Not really, Sustrans routes go the length and breadth of the country and generally avoid sharing roads.
Big difference between plotting a route on the map and slapping a NCN label on it, and actually riding the thing - which Sustrans has never done, in my experience.
Plus we’re not really talking about a contraversial idea, just not expecting to abuse and mow down strangers with impunity because you were a bit late for the school run.
I did a presentation in a Zoom meeting describing how I'd had abuse for the way I look or for just going down the street, been shouted at, spat at, had things thrown at me, had vehicles driven deliberately at me and even been assaulted and had my attacker cautioned by the Police, and then asked the rest of the attendees to tell me what it was about me that provoked those reactions.
Most suggested it was race or related to my sexuality. They were gobsmacked that it was because I ride a bike.
We don't tolerate that behaviour directed at people due to race or sexuality, why should it be acceptable to do it for any other reason? Though I suspect that there's an interesting Venn diagram for racists, homophobes and cyclist haters.
Big difference between plotting a route on the map and slapping a NCN label on it, and actually riding the thing – which Sustrans has never done, in my experience.
Yeah, Sustrans removed almost a quarter of their signposted routes a while ago:
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2020/jul/19/national-cycle-network-sustrans-cuts-quarter-uk-routes-safety-grounds
An acknowledgement that a lot of them weren't fit for purpose.
For years, Sustrans (as a campaigning organisation) were limited to what the council finally agreed to do and then Sustrans would enthusiastically sign it off and claim that their campaigning had worked. Problem was they were signing off any old crap - councils would make a few token gestures and rather than kick it back with a shout that it simply wasn't good enough, it was accepted on the grounds of anything is better than nothing.
Result - we're left with a so-called National network that is nothing of the sort. Could be a tarmac back road (ironically like the excellent bit that runs parallel to the A590 from that garage down towards Beck Head) or it could be an unlit muddy trail round the arse end of an industrial estate.
Not really, Sustrans routes go the length and breadth of the country and generally avoid sharing roads.
Looks very pretty on a UK wide map, get down to real world A to B journeys and they are less effective.
Obviously if we choose to prioritise infrastructure and removing cyclists from the roads, rather than removing dangerous and aggressive drivers from the roads, we'll be waiting a long time. One solves the problem for lucky old us, the other solves the problem for all road users and reduces the cost to wider society. Infrastructure would be great in the medium to long term, short term priorities should be elsewhere.
Big difference between plotting a route on the map and slapping a NCN label on it, and actually riding the thing – which Sustrans has never done, in my experience.
I admit my experience is probably different to yours, we have some excellent routes up here, the 4 lane A77 was upgraded to a motorway years ago and reconfigured to be 2 lane with a huge cycle path (more of a seperate road actually) to one side. Still get the militants on the road of course but its a good bit of infrastructure. There are holes of course and that's on the local authorities to sort but the concept is proven.
I do 3-4000 miles per year, statistically I’d need to ride for about 300 years before becoming a stat.
I only do about 40 miles(road) miles a week nowadays. I get close-passed and/or have to make evasive/Jedi-manoeuvres on pretty much every short trip especially near or in towns. It seems very much worse than days gone by. 30 years ago I’d have been doing 200,240ish (road) miles a week and I don’t remember it being near this busy or this dangerous. ymmmv (ha!)
Expect the worst, ride your best and be lucky.
Suggesting that we can’t change people’s attitudes is just silly. It’s broadly no longer acceptable to drink drive. Everyone understands that wearing seatbelt saves lives. The bottom line is cyclists are regularly dehumanised. This needs to change.
Christ - A590 closed again today. Sounds like a car ran into the back of a cement truck near Gilpin Bridge.
Christ – A590 closed again today. Sounds like a car ran into the back of a cement truck near Gilpin Bridge.
Pretty much exactly the same location as the cyclist.
I drove that road on Saturday morning (very early) heading out to Newby Bridge and then mid/late afternoon going back towards the A591 and M6. No issues - hardly any traffic around on the morning run but heavy enough in the afternoon to more or less limit everyone to the same 40-ish mph.
Last Friday afternoon there was near stationary traffic from Mill Side (Witherslack) to Gilpin Bridge, no accident just volume of traffic. The problem, as with both the two accidents is that the Lyth Valley junction is just round a slight left hand bend so if you aren't paying attention it's easy to suddenly find yourself with a slowing vehicle in front.
The next minor junction along, going westwards, has also had serious accidents, basically artics turning right out of the Foulshaw road to head east, and the trailer overhangs the westbound carriageway. The haulier who is based there has been told that their wagons should turn left and then turn round at the roundabout at the bottom of Lindale Hill.
When the Greenodd bypass opened there was a fatality at the junction with the Broughton/Coniston road within days. Within a couple of years they replaced the junction with a roundabout. Not sure why the highways authority haven't done the same at Gilpin Bridge.
but its a good bit of infrastructure.
Hope it stays that way, reported a totally overgrown shared use path alongside a bypass to the local council 6wks ago & they've done nothing about it apart from adding it to their "schedule" 🙄
Another crash at this junction this morning as I was heading over. Happened just before 0900. Looked like a car and a van on the Kendal bound carriageway, the drivers were out and talking so probably not serious though the driver of the BT/Openreach van was probably wondering what to tell his boss.
While everyone generally slowed down it didn't stop a numpty in a BMW estate from racing past at 70mph.
