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Title: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on May 09, 2020, 17:32:08 The details of the cycling and walking announcement can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-billion-package-to-create-new-era-for-cycling-and-walking (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/2-billion-package-to-create-new-era-for-cycling-and-walking) Some snippets largest ever boost for cyclists and pedestrians emergency bike lanes and streets will help support transport network trials of rental e-scooters to be brought forward to increase green transport options government working with leading tech developers to reduce crowding on public transport Pop-up bike lanes with protected space for cycling, wider pavements, safer junctions, and cycle and bus-only corridors will be created in England within weeks as part of a £250 million emergency active travel fund - the first stage of a £2 billion investment, as part of the £5 billion in new funding announced for cycling and buses in February. [So it is not new money] Generally welcomed by Edmund King, President of the AA. Chris Boardman, cycling lead for Greater Manchester, thought temporary infrastructure was a good start, and at the end of the period people might want to keep it. [Don't want to scare the horses at this stage] My concern with the BBC report/ SoS was that it was said that money would be now but the design standards would not be available until June. Be interesting to see more details. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Marlburian on May 09, 2020, 19:04:01 A few comments on the latest speculation.
Not much point in people wearing masks if they fiddle around with them, putting their fingers and thumbs close to their mouths and noses and then touching surfaces - or vice versa. I was once a very keen cyclist and have never been keen on unnecessary motoring, but as someone who now walks a lot - and may do so to get into the town centre, rather than use buses and trains - I wince at the thought of nervous novice cyclists riding along on pavements. The other day a woman rider whizzed past me downhill along a pavement, even though the road was devoid of vehicles. And there's also talk of e-scooters being encouraged - on roads, on pavements, or both? Sharing cycle lanes may seem a good idea, but cyclists won't like that. A friend of mine who cycles everywhere in London has already complained bitterly by being cut up by people on e-bikes. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: rogerw on May 09, 2020, 20:29:11 The use of escooters will require legislation. At present it is an offence to use them in a public place/highway
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: TonyN on May 09, 2020, 21:55:16 May need to open shoe shops before expecting people to walk.
See attached My shoes after a lot more walking recently. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Surrey 455 on May 10, 2020, 01:31:26 May need to open shoe shops before expecting people to walk. See attached My shoes after a lot more walking recently. They look very similar to the Mountain Warehouse trainers I had a few years back which wore out at an angle on the heel. I had them less than a year. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bob_Blakey on May 10, 2020, 09:02:40 A significant increase in walking and, more pertinent from my perspective, cycling in the UK (England?) will end badly unless the authorities deliver the appropriate behavioural messages at the same time, e.g. cycling on pavements is prohibited, because it is (potentially) extremely dangerous, unless there are signs / markings to indicate shared use.
Two incidents from my daily exercise bike ride yesterday to illustrate some other issues: a male/female couple using a shared unsegregated footway/cycleway cycling towards me one on either side of the path. It is, I think, accepted by all cyclists who know what they are about that we travel on the left-hand side in the direction of travel of all thoroughfares. A little later I had great difficulty passing a cyclist travelling much more slowly in the same direction as me on a narrow, but pretty quiet, road because they were swerving from side-to-side. Surprise, surprise (not) as I eventually 'undertook' saw one mitt on the handlebars and the other fiddling with a 'phone. Using a mobile when cycling is both dangerous & illegal. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: grahame on May 10, 2020, 10:06:51 With such major changes to "last mile" travel (if we characterise it as that, though it's more than a mile), is it time for an overview look at all current and foreseen ways people wish to get around locally, whether or not they are legal at the moment:
- Walking - Wheelchair / pram / pushchair users - Jogging and running - Pedal cycles - Scooters (unpowered) - Skateboards - Walking frames - Spring legs (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5V356k-9a8) - see image below - Horses, donkeys and unicorns - Dog carts - (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBAT9S4sYjY) - see image below - Electrically assisted bicycles - eScooters and Segways - Mobility scooters [as used mainly by senior and disable people] (http://www.wellho.net/pix/dogcartidea.jpg) (http://www.wellho.net/pix/springlegidea.jpg) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on May 10, 2020, 11:10:48 I think you will find it is a chicken and egg situation. The roads have to be seen to be safer before people will be happy to use them, especially new users. Another group are those who have been cycling on the pavement for years, and still do when there is no traffic.
On the cycling on the left I wholeheartedly agree. But I have seen in the cycling press in the past, those who think enforcing it is an infringement of their civil liberties. Cyclists like motorists include a range of individuals with different behaviours, some more considerate of others than others. I think it was said in the media discussion yesterday, it takes time to change behaviours. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on May 10, 2020, 11:42:30 The use of escooters will require legislation. At present it is an offence to use them in a public place/highway True, though this country is unusual in this. There were already moves afoot to start tentatively relaxing this prohibition before the present crisis. It is very likely that the law will change sooner now. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Marlburian on May 10, 2020, 12:06:29 Several comments on recent posts. OK, I've done a lot of walking in the past 20 years, but I've had to return under year-long warranties nearly all the boots that I've purchased. My very first pair survived for three years, another pair lasted 15 months (and luckily by signing up for marketing emails I'd extended the warranty on those). I replaced my last pair in February and hopefully the new ones will last until personal shopping becomes feasible.
The increase in cycling was being discussed on the radio on Friday, and one listener trotted out the usual anti-cyclist line and called for cyclists to display registration numbers - whether on tabards or on their bikes he didn't specify. On bikes they would be very vulnerable to theft - motor-cyclists and scooter-riders used to find that road-fund discs on their machines were liable to be stolen. And tabards are readily transferable and easily faked. Nor was anything said about enforcement. The police do seize many uninsured cars, but there are still said to be a million on the roads and I would rather they dealt with more of these than struggle to enforce a cyclist-registration scheme. As it is, very little indeed is done to prevent cyclists illegally riding. And there's a consultation going on about cars parked on pavements (which I think we've discussed before). Who would enforce a ban? There's already such a ban on my road, which has eased anti-social parking, but there are still residents who ignore it - including the idiot who sometimes leaves his SUV half on the pavement, half on the road, too close to that sharp bend in Oak Tree Road, Tilehurst (that some of you will know). Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Robin Summerhill on May 10, 2020, 12:28:16 The increase in cycling was being discussed on the radio on Friday, and one listener trotted out the usual anti-cyclist line and called for cyclists to display registration numbers The matter that these folk are unable to grapple with is that cycling is not age-restricted. Anybody from a toddler to an octeganarian is allowed to ride a bike. At the yonger end of that range you have individuals who are below the age of criminal responsibility. Are you going to put a "number plate" (or the other old chestnut - insurance) on that? And if they then come back with an age-related argument you can then point out how hard it is to tell a kid's age (unless you are still one yourself) Quote And there's a consultation going on about cars parked on pavements (which I think we've discussed before). Who would enforce a ban? There's already such a ban on my road, which has eased anti-social parking, but there are still residents who ignore it - including the idiot who sometimes leaves his SUV half on the pavement, half on the road, too close to that sharp bend in Oak Tree Roiad, Tilehurst (that some of you will know). I wonder if its the same people who park on the pavement also complain about cyclists? That is one of the failings of the human species in a civilised society. They want laws rigorously enforced that they are not going to be breaking, but want a more relaxed attitude taken about laws they are likely to break... ;) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: TaplowGreen on May 10, 2020, 16:54:21 As a motorist and a cyclist I can acknowledge that both groups are capable of behaviour or accidents causing injury or death, no matter how each tries to take the moral high ground.
I don't think number plates are the answer for bikes, but I do think cyclists should be insured. They are polarised groups, but perhaps motorists need to be a little less selfish, and cyclists a little less defiant and self righteous, in order to bring them a little closer together. Pedestrians remain in peril from both!!! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on May 10, 2020, 17:16:29 Has there been any clue as to what form these "pop up" cycle lanes are supposed to take? And to why they're to be temporary rather than permanent? If we end up with a load of "shared use" pavements, that's worse than nothing, for everyone apart from drivers. Painted lanes on otherwise unaltered roads can be okay, if they're wide enough, for those who are already reasonably brave; but in practice they very rarely are wide enough.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Richard Fairhurst on May 10, 2020, 17:34:12 It's expressly meant to be "reallocat[ing] road space to people walking and cycling". In other words, taking space from the main carriageway, not from pavements. It also says "Facilities should be segregated as far as possible, i.e. with physical measures separating cyclists and other traffic. Lanes indicated by road markings only are very unlikely to be sufficient to deliver the level of change needed, especially in the longer term."
