Fined for NOT riding in the Bike Lanes

Jimmy-J · 09-06-2011, 14:04

I had some trouble deciding what section of the forum to put this in... Please move if inappropriate.

:The Cyclists Video:

**Rob** · 09-06-2011, 14:35

So that is an issue in the USA perhaps. It wouldn't apply here as unfortunately it isn't compulsory for cyclists to use cycle lanes when they are provided. That gets rather annoying as they can have a nice bit of path set aside for them, but they still inisist on wobbling in the main carriageway hindering every other bit of traffic going. Maybe we shouldn't be bothering with cycle lanes and instead devote the space to wider roads that we can all genuinely share.

**Maggy J** · 09-06-2011, 18:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob

So that is an issue in the USA perhaps. It wouldn't apply here as unfortunately it isn't compulsory for cyclists to use cycle lanes when they are provided. That gets rather annoying as they can have a nice bit of path set aside for them, but they still inisist on wobbling in the main carriageway hindering every other bit of traffic going. Maybe we shouldn't be bothering with cycle lanes and instead devote the space to wider roads that we can all genuinely share.

I'm really resentful at how much has been spent by my council on off road cycle lanes some of which are barely used while the speedo clad macho riders seem determined to risk life and limb to prove some point whilst riding in the gutter.

Jimmy-J · 09-06-2011, 18:50

Not far from where I live, the council are actually norrowing the roads. They're causing chaos on a major 3 lane road, one of the 3 lanes is, or was a bus lane. Believe it or not it's going to be turned into a single lane in to Manchester and a single lane out.

I really do believe they have it in for the motorists, there are so many people who I know that have had enough, and have thrown in the towel and are now cycling or using public transport.

martyh · 09-06-2011, 19:30

Maybe we should start fining cyclists for not using the cycle lane .A motorist can get fined for using bus lanes and in Newcastle there is dedicated cctv to ensure that cars do not use the bus lane ,so why not fine a cyclist for using the incorrect lane

danielf · 09-06-2011, 19:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

Maybe we should start fining cyclists for not using the cycle lane .A motorist can get fined for using bus lanes and in Newcastle there is dedicated cctv to ensure that cars do not use the bus lane ,so why not fine a cyclist for using the incorrect lane

Because there's no requirement to use the cycle lane?

Taf · 09-06-2011, 19:38

I wish the buses would stay in the bus lanes... as soon as one arrives behind a cyclist toddling along in a bus lane they pull out into the other lane which is already crowded due to one lane being taken away for a bus lane!

Cobbydaler · 09-06-2011, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Product 13

Not far from where I live, the council are actually norrowing the roads. They're causing chaos on a major 3 lane road, one of the 3 lanes is, or was a bus lane. Believe it or not it's going to be turned into a single lane in to Manchester and a single lane out.

I really do believe they have it in for the motorists, there are so many people who I know that have had enough, and have thrown in the towel and are now cycling or using public tranport.

I know exactly where you mean. It used to be convenient to carry on from the end of the M61 to where I live.

Not any more, I'll be driving further & hence causing more emissions because of this...

martyh · 09-06-2011, 19:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Because there's no requirement to use the cycle lane?

I know and what i am saying is maybe there should be

danielf · 09-06-2011, 20:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by martyh

I know and what i am saying is maybe there should be

If that were to happen, a lot of cycle lanes would have to be made a lot more practical, since there's quite a few that aren't fit for going more than 5mph or require coming to a nearly full every 20 yards.

martyh · 09-06-2011, 20:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

If that were to happen, a lot of cycle lanes would have to be made a lot more practical, since there's quite a few that aren't fit for going more than 5mph or require coming to a nearly full every 20 yards.

agree on that ,i have seen some realy stupid cycle lanes that are only a feet long ,totally pointless

**Maggy J** · 09-06-2011, 20:50

I understand cyclists not wanting to use cycle lanes on the carriage way where cars are parked.
What I don't get is why they won't use off the carriage way specially made cycle tracks where there are no motor vehicles not even parked ones.

danielf · 09-06-2011, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy J

I understand cyclists not wanting to use cycle lanes on the carriage way where cars are parked.
What I don't get is why they won't use off the carriage way specially made cycle tracks where there are no motor vehicles not even parked ones.

Well, for one, some of them require you to give way on every side street/lane, which you don't have to do when riding on the road. Some have very poor surfaces with tree roots bumping up the tarmac providing a bumpy ride. Some are raised and don't have (proper) dropped kerbs at intersections/driveways meaning you have to come to a stop every couple of yards. Some have bloody big trees in the middle. Then there's the ones that make you cross a busy road twice in the space of 100 yards as the path stops and then continues on the other side of the road.

The upshot is that while some cycle lanes/paths are fine, there are many that are thoroughly ill-conceived and/or maintained and are better described as obstacle courses than cycle paths. What looks perfectly fine from a distance may be a nightmare to actually ride. The latter will be particularly true for people on road bikes with very narrow tyres that tend to travel faster (i.e. the lycra lads)

martyh · 09-06-2011, 21:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Well, for one, some of them require you to give way on every side street/lane, which you don't have to do when riding on the road. Some have very poor surfaces with tree roots bumping up the tarmac providing a bumpy ride. Some are raised and don't have (proper) dropped kerbs at intersections/driveways meaning you have to come to a stop every couple of yards. Some have bloody big trees in the middle. Then there's the ones that make you cross a busy road twice in the space of 100 yards as the path stops and then continues on the other side of the road.

The upshot is that while some cycle lanes/paths are fine, there are many that are thoroughly ill-conceived and/or maintained and are better described as obstacle courses than cycle paths. What looks perfectly fine from a distance may be a nightmare to actually ride. The latter will be particularly true for people on road bikes with very narrow tyres that tend to travel faster (i.e. the lycra lads)

I agree with you ,a lot of the cycle tracks around our way are just that ,little more than dirt tracks running alongside of the highway .If we are going to encourage people away from cars and onto bikes then we must give them the proper means to do it .A dirt track might be ok for a bit of weekend fun on a mountain bike but for a commuter on his/her way to work not so much fun i imagine .When there is proper infrastructure in place then and only then can we expect cyclists to use them and fine accordingly if they don't

**Maggy J** · 09-06-2011, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by danielf

Well, for one, some of them require you to give way on every side street/lane, which you don't have to do when riding on the road. Some have very poor surfaces with tree roots bumping up the tarmac providing a bumpy ride. Some are raised and don't have (proper) dropped kerbs at intersections/driveways meaning you have to come to a stop every couple of yards. Some have bloody big trees in the middle. Then there's the ones that make you cross a busy road twice in the space of 100 yards as the path stops and then continues on the other side of the road.

The upshot is that while some cycle lanes/paths are fine, there are many that are thoroughly ill-conceived and/or maintained and are better described as obstacle courses than cycle paths. What looks perfectly fine from a distance may be a nightmare to actually ride. The latter will be particularly true for people on road bikes with very narrow tyres that tend to travel faster (i.e. the lycra lads)

Our council has spent lots of money on the off road tracks.They have even utilised where the old railway tracks used to be. When I had a cycle I used them and they were an excellent way to get around the town without having to use the roads.Frankly they are far better than the on road cycle tracks which are subject to car parking and poor road surfaces.