CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Infrastructure

Problem of central islands squeezing cyclists

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  1. chdot
    Admin

    This issue has emerged in another thread.

    CCE Forum member DdF has posted this -

    "East Lothian has quite a variety of ways of handling the problem of central islands squeezing cyclists, some of which are bad, some are quite impressive. The East Lothian Cycle Forum, where the council meets cyclist reps, has been pressing for uniformity. For a great example, see the picture on page 16 of SESTRAN guidance "Cycling Infrastructure" which is at http://www.sestran.gov.uk/strategy_publications/index.php. Clearly wide vehicles will have to enter the advisory cycle lane, but the idea is it makes them more aware of the cyclist's need for space. Incidentally this guidance document was drawn up by SESTRAN (not Sustrans) for the benefit of all the councils in South East Scotland. Finally, if anyone thinks East Lothian is bad on central islands, you should try West Lothian - there's no concrete evidence that they even recognise there's a problem."

    Posted 14 years ago #

  2. Wilmington's Cow
    Member

    Links Gardens and Links Place have the most ridiculous traffic 'calming' measures. Build-outs from both sides of the road to narrow down to one lane, with no priority signs.

    Some of the build-outs have cut-throughs for bikes. Some don't. One with a cut-out has a designated communal wheelie bin space right beside it meaning it can't be used. Another cut-out has a designated disabled parking space beside it meaning it can't be used.

    The theory of no priority signs is that it forces drivers to 'engage' people coming the other way. To make eye contact. And to approach the calming measures more slowly as a consequence of 'making contact'. What actually happens is people race to get through first, and when two people are approaching at similar speeds from similar distances either both try to go, or both go to stop, confusion reigns, and no-one is really paying attention to 'being safe'.

    Utterly mental.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  3. Arellcat
    Moderator

    Picture 4.2.1/1 is a great example for less experienced cyclists, though others will probably adopt primary positioning well before it.

    There was the instance of a central pedestrian island on Pentland Terrace where the width of a newly painted cycle lane for citybound cyclists was unceremoniously halved by the extended pavement opposite the island. That was from an attempt to gradually merge two lanes of traffic into one and reduce the crossing distance. I pointed this out to the Council, who were on the case soon after and widened the cycle lane at the chicane.

    I wish they would do the same for the pedestrian island on Inglis Green Road. That is one of the worst pinch points for cyclists I've found. When travelling west, immediately after the island you have to move out to avoid parked cars, moving into primary before the island is difficult because of the density and speed of traffic; travelling east you have to deal with fewer motor vehicles, some emerging from the car park on the left and others who are racing to get the green light to turn left onto Lanark Road; but at least you get a bus lane beyond the island.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  4. wee folding bike
    Member

    Corkerhill Rd in Glasgow has peninsulas coming out from the pavement into the cycle lane at the bus shelters.

    They also lack any kind of drainage so the up hill side collects water which freezes in the winter.

    There is a central reservation so if you move right to get round the peninsula traffic can't get past you.

    Bus passengers wander onto them with little regard for cyclists.

    http://tiny.cc/WHXBd

    Posted 14 years ago #

  5. Min
    Member

    Oh that looks particularly bad!

    Arellcat-Inglis Green Road sounds a bit like the situation in Old Dalkeith Road. Very fast traffic and a couple of sets of traffic islands forcing that traffic in, followed immediately by strings of parked cars forcing cyclists out.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  6. Kim
    Member

    Going up Rodney Street from Cannon Mills (i.e. South), you have to move to the right at the lights to go straight ahead. There is what at first looks like a nice wide cycle lane, but there are loading bays set into it, then where the road narrows there is a bus stop which juts out into the road and the cycle lane promptly stops, just at the point where the cars are getting up to full speed away from the lights, and for the cyclist the hill is starting to kick in.

    Actually this would be better in the case against cycle lanes thread, but both threads are about bad road design.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  7. chdot
    Admin

    "One important segment of the program deals with a cyclist’s use of a “sub-standard width” lane. For the purpose of the statute, that’s a lane less than 14 feet wide. A cyclist is allowed the full us of a sub-standard* lane — meaning you can ride anywhere in it you choose and motorists must change lanes to pass."

    And that's just the start....

    http://commuteorlando.com/wordpress/2010/01/20/dude-who-do-you-think-youre-honking-at

    Posted 14 years ago #

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