tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post1734338006921616357..comments2024-02-24T06:21:30.987+01:00Comments on A view from the cycle path: Cyclists' SpecialDavid Hembrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14543024940730663645noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-31664478729830270392011-01-11T14:23:47.967+01:002011-01-11T14:23:47.967+01:00Oh Dear, what a long thread and many repeats. Ther...Oh Dear, what a long thread and many repeats. There was one (under many other) important issue mentioned: THE ROAD HAS TO BE ATTRACTIVE FOR THE NINE YEAR OLD TO CYCLE. That is the reference for cycling infrastructure and nothing else.<br />People do not get into the habit of cycling if they need to be sporty, courageous and specially clad to cycle to the newsagent, to work or to school. And as wuppidochttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12146251197662222605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-5336055963314925812011-01-08T22:08:21.120+01:002011-01-08T22:08:21.120+01:00Wee folding bike: Presumably you mean this place: ...Wee folding bike: Presumably you mean this place: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumbernauld" rel="nofollow">"The residential structure of Cumbernauld is noteworthy in that there were no pedestrian crossings, i.e. zebra or pelican crossings, or traffic lights —pedestrians traverse roads by bridge or underpass. This remained the case until a set of traffic lights were erected in the David Hembrowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14543024940730663645noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-11858459611571998852011-01-08T21:46:18.690+01:002011-01-08T21:46:18.690+01:00I was watching a documentary about Cumbernaild tod...I was watching a documentary about Cumbernaild today. It's a town built after the war where peds and roads are separate to keep the peds safe.<br /><br />Does this lead to lots of walking? Well not in the three years I lived there. Whenever I go to see friends there it's hard to get to their houses for all the cars in the streets.<br /><br />Perhaps the flagstones aren't smooth enough.wee folding bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06297849089178251614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-22884813589453933722011-01-08T04:05:10.265+01:002011-01-08T04:05:10.265+01:00Wee-Folding-Bike
"Even in NL dedicated track...Wee-Folding-Bike<br /><br />"Even in NL dedicated tracks don't run everywhere so you need to be on roads at some part of your journey. This transition is not handled well."<br /><br />Usually it is. Have a look at David's video of his trip to the shops:<br /><br />http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2008/11/shopping-expedition.html<br /><br />Some of it is on separate paths and some is Edwardhttp://bikeadelaide.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-71654271578585535792011-01-07T21:14:34.309+01:002011-01-07T21:14:34.309+01:00"The people who load their bikes up onto thei..."The people who load their bikes up onto their cars to go cycling in country parks are where the growth will come from."<br /><br />I can speak only for the USA, but if that is where the growth is to come from there will be no growth, as this is an area of steady shrinkage.<br /><br />David is right, the growth will have to come from people who do <i>not</i> cycle, as this is the only kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-40500671113119810192011-01-07T19:38:07.386+01:002011-01-07T19:38:07.386+01:00trailsnet
I agree with you. The people who load t...trailsnet<br /><br />I agree with you. The people who load their bikes up onto their cars to go cycling in country parks are where the growth will come from.<br /><br />Central government has allocated significant sums towards sustainable transport. Councils have mostly frittered it away on schemes that serve no real purpose. <br /><br />The reasons for the disconnect? First, elected councillors fairweathercyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05541929125894744322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-44292260325831708132011-01-07T17:19:06.553+01:002011-01-07T17:19:06.553+01:00"Why do you think gated communities are so po..."Why do you think gated communities are so popular nowadays?"<br /><br />Ya got me swingin'.kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-63915635418371232842011-01-07T11:35:33.596+01:002011-01-07T11:35:33.596+01:00@kfg - safety is the key selling point here. Why d...@kfg - safety is the key selling point here. Why do you think gated communities are so popular nowadays?<br /><br />I originally objected to the term ghetto being used for providing a safe environment for cyclists. As David never tires of repeating: subjective safety is one of the main arguments to get people out of their cars. See trailsnet's comment.Frits Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399632570565541892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-84552325500698748432011-01-07T04:14:16.334+01:002011-01-07T04:14:16.334+01:00The best, most important point that has been made ...The best, most important point that has been made in all these comments is when David wrote, "If there is to be growth in cycling it won't come from those who already cycle, but from those who do not."<br />The cycling community is a great bunch of folks, but they're stuck in a rut. It's time to think outside the box and welcome the 99% of people who are non-riders. trailsnethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12684645113929507372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-27184856598637683362011-01-06T22:43:16.346+01:002011-01-06T22:43:16.346+01:00"Bit overexited"
Indeed. So exited that..."Bit overexited"<br /><br />Indeed. So exited that you have invoked Godwin's Law where it is not applicable.<br /><br />There were no Nazis in 13th Century Prague.<br /><br />You lose, with, ummmmmm, prejudice. :)kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-10002460244790313822011-01-06T21:20:59.663+01:002011-01-06T21:20:59.663+01:00To KFG
Ha! Godwin's Law! You Lose!
