The smallest-most dangerous cycle path in Leeds?

Uno Hoo · Post by **Uno Hoo** » Mon 07 Nov, 2011 11:46 pm

[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?). What? Not even on those refurbished double-deckers with single seats on one side of the aisle?Oh! Silly me! You'd never get the bike up the stairs.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 9:45 pm

The Y.E.P got back in touch with me about this cycle path for more details.I don't know if they will run it as a story one day or not though. However I had to go past the place again, I thought to take a good look at it, and get some photos of the thing itself.The Cycle path itself only seems to veer off the road to bypass this set of traffic lights and bus stop. In so doing there appears to be a Cycle give way stop to pedestrians at the lights, which of course makes the intended function of the cycle path totally pointless. Then there is this next short run of cycle path ahead Where upon you come to this sort of stop junction a few feet away. It is rather unclear to me if the cyclist is allowed to cycle further on at this point, or does he have to dismount and push the bike?If so, then this cycle lane instead of the road is by far the worst option to take. The cycle lane lines have gone by the bus shelter, There is no indication the cycle path is there to warn anyone getting off the bus. It isn't even clear if the cyclist should be riding past the bus stop, the end of the cycle lane is clearly marked further up. As can be seen the bus shelter allows no visibility to anyone stepping off the bus and walking away. You usually alight at the side of the bus stop like I did instead of walking through it, not expecting a cyclist to come flying past as you step off the bus. The painted cycle on the path isn't something you are going to notice as the bus doors open and you step off the bus. And then the cycle path veers back on to the road.I'm not really sure if the cyclist intending on bypassing the traffic lights has to stop twice, get off the bike and push it a short distance, then get back on the bike to carry on his journey. Or he is actually supposed to whizz straight down there like a bat out of hell like the time I nearly got flattened.The mind boggles indeed

MaidenLUFC · Post by **MaidenLUFC** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 9:56 pm

Why do they do these things?!I heard a while ago that LCC were doing various (I was going to say "improvements" but thats probably the most inappropriate word!) 'works' to use up leftover money from the budget... because if they were to declare said money as 'spare' then the central money launderers, sorry, financiers in government would assess this and reduce next year's budget accordingly..Either way, it's a complete waste!I'd love to hear from the person/department within the council who actions these sorts of 'schemes' and the so called reasoning behind them.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 10:54 pm

You say Phill 'The mind boggles indeed '. It sure does! And judged by your last photo it won't be long before it's also a grassed cycle lane!

Post by **chameleon** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 10:55 pm

'because if they were to declare said money as 'spare' then the central money launderers, sorry, financiers in government would assess this and reduce next year's budget accordingly..'That is a policy which has been applied to eudgets of government departrments at a local level for as long as I can remember.'I'd love to hear from the person/department within the council who actions these sorts of 'schemes' and the so called reasoning behind them.'As for this, I'd like to see the obligatory Risk Assessment....... That should ruffle a few feathers if demanded

MaidenLUFC · Post by **MaidenLUFC** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 10:57 pm

He he Yes that would be very interesting!The council are very good at demanding 'risk assessments' from companies/individuals working in the local environment and scrutinising them extensively.. argh!!

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 11:03 pm

I'm completely stunned by this act of lunacy in all honesty. At first I couldn't believe the cheek of the cyclist guy shouting at me as he nearly mowed me down, then when I saw it was an official cycle lane, well what can you say? It wouldn't have been half as bad if the cycle lane was a better option than stopping at the lights on the road, but clearly 'if used safely' it 'should' take even longer to use

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 11:09 pm

I'm confused as to what purpose the stretch is meant for on the right of the cycle lane immediately before the bus stop (as seen in the first photo). If it is for pedestrians then they will be walking on it right next to an extremely busy road!

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 11:15 pm

Leodian wrote: I'm confused as to what purpose the stretch is meant for on the right of the cycle lane immediately before the bus stop? If it for pedestrians then they will be walking on it right next to an extremely busy road! There did actually used to be a nice little seated area there, a few tallish shrubs around it, it was like a little green oasis amid the busy City. Twas quite nice to have a sit down and smoke on a sunny day. So the council smashed that to bits of course to make way for this thing

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Sat 12 Nov, 2011 11:20 pm

PhillPS. Apologies that I edited my post a bit, obviously while you were doing yours.