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities/traffic-management-act-2004-network-management-in-response-to-covid-19 Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on May 10, 2020, 17:52:07 Quote Mayor’s bold new Streetspace plan will overhaul London’s streets Source Mayor of London/London Assembly06 May 2020
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Lee on May 10, 2020, 19:37:53 As I am sure many of you have just seen, Boris Johnson has just reinforced this with a "take the car, even better walk or cycle, but dont use public transport unless absolutely necessary" message.
I have to say that this, coupled with the drastic reduction in capacity necessitated by the 2 metre social distancing rule, makes me greatly fear for the ability of public transport in the UK to come back from this in a form or scope that we would previously recognise. The need for effective advocates to go in to bat for public transport as a result has never been so acute. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on May 11, 2020, 10:22:10 It's expressly meant to be "reallocat[ing] road space to people walking and cycling". In other words, taking space from the main carriageway, not from pavements. It also says "Facilities should be segregated as far as possible, i.e. with physical measures separating cyclists and other traffic. Lanes indicated by road markings only are very unlikely to be sufficient to deliver the level of change needed, especially in the longer term." It's encouraging that someone in DfT realises this. Unfortunately, plans are implemented by LAs and many find it hard to build (or even paint) to current standards. I'm hoping there will be some way of enforcing standards. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/reallocating-road-space-in-response-to-covid-19-statutory-guidance-for-local-authorities/traffic-management-act-2004-network-management-in-response-to-covid-19 Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on May 11, 2020, 11:14:18 Something doesn't add up here.
A tube line, I seem to remember reading somewhere, has the same capacity as a 12-lane motorway. If tube capacity is reduced to 20%, then you'd need a network of ten-lane motorways to accommodate the remaining 80% if everyone switched to their cars. Then of course you'd need somewhere for them to park... Plans to expand active modes may help, but fall short of a solution. In 2015 2% of people cycled to work (http://content.tfl.gov.uk/travel-in-london-report-9.pdf). Even if this is multiplied by 10 (and walking by 5) (https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/mayors-bold-plan-will-overhaul-capitals-streets), that still leaves a huge number of people with no way of getting around. And these new pop-up cycle lanes will take road space away from car users. It's really hard to see how this circle can be squared. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on May 11, 2020, 12:57:47 Presumably there has to be an allowance for continued WFH too. And, less optimistically, fewer people working. In practice, I think social distancing will be put aside on tube etc (as it is already on pavements, come to that) and partly for this reason, public transport will become the can't-afford-a-safe-car option.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on May 14, 2020, 10:15:48 Well some local authorities appear to be doing something:
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2020/may/our-response-to-bristol-city-council-s-package-of-transport-improvements/ (https://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-blog/news/2020/may/our-response-to-bristol-city-council-s-package-of-transport-improvements/) https://www.bikebiz.com/temporary-cycle-network-to-aid-liverpools-covid-19-recovery/ (https://www.bikebiz.com/temporary-cycle-network-to-aid-liverpools-covid-19-recovery/) plus more guidance from MHCLG https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safer-public-places-urban-centres-and-green-spaces-covid-19 (https://www.gov.uk/guidance/safer-public-places-urban-centres-and-green-spaces-covid-19) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on May 14, 2020, 10:53:39 Something symbolic in this to an old Bristolian like me: 'Bristol', or Bricgstowe, means 'the place of the bridge'. Using the kind of spiralling logic that we Bristol folk are famous for, the bridge in question is the one that spans the river Avon (from afon, meaning...er... river) near the top of Baldwin Street: Bristol Bridge. So in case this is unclear, we are talking about the bridge at the place where the bridge is that goes over the river that's a river.
In the 1930s Bristol Bridge was the crossroads of the south-west, where the A4 crossed the A38. Most of this through traffic now uses the M4 and M5, and various bypasses have diverted much of the local traffic away, but it has remained a busy junction. Until now! Bristol Bridge, and both ends of Baldwin Street, are to be closed to private motor cars. Better still, this is not temporary; it is just an acceleration of existing plans. More please! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on May 14, 2020, 12:55:41 The Post shows a map with a few additional closures, or rather pedestrianisations, of roads in the Old City.
(https://i2-prod.bristolpost.co.uk/incoming/article4129743.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_pedestrianisation-zone-2020_c-01.jpg) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on May 14, 2020, 14:20:36 Indeed. Source is here: https://news.bristol.gov.uk/news/pandemic-accelerates-revamp-of-bristols-transport-network
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on May 14, 2020, 15:18:01 If those maps are to be taken at face value, we have to conclude that Broad Quay, presently buses only, will be opened to all traffic. This is probably a failure of graphic design (I'm hesitant to call it cartography) but might be something more sneaky.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on May 15, 2020, 11:19:35 If those maps are to be taken at face value, we have to conclude that Broad Quay, presently buses only, will be opened to all traffic. This is probably a failure of graphic design (I'm hesitant to call it cartography) but might be something more sneaky. Well... to be fair, the streets shewn (see what I did there?) in grey don't appear in the legend, so they could be anything. Cartography's harder than some people might think: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwprznh3d-o Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on May 15, 2020, 13:03:23 the streets shewn (see what I did there?) No, I don't, apart from using an archaic spelling of shown. Normally when people say "see what I did there" my reaction is "it's obvious, and pointing it out just spoils the joke" but on this occasion I'm baffled. Please enlighten!Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on May 15, 2020, 13:59:31 the streets shewn (see what I did there?) No, I don't, apart from using an archaic spelling of shown. Normally when people say "see what I did there" my reaction is "it's obvious, and pointing it out just spoils the joke" but on this occasion I'm baffled. Please enlighten!It really wasn't a very good joke. For some reason I though it would be moderately amusing to use the spelling the GWR used in its 'RAILWAY BOOKS for BOYS of ALL AGES' ('Has Your Boy got His copy?'). Just a bit of whimsy on a Friday afternoon... Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on May 15, 2020, 17:13:15 Well, if we couldn't have a bit of whimsy on a Friday afternoon, life would be much poorer. If I'd ever read one of those books, I might even have got the joke!
