Cycle Lanes Scrapped

[The PNP]

It would help if so many of these lycra clad numpties didn't ride around on bikes with tissue paper tyres. remember in the day I road miles on a bike, punctures were very rare, mainly because although I had a sports profile tyre, they had a reasonable amount of rubber and tread on them.

But of course roads and cycle tracks were free of debris of any description, no-one cut their hedges, glass bottles never got dropped, in fact everywhere was pristine clean,

Roads are still largely free of bits of glass, grit, thorns, etc....Which is one good reason why roadbikes are usually to be found on-road. There is another aspect to it as well, i.e. that cyclists who ride at 18mph+ are specifically advised by Govt not to use cycle paths.

[silver fox]

Councils maintain and keep clean pavements and roads, cycleways should be no different - at end of day it all comes out of our Council Tax. And let's not forget, cyclists pay it just like everyone does.

Several years ago living in W Lancs, I was getting a puncture or two every week, caused by using the cyclepath on Southport Rd. In the end, I even resorted to fitting solid tyres, but found they were incredibly jarring and impossible to live with.

Cycle paths alongside roads in the UK, all seem to suffer from the same problem of tiny glass particles. Whereas, paths located away from roads never seem to. The grit and glass must be coming from the roads, spun off by vehicles tyres as they zoom past.

Btw, I did try phoning Lancs County back then, to request they send out a roadsweeper. They were reluctant to do so and said it costs them £40 each time. But even when they did (very rarely) send one out, it still didn't shift all the glass and grit - duh!

Going by your allegations, cycle tracks which are actually part of the roadway with no separation, will be no go areas in no time, sure take your cycle tracks away from roads, as far as possible, won't do a damn thing toward reduce vehicle traffic, only suitable for leisure/pleasure cycling.

[The PNP]

Going by your allegations, cycle tracks which are actually part of the roadway with no separation, will be no go areas in no time, sure take your cycle tracks away from roads, as far as possible, won't do a damn thing toward reduce vehicle traffic, only suitable for leisure/pleasure cycling.

The separation of a cycleway from the main carriageway by a decent grass verge, goes a long way to reducing the problem. Road debris is trapped by the grass, so doesn't roll onto the cycleway.

Of course, grass verges aren't always practical. E.g. they would be a challenge to create in somewhere like Hoghton St. But with the (hopefully) low speed (20mph) of traffic on there, I doubt much debris would be projected very far into the air anyway. It will come to rest against the side of those new rubberised kerb-things, rather than on the cycle-lane.

[MICK/GILLY]

Yea I wouldn’t worry too much about those rubberised curb old lady trap things on Houghton St they won’t be there for long now .

[K-T]

So far as I am aware, Southport is still officially designated a 'Cycling Town'. It has so much going for it for cyclists - wide roads, flat topography, not too much traffic. It's a shame that there has been so much opposition to the cycle lanes - if Southport can't accommodate cyclists alongside motorists, where can?
Personally, I can't see much wrong with the cycle paths on the Formby by-pass. All they need is regular maintenance. I think a better use of any funding would be creating cycle lanes along Waterloo and Liverpool roads (using part of footpaths or grass verges if necessary), to encourage high school students to cycle safely to school and create a safer cycling corridor between Birkdale and Ainsdale.

[The PNP]

So far as I am aware, Southport is still officially designated a 'Cycling Town'. It has so much going for it for cyclists - wide roads, flat topography, not too much traffic. It's a shame that there has been so much opposition to the cycle lanes - if Southport can't accommodate cyclists alongside motorists, where can?

Agree.....It's lack of exercise that's going to be the downfall of these drive-everywhere types - duh!

[Stuartli]

Agree.....It's lack of exercise that's going to be the downfall of these drive-everywhere types - duh!

Yet again your encompassing view of every subject under the sun has let you down.

I have a friend in his early sixties who cycled to and from work four times a day, but who, unfortunately, last year suffered a heart attack that kept him out of action for nearly 10 months.

It would be difficult to find a fitter person for his age, but even regular exercise didn't save him from a long spell in hospital and away from work.

[The PNP]

Yet again your encompassing view of every subject under the sun has let you down.

I have a friend in his early sixties who cycled to and from work four times a day, but who, unfortunately, last year suffered a heart attack that kept him out of action for nearly 10 months.

It would be difficult to find a fitter person for his age, but even regular exercise didn't save him from a long spell in hospital and away from work.

Kinda makes you wonder why folk bother going to the gym.

Btw, I get my daily saddletime in, with a 30min commute to/from the yard. Hard to beat a bit of fresh air to start the day!

[justbecause]

Yet again your encompassing view of every subject under the sun has let you down.

I have a friend in his early sixties who cycled to and from work four times a day, but who, unfortunately, last year suffered a heart attack that kept him out of action for nearly 10 months.

It would be difficult to find a fitter person for his age, but even regular exercise didn't save him from a long spell in hospital and away from work.

Have you noticed that the two people who have been relentlessly telling us how the cycle lanes introduction was a foregone conclusion, have failed to acknowledge that the proposal is now dead in the water, not a single word.

[The PNP]

Have you noticed that the two people who have been relentlessly telling us how the cycle lanes introduction was a foregone conclusion, have failed to acknowledge that the proposal is now dead in the water, not a single word.

Could be.....Yet many towns elsewhere in UK that embrace these schemes, will still be able to enjoy the benefits of safer roads for their residents.

[sandGroundZero]

The controversial aspects of Southport /Sefton's Active Travel initiative were part of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Cycling was featured in London Mayor Johnson's term; that is, one of his bien-pensant moments. It was not formerly a Conservative (party) priority and now that PM Johnson is falling-out of Conservative fashion, cycling will doubtless slide way down Tory priorities.

