Thinnest cycle lane?

hugheskevi

Driving in south London yesterday I saw these cycle lanes. They are for cyclists going in both directions, so I think that makes them about 1 foot wide in each direction at their tightest point :eek: [A232, Croydon Road]

Shame, the cycle lane looks new and in some places is good and they have done a decent job of separating it from the main road in most places. But, the lane just randomly ends on the pavement at both ends, and there are multiple pinch points with bollards which would force cyclists to slow down if someone was coming in the other direction.

I can't imagine using this lane if I was cycling east, given it is difficult to get on to, and at the end I would have to cross a busy road to continue onwards.

Nice to see a bit more thought than usual going into infrastructure, but a shame that such basic mistakes are still being made.

System

Looks like the old story of the vociferous minority want a cycle lane on a road that is probably unsuitable for proper modifcation and the best job has been done to achieve their wants.

Marco_Panettone

hugheskevi wrote: »

Driving in south London yesterday I saw these cycle lanes. They are for cyclists going in both directions, so I think that makes them about 1 foot wide in each direction at their tightest point :eek: [A232, Croydon Road]

Shame, the cycle lane looks new and in some places is good and they have done a decent job of separating it from the main road in most places. But, the lane just randomly ends on the pavement at both ends, and there are multiple pinch points with bollards which would force cyclists to slow down if someone was coming in the other direction.

I can't imagine using this lane if I was cycling east, given it is difficult to get on to, and at the end I would have to cross a busy road to continue onwards.

Nice to see a bit more thought than usual going into infrastructure, but a shame that such basic mistakes are still being made.

There isn't any thought going into these lanes. If there was they wouldn't get built. There's no need for the lane anyway, and to make it a 2-way, ON ROAD lane is dangerous. It will actively cause friction between cyclists and motorists for no benefit to either. There's a bit where it passes the end of a side road where vehicles will have to cross the lane to join the main road, or cross the lane to enter the side road. Drivers ALREADY don't look out for cyclists when turning - why will they look the "wrong" way to do so?

Also, with a massively wide pavement why not make that 'shared use' for those who want to ride away from traffic. It'd be free, and safer.

I'm adding this to my reasons why cycle lanes should be banned, along with this 'effort' on Bethnal Green Road.

Weird_Nev

This is one of my favorites. Not particularly narrow, but still.....

Denene

Saw this one on Twitter last week. Not sure what kind of bike you'd need to make use of it...

Yorkie1

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

I'm adding this to my reasons why cycle lanes should be banned, along with this 'effort' on Bethnal Green Road.

Just ripe for a car door to open in your face :eek:

Kernel_Sanders

I've never seen dual lane cycle tracks on a road before. I rotated the OP's pic and realized that when heading east you have to squeeze between oncoming cycles and maybe oncoming lorries :eek:

Marco_Panettone wrote: »

Also, with a massively wide pavement why not make that 'shared use' for those who want to ride away from traffic..

Because we don't want to slow down and maybe give way at every flippin' side road?

Weird_Nev

Denene wrote: »

Saw this one on Twitter last week. Not sure what kind of bike you'd need to make use of it...

One like the bus in harry potter that can squish itself thin.:j

Marco_Panettone

Kernel_Sanders wrote: »

Because we don't want to slow down and maybe give way at every flippin' side road?

Then ride on the road. A small line of paint isn't 'away from traffic' anyway, but it gives cyclists and drivers the impression of protection where none exists.

Just because there's a cycle lane/shared use path doesn't mean you're obliged to use it - just like motor vehicles aren't obliged to use every lane on a road.

flyingscotno1

Some of the examples here are appalling design. Such things should not happen- there is plenty of room for a decent segregated cycle infrastructure if we have the time to design, the political will and the money. Sadly rare all 3 align!

moneysweet

Yorkie1 wrote: »

Just ripe for a car door to open in your face :eek:

And only for people who ride their bikes quiet skilled.