Why must bikes give way to cars?

Give way, but only cyclists.

These days, on new housing estates cycleways are often provided.   The following are two pictures of the entrance to cul-de-sacs.  Now Cul-de-sacs are dead-ends, with a limited number of houses, or a Close.   So the traffic in and out is somewhat limited, and the road is not a through road.  

  The trough 'Spine-Road' is on the right of this picture, to which runs this cycleway runs parallel.  If motor vehicles are not required to give way in this scenario, then the same rule should apply to cycles. The road going to the left is the access road to a small close.

The same spine road, the same scenario, and there are several more such examples on this estate. 

The priority should be reversed.

Rambling on our pathway

Picture taken on the move and as a result not very sharp.

Most frequent cyclists will have come across not just pedestrians on the cycleway, but they are often accompanied by dogs; which are only sometimes on a lead, and more often than not, aren't; AND rather disobedient.

 As we approach three pedestrians, they have two dogs on leads, plus two running free.  Even the ones on leads can get in the way of a cyclist, but those running free 's movements are very unpredictable.

This is an all too common experience for us cyclists.

A bell is essential, most pedestrians seem to appreciate cyclists who use a bell.

By the way, someone said that lamp-posts should be located next to the pedestrian pathway, so that dogs (male ones) don't have to cross the cycleway to be able to cock their legs.   

Also, pedestrians prefer to walk adjacent to the river, and from that point of view the cycleway is on the wrong side.

There are cyclists and there are cyclists.

It is surprising how many bikes one sees out and about that are not road-worthy, owned(in the possession of)  by people who just don't care.

No brakes, no bell, and it wouldn't surprise me if it didn't have any lights at night.  One thing follows another.
      And how was it parked?

Not parked, Just dumped almost in front of the door.

There are cyclists, and there are cyclists. 

New Cycleway on A2070?

New Cycleway

A2070 Badmünstereifel Road, Ashford.  "END OF CYCLE-ROUTE"

It is appreciated that work here may not be completed, but:-

This development will be watched with interest. This is a busy dual-carriageway, with a normal maximum speed (for a dual carriageway) that would be restricted to 70 mph.   In its present state (03.09.14) it does not satisfy the standards for it to be suitable for: commuters, children, families, shoppers, or leisure cyclists; nor wheelchairs, and mobility shoppers.

Perhaps it will eventually morph into a Toucan-Crossing, but if it does, the acute angle of approach is somewhat unusual, and I would consider to be unsuitable.

The above listed people can not be 'cast' out into the paths of fast moving and busy traffic.

Bike dumped.

Occasionally when one is out and about cycling one comes across a dumped bike.   I hate to see a bike just being dumped.  A bike that was once someone's pride and joy. 

What is strange about this one is that it is padlocked to a lamppost.   You feel sorry for it.

Perhaps someone will come and get it.   

There question is 

A promising effort?

A promising effort

     This example was created some years ago.  These pictures were taken in Hythe on the 9th.August 2014. Usually I hate Pinch-Points, but they have devised this arrangement with Cyclists in mind, which is good, but my criticism is that cyclists having negotiated the platform/Pinch-point the cyclist has to proceed down a lane edged by parked cars.

     I would like to see further calming in the straight road either side of this Pinch-Point. A 20 mph restriction would not guarantee anything.

A shared- space cycleway approaches a through road, and a slight off set takes one across, and up onto the promenade (and NCN Route 2).

    Why should cyclists dismount? Do drivers of M/Vs have to get out of their vehicles?  No!

Once on the road, motorists (funneled in by parked cars) must not try to squeeze past cyclists, but they do (well some do).

The road is straight like this either side of the Pinch-Point, and vehicles park on both sides of the road.

All in all, I think that it is a promising effort.

Bikes used in advertising and decorated.

Earlier in this blog we illustrated some statues related to bicycles, and decorated bikes.  When toring ones sees lots of bicycles used to advertise B & B, cycle shops etc.  The following were all recorded in July 2014.

Start with powered statue at Sommern in Holland (what a neat and tidy place that is, and very cycle friendly).

This one announces Ferien Wohnung (Holiday Appartment) just off the Weser Radweg.

Another apartment close to the Weser cycleway.

Bicycles, such as this one in Cuxhaven, are not just used to advertise accommodation!

Bikes in Holland and Germany are often decorated with flowers.

and so on.  These are just a selection.

And a cycle shop in Holland.