Cycling down dual carriageways/motorways

[Tin Pot]

Now, I don't expect anyone here to be masochistic enough to cycle on motorways but there certainly are people left of centre enough to ride dirty up dual carriageways. Strava segments all up and down the A38 prove it.

So do you do it? And what are your experiences of doing it?

Never had problems.

Not left wing.

What's your problem?

 

[marknotgeorge]

Motorways are not roads

Legally speaking, motorways are Special Roads. They're not rights of way, though.

 

[martint235]

Not read the whole thread but I regularly cycle on dual carriageways. I've found that if a road builder is putting a dual carriageway in, it's likely going to be the shortest route between two points as he can make it or a bypass around a town. Part of my commute is on the South Circular and I'll maintain the fastest way from Ashford to London is down the A20. I've ridden the A5 for over a hundred miles, the A3 for a bit, the A30 is one of the nicest roads out of London particularly at night. I've not done any significant stretch of the A1 yet but it's on my list

 

[martint235]

I would never cycle on a dual carriageway, first off cars are travelling at 70mph+, second to be fair they won't be keeping the same eye out for cyclists the would on single lane roads (which isn't saying much!).

It's bad enough cycling 30mph roads..

You can't legally cycle on motorways although I can see why you would even attempt it?.

If you think about it, a dual carriageway actually gives drivers more space to overtake you without waiting for a break in traffic coming the other way. That's a good thing.

 

[raleighnut]

I just checked on google maps and it is very difficult to get out of Leicester without travelling on A roads, most of which are dualled.

 

[martint235]

The thing is, as you know, there are dual carriageways and dual carriageways. A lot of posts on this thread have been written with certain types in mind.

True. I don't think I've been on one that I'd hesitate to go back onto. There are some bits that are a little unpleasant but it comes down to "How quickly do I want to get where I'm going?"

 

[mjr]

I just checked on google maps and it is very difficult to get out of Leicester without travelling on A roads, most of which are dualled.

Not saying you shouldn't ride them if you want but Google maps must suck then: there are two former railway routes (south and west), the canal towpath (north and southeast), cycle tracks alongside much of the ring road and the outer bits of the A6 that connect to neighbouring non-A roads, Stoughton Lane (better than the canal for heading east), Narborough Road, Barkby Road and probably a few others I'm forgetting.

 

[raleighnut]

Not saying you shouldn't ride them if you want but Google maps must suck then: there are two former railway routes (south and west), the canal towpath (north and southeast), cycle tracks alongside much of the ring road and the outer bits of the A6 that connect to neighbouring non-A roads, Stoughton Lane (better than the canal for heading east), Narborough Road, Barkby Road and probably a few others I'm forgetting.

Ah yes, 'The Great Central Way' - littered with broken glass, likewise the cyclepaths on the 'Ring Road'. Narborough road and Melton road - really dangerous (I've had accidents on both resulting in broken collarbones/ribs)
Once you're away from the city then the lanes are good but you need to get to them.

 

[mjr]

Ah yes, 'The Great Central Way' - littered with broken glass, likewise the cyclepaths on the 'Ring Road'.

Last bit from me on this aside: are you kicking it to the edge and reporting it so that the sweepers come, or just leaving it so everyone else suffers like you? I suspect part of why cycle tracks work in some places and not others are that locals in some places help get them taken care of - I know we'd love to go back to the good old days of Area Officers checking everything and calling in the workers, but now it's the squeaky cog that gets the lube

 

[raleighnut]

Last bit from me on this aside: are you kicking it to the edge and reporting it so that the sweepers come, or just leaving it so everyone else suffers like you? I suspect part of why cycle tracks work in some places and not others are that locals in some places help get them taken care of - I know we'd love to go back to the good old days of Area Officers checking everything and calling in the workers, but now it's the squeaky cog that gets the lube

I used to (when I used them) report glass to the council, nowadays I stick to the roads but the trike seems to get noticed so I get given much more room than when I'm on 2 wheels.

 

[Ron-da-Valli]

Back in the late seventies/early eighties I regularly cycled on the A580 East Lancs Road and thought nothing of it. I certainly wouldn't do it now.

 

[Garry A]

I wouldn't cycle on the DC A9 from Dunblane to Perth for any amount of money. I'd probably avoid most of the A9 single carriageway too.

 

[MiK1138]

Rode down the A9 from Wick to Inverness, don't think i would do it again. i constantly tweet the Scottish Transport Minister to put in a cycle lane but the wee git just ignores me

 

[bondirob]

Because they lead to (or from) motorways.

Sorry my mistake I meant hard shoulder