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Isn't that a layby for break downs as part of the new smart road system ,

Or the shortest cycle lane in the world.

Isn't that a layby for break downs as part of the new smart road system ,

Or the shortest cycle lane in the world.

 

I suppose handy for puncture repairs. But a bit like the bays at intervals provided on "Smart" motorways where traffic drives on the hard shoulder, only if you break down in the right spot.

 

Only good for lucky unlucky events.

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This is a favorite rubbish cycle lane of mine:

https://goo.gl/maps/PuwcCeJyhztNVq946

Just disappears into the pavement. I refuse to use it as car drivers seem to otherwise think I will just disappear into the pavement too while they move over to avoid that traffic island.

There are a lot of cycle lanes around the main roads here and most are in pretty good condition.

DO I use them?

Sometimes - and some lanes.

The problems are many fold.

a) for some you can be riding along for a while and only then realise that the pavement next to the road is a cycle lane - no indication easily noticeable before hand.

On the same note - a lot of perfectly good cycle lanes stop with no indication. So you end up cycling along a pavement that gradually gets narrower and narrower until you start thinking maybe it isn;t a cycle lane anymore.

b) Bad planning for the end of teh lane - one just ends with a dropped kerb at right angles to the road and a sign saying "Cyclists dismount" - hardly encouraging.

Others end but with no though about how you rejoin safely - it's not hard, one or two end by dropping down onto a painted lane on teh road and you end up filtering onto the road easily and safely - but most don't.

c)Some cross multiple entraces, driveways and roads with no priority indicated for bike - hence the cyclist has to slow and check at each one. One road goes through an area witha lot of factories and other industrial places. Every 50 yards or so there is a drop of about 1 inch to gates - then up another 1 inch. - really not worth using.

d) There is one that is very good but is a 2 way cycle lane on a major dual carrigeway. Hence cyclist on the other side are expected to cross at a crossing, join the cycle path, then at the end (only a few miles) cross back again. As above there is no indication on 'the other side' that any of this exists!

 

All this in spite of me using a normal hybrid type ebike and running at a normal speed - i.e. below the cutoff (just) so my tyres have some cushioning effect and are not rock hard skinny road tyres.

 

Having said all that - the cycle path surface is generally good - the one over the newly refurbished Widnes Runcorn bridge is great - but not very long!!