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: stuving on May 15, 2020, 18:31:12 the streets shewn (see what I did there?) No, I don't, apart from using an archaic spelling of shown. Normally when people say "see what I did there" my reaction is "it's obvious, and pointing it out just spoils the joke" but on this occasion I'm baffled. Please enlighten!It really wasn't a very good joke. For some reason I though it would be moderately amusing to use the spelling the GWR used in its 'RAILWAY BOOKS for BOYS of ALL AGES' ('Has Your Boy got His copy?'). Just a bit of whimsy on a Friday afternoon... If you were thinking of starting a series of obscure jokes no-one else will get, then I'm sure a lot of us could contribute those. But then, maybe we have been all along ... Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: johnneyw on May 15, 2020, 21:16:31 the streets shewn (see what I did there?) No, I don't, apart from using an archaic spelling of shown. Normally when people say "see what I did there" my reaction is "it's obvious, and pointing it out just spoils the joke" but on this occasion I'm baffled. Please enlighten!I wasn't familiar with the series but this might provide a valuable source of some some fun lockdown reading provided I can order a copy online. It really wasn't a very good joke. For some reason I though it would be moderately amusing to use the spelling the GWR used in its 'RAILWAY BOOKS for BOYS of ALL AGES' ('Has Your Boy got His copy?'). Just a bit of whimsy on a Friday afternoon... I wasn't aware of the series but I am now. This could provides a valuable source of some fun lockdown reading between bouts of what I describe as gardening but others may observe as blundering about. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on June 28, 2020, 16:13:13 Meanwhile, in Bristol:
Quote King Street, Clare Street and Corn Street to be closed to traffic Source: Bristol City Council (https://news.bristol.gov.uk/news/king-street-clare-street-and-corn-street-to-be-closed-to-traffic)(https://cdn.prgloo.com/media/ef7f0fd73151475db9d97c3b21f39654.jpg?width=706&height=1059) The temporary closures will begin on Friday 3 July The Bristol Street Space programme will offer more space for social distancing and support businesses as they begin to re-open. Following discussions with local businesses and communities, King Street, Clare Street and Corn Street, will be closed to traffic from Friday 3 July. The streets will be open for vehicle access between 5:30am-10:30am, to allow for deliveries to local businesses. There will be no vehicle access outside of these times. We are working with local businesses to ensure access for disabled users is available at all times, including the installation of additional disabled bays. The programme is part of the on-going work across the city to pave the way for safer and better public transport, cleaner air and improved walking and cycling routes. Cllr Kye Dudd, Cabinet Member for Transport and Energy, said: “It has been a long standing ambition to make this historic part of the city centre more pedestrian-friendly, and something we have been building towards. “I would like to thank the local businesses and Bristol’s communities for their continued engagement to help develop these plans and bring them forward during this difficult time. We firmly believe these changes will offer significant long-term benefits for the people and businesses in the area, and appreciate everyone’s co-operation while these measures are put in place. ‘’This initial phase of road closures will use a temporary traffic regulation order in first instance, with the view to make permanent changes as part of the wider Old City pedestrianisation project.” The Bristol Street Space programme includes the widening of pavements, the suspension of some parking bays and some road closures to ensure people are able to socially distance around the city. It is one of the transport projects that has been accelerated in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Other projects include the pedestrianisation of areas of the Old City, prioritising pedestrians and cyclists across Bristol Bridge and pavement widening across the city. Many of the schemes were previous mapped out through Bristol’s element of the regional Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan. Central Government have also announced additional funding of £2bn for walking and cycling projects. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on June 28, 2020, 16:51:38 They've actually put those plans back a week or a couple of weeks. It was originally to be total car ban from 3rd July but they've made it time-related with a full ban to come in later. Or so I read in another BP article.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on June 28, 2020, 18:10:27 This (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/king-street-city-centre-routes-4263281) is the most recent Bristol Live story I can find. I can't see anything about a delay...
I see there are also plans to reduce Staple Hill High Street to a single lane (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/warning-busy-road-reduced-one-4270008)... Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on June 28, 2020, 18:54:09 This (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/king-street-city-centre-routes-4263281) is the most recent Bristol Live story I can find. I can't see anything about a delay... This (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/whats-on/food-drink/my-heart-sank-pub-on-4268420) is what I'd seen.Quote But pub owner Marc Griffiths received a letter from the council on Wednesday (June 24) stating vehicular access will "remain to St Stephens Street and St Nicholas Street at all times". Plenty of room for some selective interpretation on the part of the pub owner, the council and the Post. Perhaps the bigger news, long term, behind the story is support from affected business owners for pedestrianisation.The letter says timed closures of Corn Street, Clare Street and St Stephens Street will be implemented from July 3. The council has said it still plans to pedestrianise St Nicholas' Street - and the July 3 changes are just the "first phase" of the project. Quote I see there are also plans to reduce Staple Hill High Street to a single lane (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/local-news/warning-busy-road-reduced-one-4270008)... That's better! What I'd read before implied a one-way system, which would obviously entail displaced traffic onto smaller surrounding roads. But it's to be a single-lane bi-directional road rather than a one-way system. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on June 28, 2020, 22:25:10 Ah, OK, so King Street, Clare Street and Corn Street are being pedestrianised on 3rd July, but St Nicholas Street isn't. Seems odd, but presumably BCC have their reasons.
The King Street scheme, as I understand it, was hatched astonishingly quickly - three weeks from suggestion to agreement, I believe. Really positive to see business owners recognising that getting rid of cars is good for them! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on July 05, 2020, 09:14:45 Money awarded for Phase 1 can be found at:
https://twitter.com/awjre/status/1279025996986036224 (https://twitter.com/awjre/status/1279025996986036224). In Berkshire, Slough did Ok, but Bracknell, Reading and Wokingham were found wanting. Original link via All Party Parliamentary Group for Cycling and Walking https://twitter.com/allpartycycling (https://twitter.com/allpartycycling) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on July 05, 2020, 22:54:04 Ah, OK, so King Street, Clare Street and Corn Street are being pedestrianised on 3rd July, but St Nicholas Street isn't. Seems odd, but presumably BCC have their reasons. The King Street scheme, as I understand it, was hatched astonishingly quickly - three weeks from suggestion to agreement, I believe. Really positive to see business owners recognising that getting rid of cars is good for them! The Bristol Bridge and Baldwin St closures hadn't happened as of Sunday morning (5 July). King Street, however has closed and pubs have expanded their outdoor seating accordingly. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on July 06, 2020, 17:38:17 Curiouser and curiouser... I've seen no announcement of this, but deep in the bowels of the council website, in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard’, I found a page giving at least some detail (https://www.bristol.gov.uk/transport-plans-and-projects/covid-19-road-changes): it seems it's now slated for August, though the dates 'may change'.
Can't help feeling that by the time they've got this sorted a great deal of momentum will have been lost... and winter will be just around the corner. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Celestial on July 06, 2020, 17:42:36 Curiouser and curiouser... I've seen no announcement of this, but deep in the bowels of the council website, in the bottom of a locked filing cabinet stuck in a disused lavatory with a sign on the door saying ‘Beware of the Leopard’, I found a page giving at least some detail (https://www.bristol.gov.uk/transport-plans-and-projects/covid-19-road-changes): it seems it's now slated for August, though the dates 'may change'. Had the lightbulb gone as well?Can't help feeling that by the time they've got this sorted a great deal of momentum will have been lost... and winter will be just around the corner. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Western Pathfinder on July 06, 2020, 17:51:22 I miss Douglas .
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on July 06, 2020, 19:08:34 I'm as surprised as a sand-coloured sandman in the Great Sandy Desert.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on July 06, 2020, 20:11:53 I'm madder than Mad Jack McMad, the winner of last year's "Mr. Madman" competition.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on July 16, 2020, 22:30:08 And in another sign of BCC's commitment to cycling and walking:
Quote Widened pavement being removed on https://twitter.com/JontyFlower/status/1281558184461832192@NorthStreetBS3 by @BristolCouncil A driver's complaint is worth a thousand pedestrian voices apparently. This isn't good enough. I expect there's a bit more to it but it doesn't seem like a good sign. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on July 17, 2020, 06:53:52 Joins Gloucester, Reigate and others. A trial needs to be longer than a couple of days or weeks to be meaningful. These sort of reactions will continue as long as elected members mostly worship at the altar of the great god motor car.
Wonder if they will be handing back the money they had from the Government for these schemes. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on July 18, 2020, 15:41:43 Here is the map explaining how those who bring cars with them will be able to get to destinations in central Bristol under the new arrangements:
https://www.bristol.gov.uk/documents/20182/32847/Road+Closure+Map+2+-+August+2020+v6.pdf/a2502875-ce9f-277e-253b-0302e826961c It seems to resemble the 'G(h)ent Model (https://stad.gent/en/mobility-ghent/circulation-plan/circulation-plan-digital-map)', whereby traffic can go around the central area but not across it. Edit: Details here, including new bus lanes: https://bristol.citizenspace.com/tro/bristolbridgeconsultation/user_uploads/3.-experimental-traffic-regulation-order--etro-.pdf Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on July 18, 2020, 19:57:37 Seems a decent model to use, for a very tightly defined centre. I didn't realise the closure of Bristol Bridge would include its junction with Baldwin St – that really does prevent through-traffic. I think the "left turn onto Wine St" on the map actually means "left turn onto High St"? Also, I wonder how successful the "Access only" to Union St will be, seeing as the same rule currently applied to the Horsefair in practice means "just picking up some shopping, that's allowed!" I'd guess it might make no difference to the Horsefair but reduce Union St traffic levels to those currently in the Horsefair plus buses and taxis.
