| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:It's official: we must attempt to reduce our car usage | |
| Posted by: | Dominik Klimowski | |
| Date/Time: | 12/01/25 00:39:00 |
| There are plenty of roads without cycle lanes, as mentioned. Some are ok, some are less safe, and some don't allow much space, mainly due to cars parked either side. With the latter it's a case of cycling in front of cars, but then many get impatient or start beeping, or worse cars coming the other way will drive straight at me assuming I'll somehow evaporate. Not much can be done with streets like that, but the attitude of many (not all) drivers makes cycling stressful and dangerous. An alternative safe cycle lane would counter that problem. One part of my route is Kensington High Street. What's frustrating is there used to be a cycleway here (part of the east/west route) but it was ripped out. Now there is a conspicuous gap, where cyclists use the cycleway until Kensington High Street, where it becomes a free-for-all. This is what you'd describe as sharing the road with other users. It wouldn't be so bad save for the fact that where the cycleway used to be now has a car or van parked every 50meters, so that cyclists have to constantly weave in and out of traffic. Once we get to Olympia, the cycleway returns, and everyone can breathe sigh of relief. Traffic continues to move, as now there is a cycle lane in the place of parked cars. You are assuming that my motives are solely for my own benefit. I am an experienced cyclist, but many are not (people are not born with cycling experience). I see a wide demographic using the C9, from children, families, elderly, and the odd mobility scooter. You express indignation at the low number of people cycling, but the best way to get more people to cycle is to create safe roads for them to do so. I won't be around in years to come, but I would like roads to improve so that cycling becomes a more desirable travel option for future generations, thus freeing up road space for all. Some of the routes I mentioned would terrify me as a child or novice cyclist. Everyone has the right to travel, and driving is not an option for many, so it is only fair that everyone has an equal opportunity to do so safely and without fear. |