(Sorry. ...To KFG<br /><br />Ha! Godwin's Law! You Lose!<br /><br /><br />(Sorry. Cough. Bit overexited)MKPnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-58571962631563135062011-01-06T01:56:50.943+01:002011-01-06T01:56:50.943+01:00Frits - "Not a ghetto, luxury. To be apprecia...Frits - "Not a ghetto, luxury. To be appreciated in safety."<br /><br />I do feel an obligation to point out that that is <i>exactly</i> what they said to the people they forced into ghettos.<br /><br />One might also wonder why it was they should need one for safety.kfgnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-23862783475896896072011-01-05T21:30:13.560+01:002011-01-05T21:30:13.560+01:00Glasgow City Council plan for London Rd.
I just g...Glasgow City Council plan for London Rd.<br /><br />I just go straight along the road but the council think a detour round a block, wee bit of shared use path and onto the wrong side is a smart idea.<br /><br />http://www.gobike.org/pdfs/londonroadinner.pdfwee folding bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06297849089178251614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-27818575843972623812011-01-05T20:59:18.164+01:002011-01-05T20:59:18.164+01:00Fritz,
Even in NL dedicated tracks don't run...Fritz, <br /><br />Even in NL dedicated tracks don't run everywhere so you need to be on roads at some part of your journey. This transition is not handled well. <br /><br />Plenty of people in the UK think we should not be on the road at all and will complain if you use <i>their</i> road instead of some separate facility.<br /><br />Even the UK government had a line in the Highway code whichwee folding bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06297849089178251614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-28491790397205385612011-01-05T15:22:03.282+01:002011-01-05T15:22:03.282+01:00I almost forgot. See here:
http://cyclingwithoutah...I almost forgot. See here:<br />http://cyclingwithoutahelmet.blogspot.com/<br />The last paragraph of "Back home in Leiden":<br />"It is so wonderful to be able to ride a bicycle (with ease!) to the store and shop for groceries. It only took a few minutes and was safe and completely convenient. I am very grateful to the city planners, activists, and all who allowed this to happen.Frits Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399632570565541892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-57220145387276690202011-01-05T15:14:30.726+01:002011-01-05T15:14:30.726+01:00I wonder about the use of the word ghetto in this ...I wonder about the use of the word ghetto in this discussion. As if providing separate roads tailored to the needs of a specific category of users were wrong. Everybody accepts that canals are for boats, railways are for trains, and pavements are for pedestrians. Why not give cyclists their own roads? Makes them feel a lot safer, and for that reason may lure a lot more people out of their cars. Frits Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399632570565541892noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-57576796511517214922011-01-05T11:09:58.729+01:002011-01-05T11:09:58.729+01:00That was a lengthy argument, I agree most UK citiz...That was a lengthy argument, I agree most UK citizens are too lazy to use anything other than a car, but equally I personally would like a network of cycle paths like those in the Netherlands. I don't care if the others then stay in their cars (or if the Government gives a £5000 handout towards an electric car), I won't be thinking of them.<br /><br />Mark Garrett, Bristol UKAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-38009763025306400952011-01-04T19:19:28.040+01:002011-01-04T19:19:28.040+01:00Well, in the 1930s a pair of 2.5 metre wide cycle ...Well, in the 1930s <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/green-living-blog/2009/dec/14/cycling-ethical-living" rel="nofollow">a pair of 2.5 metre wide cycle paths</a> were built along Western Avenue, a major arterial road in London, but despite being much better than nearly everything else in the UK since then, the CTC were unimpressed because they saw it as a threat to cyclist's christhebullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18058394246399615754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-46418950231042620412011-01-04T18:48:00.728+01:002011-01-04T18:48:00.728+01:00Comments about public apathy towards cycling go tw...Comments about public apathy towards cycling go two ways. The majority would be equally indifferent if more public funds were spent on high quality cycling infrastructure.