Cycle path or not?

[summerdays]

Depends what sort of riding you are wanting to do... the road is almost always quicker (there are a few routes that make good short cuts), but the path is good if you fancy a pootle instead chatting with a friend 2 abreast, or for the less experienced to start out on.

There is one path I decided to start using running beside a road that I would quite happily cycle along but for the number of close shaves with lorries I've had (cars can safely overtake but lorries can't - yet they try). So they can be useful to avoid a particular stretch of road that you may have problems with.

 

[ufkacbln]

We have a problem with cycle path near us. U superb wide, offroad route that connects three schools, is direct tothe town and reasonably usable (bearing in mind that it is a safe play and learning area - a linear park)

However it is now the planned route for a "Guided Bus" at the xpense of an excellent cycle facilityNOT the "disused railway corridor" or disused railway track" that the press continues to call it!

 

[Dave5N]

I love this one!

 

[purplepolly]

It's one of my favourites, but I like the ones blocked by trees best.

This one though will take some beating - better hope it's not icy

 

[wafflycat]

I have a myriad of cycle routes at my disposal. They take me just about anywhere I could wish to go. They are called 'roads'.

 

[magnatom]

It's one of my favourites, but I like the ones blocked by trees best.

This one though will take some beating - better hope it's not icy

That isn't real is it?!!

 

[ufkacbln]

Suprisingly there is often someone riding on it!! Mind you, this rider never merges back with the traffic. This rider appears to use the footpath instead of road for his entire commute.

Sometimes this is the "cause" of pavement cycling....

Routes are not clearly marked at ends.... inexperienced cyclists simply assume they carry on whereas a more experienced one may suspect that it does not.

The A32 Near Wickham is a prime example..

THis is a busy road about 3 - 4 miles long and a couple of bind corners which drivers tend to overcook, going wide and then swerve back in to the kerb to miss oncoming vehicles cutting the corner - really dodgy for cyclists

When the new "Village access road" was built and a roundabout installed a cycle path was built (this is the white path either side of the roundabout) for 20 yards each side!

No end signs so most people assume it is now a cycle path all olong the road....

 

[ufkacbln]

There is also one in Portsmouth at Fratton Bridge where on the "town side" there is a Toucan Crossing, a cycle path along Canal Walk, but the ten yards between the two is not "designated in any way as a cycle facility - Do you use this link area or not?

 

[country joe]

I only use cycle paths for walking they are full of glass, and far too many dog walkers, in fact they are missed named,they should be called dog paths,
I stick to roads.

 

[Arch]

There is also one in Portsmouth at Fratton Bridge where on the "town side" there is a Toucan Crossing, a cycle path along Canal Walk, but the ten yards between the two is not "designated in any way as a cycle facility - Do you use this link area or not?

No, you bunny hop over the entire ten yards...

As with almost everyone else, I use paths where they are convenient, and not when they aren't. Coming across town this morning, I used the riverside path because although it is used by peds and dog walkers, (so one has to be prepared), it's much nicer than the road, and (more importantly for me) cuts out a short nasty hill. If the path was flooded (regular occurance), I'd just use the road. Other paths I use are ones that cut out longer diversions due to one way systems etc.

I think the trick is to get to know the paths in your area, and find out which are useful and which are not. Sometimes, you don't know until you try - if it's a pain, don't use it next time.

 

[Dave Davenport]

DoT guidelines say if you're cycling at more than 30kph you should be on the road.

 

[Noeyedear]

I bought my new bike in Sept last year, haven't really had much of a chance to use it, (had a horrid bought of flu since Nov.) and have really only recently been able to get out on it again.

But, what are your views on cycle paths? As a mainly car driver, I always thought that if a cycle path was there, it was better for the cyclist to use it. But recently having used some of them, and spoken to some other cyclists, it appears that cycle paths are not used much by people who cycle alot.

I'm a bit confused, is it better to use a road, or a cycle path if it's there?

Depends on the path for me, if it's a cop out cycle path that consists of a few white lines painted on the pavement, then no thank you. Walkers are all over them, they have no ability to walk in a logical direction and you have to watch every driveway for reversing cars, you never get right of way at any junction etc you spend more time braking and waiting than pedaling, all in all a complete pita. They are just there to fill some Council quota for providing cycle lanes without actually providing any and serve no useful purpose for anyone wanting to get anywhere, best suited to 5 year olds going to School on a scooter.
If it's a proper cycleway without many walkers or cars, go for it, they are very rare in my area, we just have randomly painted white lines in general, you would struggle to plan a route on them even if you wanted to use them.
Besides you can't make speed cameras flash on cycleways :-).

Kevin.

 

[Lion]

I have to agree with most of the comments here, they are poorly maintained, theres one main drag here thats quite bad, the roads so manic that theres a good risk of getting hit as drivers seem to ignore the 40mph limit, and favour speeds of 50-70mph.
But the Paths quite shocking, the pedestrian side of it hasnt been maintained since it was first laid by my reckoning! Theres quite a bit of woodland that just overgrows it in parts, so people are forced onto the cycle lanes.
As said the council have done there bit to stay green, but dont feel the need to grit these paths!
I mostly stick to roads, favouring the back way into town so i can avoid this road.