Cycleway design madness, even for cyclists

I enjoyed the Cycle Expo last weekend. Plenty of bikes (some electric) to look at and to take for test rides. I even went for a novel virtual ride down Ferry Rd.

What I had difficulty with was the discussion with council staff about the safety of the route and the current thinking on cycleway design.

The whole emphasis is on getting new, timid cyclists into cycling. Little or no thought is given to existing cyclists and, frankly, I was appalled at the attitude – being labelled a lycra-clad warrior or equivalent.

Having ridden to primary school in the 1960s, secondary school in the 70s, university in the 80s and to work though most of my life since, I know a fair bit about cycling – what works, what doesn’t and what is downright dangerous. Tennyson St is a poorly conceived cycleway and the Ferry Rd proposal is similar, or worse. A cycleway passing on the inside of a bus, where the passengers disembark, is madness. Apparently a law change is going to fix this!

The St Asaph St debacle is a case in point. Just stick to cycle lanes on the right of cars – it works, it’s safer and leaves more room for everyone.

My biggest bugbear with the lanes we see now is that, as a faster cyclist, passing slower riders is dangerous when the width is limited. On the road it is easy to give a slow or wobbly rider plenty of room.

Geoffrey Mentink

Huntsbury