The smallest-most dangerous cycle path in Leeds?

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Fri 04 Nov, 2011 6:57 pm

buffaloskinner wrote: Im afraid that I have to disagree here.There are some absolute idiot cyclists on todays roads. They dont look, they cycle on paths with complete disregard to pedestrians and traffic coming from side streets, they go through red lights and the wrong way up one way streets, and yet they expect pedestrians to get out of their way.I have this problem most mornings just walking through the city centre to work, its Death Race 3000The proper cyclists who go by the rules these days are far and few between.Rant over .................. I agree fully, and more, buffaloskinner with everything you say here.Headingley and Burley in particular are becoming areas where the problem is at its worst. In addition to the crimes that you mention yet another is widespread - I refer to clowns dressed entirely in dark or black clothing, breaking every rule of the road, on bicycles which are not even fitted with any lights. Along with many other folks I am really sick of it and the fact that they are never punished at all. In case anyone thinks I am a biased car driver, well I'm not. I ride a pedal cycle myself and two motorbikes and a car.

electricaldave · Post by **electricaldave** » Fri 04 Nov, 2011 7:21 pm

My humble opinion is that a person riding a bicycle, and a cyclist are not the same thing at all.You might look at it as 'real' cyclists, and people on cycles.Cyclists know all too well the dangers on the roads, and take the proper precautions, I'm talking here about the club riders - those who go out on the Sunday runs, the evening time trialS etc. These are folk to whom the bicycle is the end in itself.Then there are the others, those who look on it as a convenience or a mere function, to be done without regard for anyone or anything else.Do not lump me in with the second type, the club riders may well spend over £1000 on one pair of wheels alone, they will probably ride over 5000 miles a year, and self protection is a very important consideration. You probably will not see too many club riders around Headingly or anywhere in the main part of the city - who the hell wants to spend their weekends riding around in polluted commuter traffic jams? So you are only seeing one side of the story.Unfortunately dumb drivers seem to be prevalent everywhere, maybe I should get myself a headcam and post the footage on the net somewhere, you just would not believe the plain stupidity, bullying and bad judgement of car drivers - but then its only the idiots you remember, and not the majoRIty dirvers who behave perfectly courteously - I suspect that this thread is doing the same thing in relation to cyclists - you notice the nutters, and not the others.

WiggyDiggy · Post by **WiggyDiggy** » Sat 05 Nov, 2011 1:42 pm

Hi,Again I never said that there weren't idiotic cyclists, just that to say ALL cyclists in Bradford are idiots and that to say if you 'commute via bicycle it is lunacy' both statements are just wrong, no matter I can move forward.We need to consider that if it is this important to us what the solution would be, better policing of road users is certainly a start as many times I see illegal maneuvers by many vehicles who obviously have no regard for anyone else.Someone has mentioned no lights, you can call them 'ninjas' if you like and I certainly hate them too. Perhaps Leeds can take out of Oxford's book:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-ox ... 69478Seems fair enough to me, buy lights and avoid the fine so job done.I'll end with saying if you use a bike, you are a cyclist. There is no definition that is more true.

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Sat 05 Nov, 2011 6:12 pm

H'mm. Bradford, due to its gradients, seems to attract very few cyclists. The few whom I have seen are hardy enthusiasts. I can't envisage cycling to work becoming more popular round here despite whatever might be happening elsewhere. The numbers haven't increased despite all the exhortations to use cycles. So I don't see the logic in this city of bunging up roads with cycle lanes which has reduced perfectly good main roads which used to allow two lanes of traffic to one and thereby increased congestion for the vast majority of commuters who use cars. The cost of cycle lanes under these circumstances does not seem to me to be proportionate to likely use, and so I resent them, particularly when far more urgent social need continues to be cut back owing to lack of financial resources. And I still question the sanity of anyone who chooses to cycle in Bradford. However, this is Secret Leeds, so perhaps not the forum for a debate about cycling in snother city.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sun 06 Nov, 2011 7:49 pm