The Brizle Post mentioned some capacity reduction measures in Lewins Mead and Maudlin Street but wasn't specific. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on July 18, 2020, 23:20:03 Seems a decent model to use, for a very tightly defined centre. I didn't realise the closure of Bristol Bridge would include its junction with Baldwin St – that really does prevent through-traffic. I think the "left turn onto Wine St" on the map actually means "left turn onto High St"? Also, I wonder how successful the "Access only" to Union St will be, seeing as the same rule currently applied to the Horsefair in practice means "just picking up some shopping, that's allowed!" I'd guess it might make no difference to the Horsefair but reduce Union St traffic levels to those currently in the Horsefair plus buses and taxis. The Brizle Post mentioned some capacity reduction measures in Lewins Mead and Maudlin Street but wasn't specific. If you scroll to the bottom of the ETRO document there are some good maps. You can see that the 'capacity reductions' are largely bought about by use of 24-hour continuous bus lanes. James Freeman should be (at least) somewhat heartened. And yes, I'm sure they mean High St, not Wine St. Traffic on Union St will certainly be reduced by the clever wheeze of stopping cars turning left at the end. All in all, it gives the impression of being well-thought-out. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on July 19, 2020, 11:56:56 Yes, I saw the maps, which include a continuous bus lane on Anchor Road but I didn't see any of Lewins Mead. Nevertheless, I'm sure the "capacity reductions" there will also be a bus lane, presumably to be announced later. Anyway, I agree it's a good scheme – I'm actually rather impressed – and just hope that they deliver it on time.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 02, 2020, 21:10:09 Went down to have a look at the new cycle routes in Bristol today. Not all complete, but some interesting changes. This one, on The Haymarket, is particularly good; you'd think it was eccentric having it in the outside lane but it feeds into the existing crossings at the Bear Pit rather well:
(https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/lewins_mead_pop_up_cycle_lane.jpg) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on August 03, 2020, 06:49:18 From my limited experience of Bristol, I found myself at a set of traffic lights in a bike lane between two lanes of traffic, one left, one right and bikes straight on. Bit unsettling if you haven't experienced it before. So if it feeds into the existing system ok, that's what matters.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 03, 2020, 09:21:34 Have you used it yet, Red Squirrel? Being outside lane to connect with the routes in the Centre was clear but I hadn't twigged it was meant to connect with Bear Pit crossings. And I can't quite imagine how that's meant to work if you're heading straight on (up Gloucester Rd) and don't want to ride through the Bear Pit (I find those uphill U-turns on the ramps tricky, and then there's the question of what you do once you're back at ground level). Incidentally, when I saw it on Saturday, there were about 50 or more kids – pre-teens and early teens – riding along it. :)
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 03, 2020, 11:19:08 Have you used it yet, Red Squirrel? Being outside lane to connect with the routes in the Centre was clear but I hadn't twigged it was meant to connect with Bear Pit crossings. And I can't quite imagine how that's meant to work if you're heading straight on (up Gloucester Rd) and don't want to ride through the Bear Pit (I find those uphill U-turns on the ramps tricky, and then there's the question of what you do once you're back at ground level). Yes I have; that was what I was doing when I took the picture ;D You may remember that a few years ago the council built a path around the inside of the Bear Pit roundabout at road-level, from roughly The Haymarket to North Street (what most people would probably think of as Stokes Croft). The new path connects to this via a crossing, and then a second crossing puts you on the island under the 51 02 building from where it is easy to get onto North St. In my opinion it is significantly safer and worth the delays at the crossings. Incidentally, when I saw it on Saturday, there were about 50 or more kids – pre-teens and early teens – riding along it. :) Yes; it'll be interesting to see how this all pans out. On Sunday there seemed to be more traffic around The Centre than you'd normally expect, though this may have been partly down to motorists who'd missed the memo getting confused. I anticipate howls of outrage in the bottom half of the Evening Post today..! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 03, 2020, 14:25:04 You may remember that a few years ago the council built a path around the inside of the Bear Pit roundabout at road-level, from roughly The Haymarket to North Street (what most people would probably think of as Stokes Croft). The new path connects to this via a crossing, and then a second crossing puts you on the island under the 51 02 building from where it is easy to get onto North St. In my opinion it is significantly safer and worth the delays at the crossings. Two things here. The first is that I've never seen anyone riding round that path and it really doesn't look wide enough for both cyclists and pedestrians, in both directions. I'm also not sure if it's legally designated as a cycle path but I don't feel that's of any great concern other than to the city council's lawyers.The second thing is that you're probably the only person who uses the name North Street in a non-official context. ;) Quote Incidentally, when I saw it on Saturday, there were about 50 or more kids – pre-teens and early teens – riding along it. :) Yes; it'll be interesting to see how this all pans out. On Sunday there seemed to be more traffic around The Centre than you'd normally expect, though this may have been partly down to motorists who'd missed the memo getting confused. I anticipate howls of outrage in the bottom half of the Evening Post today..! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 03, 2020, 15:18:37 ...I've never seen anyone riding round that path and it really doesn't look wide enough for both cyclists and pedestrians, in both directions. I'm also not sure if it's legally designated as a cycle path but I don't feel that's of any great concern other than to the city council's lawyers. It's decently wide - I'd say at least 4m - and the crossings are 'toucan', i.e. pedestrian/cycle combined. I suspect the path will get a lot more use now. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 03, 2020, 16:49:39 Video of it in use on B24/7: https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/new-traffic-rules-and-pop-up-cycle-lanes-for-roads-across-bristol/
Also of a new lane on the Triangle. (The Triangle! For how many years have BCC rejected how many proposed changes here?!) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 05, 2020, 17:07:16 Having ridden in two of the lanes today, firstly the one on the Triangle, then the one on Lewins Mead, I have mixed impressions. The lane on the Triangle is too short to be useful, too narrow to be comfortable – very little wiggle room round some sunken covers, probably too narrow for a trailer and even narrower at its entrance – and ends just where you need to get in the correct lane for either Park St or Park Row, so no good for the timid it's supposed to give confidence to.
The one on Lewins Mead is much better, being a whole lane wide – though there are still some wiggly bits at each end – and covering a decent length. I decided to go around the Bear Pit on the "inside pavement" so to speak (I will now think of this as the Red Squirrel manoeuvre :D) but evidently I'm not the only one who wasn't entirely sure of the appropriate procedure. As I approached the Bear Pit roundabout, the lights were green but another cyclist was waiting for them to go red. Or at least for a chance to get into the flow of traffic. She finally got it when they turned amber and disappeared up Stokes Croft, or rather North St. ;) This might well be quicker than waiting for two changes of lights (one at each crossing) but again, not for the timid. Good effort but more thought required in joining things up. In other news, I also rode over Bristol Bridge. They've got as far as painting "Bus Gate" on the road but two days after the supposed go-live, it ain't live. Who'd have guessed? ::) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 05, 2020, 19:03:44 Rode through from Victoria St, over Bristol Bridge and along Baldwin St this evening at around 18.00. There was almost no traffic on Victoria St, and Baldwin St was very quiet. Went on via the new path through Lewins Mead via The Haymarket to Stokes Croft; this lane was clearly signposted, easy to access and was working very well. Not only that, but the private motor cars seemed to be moving pretty well too.
Early days, but this has the hallmarks of a huge success! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 08, 2020, 21:35:03 There's now a sign at the Bearpit end saying "cyclists northbound use crossing" or words to that effect. But they haven't moved the barriers to make this easier!
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 10, 2020, 13:04:48 Brizzle Post Live has an article saying "It isn't working!" I couldn't be bothered to slow their video down and see how many of the cars were actually taxis. Certainly when I was down there on Sunday, it wasn't working, in that about half the traffic crossing the bridge was private cars, but at the same time there was a lot less traffic over it than normal. Drivers coming up Victoria St could be seen turning off at the last minute but those coming from Baldwin St and Bridge St seemed to go straight on; maybe because there isn't anywhere obvious to turn round at those ends? Anyway, I'm sure compliance will be much better once they've finally got the cameras up. And in the long term, maybe even rising bollards?
