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THREE.. Bad infrastructure... and the problems it causes

Obstructions

Anti-shopper barriers at a Tesco supermarket

Van blocking the exit to a cycle bypass

There are several points in the city notorious amongst cyclists where elements of design intended to slow cycles down in fact have the effect of stopping them completely - especially when they are towing trailers. An obvious example can be found on the path by Tesco’s near to Riverside where chicanes have been installed which have the unintended effect of forcing cyclists to stop. This sort of bad design needs to be removed from the city’s cycle routes, especially from places like supermarkets, which are prime destinations for cyclists with trailers and shopping bags!

There are methods to make cyclists slow down at danger points without causing them inconvenience

There is a case for removing most of the city’s existing pinch point obstructions. Often they serve no purpose other than to slow down cycles unnecessarily and they can also further handicap people in wheelchairs.

Dooring lane

The parking bays in Trumpington Road outside the Botanic Gardens are also extremely badly designed. To have a cycle path less than an open door’s width from the car, is asking for trouble. Carelessly opened doors will hit cyclists riding in the cycle lane. More care needs to be taken when trying to match the needs of parking and cyclists.