The grant funding supports local transport authorities with producing cycling and walking facilities.

The funding is in 2 tranches:

• tranche 1 supports the installation of temporary projects for the COVID-19 pandemic
• tranche 2 supports the creation of longer-term projects

The funding was announced by the Secretary of State for Transport on 23 May 2020 as part of the work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Have you noticed that the two people who have been relentlessly telling us how the cycle lanes introduction was a foregone conclusion, have failed to acknowledge that the proposal is now dead in the water, not a single word.

Health Matters: There’s never been a better time to promote active travel

It was to be fair, central government which pressed "emergency" measures on Councils. Sefton had no prior plan (that I am aware of) to put cycle lanes in Hoghton Street. Nevertheless, it might be premature to suppose that better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are "dead in the water ".

[silver fox]

The controversial aspects of Southport /Sefton's Active Travel initiative were part of the COVID-19 pandemic response. Cycling was featured in London Mayor Johnson's term; that is, one of his bien-pensant moments. It was not formerly a Conservative (party) priority and now that PM Johnson is falling-out of Conservative fashion, cycling will doubtless slide way down Tory priorities.

The grant funding supports local transport authorities with producing cycling and walking facilities.

The funding is in 2 tranches:

• tranche 1 supports the installation of temporary projects for the COVID-19 pandemic
• tranche 2 supports the creation of longer-term projects

The funding was announced by the Secretary of State for Transport on 23 May 2020 as part of the work to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Health Matters: There’s never been a better time to promote active travel

It was to be fair, central government which pressed "emergency" measures on Councils. Sefton had no prior plan (that I am aware of) to put cycle lanes in Hoghton Street. Nevertheless, it might be premature to suppose that better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are "dead in the water ".

Here is the real issue, providing better facilities is not the problem, carving up the road system for a limited use facility is the problem, we know that certain people have this naive belief that provide the facility and most of the town residents and visitors will suddenly become cycling fanatics, the first winter chill, wind or rain and we all know that the bikes will be largely consigned to garages and sheds, that is simply human nature, most of us prefer to be warm and dry, not windswept, disheveled wretches.

[The PNP]

Of course, if motorists had respected cyclists roadspace in the first place, by passing bikes wide and slow, measures like this would never have been necessary - duh!

A bike should be ridden 1m from the kerb, add .5m (width of bike), the all-important 1.5m clearance to car nearside wing-mirror, 2m (width of car). Which puts offside wing-mirror of car about 5m (16ft) from kerb. It can clearly be seen from these figures, that to pass safely, a car needs to encroach into the oncoming lane.

But 9 times out of 10, the car never waits for a break in oncoming traffic as it should. Instead it squeezes past the bike at close-quarters, which is enough to put anyone but the boldest off cycling for good!

[sandGroundZero]

…
It was to be fair, central government which pressed "emergency" measures on Councils. Sefton had no prior plan (that I am aware of) to put cycle lanes in Hoghton Street. Nevertheless, it might be premature to suppose that better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists are "dead in the water ".

silver fox:
"Here is the real issue, providing better facilities is not the problem, carving up the road system for a limited use facility is the problem, we know that certain people have this naive belief that provide the facility and most of the town residents and visitors will suddenly become cycling fanatics, the first winter chill, wind or rain and we all know that the bikes will be largely consigned to garages and sheds, that is simply human nature, most of us prefer to be warm and dry, not windswept, disheveled wretches."

…misses the point, entirely!

Central government promoted urgent measures; Sefton Council Officers made a judgement about what measures would fit the required guidelines — cycle lanes on Hoghton Street and elsewhere, i.e. a north-south route to and through the business district. It appears the Council has no particular ideological investment in that 'emergency ' measure.

On the more general policy, namely Active Travel: it is encouragement; not compulsion. Residents are urged to incorporate walking and bicycling into their journeys in preference to defaulting to a motor vehicle (for those fortunate enough to have access to a vehicle), especially for short journeys.

"…that certain people have this naive belief that provide the facility and most of the town residents and visitors will suddenly become cycling fanatics, …" is false and a distraction repeated time and again by a handful of posters on this forum.
What, I wonder, do you fear?
It appears to be the case that some motorists resent their traditionally preeminent status as road users being questioned by the mere suggestion that other road users are entitled to some space.

[silver fox]

silver fox:
"Here is the real issue, providing better facilities is not the problem, carving up the road system for a limited use facility is the problem, we know that certain people have this naive belief that provide the facility and most of the town residents and visitors will suddenly become cycling fanatics, the first winter chill, wind or rain and we all know that the bikes will be largely consigned to garages and sheds, that is simply human nature, most of us prefer to be warm and dry, not windswept, disheveled wretches."

…misses the point, entirely!

Central government promoted urgent measures; Sefton Council Officers made a judgement about what measures would fit the required guidelines — cycle lanes on Hoghton Street and elsewhere, i.e. a north-south route to and through the business district. It appears the Council has no particular ideological investment in that 'emergency ' measure.

On the more general policy, namely Active Travel: it is encouragement; not compulsion. Residents are urged to incorporate walking and bicycling into their journeys in preference to defaulting to a motor vehicle (for those fortunate enough to have access to a vehicle), especially for short journeys.

"…that certain people have this naive belief that provide the facility and most of the town residents and visitors will suddenly become cycling fanatics, …" is false and a distraction repeated time and again by a handful of posters on this forum.
What, I wonder, do you fear?
It appears to be the case that some motorists resent their traditionally preeminent status as road users being questioned by the mere suggestion that other road users are entitled to some space.

Don't fear anything, if my access to town is restrictive to me, I simply go elsewhere, I am merely parodying the claims from the tiny cycling fanatics, no doubt whatsoever that this was not in the mind of the Council when they came up with half baked plans.