segregation – Jules P Richards

I was asked by the BBC “Did I think cycle infrastructure was a good idea?”

March 2017 – again the BBC called me asking about my experiences of ‘riding a bike’ in and around Leicester … Read more here from March 2017: People on bikes again

August 2016 Again, BBC Radio Leicester called me “Do you think Leicester’s a model cycle city… yet?” #CycleCity Leicester

May 2016 Again, BBC Radio Leicester called me “What do you think about proposals for more cycle lanes…” #CycleCity Leicester?

October 2015 BBC Radio Leicester called me “What do you think about proposals for more cycle lanes…” and stuff…

Jan 2014 I was asked by the BBC “What do you think about cycling on pavements…” and stuff…

Nov 2013 I was asked by the BBC “Did I think cycle infrastructure was a good idea?”

Riding a bike:

You will save money.
You will get fitter and be healthier.
Over time you will start to see the world differently.

Where it’s available, I always use segregated cycle ways – vehicles and bikes don’t mix.
It took a year of cycle commuting to realise this.

With political will it is possible to separate people on bikes and people driving motor vehicles fully where speeds and volumes of traffic are not safe to share. “Safe to share” requires less than 20mph (measured not the limit) and less than 2,000 PCU (passenger car units) per day. See http://rachelaldred.org/writing/20mph-2000pcu-using-it-for-local-campaigning/

Where sharing is needed, people on bikes need protection;

better law enforcement (strict liability, stronger penalties for dangerous and careless driving, more enforcement).
better in infrastructure (slowing speeds, making junctions safer). Cyclists need far better design, implementation and maintenance of segregated facilities, especially at junctions.
better vehicle design.

Onwards!

The good, the bad and the ugly…

You can’t panel beat a person’s brain!

With good cycle infrastructure drivers don’t have to ‘worry about’ cyclists, they are kept separate. Everyone benefits.

For three years I have cycle commuted 7 miles to and fro Leicester, rain and shine.

I have learnt over that time that mainly due to the general culture or manner of road-driving in urban areas, segregated paths are safer than roads.
On the roads, rules and common sense can be employed but constant attention and concentration is needed for cycling on urban roads – it is not a place for children or a casual attitude. You can’t panel beat a person’s brain!

Good: (room for improvement) A few short segregated shared cycle paths into Leicester are good: like Syston, Goscote and Thurmaston

Bad: Some are, well… poor:

Ugly: Road cycling’s the bit…. another story.

It would not take much (relatively) to employ quality segregated cycle paths on main routes.

Same old common sense argument: This would make more room for vehicles and public transport, it would be safer and easier to cycle and more people would cycle – I remember the day when I said in no uncertain terms “cycle to work? you must be joking – out of the question” but I have now sold my car, and I’ve been cycling for three years snow or shine.

Alas, cycling on the roads is not for the faint hearted.

You can’t panel beat a person’s brain!