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 10, 2020, 13:47:54 The article Bmblbzzz refers to is here: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-bridge-ban-traffic-seemingly-4406424
It would be fair to say that the signage needs to be improved. Apparently they have to use these blue circular signs: (https://fosbr.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/bristol_bridge_signage.png) Image courtesy of Bristol 24/7 (https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/new-traffic-rules-and-pop-up-cycle-lanes-for-roads-across-bristol/) ...rather than 'no entry' signs plated 'except buses, cycles, motorcycles, taxis and authorised vehicles' which, to my mind, would be clearer. Road markings could also helpfully be used to imply that 'you need to turn around and go back from whence you came'. Until this is done, or perhaps until people start getting the £60 fines, I suspect a trickle of private cars will continue to cross the bridge. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 10, 2020, 16:20:55 Didn't I give a link to that article? No, evidently not. :-[
I'm glad you (RS) mentioned the signage, because I'd been thinking exactly the same. I presume there's some legal reason they have to use the blue "these vehicles only" sign but a "no entry" or "no motor vehicles except..." sign would definitely be more impactful and more readily understood. The only difference I can see in the effect of the two signs is that the "no motor vehicles except" sign (but not the even more readily understood "no entry except...") would also allow in horses and horse-drawn vehicles. Somehow I doubt if that was uppermost in the minds of the highways dept, so I'll presume there is some obscure legal point. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 10, 2020, 17:34:48 This article may go some way toward explaining it; my reading of this is 'it's a minefield'...
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3650744/Motorist-beats-council-court-proving-No-Entry-sign-illegal.html Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 13, 2020, 22:07:36 Quote New wave of major transport improvements for Bristol Source: Bristol City Council (https://news.bristol.gov.uk/news/new-wave-of-major-transport-improvements-for-bristol)A second wave of major transport improvements is being proposed to make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport as part of work to cut air pollution and support social distancing in Bristol. Earlier this year, the Mayor of Bristol unveiled plans to accelerate existing transport ambitions to improve walking, cycling and bus journeys in the city centre and help Bristolians get around safely during the pandemic. Since then the council has moved quickly to pedestrianise the Old City area and close Bristol Bridge to general traffic, as well as installing new temporary bike lanes in the city centre and widening pavements across the city. Bristol City Council, in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority, has now applied for further government funding to extend and strengthen the temporary work already done. Additional proposals to work with the community and close several neighbourhood roads to through traffic have also been put forward. The long-term ambition is to make these changes permanent as part of the transformation of Bristol’s transport network, with new road layouts that create cleaner air and better bus, walking and cycling journeys, alongside ongoing plans for a mass transit public transport system. Mayor Marvin Rees said: “We are taking bold action to create a better, more connected future for everyone and to help Bristol emerge from this crisis in a more inclusive and sustainable way. “By diverting traffic away from our community hubs, we will protect public health and unlock barriers to inclusive economic growth with cleaner air, safer and better public transport, and improved walking and cycling routes for everyone. “These major transport improvements were already in the pipeline, but the coronavirus means we needed to accelerate the plans to support social distancing. “The pandemic has had huge impacts on our usual travel habits and, despite its challenges, we saw air pollution levels drop by almost half during the months of lockdown with big increases in walking and cycling. We want to capture those benefits and protect the long-term public health of the city as well as the viability of our public transport services that provide real value to our communities. “This next phase will strengthen the new schemes and we will be talking to communities across the city to determine the next steps for creating more liveable neighbourhoods that are free from traffic congestion and pollution.” Phase two of post-COVID-19 transport improvements: Extensions of work already done in phase one: Temporary arrangements will be improved to strengthen the schemes, such as replacing barriers with semi-permanent bollards, for the following schemes: Old City pedestrianisation Lewins Mead bike lane Upper Maudlin Street, Park Row, Marlborough Street and Colston Street bike lanes (including changes to St Michael’s Hill junction to ban the left turn onto St Michael’s Hill from Perry Road and to ban the right turn out of St Michael’s Hill onto Perry Road) Clifton Triangle bike lane (including a bus stop bypass to better integrate Queen's Road bus stops) New cycling improvements: Nelson Street – new protected bike lane and improvements to pedestrian crossing facilities New high quality, on-street, secure cycle shelters across the city for residents in flat or terraced apartments. Proposed new road closures: The council will consult with the local community on the following proposed road closures and discuss the various options available before anything is implemented. The proposals would retain access to the roads but prevent through traffic using them by closing one end. This would give local businesses and residents more space to use the roads, and provide safer walking and cycling routes. Roads under consideration: St Mark's Road, Easton Clifton Village Beaufort Road/Victoria Avenue, Redfield Mina Road, St Werburghs Cotham Hill Greville Road/Upton Road, Southville Langton Court Bridge, St Anne’s Rosemary Lane, Eastville Redcliffe Mead/Prewett Street, Redcliffe Overton Road, Bishopston Picton Street, Montpelier Dean Lane, Southville Woodland Road, Clifton Many of these closures have been suggested by locals using the online interactive map that was launched to get ideas from the community following the announcement of phase one. Further engagement with the various communities will take place before plans are finalised. Cllr Kye Dudd, Cabinet Member for Transport, added: “Right across Bristol we have been making walking and cycling routes more attractive and this next exciting phase will build on the work done so far. “Many of the new ideas have been submitted by the public during the pandemic and we would like to thank everyone who made a suggestion for how to improve transport and neighbourhoods in the city. “We will be engaging with communities to assess the new proposals, which are being recommended to protect public health in both the long and short term by reducing pollution and supporting social distancing. “There will inevitably be a period of adjustment as we all adapt to the important changes that we have already put in place and those that are emerging. But it is crucial that we make big changes to create more efficient travel and reliable bus services in and around the city. “We would encourage people to get out and explore the new dedicated walking and cycling routes we are providing and we are keen to hear from communities on both the impacts of the changes so far and feedback on the new proposals.” Work on phase two is anticipated to start in winter, with the schedule led in part by the community feedback as plans are confirmed, developed and finalised. The interactive mapping tool for people to make comments is available at: www.bristol.gov.uk/covidtransport. For more information on phase one of the transport improvements, visit our online transport pages. If you do not have access to the internet please write to: Transport Engagement Team, PO Box 3399, Bristol, BS1 9NE. Joy indeed to hear the phrase 'transport improvement' used in its proper context. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 14, 2020, 11:38:54 Agreed!
With regard to the Triangle, they need to do some serious thinking about where people are going. There is no way at present to get from the cycle lane to Jacob's Wells Road. Also, the lane itself is rather narrow and full of sunken covers; hopefully( :-\) they'll consult and listen on this and its continuation down Perry Row and past the BRI to make it a decent width and somewhat more analogue than its current Morse code formation. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 15, 2020, 23:04:12 The Brizzle Post has been exploring the ramifications of closing the Bridge.
Quote But already, the knock-on effects are being felt. And in principle, as a major route through the city centre, its closure isn’t just going to affect the bridge and Baldwin Street itself. Slightly tendentious language ("for the first time in its history, people have not been able to cross Bristol Bridge freely") and technically inaccurate ("the closure of Bristol Bridge and Baldwin Street to private traffic" – it hasn't been closed to private traffic, not even private motor vehicles, just private motor car traffic) but at least someone's looking wider.There will be implications as far away as Bedminster and St Pauls, Hotwells and Totterdown. What are the knock-on effects of the closure of Bristol Bridge and Baldwin Street to private traffic? Some of these are real now, some will become increasingly apparent as traffic gets back to pre-pandemic levels, if it ever does, of course. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/bristol-bridge-closure-seven-knock-4422102 Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 16, 2020, 12:31:23 An interesting article, and mostly positive I think.