I accept that most pedal cyclists do not ride around with no regard for pedestrians, but some do! Just after 2:00pm today I was walking across from the Merrion Centre to the St John's Centre. The beeping signal for pedestrians to cross was sounding and cars were stopped. Just as I was about half way across (the beeper was still sounding) I was almost knocked over by a pedal cyclist but thankfully I stopped suddenly when I became aware of him. I know I probably should not have said anything but my immediate instinctive action was to say "idiot" to him, to which he simply turned his head as he continued riding and told me to "F off"!

jdbythesea · Post by **jdbythesea** » Sun 06 Nov, 2011 8:25 pm

It seems to me that cyclists nowadays have free rein to ride their bikes wherever they want. When I was a nipper bike riders took care if they rode on the pavements - not for safety reasons though. If a policeman saw you on the path you'd cop it from him and then probably from your dad as well. You'd get a rollocking too if you were spotted pillion riding or jumping traffic lights. Mind you there were far more bobbies on the beat and they were much more visible in those days. I haven't seen one for ages. Do they still wear uniforms? Incidentally, where I now live the main danger comes in the form of mobility scooters, They fly at you from every direction! However, I won't go on about them on this thread - I'll let someone else do that.

WiggyDiggy · Post by **WiggyDiggy** » Mon 07 Nov, 2011 1:29 pm

Sticking to the topic then I agree that a lot of cycle lanes are dangerous and not planned well, that at least is something we can agree on!Better policing does seem the way forward, I put the link to the Oxford police taking a pro-active stance in stopping and fining those without lights, would that be something you would want to see in leeds (I would BTW)?Other cities also have a stronger 'beat' presence of the bobby, and more of them on bicycles themselves. A greater willingness by the police to stop cyclists who disregard road laws could also go a long way to help improve relations.At the end of the day we are all trying to get somewhere, and only idiots (bike/bus/car/whatever) do so with no consideration for others.

Riponian · Post by **Riponian** » Mon 07 Nov, 2011 5:23 pm

As one of the mad crowd who do cycle along Wellington St towards the A58, I do think the design of the junction is a little screwy. However yesterday I put this to second, notably the Sheepscar end of Meanwood Road. Just where the heck are you supposed to go to get to North Street????I did spot a new cycle lane in Harrogate, with a bollard in the middle of it, waiting to catch the unwary.As a cyclist I'd love to here of the irresponsible actually being penalised by our constabulary for a change. I have a nice set of lights and some reflective clothing, but still spot the earache drivers (with one hand over the ear it seems) and those with iThing headphones oblivious to their surroundings sauntering along dual use paths.I suspect that the planners of these lanes haven't been on a bike for years myself, with all the sharp corners and dodgy changes of camber on them.I'd like several LCC concillers to ride a bike from Meanwood to the station and see how they get on.Befor anyone questions me, I was bringing my overhauled bike back to Cyclepoint from home. You can't get a bike on the 36 (yet?).

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Mon 07 Nov, 2011 8:41 pm

I think that there is some legislation (probably EU) that requires any new roads or improvements to have facilities for cyclists. I've heard a whisper that additional funding can also be obtained by making cycling provision. This probably explains why so many cycle lanes have been forced in where they clearly don't fit...I agree with the above points regarding cyclists without lights - they should face exactly the same punishments as a car driver not using (or having working) lights. I see a couple of these idiots on York Road most mornings when it's still pitch black and how they survive to keep repeating their mistake is a mystery.

WiggyDiggy · Post by **WiggyDiggy** » Mon 07 Nov, 2011 9:55 pm

Davey do you mean the governments local sustainable transport fund?I'm not an expert on it, someone on another forum pointed me at the links:List of approved projects (not all cycling lanes lol!) http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/l ... nts.pdfThe fund in detail: http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/tra ... .pdfSource: http://www2.dft.gov.uk/pgr/regional/transportfund/