Lightweight suspended cycle paths

kidneyfan

How practical is the idea of lightweight wooden bicycle paths elevated above the road?
At the Chapelizod bypass there is a significant problem with cyclists in the bus lane delaying commuters and we are all familiar with the hazards caused by reckless cyclists.

Carawaystick

I'd say cyclists are commuters, and its motorists who are delaying commuters.
If there were no motorists, there would be no delays to bus passengers, or motorbike commuters.

_Kaiser_

Carawaystick wrote: »

I'd say cyclists are commuters, and its motorists who are delaying commuters.
If there were no motorists, there would be no delays to bus passengers, or motorbike commuters.

This makes no sense in the face of reality - you're suggesting the motorists aren't commuting as well?

I know a lot of people on this forum seem to think that everyone should walk, cycle or take PT everywhere but it's just not practical in many cases - especially at a time when we're pricing people out of the city but ignoring the fact that their jobs aren't moving with them.

Spanish Eyes

Seems to me that cyclists will only be happy when they are the ONLY commuters allowed on a road.

Anything else is just not optimum at all for them.

Look at the way they hate cars for instance. Cars are being banned soon within a certain city centre area. So are taxis. That is a great start. Let us be optimistic.

The cycle way along the quays is a great idea too. Except the buses have been pushed into Benburb Street, when a cycle lane alongside the Luas would have been perfect.

But then again DCC fupped up there by announcing that route as the preferred route, without checking first that a soon to be built apartment block will also block the buslane at Smithfield. You couldn't make it up.

There is acknowledgement from car drivers and buses/Luas that cyclists and pedestrians have to share space.

But look at my first sentence again.

ArmaniJeanss

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Seems to me that cyclists will only be happy when they are the ONLY commuters allowed on a road.

Thats a curious statement in the context of a thread whose premise is that it is cyclists who are in the way and need to be placed on their own raised path above the roads.

ted1

kidneyfan wrote: »

How practical is the idea of lightweight wooden bicycle paths elevated above the road?
At the Chapelizod bypass there is a significant problem with cyclists in the bus lane delaying commuters and we are all familiar with the hazards caused by reckless cyclists.

Cars delay commuters. Just ban single occupancy cars during rush hours and the problem will go away

Chris_5339762

Thats one of Boris' most hare brained schemes. It would never get built due to the visual intrusion, for one. Also, it would have to be so high up that quite a few cyclist would stay right down on street level as it would be exhausting to get up onto it.

Spanish Eyes

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

Thats a curious statement in the context of a thread whose premise is that it is cyclists who are in the way and need to be placed on their own raised path above the roads.

Nah, cyclists think EVERYONE else is in their way.

But I suppose a raised platform for cars..... above cyclists, public transport and pedestrians could be considered before the OP proposal!

Carawaystick

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

This makes no sense in the face of reality - you're suggesting the motorists aren't commuting as well?

The Chapelizod Bypass is a 3 lane road each way.
One lane is dedicated to Cyclists, Busses and Taxis. Two are for all traffic.
The OP is suggesting cyclists cycling along at 20-30 kmh are holding up busses.
But its a 3 lane road, the bus could use one of the other 2 lanes to overtake the cyclists. Except those lanes are blocked by cars stopped in traffic that they're part of.

_Kaiser_

Carawaystick wrote: »

The Chapelizod Bypass is a 3 lane road each way.
One lane is dedicated to Cyclists, Busses and Taxis. Two are for all traffic.
The OP is suggesting cyclists cycling along at 20-30 kmh are holding up busses.
But its a 3 lane road, the bus could use one of the other 2 lanes to overtake the cyclists. Except those lanes are blocked by cars stopped in traffic that they're part of.

And do you think those people in cars are sitting in traffic for fun, or that they too are trying to get to and from work just like everyone else? You're still ignoring the reality that taking the bus or cycling everywhere isn't an option for many people.

The answer IS indeed to separate cyclists from other traffic - not just with a bit of red paint slapped on the side of a lane but properly segmented lanes. Having cyclists mixed in among motorised traffic is always going to cause issues.

kidneyfan

Would be better and safer for cyclists too.

07Lapierre

A separate cycle lane is always going to be a safer option. Not sure about a wooden surface though. Cyclists are human and they will always take the shortest/ Easiest route from A to B. If this proposed cycle path means a longer /steeper route (on a wooden surface which could be slippy in winter, especially if leaves/broken glass etc. are not removed regularly), then it won't be used.

Carawaystick

Would the wooden elevated path be gritted in frost? would it be ploughed in snow? would it be kept slime free in the damp? would grit be swept away? Would mopeds be kept off it, in such a way as to prevent all pedal cycles using the route, like on other cycling infrastructure.

Would it need to be stronger to take machinery to do the above?

kidneyfan

Carawaystick wrote: »

Would the wooden elevated path be gritted in frost? would it be ploughed in snow? would it be kept slime free in the damp? would grit be swept away? Would mopeds be kept off it, in such a way as to prevent all pedal cycles using the route, like on other cycling infrastructure.

Would it need to be stronger to take machinery to do the above?

Yes to the Mopeds, dealt with simply by having police at either end and horrifying penalties for the moped user.
As for the other elements it would be covered thus keeping off snow and rain etc,

cython

kidneyfan wrote: »

Yes to the Mopeds, dealt with simply by having police at either end and horrifying penalties for the moped user.
As for the other elements it would be covered thus keeping off snow and rain etc,

Ok, well at least this clears up that this suggestion exists only in some fantasy world of yours. Seriously, there is a chronic shortage of Gardai in Ireland, and you think they'll find some to do the equivalent of the people seen at the top of travelators in shopping centres? Right so! :rolleyes:

endacl

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Seems to me that cyclists will only be happy when they are the ONLY commuters allowed on a road.

Anything else is just not optimum at all for them.

Look at the way they hate cars for instance.

I don't hate cars. I own a car. I quite like it. It often makes more sense for me to use my car. Sometimes the bike is the best option. I've also been known to walk places.



Seriously. When we're moving from place to place, we're all commuters. Nobody gets to be privileged. All cyclists aren't idiots. Neither are all drivers. Some if each are, and they get posted about.

Don't get me started on pedestrians...

Spanish Eyes

endacl wrote: »

I don't hate cars. I own a car. I quite like it. It often makes more sense for me to use my car. Sometimes the bike is the best option. I've also been known to walk places.



Seriously. When we're moving from place to place, we're all commuters. Nobody gets to be privileged. All cyclists aren't idiots. Neither are all drivers. Some if each are, and they get posted about.

Don't get me started on pedestrians...

Oh I know all this. We all have to share space.

Sometimes I feel the cyclists want it all their own way though.

That has to stop. We ALL need to commute at an optimum level for the majority.

If that means less cars and more cycle and bus lanes so be it.

Pedestrians, i.e. those who WALK to work are generally forgotten.

endacl

Spanish Eyes wrote: »

Oh I know all this. We all have to share space.

Sometimes I feel the cyclists want it all their own way though.

That has to stop. We ALL need to commute at an optimum level for the majority.

If that means less cars and more cycle and bus lanes so be it.

Pedestrians, i.e. those who WALK to work are generally forgotten.

You see, when you say things like "I feel the cyclists want it all their own way", you're talking about me. Most of the time that's my demographic. I can assure you I don't want it all my own way. I do, as a commuter, want to be afforded the same respect I afford others. When I'm driving, I don't want some numpty on no-lights hipsterfixie zipping across me on a red light. When I'm cycling it bugs me when I find the cycle lane unusable because there's a van parked on it, or because it's badly planned and maintained. A little respect goes a long way.