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Cyclists NOT using cycle lanes.

  • 16-08-2006 12:26PM
    #1
    Saruman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭


    I have noticed this recently.. cyclists on the road when there is a perfectly good cycle lane! Im not even talking about cycle lane on the road! Im talking about a dedicated cycle lane running alongside a pedestrian path. Prime example is Phoenix park. Another is the Ballycoolin area. There is one heading towards Kilshane cross from the airport too.. nice hedge blocking you off from the road.. still cyclists on the road??

    Why are they complaining about not enough cycle lanes etc in this country when they refuse to actually use them when they are there?


«1

Comments

  • #2
    rob1891
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,038 ✭✭✭rob1891


    do you care or do you just want to moan?

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/searchbt.php?search=cycle+lanes&order=0&user=&scope=4&cat=1&frm=-1

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/searchbt.php?search=cycle+lane+phoenix&order=0&user=&scope=4&cat=1&frm=-1

    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2054969927&referrerid=59211&highlight=cycle+lane+phoenix

    etc.


  • #3
    egan007
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,934 ✭✭✭egan007


    Moron - Roads are for bikes too.
    I'm a driver.

    Man i hate morons.


  • #4
    tunney
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,585 ✭✭✭✭tunney


    Saruman wrote:
    Why are they complaining about not enough cycle lanes etc in this country when they refuse to actually use them when they are there?

    Well if the cycle lanes are poorly thought out and implemented they put the cyclists in danger. I refuse to use 8 out of 10 cycle lanes on safety grounds.


  • #5
    csm
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 310 ✭✭csm


    i'm not familiar with the lanes you are talking about but i remember the one running on the path along the stillorgan dual carriageway went unused. this was because if you came to a junction without lights (there are a couple of examples of small roads leaving premises but i can't think where they are now, been a while) you had to give way to traffic coming from the minor road if you were cycling on the path, but not if you were cycling on the road.

    also there is a lane which veers just off templeogue road which i never use because you can't turn right off it (coming from town) and that's where i live

    some lanes just aren't thought out very well


  • #6
    i71jskz5xu42pb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,806 ✭✭✭i71jskz5xu42pb


    Saruman wrote:
    I have noticed this recently.. cyclists on the road when there is a perfectly good cycle lane! Im not even talking about cycle lane on the road! Im talking about a dedicated cycle lane running alongside a pedestrian path. Prime example is Phoenix park. Another is the Ballycoolin area. There is one heading towards Kilshane cross from the airport too.. nice hedge blocking you off from the road.. still cyclists on the road??

    Why are they complaining about not enough cycle lanes etc in this country when they refuse to actually use them when they are there?

    There's an off road cycle lane on the drumcondra road (between clonliffe and botanic roads). If you cycle on the road (heading north) you have right of way over all of the side roads that join the drumcondra road. If you cycle on the cycle path you
    • need to slow down to yield to every single side road (there are about 4 or 5)
    • share with pedestrians

    So, no I generally don't use it and yes I will continue to complain about the lack of suitable cycle lanes.

    If you have a problem with that I suggest you lobby your local TD and/or councillor for the provision of suitable cycle lanes.



    PS anybody see the program about Portland on the TV last night - really interesting cycle/public transport friendly city.


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  • #7
    Mucco
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 717 ✭✭✭Mucco


    Saruman wrote:
    Why are they complaining about not enough cycle lanes etc in this country when they refuse to actually use them when they are there?
    Surely a more appropriate question is 'Why are they refusing to use the cycle lanes that are there?'
    These links provide some answers:
    http://www.cyclecraft.co.uk/digest/research.html
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bike_path#The_safety_of_segregated_cycle_facilities

    M


  • #8
    Saruman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    egan007 wrote:
    Moron - Roads are for bikes too.
    I'm a driver.

    Man i hate morons.

    Im assuming i am being called a moron here? Can i ask why? I mean all i did was post a thread wondering why it is that what look to me like perfectly good cycle lanes are not being used by cyclists... how in the name of God is that a moronic question?

    I will not stoop to your level and call you any names beginning with "M"


  • #9
    i71jskz5xu42pb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,806 ✭✭✭i71jskz5xu42pb


    Saruman wrote:
    Im assuming i am being called a moron here? Can i ask why?
    No good reason - it's a reasonable question with reasonable explanations above.
    Cyclists just have a short fuse with motorists (and vice versa I'd say) when it comes to anything (even a question) as to who has a right to the road


  • #10
    Morgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,481 ✭✭✭Morgan


    Saruman wrote:
    why it is that what look to me like perfectly good cycle lanes are not being used by cyclists...