Of the Old City, it says: Quote Rome controversially banned cars from a lot of its old city centre about 20 years ago, and people just got scooters, but the city improved drastically. On clean air: Quote While the reality is that people who once drove across the city centre will now just drive around it, shifting the pollution from their vehicles to other parts of the city, the idea is that they will gradually not make the journey in the first place. They’ll get the bus instead, or walk. The majority of journeys in Bristol by private car are less than two miles... ...or the train?However according to the article Stephen Williams, former LibDem MP for Bristol West, tweets: Quote Closing Bristol bridge permanently to cars is unfair to south Bristol. An urgent timetable to build the much delayed pedestrian and cycle bridge from Redcliffe St to Welsh Back/King Street would be much fairer. We need to boost connectivity in our city, not further restrict it. So to be clear, I think he's saying that the best way to help south Bristol motorists would be to build a new cycle/footbridge over the Floating Harbour 200m south of Bristol Bridge. The Bristol Post also points out that someone driving their car from south Bristol to a meeting in City Hall would have a longer journey. They would: about 1km further by my reckoning. But simplified junctions along the way may mean they get there quicker, so how is that a bad thing? The article goes on to say: Quote ...the changes to funnel traffic through The Centre quickly have worked, despite the two years of roadworks, and the same is gradually proving true for Temple Circus... ...which more or less makes that point.Apparently a dry-cleaning business on Victoria Street is blaming the changes for a fall in business: Quote A very eclectic mix of businesses operate along both Baldwin Street and Victoria Street - cafes and takeaways, and other service businesses and shops that have relied on the steady stream of Bristol’s people passing their front door all day. Which ignores evidence that the best passing trade is pedestrians, of whom we may hope there will be more now. Now, no one passes, and they are suffering. It's always been a bit of a mystery to me: Who owns all those parked cars that until recently lined all the major thoroughfares? Where do they go? Personally I've never had much luck parking near any particular shop; that's one reason why I don't drive into town. Anyway, aren't there special parking facilities outside fast food shops? Easily identified by two yellow lines, and red paint on the road with a picture of a bicycle... Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 16, 2020, 14:22:04 I was intrigued by Stephen Williams talking about a bridge near King Street. I don't remember hearing about this before. I'm not entirely convinced it makes sense. Firstly, in the context of people driving from south Bristol, a pedestrian and cycle bridge won't make any difference to their journey. Then in terms of foot and cycle access, while King St is a busy place, the bit of Redcliffe opposite it isn't and it doesn't seem to connect anything much more usefully than Bristol Bridge and Redcliffe Bridge, both of which have the inestimable advantage of already existing. Finally, and trivially, I didn't know that the former MP for Bristol West had an interest in south Bristol. But perhaps he lives there (I happen to know that the MP for Bristol South lives in west Bristol roughly halfway between Redland and Montpelier stations, in fact!).
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on August 16, 2020, 17:50:53 There has been talk of a footbridge linking King St with Redcliffe St for many years. It may only be 200m south of Bristol Bridge, but that saves a 400m walk. Also bear in mind that the area between Redcliffe St and St Thomas St is currently being redeveloped which means that (a) there will be a lot more people living there, and (b) there'll be a heap of s106 money burning a hole in the council's pocket.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 17, 2020, 09:34:05 Having looked up S106, that makes sense.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 29, 2020, 21:24:26 Quote People who have been caught crossing Bristol Bridge and driving through Baldwin Street in an unauthorised vehicle will “shortly” be getting warning letters from the council. https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/warning-letters-sent-people-caught-4467137Bristol City Council will start issuing £60 fines in a few weeks to anyone who has breached new traffic restrictions introduced on August 2 in a bid to cut pollution and make it easier to walk and cycle in the city centre. They might have it working by November... Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Marlburian on September 03, 2020, 14:57:32 This morning I did an extended walk to buy a newspaper and milk and went past Tilehurst Station. (Just seven cars parked there at 0715.) There was a new cycle lane along the edge of the road between Kentwood Roundabout and the Station. I wandered up as far as the Roebuck and was puzzled by a number of new "bicycle icons" painted in the middle of each traffic lane. There must have been a dozen in that short stretch. I couldn't work out what they signified. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Richard Fairhurst on September 03, 2020, 15:14:36 They're sometimes known as "sharrows" (share-arrows, because the US design has an arrow in it) and they simply signify "you might expect to see bikes here". Generally they're on a chocolate teapot level of usefulness.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on September 03, 2020, 15:33:09 They might be taken to signify "even we realised that a painted line cycle line would be too narrow/unprotected/etc to do any good, so we painted these instead." In some cases at least.
They are some use though in the case of "bike boxes" aka advanced stop lines at traffic lights. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on September 03, 2020, 15:33:17 Quote Hundreds sign petition to demand Bristol Bridge traffic closure is reversed Source: Bristol Post"The decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin street and some of the access to the city centre is beyond a joke" Hundreds of people have signed an online petition asking the Mayor of Bristol to reverse the traffic measures introduced in the city centre a month ago. Almost 700 people signed the online petition set up by Ben Thomas in the past week, with numbers rising every day. The petition calls for the roads into the Old City part of Bristol to be reopened to private vehicles, and says the decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and other parts of the city is 'beyond a joke'. ...continues (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-sign-petition-demand-bristol-4481194) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: ellendune on September 03, 2020, 22:18:12 Quote Hundreds sign petition to demand Bristol Bridge traffic closure is reversed Source: Bristol Post"The decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin street and some of the access to the city centre is beyond a joke" Hundreds of people have signed an online petition asking the Mayor of Bristol to reverse the traffic measures introduced in the city centre a month ago. Almost 700 people signed the online petition set up by Ben Thomas in the past week, with numbers rising every day. The petition calls for the roads into the Old City part of Bristol to be reopened to private vehicles, and says the decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and other parts of the city is 'beyond a joke'. ...continues (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-sign-petition-demand-bristol-4481194) 700 people doesn't sound a lot of signatures for a petition. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on September 04, 2020, 10:10:01 Quote Hundreds sign petition to demand Bristol Bridge traffic closure is reversed Source: Bristol Post"The decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin street and some of the access to the city centre is beyond a joke" Hundreds of people have signed an online petition asking the Mayor of Bristol to reverse the traffic measures introduced in the city centre a month ago. Almost 700 people signed the online petition set up by Ben Thomas in the past week, with numbers rising every day. The petition calls for the roads into the Old City part of Bristol to be reopened to private vehicles, and says the decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and other parts of the city is 'beyond a joke'. ...continues (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-sign-petition-demand-bristol-4481194) 700 people doesn't sound a lot of signatures for a petition. I understand that there is something called 'bikelash', a process in which motorists who are forced to change their habits become very vocal and angry. I've heard reports of people deliberately knocking down the wands that demarcate new cycle lanes, and in Bristol I've seen barriers pushed to the kerb in the same way. Apparently the deputy mayor of Ghent received death threats a few years ago when he championed the 'circulation plan', which stopped private motorists passing through the middle of the town. Even the Dutch thought the Ghent plan was a bit brave. In 2012 the mode share of cycling there was 22%. When the circulation plan was introduced in 2017, they hoped to raise this share to 35% by 2030. They hit that target in 2019: https://youtu.be/sEOA_Tcq2XA If you design a city for cars, you get cars. If you design a city for people, you get people. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: TaplowGreen on September 04, 2020, 17:53:14 Quote Hundreds sign petition to demand Bristol Bridge traffic closure is reversed Source: Bristol Post"The decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin street and some of the access to the city centre is beyond a joke" Hundreds of people have signed an online petition asking the Mayor of Bristol to reverse the traffic measures introduced in the city centre a month ago. Almost 700 people signed the online petition set up by Ben Thomas in the past week, with numbers rising every day. The petition calls for the roads into the Old City part of Bristol to be reopened to private vehicles, and says the decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and other parts of the city is 'beyond a joke'. ...continues (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-sign-petition-demand-bristol-4481194) 700 people doesn't sound a lot of signatures for a petition. I understand that there is something called 'bikelash', a process in which motorists who are forced to change their habits become very vocal and angry. I've heard reports of people deliberately knocking down the wands that demarcate new cycle lanes, and in Bristol I've seen barriers pushed to the kerb in the same way. Apparently the deputy mayor of Ghent received death threats a few years ago when he championed the 'circulation plan', which stopped private motorists passing through the middle of the town. Even the Dutch thought the Ghent plan was a bit brave. In 2012 the mode share of cycling there was 22%. When the circulation plan was introduced in 2017, they hoped to raise this share to 35% by 2030. They hit that target in 2019: https://youtu.be/sEOA_Tcq2XA If you design a city for cars, you get cars. If you design a city for people, you get people. I genuinely believe that the never ending Motorists v Cyclists (with pedestrians somewhere in the middle) standoff makes resolving any of the World's other conflicts a stroll in the park. