Why are cyclists not using the cycle lane?

[bridgewalker]

Namechanged as location will be easy to guess if you know the area.

There is a bridge I sometimes walk over which has a pedestrian footpath seperate from the road. It used to also be for cyclists as well, but a few years ago a cycle lane was put in alongside the road, wide enough for two cyclists to pass each other easily. The pedestrian path is quite narrow with railings on either side, just about wide enough for two people walking.

However, every time I walk over it now, there will be at least one cyclist passing me, and I have to stop and stand against the railings to let them pass. Why do they do this when the cycle lane is now there and is (I assume) much easier for them to use? The entrance at either end of the footpath is also curved, so it's impossible to see if there is a cyclist coming towards you as you enter or leave.

I would really like to know why they do this if anyone has any insight!

Having a quick google, the National Travel Survey found
a. 30% of the people who hold a driving licence also cycle

b. 98% of the people who cycle and hold a driving licence also drive

c. 85% of people aged 18+ who cycle hold a driving licence

d. 83% of the people aged 18+ who cycle also drive

so it would appear the majority of cyclists would roughly know their Highway Code. Maybe they can’t ride in a straight line because cars are too close.

My council spent thousands of ££ installing a cycle lane alongside a main A road. It's brand new. Smooth. Flat. Wide. No pot holes etc.

Infinitely safer than the A road where cars regularly go over the 60 limit.

Cyclists still use the road. Only the MAMIL types though I've noticed. You see normal people using the cycle lane.

We also have a forestry commission place near us that is very popular with cyclists. I run regularly along the narrow lane that leads up to it. By far, without a doubt, the absolute worst drivers who come flying around the blind corners with no regard to what might be coming, are the ones transporting bikes up the forest. So it always makes me laugh when cyclists complain about drivers. I've also had several near misses from cyclists ignoring pedestrian crossings.

Honestly in your position OP I would refuse to move. I would just hold my ground. If they get shitty point to the cycle path. Make them dismount.

Are you refering to everyone who breaks the Highway Code?

In my cycle this morning if everyone I saw doing so was fined £10, the sum would be over £1000...
Since there weren't many other cyclists out that would be mainly from motorists.

No it’s well lit, all recently resurfaced. It’s shared with pedestrians but very wide so plenty of room for both. You can get back on the road easily at both ends or at one end you can continue on to the town cycle route. Definitely not covered with leaves, it’s extremely safe compared to the road. The road is littered with potholes, has very sharp bends, is used by double decker buses, has no lighting, is narrow. There is no plausible reason for using the road over the cycle path

Do you cycle ponky ? Have you used it for real ?

Without riding it , dangers are often not apparent

Just trying to give the OP possible reasons. I’m not saying I agree with them. This entrance to this particular bridge is a motorway and the motorway only stops when you are on the bridge. Lorries are regularly passing by at 70mph throwing up stones etc onto cyclists. And yes losing the view is a shame. It is the reason why most pedestrians and cyclists cross the bridge in the first place.

Maybe they can’t ride in a straight line because cars are too close.

I challenge anyone to find a straightline through some of the potholed roads round here....

I’m going to guess that the ‘shared with pedestrians’ is the issue. Especially if it’s on a hill that would be hard work anyway.

shared cycle paths are often a nightmare. It’s hard to get around pedestrians. Dog walkers let their dogs wander all over the place, often on extendable leads (so it’s like a series of trip wires across the path). Lots of people have dogs not on leads that chase cyclists.

The paths are maintained like pavements big roads, which does mean that the are often slippery or difficult to use in ways that aren’t obvious if you’re not on a bike.

if the road is terrible and the cyclists are still choosing that, it’ll be because the cycle path is not the utopia you imagine it to be.

Is it appropriate for me to cycle down a footpath at 20+mph when there might be toddlers, pets prams and so on on it?

www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists-59-to-82

Rule 61
Cycle Routes and Other Facilities. Cycle lanes are marked by a white line (which may be broken) along the carriageway (see Rule 140). Use facilities such as cycle lanes and tracks, advanced stop lines and toucan crossings (see Rules 62 and 73) where they make your journey safer and easier. This will depend on your experience and skills and the situation at the time. While such facilities are provided for reasons of safety, cyclists may exercise their judgement and are not obliged to use them.

Fair enough but then that would also have to apply to pedestrians who walk in cycle lanes surely?

Not so attractive then is it?

.... who should enforce your vision of China on a Footpath?

We'd all be a lot better off without spreading hate and if we all exercised a bit more, be that walking or cycling...... would certainly help your mental health.

@Alexandra2001 is walking in cycle lanes against the Highway Code?

Lots of writing on this subject, when it really could have been fully answered with a single word.

Chardony - on the roads

Or I get in my car

personally, cycling on the pavements with the pedestrians is never a good option. For all the reasons that shared cycle/footpaths are a nightmare, but with added you shouldn’t be there so absolutely no one is going to be behaving like it’s also a cycle path.

If you are going to start fining cyclists for using a footpath... then the law would need to be changed to make walking on a cycle path an offence...

Equality...

I think you may have missed the point I was making.
If you are going to start fining people for breaking the Highway code, then the majority of that money would come from motorists.

You could make a fortune simply from the basic issues with residential parking.

Never mind behaviour at busy junctions.

We have a large amount of shared spaces here, old railway lines from the days of coal mining, no motor vehicles.

Invariably the cyclists expect pedestrians to step to step to one side, I have no problem with this provided they warn you by ringing the bell if they are coming from behind.

Strictly speaking we could walk 2 abreast and they could wait for a safe passing spot ( like cars have to on the road, loads of 2 and even 3 abreast cyclists now enforcing their rights), but that would make us arseholes, so we don't.

I was recently picking up after my dog and one nearly clipped us, we were well off the path, then shouted something about " fucking dogs". I asked him what his problem was, my dog ( on a very short lead while I picked up) had barked as we got a bit of a fright, I suggested he could have rang his bell coming up behind pedestrians.

His answer? He didn't have a bell. Full sweary argument ensued,I could see he was all mouth and trousers and wasn't going to do anything.

Most cyclists are ok, but about 20% of them are arseholes, highest percentage of any road used IMHO.

From Rule 62 ...You MUST keep to the side intended for cyclists as the pedestrian side remains a pavement or footpath...

64 You MUST NOT cycle on a pavement.
Laws HA 1835 sect 72 & R(S)A 1984, sect 129

Cyclists should keep off pedestrian areas.

The way I interpret the bit that you have selected is that cyclists are not obliged the use the cycle lane, but it doesn't Gove them the right to use footpaths. So, it's either the cycle lane, or the road.

I think i shouldn't have quoted what i did.... i was reply to Chardonnay who wanted cyclists fined for being on a footpath...

Yes of course... most people inc me.. do not know the HC.. i took my test in 1981 & have not read it since & i strongly suspect that applies to pretty much everyone on this and any other anti cycling thread dressed up as from a "concerned member of the public" lol.

Bollocks. Some will. As will some drivers.
I drive and cycle and am considerate doing both.

@ChardonnaysBeastlyCat Yes, that's right. I was directing that not really about the original question but more re: other comments on the thread.

Probably because traffic on the road doesn't give them enough space and they feel unsafe