Boris: Forget humps and make roads cycle-friendly

Mortimer wrote:
>
> If a road has to be blocked off to prevent it being used as a
> rat-run, then that's an admission that the roads elsewhere can't cope
> with the level of traffic, causing people to find alternative routes.

Or maybe it's an admission that cyclists need their own routes and that they
can be retrofitted into an urban area.

On Nov 20, 10:28 am, "Mortimer" <m...@> wrote:
> If a road has to be blocked off to prevent it being used as a rat-run, then
> that's an admission that the roads elsewhere can't cope with the level of
> traffic, causing people to find alternative routes.

And councils don't help matters - a few miles from where I live the
council has one wayed some streets to prevent them being used as rat
runs to get past the queues in the nearby main road. Why are there
queues in the main road? Because what used to be a 4 lane road has now
had a bus lane put down both sides reducing it to 2 lanes for
everyone. With entirely predictable results. It wouldn't be so bad if
there was a half decent bus service but the best they can manage seems
to be 1 bus every 10 or so minutes (and this is in london!) so for the
rest of the time those bus lanes are completely empty. Meanwhile
theres a 3/4 mile long queue in either direction in the other 2 lanes.

B2003

AndyC wrote:
> If people are resourceful they will make
> alternative transport arrangements.

Therein lies the problem. Most people are not resourceful, they stick to the
same mode and route, the idea of exploring alternatives is beyond the
comprehension of many. It's easier to sit and moan.

Boltar wrote:
>
> And councils don't help matters - a few miles from where I live the
> council has one wayed some streets to prevent them being used as rat
> runs to get past the queues in the nearby main road. Why are there
> queues in the main road? Because what used to be a 4 lane road has now
> had a bus lane put down both sides reducing it to 2 lanes for
> everyone.

Where exactly is that? TIA.

Jhimmy wrote:
>
> So, what I would do is have a 3 colour system of road markings.
>
> 3. Green and White - (Bus and Cycle priority) Absolutely NO
> overtaking of either a cycle or bus by a car.

Have you heard of Critical Mass? A single cyclist deliberately crawling
along such a road at 1mph would be able to hold up an entire line of cars
and buses. And then when he got to the end he could U-turn and do it again.

On Nov 20, 11:09 am, Roger Thorpe <initial.surn...@warwick.ac.uk>
wrote:
> Boltar wrote:
>
> Why are there
>
> > queues in the main road? Because what used to be a 4 lane road has now
> > had a bus lane put down both sides reducing it to 2 lanes for
> > everyone. With entirely predictable results.
>
> Isn't the carrying capacity of the road limited more by the junctions
> than the number of lanes in most cases?

Not in this case - the road leads into the north circular so the
capacity of the junction is as great as that of the road itself.

B2003

Mortimer wrote:
> "Jhimmy" <cobalt_blueukm> wrote in message
> news:lQbVk.110420$mr4.81552@newsfe19.ams2...
>>
>> So, what I would do is have a 3 colour system of road markings.
>>
>>
>> 1. The usual white ones - as normal.
>>
>> 2. Red and white striped - this would indicate 20 mph limit on that
>> road. No grumbling over not being able to see speed signs and saying
>> they didn't know the speed limit...it'll be right there in the
>> middle of the road! 3. Green and White - (Bus and Cycle priority)
>> Absolutely NO
>> overtaking of either a cycle or bus by a car. A cycle would be able
>> to cycle in the middle of the road as a car would not legally be
>> able to overtake it. If a bus pulled into a stop, a cycle would be
>> permitted to overtake (as they are treated equally), but a car would
>> have to stop and wait and let the bus have priority.
>>
>>
>> OK it's not perfect, but there's no argument over not seeing signs,
>> it's cheap and easy to understand.
>
> I like the idea of road markings - with the exception of cars not
> being able to overtake bikes and stationary buses. The thought of
> having to stop level with the back-end of a bus while passengers get
> off and on, particularly when the driver is having to take fares in
> today's conductor-free times, sounds horrendous. They have this rule
> in some/all US states in relation to school buses and it's a pain
> because it means that faster traffic can often never overtake a
> slower school bus, either when it's moving because of oncoming
> traffic or when it's stationary because of The Rule. If you get stuck
> behind a school bus you're there for life! In Massachussets it even
> applies to a school bus coming towards you on the other side of the
> road.

So are you not in favour of the primary users of school buses being given
the opportunity to cross the road in safety?

On Nov 20, 12:00 pm, Roger Thorpe <initial.surn...@warwick.ac.uk>
wrote:
> > Not in this case - the road leads into the north circular so the
> > capacity of the junction is as great as that of the road itself.
>
> I'm not going to argue with you about it, because after all you're there
> and I'm not, but the Google Maps picture does make it look as if the
> junction with the north circular is the choke point. These things can be
> deceptive though, in both ways. (on the ground and from the net!)

I'm not saying there'd be no traffic but if drivers could sort
themselves out into their correct lane a lot sooner the traffic would
flow smoother. Plenty of times you get someone trying to turn left who
can't which then causes the whole queue to back up and prevents anyone
who wanted to go straight on or right from proceeding even though its
clear for them across the lights.

Anyway , it was just the first thing that came to mind to do with one
ways , I'm sure there are better examples.

B2003

On Nov 20, 1:20 pm, %ste...@malloc.co.uk (Steve Firth) wrote:
> Boltar <boltar2....uk> wrote:
> > A105 leading up from wood green.
>
> Heh, my London pad is just down the road from you. I could turn up and
> blob you on the nose in person if you like.

You have a london pad? Is that where you stay overnight for your
appointment with the shrink to discuss your fantasy friends?

Btw I don't live in wood green - my native language is english so that
rules me out for starters - so don't get excited.

As for a "Blob" on the nose - I would suggest you keep that for your
sheep, and possibly grow up at the same time. Doing it to
people tends to have unforeseen consequences for the person who does
it.

B2003

Boltar <boltar2003.uk> writes:

> On Nov 20, 1:20 pm, %ste...@malloc.co.uk (Steve Firth) wrote:
>> Boltar <boltar2....uk> wrote:
>> > A105 leading up from wood green.
>>
>> Heh, my London pad is just down the road from you. I could turn up and
>> blob you on the nose in person if you like.
>
> You have a london pad?

Wood Green is in London now, is it?

-dan