Speed cushions causing problems, watch out around them.

[DRHysted]

[QUOTE 2864901, member: 45"]I've never come across a speed cushion not easily manageable on two wheels.

As I said, the only irritation is the damage caused by idiots who can't drive properly.[/quote]

I must hand over my license. My old Escort used to ground on the humps in Asda, and I wrecked the jockey wheel on the folding camper when I didn't notice an oversized hump (although even if I'd noticed it was oversized, I still had to go over it because it was on the only exit).
We've had issues with HGVs at work grounding when a new bund was built, and the ramp was too steep.

My point is sometimes the builders can get it wrong. Just because you have not experienced something, does not mean it doesn't exist.

 

[Linford]

I must hand over my license. My old Escort used to ground on the humps in Asda, and I wrecked the jockey wheel on the folding camper when I didn't notice an oversized hump (although even if I'd noticed it was oversized, I still had to go over it because it was on the only exit).
We've had issues with HGVs at work grounding when a new bund was built, and the ramp was too steep.

My point is sometimes the builders can get it wrong. Just because you have not experienced something, does not mean it doesn't exist.

MisterP has a favourite saying.. I see no ships !

 

[Markymark]

But haven't I read plenty of times here re drivers that if you can't stop within the distance you can see then you're going too fast. Does that only apply to drivers?

 

[ufkacbln]

MisterP has a favourite saying.. I see no ships !

Methinks we need a new award - the "Linf"

It can be awarded for bizarre deviations to the topic

Introducing ships into a thread on land based road humps would be a good example

 

[Linford]

[QUOTE 2865384, member: 45"]That's the key. There's guidance on traffic calming and if it's not done properly then of course problems are possible. And if they have not been done properly then you have the option of taking it up with the 'owner' and getting it sorted out. Often the dodgy ones are off the public highway where guidance is less likely to be followed.

The OP is describing speed humps which have been installed correctly. You can guarantee that any damage around them is caused by drivers' incorrect actions when negotiating them. Unfortunately the challenge for many is to dart at them in an attempt to find a line which isn't going to slow them down. This can result in bouncing, scraping and uneven wear.[/quote]

Well you can see the damage to them in these pics...note the pothole is 'after' the cushion, and the surface is 'distressed' on the lead in to them.

Damage to the cushion itself on both sides..hit this edge on a bicycle or motorcycle at 20mph and it will be 'interesting' (10mph under the posted speed limit)..is there any 'good way of getting over these without either driving on the apex of the road, or not driving along it at all as they are supposed to be made to accommodate the axle width of a bus but not a car ? The buses never hit them 100% right anyway and most of the damage in these roads comes from these and other heavy vehicles.

And another one...note the damage is more pronounced 'after the cushion

And this one...the proximity of the cushion to the access cover...what muppet would put them so close to something as sensitive as this in the road
That trench to the left of it is at least 4" deep...where would a 2 wheeler naturally want to position when riding....in the trench.

Don't blame cars for the weight damage inflicted on these roads...I've seen similar in many bus only lanes...good to see that they and the damage they cause is very heavily subsidised by all the other VED payers....this is aside from the significant wear and tear which is put on vehicles without a bus axle track width .

In summary, these devices have very little redeeming features whichever mode one traverses them with.

 

[Booyaa]

http://www.fillthathole.org.uk/ - it already exists and communicates directly to councils.

Utterly pointless, I have raised an issue with a road over 40 times via the website and directly to the councilers/MPs and roads department. Still nothing done and the road is worse than ever. Good to hear there are some examples oft his working.

 

[Linford]

Methinks we need a new award - the "Linf"

It can be awarded for bizarre deviations to the topic

Introducing ships into a thread on land based road humps would be a good example

Coming from Gosport, you better than most should know the phrase attributed (truly or falsely) to Horatio Nelson who's ship is displayed no more than a couple of miles from you

 

[Linford]

[QUOTE 2865711, member: 45"]Linf, you're coming across as a bleedin' idiot. You ask if there's a good way of negotiating the humps. Of course there is. You slow down. That's their purpose . None of those in your picture present a danger to a two-wheeler if handled competently.

Of course the fact that this kind of traffic calming focusses more load on certain parts of the carriageway will speed up wear, and then it becomes a maintainance issue. I'm staggered that you've wasted a morning traipsing around with a camera. All you've presented is appropriate but poorly maintained speed cushions. You can speak to the council but given current budgets I doubt they'll be repaired. Saying that though one of your pictures shows one sprayed up for repair.

Just slow down. They're not dangerous.[/quote]

I was out and about anyway Paul. It took a lot less time to get the pics than it took you to type this

How long do you think that paint has been on it..2 months...3 months ?

A cyclist is required by law to have a headlight...that isn't necessarily a 'see with' light.

When you go over speed cushions in the dark on your cycle, do you always go right over the top, or do you go around them ?

The only idiot displaying on this thread is the one who is in constant denial of anything dangerous which they haven't personally flagged up themselves......

 

[GrasB]

[QUOTE 2865711, member: 45"]Just slow down. They're not dangerous.[/quote]
They reduce the amount of margin for error & correction given to a 2 wheeled vehicle if they actually need to do something in adverse conditions.
They also cause conflict between wide & narrow track vehicles. A narrow track vehicle may need to slow down to ludicrously low speed (5mph) & even then due to the dramatically reduced engine clearance may make sump splitting contact with the speed cushions. However wider track vehicles can continue over them with no speed reduction.
Due to the ground clearance reducing effect of speed cushion they encourage drivers to drive down the centre of the road so that centre of the car goes over the void between them rather than the hump.

IMO all speed cushions should be ripped up & replaced with conventional speed bumps which provide far fewer problems.

 

[GrasB]

[QUOTE 2865384, member: 45"]The OP is describing speed humps which have been installed correctly. You can guarantee that any damage around them is caused by drivers' incorrect actions when negotiating them. Unfortunately the challenge for many is to dart at them in an attempt to find a line which isn't going to slow them down. This can result in bouncing, scraping and uneven wear.[/quote]
Road wear as shown by Linf's post is typical of not only speed cushions but also junctions in general, it is known that the area before/after junctions, traffic lights or large speed limit changes always subject to a far higher wear rate due to the increased loads causes by even light breaking or accelerating. So is the correct behaviour to carry on at the speed you were going all the time?

 

[Alien8]

I think they should be ripped up and replaced with flat tarmac.

 

[Linford]

[QUOTE 2865745, member: 45"]Are you advocating cycling blind? That's a bit dangerous isn't it?[/quote]

What is the minimum level of lighting you might suggest for a bicycle ?

 

[GrasB]

[QUOTE 2865747, member: 45"]That's a fair view. It doesn't change the face though that it's entirely possible to negotiate them safely.[/quote]
I'd disagree with that. I've had the front or rear wheel of my bike step out without warning when going over the various speed cushions in cold & wet conditions, never had that with speed bumps. I've been balancing the bike against the kerb as someone has decided to drive down the centre of the road & I've had to take avoiding action & the speed cushions has cause the bike to slide sideways. To me that makes them dangerous. Like most dangerous things, you get away with it most times but it dramatically increases the risk of something really bad happening.

 

[ufkacbln]

Still back to the basics

If the muppets drove responsibly there would be no speed humps

 

[Linford]

[QUOTE 2865894, member: 45"]Does it? How injured were you? What are the stats of injuries involving traffic calming? When approaching a speed cushion do you not consider that approaching traffic might take the centre of the road?[/quote]
You mean the authorities installing them instigating surveys which injured parties can use as evidence when suing these same authorities. ?. Ah yes that makes perfect sense