    Fair enough question, however they're not perfectly good - they're generally pretty bad to very bad. You really have to experience riding on them to appreciate it.


  • #11
    Saruman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    Well i have actually... the ones in the phoenix park at least. I have not used any of the others i pointed out but i have to ask what is a GOOD cycle lane if not one that keeps a cyclist safe from cars?


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  • #12
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 28,713 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    Saruman wrote:
    Well i have actually... the ones in the phoenix park at least. I have not used any of the others i pointed out but i have to ask what is a GOOD cycle lane if not one that keeps a cyclist safe from cars?

    If you checked out the other threads here you'd see its a common problem that people walk in the cycle lanes which makes them far from safe unfortunately....phoenix included :)


  • #13
    ruprect
    Closed Accounts Posts: 630 ✭✭✭ruprect


    If there was a car lane and truck lane and the car lane was littered with oblivious pedestrians I would tend to drive in the truck lane.
    The cyclelanes are also terrible, glass and kerbs, I cycled on them on a racer and now never question why people on racers stick to the roads. In another thread I was asking about which hybrid to get, should be sturdy enough but people with them were saying they would not cycle on dublin cyclelanes since they would be destroyed.


  • #14
    kincsem
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,012 ✭✭✭kincsem


    I try to use cycle lanes but will use the road

    1. before 7am if there is little traffic (going out from Dublin)
    2. if the cycle lane is an abomination like the stretch just past Foxrock church, where there is a one inch drop and a one inch rise at every house entrance. In a few hundred yards you get hammered X 12 houses.


  • #15
    Saruman
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,389 ✭✭✭✭Saruman


    Grand.. now i know there are valid reasons for not using them. Simple question with a simple answer :D no need for personal abuse and name calling by some posters.


  • #16
    johnnyrotten
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,592 ✭✭✭johnnyrotten


    Whats the excuse for Cyclists not using traffic lights?
    Or should I say ignoring traffic lights


  • #17
    Cabaal
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators, Regional South East Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 28,713 Mod ✭✭✭✭Cabaal


    johnnyrotten wrote:
    Whats the excuse for Cyclists not using traffic lights?
    Or should I say ignoring traffic lights


    There is none, I see it every day as I cycle home muppets going through lights.

    I think you'll find nobody here will defend those muppets!
    There about as smart as the ****wits that drive through red lights!
    :mad:


  • #18
    cyclopath2001
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,359 ✭✭✭cyclopath2001


    johnnyrotten wrote:
    Whats the excuse for Cyclists not using traffic lights?
    Or should I say ignoring traffic lights
    For those cyclists I'd say:

    1: Same excuse as motorists who ignore traffic lights
    2: The traffic lights are the type that only change for motorists.

    But mostly it's '1'.


  • #19
    Civilian_Target
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,618 ✭✭✭Civilian_Target


    johnnyrotten wrote:
    Whats the excuse for Cyclists not using traffic lights?
    Or should I say ignoring traffic lights

    Usually, none.
    Ocassionally, like at the top of my estate, there are induction triggered traffic lights which my bike won't trigger (they'll stay red forever until a car shows up) so if I know the junction and I know it's safe, I'll break them.

    Breaking the lights at major junctions is just asking to become a permenant (stationary) road feature!


  • #20
    ruprect
    Closed Accounts Posts: 630 ✭✭✭ruprect


    cyclopath2001 wrote:
    1: Same excuse as motorists who ignore traffic lights
    .
    And pedestrians, by far the worst offenders


  • #21
    milod
    Closed Accounts Posts: 757 ✭✭✭milod


    ruprect wrote:
    And pedestrians, by far the worst offenders

    Agree! 4 serious tumbles in 6 years, 3 of which involved jaywalking pedestrians :mad:


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  • #22
    jman0
    Closed Accounts Posts: 731 ✭✭✭jman0


    I don't know about that.
    There is one red light i will break every chance i get.
    It's a multi-lane roundabout with lights letting cars on and off it.
    Cars prefer to race around it however and the only safe way for me to get to teh 2nd exit is to get a head start on the cars queued behind me at the light.
    Therefore i wait til there's suitable gap and enter the roundabout while the light is red.
    I'll do it everytime, it's the only safest thing to do.
    If I let the light turn green before i enter the roundabout, the cars behind catch up quickly and perform dangerous moves: overtake me on the right and still take the 1st exit (there are 2 lanes on all exits).
    I've had enough close calls from inconsiderate motorists.