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on September 04, 2020, 18:14:27 Quote Hundreds sign petition to demand Bristol Bridge traffic closure is reversed Source: Bristol Post"The decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin street and some of the access to the city centre is beyond a joke" Hundreds of people have signed an online petition asking the Mayor of Bristol to reverse the traffic measures introduced in the city centre a month ago. Almost 700 people signed the online petition set up by Ben Thomas in the past week, with numbers rising every day. The petition calls for the roads into the Old City part of Bristol to be reopened to private vehicles, and says the decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and other parts of the city is 'beyond a joke'. ...continues (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-sign-petition-demand-bristol-4481194) 700 people doesn't sound a lot of signatures for a petition. I understand that there is something called 'bikelash', a process in which motorists who are forced to change their habits become very vocal and angry. I've heard reports of people deliberately knocking down the wands that demarcate new cycle lanes, and in Bristol I've seen barriers pushed to the kerb in the same way. Apparently the deputy mayor of Ghent received death threats a few years ago when he championed the 'circulation plan', which stopped private motorists passing through the middle of the town. Even the Dutch thought the Ghent plan was a bit brave. In 2012 the mode share of cycling there was 22%. When the circulation plan was introduced in 2017, they hoped to raise this share to 35% by 2030. They hit that target in 2019: https://youtu.be/sEOA_Tcq2XA If you design a city for cars, you get cars. If you design a city for people, you get people. I genuinely believe that the never ending Motorists v Cyclists (with pedestrians somewhere in the middle) standoff makes resolving any of the World's other conflicts a stroll in the park. Quite so. What makes it particularly odd is that the vast majority of adult cyclists are also motorists... Quote According to the answer to a question Cycling UK asked the Department for Transport, in 2018: Source:Cycling UK (https://www.cyclinguk.org/statistics)Almost a third of people (30%) who held a driving licence also cycled. Over four-fifths (83%) of people aged 18 years+ who cycled held a driving licence and drove (i.e. they hadn’t given up driving). Note: this data is derived from the National Travel Survey (NTS), which covers households in England only. ‘People who cycle’ include all those who reported that they cycled more often than “once a year or never”. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: TaplowGreen on September 04, 2020, 20:35:56 Quote Hundreds sign petition to demand Bristol Bridge traffic closure is reversed Source: Bristol Post"The decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin street and some of the access to the city centre is beyond a joke" Hundreds of people have signed an online petition asking the Mayor of Bristol to reverse the traffic measures introduced in the city centre a month ago. Almost 700 people signed the online petition set up by Ben Thomas in the past week, with numbers rising every day. The petition calls for the roads into the Old City part of Bristol to be reopened to private vehicles, and says the decision to close off Bristol Bridge, Baldwin Street and other parts of the city is 'beyond a joke'. ...continues (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/hundreds-sign-petition-demand-bristol-4481194) 700 people doesn't sound a lot of signatures for a petition. I understand that there is something called 'bikelash', a process in which motorists who are forced to change their habits become very vocal and angry. I've heard reports of people deliberately knocking down the wands that demarcate new cycle lanes, and in Bristol I've seen barriers pushed to the kerb in the same way. Apparently the deputy mayor of Ghent received death threats a few years ago when he championed the 'circulation plan', which stopped private motorists passing through the middle of the town. Even the Dutch thought the Ghent plan was a bit brave. In 2012 the mode share of cycling there was 22%. When the circulation plan was introduced in 2017, they hoped to raise this share to 35% by 2030. They hit that target in 2019: https://youtu.be/sEOA_Tcq2XA If you design a city for cars, you get cars. If you design a city for people, you get people. I genuinely believe that the never ending Motorists v Cyclists (with pedestrians somewhere in the middle) standoff makes resolving any of the World's other conflicts a stroll in the park. Quite so. What makes it particularly odd is that the vast majority of adult cyclists are also motorists... Quote According to the answer to a question Cycling UK asked the Department for Transport, in 2018: Source:Cycling UK (https://www.cyclinguk.org/statistics)Almost a third of people (30%) who held a driving licence also cycled. Over four-fifths (83%) of people aged 18 years+ who cycled held a driving licence and drove (i.e. they hadn’t given up driving). Note: this data is derived from the National Travel Survey (NTS), which covers households in England only. ‘People who cycle’ include all those who reported that they cycled more often than “once a year or never”. The more unreasonable of them share two other similarities, an insurmountable amount of self righteousness matched only by a sense of absolute entitlement. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: IndustryInsider on September 05, 2020, 07:33:58 #pressreplynotquote ;)
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Richard Fairhurst on September 05, 2020, 11:45:04 The more unreasonable of them share two other similarities, an insurmountable amount of self righteousness matched only by a sense of absolute entitlement. Not an accusation, of course, that could ever be levelled at rail enthusiasts. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: mjones on September 05, 2020, 13:03:58 The more unreasonable of them share two other similarities, an insurmountable amount of self righteousness matched only by a sense of absolute entitlement. Because they also have in common that they are members of the human race. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on September 06, 2020, 16:10:17 Apparently the deputy mayor of Ghent received death threats a few years ago when he championed the 'circulation plan', which stopped private motorists passing through the middle of the town. Even the Dutch thought the Ghent plan was a bit brave. In 2012 the mode share of cycling there was 22%. When the circulation plan was introduced in 2017, they hoped to raise this share to 35% by 2030. They hit that target in 2019: https://youtu.be/sEOA_Tcq2XA Circulation zones, modal filtering; it's not rocket science and it's not new. Most of all though, I'm imagining the Frome opened up and flowing... If you design a city for cars, you get cars. If you design a city for people, you get people. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on September 17, 2020, 14:01:10 ...Most of all though, I'm imagining the Frome opened up and flowing... Madness. Mankind is not capable of such things... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fePpwYCs_JM Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on September 17, 2020, 21:24:53 I spy a railway in one phase of the construction! :D
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on October 17, 2020, 14:32:31 Out of interest, from time to time I check to see if Google Maps is still directing motorists across Bristol Bridge.
At the time of writing, it was. Yesterday I tried to notify them of this - after all, anyone following their directions in a car risks a fine. They replied that my suggested edit could not be verified. Which is fair enough; the only information I gave them was a press release from Bristol City Council. Anyone else fancy having a go? You need to be logged on to your Google account; click on the roads (Bristol Bridge and Baldwin St where it crosses The Centre) and then, using the 'burger menu' (top left) select Send Feedback -> Wrong Information and follow your nose. Maybe you'll have more luck than I did! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on October 18, 2020, 07:24:02 The StreetView car was in Reading this week (possibly recording Reading's hopeless cycling additions?). Need to get it re-directed to Bristol.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on October 19, 2020, 16:01:23 Looking at cycling infrastructure in the Netherlands, it's easy to forget that their cities were once car-dominated just like ours. They didn't get where they are today without a fight. This video from Amsterdam, which I came across today, shows that bikelash is nothing new: https://twitter.com/i/status/1145299484546621440
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on October 20, 2020, 06:57:04 Its about having politicians who are willing to have that "fight", unfortunately not common in this country.
https://road.cc/content/news/grant-shapps-backtracks-cycling-and-walking-pledge-278071 (https://road.cc/content/news/grant-shapps-backtracks-cycling-and-walking-pledge-278071) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Richard Fairhurst on October 20, 2020, 09:00:41 Meanwhile, here in Oxfordshire, the county council's "cycling champion" (Suzanne Bartington, the excellent councillor for Witney North and a rail advocate too) has just resigned, citing a lack of support from her Cabinet.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on October 22, 2020, 10:07:54 Sensible article in the Guardian about Low Traffic Neighbourhoods (LTNs) and the noise about their introduction. As with similar surveys, more appear to be in favour than against (3 to 1).
