New routes to get Leeds cycling

Brunel · Post by **Brunel** » Tue 27 Dec, 2011 12:17 am

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16201997

Tyke · Post by **Tyke** » Tue 27 Dec, 2011 2:10 pm

Ok so long as they dont turn foot paths into cycle tracks.

Riponian · Post by **Riponian** » Tue 27 Dec, 2011 3:09 pm

Good luck, but it's not just the route but the destination as well, you need to be able to park your bike and be sure it's still going to be there when you want to go back!If it's like any of the other route where you seem to have to ride along short sections of track and then cross roads and mess about then it won't be popular. I wonder if anyone who planned these have actually tried to use some sections.IMHO the organisation doing the most to boost cycling in Leeds are First. They've certainly done that with me.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Tue 27 Dec, 2011 4:01 pm

When York Road was remodeled for the misguided busway (10 years ago now?), one of the three inbound lanes on the Torre Road flyover was taken from general traffic and made into a cycle lane.However, due to the circuitous way of accessing the cycle lane (take the slip road off York Road, then up onto the path for one of those lovely short cycle paths. Stop, wait for a gap in traffic on the slip road to clear, then proceed back across the slip road, into the cycle lane and set off up hill from a near standing start) and the fact it never seems to be swept by the council so is eternally full of rubbish just waiting to foul wheels or cause punctures, most cyclists simply carry on in the inside lane along with the traffic they should be kept well away from. The procedure at the other end of the flyover is similarly complicated too.So having expensive cycle lanes is all well and good, but unless they are actually of any use they'll simply be ignored

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Tue 27 Dec, 2011 4:09 pm

I'm a regular cyclist and to be honest I dont like riding on a lot of main roads, cycle path or not. I've nearly lost my life once in a cycling road accident where I sustained a serious head injury and ended up in a coma for weeks. I'm not a reckless cyclist and I always wear a helmet and I have lights on my cycle and I wear hi-viz vest. While its good to encourage cycling for the environment and peoples health you cant pretend that cyclings not dangerous because it is. The amount of near misses I've had is frightening, and I bet if you ask virtually any other cyclist they'll agree that you are taking your life in your own hands when you cycle on the main roads, especially at rush hour. Anyway this is a debate that could have a forum of its own.I think the council provides these cycle routes more as a need to show they are investing in green transport alternatives. There have been some improvements for cycling in Leeds but to be truly safe I think cycles should have proper cycle lanes that are seperate from the main road. I'm fortunate that I live not far from the canal and if I've got enough time I'll cycle that way into the city, but its not suitable as a 'mass transit' solution.

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Tue 27 Dec, 2011 4:42 pm

jonSame, agreed.Wykebeck ok if you live there.Coincidentally I just did this:-http://www.secretleeds.co.uk/forum/Mess ... eadID=3564