  • #23
    GlennaMaddy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 853 ✭✭✭GlennaMaddy


    Can't find much info on cycle lanes in the rules of the road, can any body answer these questions

    1. Are cyclists obliged to use a cycle lane if it is provided
    2. Can motorists drive on the cyclelanes that 'share' the road


  • #24
    Morgan
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,481 ✭✭✭Morgan


    GlennaMaddy wrote:
    Are cyclists obliged to use a cycle lane if it is provided
    Yes, as long as it has the statutory signs and road markings (which many don't). DCC are campaigning to change this rule.
    GlennaMaddy wrote:
    2. Can motorists drive on the cyclelanes that 'share' the road
    If it has a broken white line to the side - yes.


  • #25
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    One of the problems of choosing not to use the cycle path is that a small minority of drivers feel they have the automatic right to try to kill you. Happened to me just this lunchtime.


  • #26
    Drapper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭Drapper


    Saruman wrote:
    Well i have actually... the ones in the phoenix park at least. I have not used any of the others i pointed out but i have to ask what is a GOOD cycle lane if not one that keeps a cyclist safe from cars?

    MAn most of the cycle lanes are full of pedestrian in the PArk ! take the park twice a day and have given up on them!!

    BY the WAy ROads are for Bikes Cars tractors buses...................... ! Cycle lanes are optional ;-) and can be more dangerous than on the road! i.e.

    GRannys, Wanders, ipod arm waving BOP girls and Nisan Primera drivers!!


  • #27
    i71jskz5xu42pb
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,806 ✭✭✭i71jskz5xu42pb


    Drapper wrote:
    Cycle lanes are optional ;-)
    Stricly speaking I don't think you are correct here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=51885794&postcount=38


  • #28
    cyclopath2001
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,359 ✭✭✭cyclopath2001


    GlennaMaddy wrote:
    Can't find much info on cycle lanes in the rules of the road, can any body answer these questions
    The rules are presently only available in a statutory instrument.

    The new draft of the Rules of the Road attempts to cover this but gets it wrong.
    GlennaMaddy wrote:
    1. Are cyclists obliged to use a cycle lane if it is provided
    Yes mostly, that is if they lane complies with the legal requirements for signage and surface markings (refer to the statutory instruments for details).

    There are some exceptions if it's got a broken line to the right, in which case you can move outside: A>If turning right and you've indicated. B>If overtaking a legally parked car. These are the only provided exceptions. Absurdly, you may be committing an offence if you try to overtake an illegally parked car.
    GlennaMaddy wrote:
    2. Can motorists drive on the cyclelanes that 'share' the road
    For lanes with continuous white lines, mostly no. Yes if bounded by a broken white line - this change was introduced by the PDs in 1998 to encourage greater competition on the roads.


  • #29
    Drapper
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,814 ✭✭✭Drapper


    PaschalNee wrote:
    Stricly speaking I don't think you are correct here
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=51885794&postcount=38

    em buddy how do I shift the walkers on the cycle paths ? read the law out as I pass?


  • #30
    daymobrew
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,753 ✭✭✭daymobrew


    GlennaMaddy wrote:
    1. Are cyclists obliged to use a cycle lane if it is provided
    2. Can motorists drive on the cyclelanes that 'share' the road
    Any volunteers to sticky the answers to these questions. They've come up multiple times in the last few days.


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  • #31
    Idleater
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,176 ✭✭✭Idleater


    Drapper wrote:
    em buddy how do I shift the walkers on the cycle paths ? read the law out as I pass?

    Drapper, I think we are on a lost cause here. Most of the car driving public have no concept of what it is like to take a bike to the roads these days.

    Helas I don't cycle as much as I used (or should) but my personal argument against me using cycle lanes was primarily that my average speed on a road bike on a typical journey into town would be 20kmph. On a Sunday spin the speed averages more. I have been involved in three incidents with pedestrians (directly) and they have been exceptionally lucky not to have been injured more than they were.

    A bicycle is a dangerous pointy weapon. Cycling down a cycle path (next to a foot path) is extremely dangerous, and to illustrate this, I would ask any car driver how "safe" they would consider it to drive down a footpath at 25-30 kmph.

    To be honest, I have been told more times to get off the footpath than to get onto the cyclepath.

    I just used to cycle in the bus lane, and move out into the traffic lane to allow the busses and taxi's by. When there was no buslane I'd cycle 1m -1.5m minimun out from the edge of the road. Car drivers see you out there, they give out but they dont hit you.

    L.


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