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/oct/22/despite-a-loud-opposing-minority-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-are-increasingly-popular (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/bike-blog/2020/oct/22/despite-a-loud-opposing-minority-low-traffic-neighbourhoods-are-increasingly-popular) And according to Carlton Reid it is partly caused by the humble satnav https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/25/rat-running-residential-uk-streets-satnav-apps (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/25/rat-running-residential-uk-streets-satnav-apps). What better excuse do you need? Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on October 22, 2020, 12:14:17 I don't know if my nagging had anything to do with it, but it looks like Google has at last stopped routing cars over Bristol Bridge...
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on November 05, 2020, 20:20:08 Lewins Mead to return to two lanes of motor traffic without cycle lane, supposedly in order to reduce pollution.
https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/rees-admits-new-cycle-lane-totally-messed-up-major-bus-route/ Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on November 05, 2020, 22:08:27 Lewins Mead to return to two lanes of motor traffic without cycle lane, supposedly in order to reduce pollution. https://www.bristol247.com/news-and-features/news/rees-admits-new-cycle-lane-totally-messed-up-major-bus-route/ I'm trying to find details of the proposed amendments. I've not seen anything that says the cycle lane will go, just that two traffic lanes will be restored to allow the bus lane to work. Quote The spokesperson did not have any more details about the new scheme at that stage but they warned that the planned changes may be delayed by the second national lockdown. The pinch point is The Haymarket, which has a central reservation with fences to prevent pedestrians crossing what was once more-or-less an urban motorway. Now that it's a 20mph road, it ought to be possible to take down the fence and narrow the traffic lanes, giving space for a cycle lane without slowing down the buses. We'll find out what the new plans are soon enough... Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on November 06, 2020, 11:13:27 We'll probably see some plans some time... Meanwhile, both the Post and the 24/7 are reporting the mayor as saying the cycle lane has "Messed up bus routes".
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on November 06, 2020, 11:40:44 We'll probably see some plans some time... Meanwhile, both the Post and the 24/7 are reporting the mayor as saying the cycle lane has "Messed up bus routes". I'm sure it has, but that's not the same as saying the bike lane can't be accommodated. Of all the pop-up cycles lanes that have appeared recently, this one seemed the least likely to survive without modification because it reduces motor traffic to one lane in The Haymarket, so buses get held up by private motorists. In addition, cyclists don't understand it! A lot of bike users don't realise that they are supposed to use the crossings and shared path around the Bear Pit roundabout, and end up cutting across traffic the get to North Road. I've watched this, and despaired. Some of these pop-up lanes were already well-planned when the government gave councils two weeks to come up with schemes; others weren't. If they'd been given time to do consultation, this scheme might not have gone ahead in it's current form. BCC is very keen to avoid any more of this kind of problem, and is working hard to get engagement and consultation right for future projects. I hope they succeed! Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on November 07, 2020, 11:33:51 In addition, cyclists don't understand it! A lot of bike users don't realise that they are supposed to use the crossings and shared path around the Bear Pit roundabout, and end up cutting across traffic the get to North Road. I've watched this, and despaired. I pointed this out just after it was installed!Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on November 09, 2020, 12:36:21 Quote How Bristol City Council will put right major bus route it "totally messed up" during lockdown Source: Bristol LiveA permanent bus lane and cycle lane will be installed but there will also be a temporary fix after 20 buses ended up gridlocked [...] Bristol City Council cabinet member for transport Cllr Kye Dudd says officers have now come up with a solution they believe will work as originally intended. He told a cabinet meeting a permanent bus lane and a cycle lane would be installed to run all the way along Lewins Mead to solve the problem. In the meantime, the temporary cordoned-off cycle lane will be moved from the outside lane where it currently is to the inside to stop existing problems of cyclists cutting back into general traffic, including buses, near the Bearpit. See full article (https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/lewins-mead-bus-lockdown-council-4678124) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on November 10, 2020, 06:49:32 How nice to hear of a local authority with a positive "can do" attitude.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on November 14, 2020, 12:59:03 Lewins Mead layout has now been altered. Starting just after the crossing at the bottom of Christmas Steps, counting from the left it's now bus lane, cycle lane with wands on the left and solid red/white roadworks style barrier on the right, cars. One lane of each. The cycle lane ends at the crossing by the Bay Horse, the bus lane just before the Bearpit bus stop.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on November 14, 2020, 16:08:11 Let's hope that's not the final arrangement - it gives up just when you need it most, which is the opposite of the spirit of Gear Change. The previous arrangement was, as someone pointed out, safe for a family with kids. This isn't:
https://twitter.com/beardedjourno/status/1325770972092313600 Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on November 16, 2020, 16:46:18 I've just been out to test it. It bears in some ways more similarity to the layout In The Before Times than the offside lane recently removed. Things you might want to look out for:
The entrance is divided asymmetrically, if you go left of the central wand it might be rather tight. Possibility of lane changing cars and buses at two points. Barriers offset immediately first lane change point, whether deliberately to prevent cars driving along it or because it's been hit (or just accidentally misplaced), I don't know. All the road markings at the roundabout itself are worn away and surface is quite potholed. Other oddities: Although the cycle lane occupies an entire 'car lane', it gives cyclists significantly less width to ride in, due to the placing of the wands and barriers some way within the lines. Together with the longer continuous bus lane, this leads me to wonder if the unspoken purpose isn't (and wasn't) so much to function as a cycle lane but to reduce non-bus road capacity. Marvin Rees did say in the summer that he was hopeful the changes introduced so far (Bristol Bridge etc) would reduce city centre traffic to remove the need for a clean air zone. If so, it seemed to be working today, about 4pm. Very little traffic. All the buses in front of me at the roundabout itself were in the middle lane, through some coincidence, leaving me as the only person in L1 for North Rd. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on November 16, 2020, 20:15:14 I'd sum it up as being "Good as far it goes, but it doesn't go far enough. Like almost all cycle provision in UK, it doesn't connect anything to anything."
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on November 22, 2020, 09:35:15 Quote How nice to hear of a local authority with a positive "can do" attitude. Anyway Mr Page knows better?https://road.cc/content/news/government-cycle-lane-micromanagement-supreme-bollocks-278929 (https://road.cc/content/news/government-cycle-lane-micromanagement-supreme-bollocks-278929) Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Red Squirrel on March 20, 2021, 10:34:43 Sigh: https://twitter.com/beardedjourno/status/1372970088207413256
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: Bmblbzzz on March 20, 2021, 12:48:42 ...for the same reason that people don't walk on the pavement.
Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: CyclingSid on March 21, 2021, 07:50:23 Quote Sigh: https://twitter.com/beardedjourno/status/1372970088207413256 Unfortunately nothing new. The road up to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough used to be just the same. Dotted cycle lanes are useless, tend to be used because councils are scared to introduce the parking restrictions required for a full cycle lane. Title: Re: £2 billion package to create new era for cycling and walking Post by: grahame on March 21, 2021, 10:08:01 Quote Sigh: https://twitter.com/beardedjourno/status/1372970088207413256 Unfortunately nothing new. The road up to Wexham Park Hospital in Slough used to be just the same. Dotted cycle lanes are useless, tend to be used because councils are scared to introduce the parking restrictions required for a full cycle lane. The same "everywhere"?? - hope there's no cyclist under there ;D ;D (http://www.wellho.net/pix/caroncycle_202003.jpg) Regular thing, long term parked there - not always the same vehicle. Only on the main designated cycle route between Melksham Town and the north and north west of the town, and the station. Behind me is the subway under the main road with a complete cycle lane separated from pedestrians (no cars) but then you find that the continuation is blocked by someone who wants to park as close to his (or her) home as they can ... This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |