Posts: 651

ANYTHING THAT KEEPS CYCLISTS SAFE MUST BE A GOOD IDEA AS LONG AS THERE ARE USE IN THE RIGHT CONTEXT ECT, HEAVY FINES FOR PARKED CARS IN THEM AS IN LONDON,SEEMS TO WORK IN OTHER COUNTRIES HOLLAND FOR EXAMPLE, MAY BE PROBLEM TRYING TO KEEP THEM CLEAN FROM GLASS,ECT WELL THATS MY THOUGHT ON IT.THE SLAB.

JimL · Joined: 05 Aug 2010 Posts: 100 Location: Uddingston

If the cycle lane was properly constructed (decent width,decent surface,integerated with the road system etc) and properly maintained there may be some merit in it. Given the record on cycle lanes, and sustrans record, the chances of that are about nil but I would have to see the details.If it is the usual type of cycle lane suitable for speeds less than 10mph and giving way to every side road this will increase the aggro (and danger) for cyclists who choose to use the road (and no cycle lane would be wide enough for a bunch). I did read the proposals also involved reducing the speed limit to 50mph it would be safer for everyone if it were reduced to 40mph and enforced with cameras but I suspect the anti cycle lane people don't want to hear that either.

stevenbrennan · Joined: 04 Feb 2008 Posts: 371 Location: Larkhall

I'm all for cycle lanes as long as you can cycle in a bunch for miles on end up and down the country on them. The problem is that the cycle lanes about Central Scotland normally run along side roads that have next to no cars on them or are full of glass, gravel, rocks, etc and every half mile, you need to stop to go up and down kerbs. In situation like this, you end up using the road anyway.

There is also a negative attitude from a lot of drivers who feel cyclist shouldn't be on the road on the first place. Would this be worse if a cycle lane was built on that stretch of road and we continued to use the main road because the cycle lane isn't maintained?

My tuppence worth on the matter.
_________________
It never gets easier, you just get faster.

paul.ramsay · Joined: 26 Aug 2009 Posts: 350

Not a fan myself. Problem isn't the roads, it's the drivers attitudes towards cyclists. As Steven says, enough resentment as it is from some drivers for just claiming enough road so that you are safe. It's going to be worse with a cycle lane as they just don't work as intended, especially in town.

Also encourages drivers to pass a hairs width from the cycle path, instead of actually giving room or passing only when safe to do so.

admin · Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 8:53 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your feedback on this, guys. Here's a summary that I sent back to the Advertiser reporter.

"Negative Aspects:
Cars park on cycle lanes and cyclists have to weave in and out.
Drivers often drive onto cycle lanes.
Too often they are covered in glass, stones and gravel and have raised kerb stops.
They encourage drivers to pass within a hair�s breadth from the cycle path, instead of actually giving room or passing only when safe to do so.
Serious cyclists prefer to ride on the road, and the advent of a cycle lane would further encourage motorists to take a negative view towards them.

Positive Aspects:
Such a cycle path would only work if separated from the road by a wide kerb so cars can�t cross it; if the surface was wide enough for groups of cyclists; had a good surface regularly maintained and regularly cleaned of glass, stones etc; and bevelled kerbs at junctions."

Dennis