You are in: Home » Cycling 2020 » Bad infrastructure... and the problems it causes
THREE.. Bad infrastructure... and the problems it causes
Poor quality cycle lanes
In too many cases across the city, cycle lanes are simply too narrow to be safe and are often well below the recommended standards. This has two consequences. Cyclists don’t use them because they are impractical and motorists either overtake too closely or get irritated with cyclists for not using the perceived facility. In either event, neither the cyclist nor the motorist benefits.
Inadequate facilities are harmful: cyclists can’t use them, and motorists can become irritated when they see cyclists not using the perceived facility
It simply isn’t sufficient to draw a white stripe on the road with a bicycle sign inside it and assume that’s the end of the matter. Cycle lanes, as with any other traffic infrastructure, need to be designed in order to provide a specific benefit for the user. If this were done there would be many fewer instances of cycle lanes coming to an end just when they are needed.
At present it’s sad but true to say that in many situations cyclists would be safer if an existing substandard lane was removed and cyclists and motorists shared the road.
Top of page