| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Will cyclists obey now? | |
| Posted by: | Al Webber | |
| Date/Time: | 29/10/20 11:12:00 |
| The shared use pavement between Chiswick and Hammersmith is absolutely awful. There aren't as many pedestrians on it as the High Road but there are enough. Pedestrians are unpredictable. I've cycled over 30,000 miles in London, and my only trip to A&E was caused by pedestrian who stepped out in front of me with absolutely no warning. I've had hundreds (maybe thousands) of other pedestrians step in front of me without looking. Some of the pedestrians also have dogs, which are a total menace. No shared use pavement is safe if you are cycling at a decent speed. I'm pretty sure that the official recommendation is not to use them if you are travelling at more than 18mph. Personally, I think that speed should be lower. Going East, the pavement at the bottom of Netheravon Road is so narrow that it is impossible for anyone to pass each other without using the road. If you meet a pedestrian, or a cyclist, coming in the other direction, there is no option but to use the road. Then you have to bunnyhop the curb. That is a joke. The bigger issue going East is getting left hooked by cars turning into Rivercourt road without indicating. You are actually safer on the road at that location. Given the risks of pedestrians and dogs, you are safer on the road for the whole distance if you are doing more than 10 or 12 mph. Going West, there are also roads where you can get left hooked, although they are nowhere near as busy as Rivercourt Road. There are also places where there are very low tree branches that can hit you in the eye. This time of year, there will be leaves on the ground on the path that will be a complete hazard on a wet day like today - although once the weight of the leaves is removed, the branches will be above head height, so there is some silver lining! It's also very narrow in places. To sum up, calling that a cycle route is a total joke. |