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Reply to Mariusz’s wonderful cycle track example from Warsaw:
What a lovely, inviting cycle way.
The only suggestion I can make for any incremental improvement would be to change the priority at the incoming side street. I’d make it clear that incoming traffic should beware and yield to cyclists on this excellent cycleway. I’d indicate this by signage, a traffic calming speed bump (perhaps in brick rather than asphalt) and in an ideal world I’d make cycle ways a different coloured asphalt (red is the most forgiving and blends best with brick building infrastructure). Universal red asphalt is a brilliant idea as it becomes second nature for traffic to look out for cyclists wherever they see it.
Different coloured asphalt and side street treatment would cost money and be disruptive to implement.
M3L1 – THE WEAKEST LINK
Examples of poor intersection and bus stop cycle infrastructure:
As pointed out in the last module forum by another participant, the current cycle infrastructure of WOODSTOCK ROAD, OXFORD, UK is beyond help and needs a complete overhaul. The two way cycle path which shares the elevated sidewalk is poorly signposted, poorly delineated and frequently peters out for no good reason as well as at bus stops and intersections.
Below in photo 1 (remember we drive on the left in the UK) you can see that no one is obeying any of the rules. The cyclist coming towards us is on the pedestrian sidewalk and the cyclist going away from us is in the bus lane. Both would have to stop at the intersection with the incoming minor road. And the car has right of way because it’s the biggest most protected form of transport and can cause the most damage. The road is 3 lanes wide – room for a redesign!
Underneath in Photo 2 you can see a bus stop. Cyclists going in either direction are required to get off and push their bikes in front of the bus stop.
Hi Aditya
Our best of British examples are exciting, as there’s so much room for improvement. I would recommend a complete upgrade for your Portswood Road, Southampton illustration. The existing narrow and worn cycle lanes are probably more dangerous than if they weren’t there because drivers think they can drive right up to them, leaving no room for cycle error.
I’d like to suggest a lower speed limit, aggressive traffic calming measures and protected cycle lanes. I like your suggestions about bike parking and bus stop upgrading. Or I wonder if Portswood Road is even a candidate for shared space treatment?
There would be massive political and cost implications… I would also anticipate concerns about quick and easy entry to the supermarket car parks and emergency vehicle access.
M2L1 – Best infrastructure
Oxford’s other main northern arterial road – Banbury Road. Approaching Summertown from the south. A cycle lane. Not for a large cyclist, however.
M2 Lesson 1. Best local infrastructure.
This is Woodstock Road (speed limit 30mph/48kph), one of the two main northern arterial routes into the centre of Oxford, UK. Currently it’s quiet in the middle of the pandemic but normally it’s very busy.
Cyclists are invited to brave the bus lane or to join pedestrians on the raised pavement (sidewalk). See the tiny blue sign inviting you? Not sure if this sidewalk cycle designation is two-way or one-way – doesn’t say. But there isn’t a corresponding cycle lane on the opposite side, so could well be two-way!
Shame about the trees and lamp posts in the way. Watch out! The designated sidewalk riding ceases abruptly, without warning, at intersections. And also randomly where there are no intersections.
Bus stops are really tricky! When you’re on the sidewalk designated cycle way, you have to get off your bike and walk through the bus stop queue.
This is the best Oxford can do but I feel a lot safer cycling on the sidewalk than the road, to be honest.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.7713653,-1.2668067,3a,75y,172.92h,90t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sNsa3vVWyzL0ayADtEtvDVw!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo0.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3DNsa3vVWyzL0ayADtEtvDVw%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dsearch.revgeo_and_fetch.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D96%26h%3D64%26yaw%3D172.91754%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i13312!8i6656Lovely, inviting bike path.
The only improvement I could suggest would be to use coloured asphalt (uniform colour throughout country) to signal to pedestrians, cyclists and drivers where cyclists go. And also plant a few trees.
Possible opposition to coloured asphalt:
1.Cost.
2. Previous colouring. A local city plan might already be implementing a colour signal (eg in London bike lanes are denoted by bright blue paint) which would go against a national policy.
I’m Kate, living in Oxford and very interested in becoming more informed and able to contribute (from the ‘interested public’ point of view) to the current debates on active travel in Oxford city. I don’t have a car – only a bicycle. My area of expertise is ROAD USER IN COMPETITION WITH CARS AND LORRIES! I am convinced that if we can make bicycling safe (actually physically safe and also perceived as safe) we can transform Oxford. Scarily, Oxford is one of Britain’s most cycled cities – but the infrastructure is pitiful. katejseal@gmail.com Twitter: @ktclcb
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