Shared Space

Cyclination

The Blog for those who love Cycling 

Let’s start with something really simple:- .

“Shared-use”

 

Two signs for the same purpose

I am sure you can spot the difference.

The sign on the left indicates shared space, but pedestrians are shown at the top, to indicate that when 'push-comes-to-shove', pedestrians would have priority (which is only right).   That sign is a continental one, and one which has been around for many a long year, so when the English sign was introduced at a later date, why on earth did they decide to change (reverse) the orientation?   Was it a pig-headed desire to be different?

What this is sign saying is that pedestrians with their back to the cyclists should have right of way.  Which is fair enough, but sometimes a gentle tingle from your bell is likely to ease the situation, and often gains a degree of gratitude from them.   It is just common sense really.

What is needed is common sense, understanding and consideration for others.

‘Shared Use’ (motor vehicles, horses, bicycles, and pedestrians) extends out to the many thousands of miles of English country roads, and lanes, which do not have a pavement or footway, yet most of them have a speed limit of up to 60 mph, or (just imagine) that is 100 kph!   These highways are purely and simply SHARED USE; should they not be 20 mph?

 20 mph on the Continent is enough, but in actual fact it is 20 or 30 kph, and even 30kph  is 18 mph. 

 This sign, whilst not applicable to the shared use of cycleways with pedestrians, it does mean shared use of roads of motor vehicles with pedestrians, cyclists, and horses, all that is missing is a 20 mph speed limit.  

The attitude of councils and highway authorities has for long time been to regard cyclists as inferior beings.

No Dogs and no cycling allowed in this cemetery says Mr Hudson,  

Are cycles more likely to disturb the interned than a car?

There was a time (it may still be so) that cars were allowed through the gate into the stately home of Audley-End, in Essex, but not bicycles:  The reason given by the cashier at the ticket office was:  "There are pedestrians walking about there".     

We have to change our culture.

A bicycle is essentially a means of transport, and cycling is an activity which can also be a sport.