badly designed cycle lane

this cycle lane integrated in 'traffic calming' puts cyclist at risk of opening car doors, running into traffic islands and creates conflict with motorists.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Cambridge
• cyclist

[WannabeCPH]

I think the main idea of the bike lane route is OK, compared to many other things I've seen.

I just can't explain why it's so narrow - it looks half-size to me.

Paul, would it be as bad if it was wider?

IMO the worst thing is people not using the lane. As a foreign driver, I'd expect bikes to use that bike lane, though fast ones like you might cut off corners. I'd still slow down to get the correct way around the "islands" though.

[mailpauljonescouk]

WannabeCPH: You're right, one problem is width - this is far too narrow. The other issue is hazards immediately to the left such as parked cars (doors may open) and railings, sometimes combined with narrowings. For a faster cyclist parts of the cycle lane are a no go area and even slower cyclists could be knocked into the path of other vehicles. It's not mandatory to use the cycle lane but many motorists fail to appreciate that. Some even try pushing cyclists sideways into the gutter here.

[Dershnof]

At the end, did the driver of that van even see you, cause u and him almost collided

[mailpauljonescouk]

Yes, I think so, but the driver wasn't thinking earlier. Late signal. Anyway, I was waiting for that. Quite common and sometimes drivers give no signal at all.

[krisuk06]

@mailpauljonescouk Was a police van as well ^^. I take it if he/she would of signaled you would have waited behind him for him/her to turn. At least you can tell he/she saw you in their mirrors!

[MrCumbrian]

u didn't slow down for roundabouts or any traffic turning left u are the moran

[MrKevin1a]

Oy, here in the States they do the same thing. It's not uncommon to have a lane so narrow half of it is the gutter, and of course they always put manhole covers and any other potentially fall-inducing obstacles right in the middle of the bike lane. The best ones I've seen place a shoulder stripe, a decent width of lane, and then stripe separating it from the main roadway. The lane in the video was really choppy too, it would appear and disappear every few meters.

[supersonicdynamite]

I see the problem here: it's on the wrong side of the road!

But really the way that lane is painted it looks like they expect you to keep your speed pretty low. And I agree it's far too narrow Those giant signs are a disaster waiting to happen. Do vehicles turn on you a lot where you are like that man did at the end of the video?

[ianhargreaves80]

I'm a bicycle commuter, 120miles per week... I don't understand why that's so bad? I think it's pretty good. In terms of placing it in a situ where you may get 'door'd'. That does not happen in places like holland because people are aware to check before they open the doors. That's more of an issue for the driver to take into account where the cycle lane is placed. I don't get what your rant is... just give door clearence when needed if you're that concerned.

[damyata]

I think he may in fact be referring to the fact that the van you almost have a coming together with at the end is a police van.

[WannabeCPH]

Over here it's mandatory to use the cycle lane when it's present. If you're driving a wide bike that would block the lane, you can (should) use the road though. Of course, if the lane is covered in snow, you can use the road too, but at least in Copenhagen bike routes have higher priority than secondary car routes in snow removing.

[mailpauljonescouk]

I think cai200 mistakenly thinks I'm police (a cop) and also doesn't appreciate that the camera was handlebar mounted so viewer can't know when cyclist looks behind