South north super high way incidents

[Deleted]

I'm simply delighted with this new cycle path, especially the bit from Blackfriars bridge to Holborn via duct!

It used to be the most exposed part of my commute from south east to north, I'm loving it!

However today I was almost knocked off twice within 100m of each incident in very similar circumstances.

Just wanted to warn others of what happened to me today and to stay alert!

1) Whilst travelling north bound just after crossing black Friars bridge this morning a large delivery van also travelling body turned left into a side road, (Tudor street I think?) driver was legitimately crossing the cycle path but with no regards or awareness to cyclist coming either way. I managed to stop safely in time and not to collide with the side of the van.

2) crossing ludgate circus traffic lights another large delivery vehicle turned left crossing path of cycle lane. The cycle lane lights were green, vehicle lights red. managed to slow and swerve this time and luckily van driver saw me and stopped in time.

Neither driver set out to try and injure me but clearly both were not familiar with new road lay out and what lights apply to what vehicles, so until all road users are suggest be very very careful when vehicles can potentially cross cycle lanes!

I know cycle lanes are not designed to be fully protected and all road users may need to legitimately cross them at times. But both incidents were caused by the same old lack of visual awareness/sorry mate I didn't see you there!

[Deleted]

I had the kind of opposite experience there. On Saturday afternoon I was riding southbound between Ludgate Circus and Blackfriars Bridge on the road. The road was very quiet, no traffic apart from a single car that passed me and pulled alongside. The young man driving it had the passenger window down and was shouting at me. I expected him to drive off, but he continued shouting, and I made out he was telling me to use the cycle path. I thanked him, (I hadn't seen the cycle path as I hadn't ridden on that road since it was put in. In any case I probably wouldn't have used it as it seemed to be turning right at Blackfriars Bridge, not the direction I was heading, and the road was deserted), but he was clearly very angry. He drove even closer and I feared he was going to swerve and knock me off. He did this all down Blackfriars Road until I lost him in traffic at St George's Circus. It appears one unintended consequence of putting in new cycling infrastructure is that it gives some idiotic motorists the idea they can abuse cyclists not using it. Personally I'd prefer to use the road - I feel safe using it, it's less stop-start, and I know too many people who have been knocked off by cars crossing in side-roads.

[Jeremy Beswick]

Alex, I'm with you on this.

Personally (and I realise that many will strongly disagree), I strongly prefer a "shared road" approach compared to the segregated cycle lane approach - for many reasons. In this particular context, we witness the effect that even designated (not segregated) cycle lanes has upon the perception of many motorists; that these cycle lanes are somehow mandatory for cyclists. It follows therefore (in their logic) that if cyclists choose not to use them, those cyclists are straying onto motorists' own designated territory, which means that those cyclists are being irresponsible and are fair game for verbal abuse - and worse. I also believe that many motorists' anger towards cyclists is not always malicious, but can be born out of fright that they may nearly have collided with an unseen/unexpected cyclist. Cycle lanes, either designated or segregated, are bound to terminate at some point, and at that point they spew cyclists back out into the mainstream of traffic, which has the effect of surprising and frightening the cyclist and the motorist in almost equal measure.

The truly viable and sustainable solution for all our roads, not just in the cities but throughout the countryside nationally, lies in changing our existing antagonistic "road culture" to one of mutual acceptance and regard for, and between, all road users. This is not utopian. It can be achieved by re-allocating the existing budgets for "cycling infrastucture" in favour of education through public marketing, cycle training, a radical revision of the Driving Test (and making periodic re-tests a condition of holding a licence), a willingness of Police forces to enforce the Highway Code as far as that is possible, and a willingness for the CPS and the Judiciary to effectively penalise those who cause KSIs through careless/dangerous/plain-stupid driving. That will take time, but that is a better and more cost-effective approach.

I'm sorry; I'm not sure our forum is the right place for a strongly-held opinion. But hey, Alex, it's your fault - you got me started on the topic.

[Deleted]

Its great to see it being so used, and that even before its all really open, its almost at capacity

Cycle lanes, either designated or segregated, are bound to terminate at some point, and at that point they spew cyclists back out into the mainstream of traffic, which has the effect of surprising and frightening the cyclist and the motorist in almost equal measure.

Only if they are badly designed. If all infrastructure is designed with people in mind, rather than vehicles, reintegration from segregated traffic, will not be an issue. Its managed in certain other European countries.

It appears one unintended consequence of putting in new cycling infrastructure is that it gives some idiotic motorists the idea they can abuse cyclists not using it.

Its not mandatory to use it so dont feel obligated to. Vehicles are obligated not to use the pavement but theres over 350 KSI's each year because they do. [It seems this needs pointing out to people like that guy]

Personally I'd prefer to use the road - I feel safe using it, it's less stop-start

I have had this discussion with plenty of [vehicular] cyclists that seem to almost argue the Franklin/Forrester viewpoint that ALL cyclists should ride in traffic but the simple thing to remember is that its not being built for you. Its being built for these people:

It can be achieved by re-allocating the existing budgets for "cycling infrastucture" in favour of education through public marketing, cycle training, a radical revision of the Driving Test (and making periodic re-tests a condition of holding a licence), a willingness of Police forces to enforce the Highway Code as far as that is possible, and a willingness for the CPS and the Judiciary to effectively penalise those who cause KSIs through careless/dangerous/plain-stupid driving.

This is a major bugbear of mine. The driving test needs redesigning so that it includes awareness of driving near, and around cyclists. It needs to be changed so that its similar to a passport: retesting every 10 years until a certain age then increasingly so. ALL tests should be accompanied by eye test certificates (the HGV driver who killed Eilidh Cairns had impaired vision and was allowed to continue driving until he killed someone else). The police definitely need to start enforcing traffic laws, and issuing FPNs as a matter of fact, not as a last resort.

I witnessed a police officer let a driver off with a warning after seeing her go through a red light whilst using a mobile, and almost collide with traffic. She should have been facing court for that.

On top of all that, congestion charge should be increased, the western zone reintroduced and large swathes of central London pedestrianised/de-vehicularised

Maybe with the election today, that the new mayor will actually do something about these issues rather than only act out of preserving his self image?


[and.....breathe.....!]

[Deleted]

Another point regarding the new segregated lanes..

On more than one occasion now, I have seen vehicles joining Blackfriars Road - from the west and turning left to head north - turn straight into the segregated lane itself, believing it to be for cars. This doesn't normally cause anymore than an inconvenience because cyclists should, at the point when this might happen, be waiting at a red light, but it's worth keeping an eye out when crossing junctions - even if you have right of way.

This will hopefully be prevented with the addition of better signage.

All in all, I think the new lanes make the commute better and should only improve with time.

[Deleted]

You can search Twitter and find plenty of photos of drivers that have gone along the cycle ways.




www.standard.co.uk/news/london/driving-school-car-caught-on-camera-driving-down-cycle-superhighway-a3200961.html