<br /><br />The reason that more is not spent is because not enough people are lobbying for more. I would encourage anyone who wants to influence highways policy more to get involved in local government - parish or town councilsfairweathercyclisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05541929125894744322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-40374726275571348202011-01-04T16:57:19.605+01:002011-01-04T16:57:19.605+01:00freewheeler,
You know the normal excuses, too hil...freewheeler,<br /><br />You know the normal excuses, too hilly, too wet, too cold, big scary cars.<br /><br />They never seem to mention too lazy funnily enough.<br /><br />Christhebull, Motorways were seen as a good deal by cyclists in the 20th C as it moved cars to a ghetto instead of moving cyclists there.wee folding bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06297849089178251614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-89467765006136370532011-01-04T16:47:15.446+01:002011-01-04T16:47:15.446+01:00Steve,
I'm not aware of any interest in the o...Steve,<br /><br />I'm not aware of any interest in the off road track and they I've only heard them comment on the cost and emptiness of the cycle storage facility.<br /><br />Mostly they ask me if I have really cycled in what ever the weather of the day has been, particularly last month, and sometimes where my helmet is.wee folding bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06297849089178251614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-9501830684980502392011-01-04T14:07:33.251+01:002011-01-04T14:07:33.251+01:00Ah, early motorists were derided by other road use...Ah, early motorists were derided by other road users who regarded them as wreckless speed freaks, and some of them didn't want motorways in case they were forced off normal roads.<br /><br />Maybe they were scared a sign would tell them to get out of their cars and push them?christhebullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18058394246399615754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-58328655262201753952011-01-04T13:40:01.565+01:002011-01-04T13:40:01.565+01:00Wee folding bike
Hi
Are these things an issue for...Wee folding bike<br />Hi <br />Are these things an issue for pupils at your school ?<br />I am genuinely curious, clearly for people who cycle they produce debate is that reflected at all in the school populationStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03850164036427971265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-79151987506136319572011-01-04T13:28:34.906+01:002011-01-04T13:28:34.906+01:00Alasdair Massie:
“We would love to have Dutch qua...Alasdair Massie:<br /><br />“We would love to have Dutch quality cycle networks in the UK, but there is no political will to build them”<br /><br />Why should there be any political will to build them when cycling campaigners have never asked for them? I think its quite dishonest to pretend that the CTC and the LCC have ever had any enthusiasm for Dutch-style infrastructure. They almost never freewheelerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16731932510033958017noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3102538965694240940.post-35926176203148062982011-01-04T13:13:32.285+01:002011-01-04T13:13:32.285+01:00Again you accuse me of something I did not say but...Again you accuse me of something I did not say but you seem to think that I did. I didn't say Mrs T caused it but her views are symptomatic.<br /><br />The council might not have tried hard enough for you but you don't vote for them and most of the people who do are not interested in your opinion. They have seen thousands spent on something which isn't used and they're not going wee folding bikehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06297849089178251614noreply@blogger.com