Why after thousands (if not millions)of pounds have been spent on cycle paths do most cyclists still use roads

Answer 1

It is millions that have been spent, unfortunately a lot of them have been built not to address a need, rather they've been built to meet a target.

I'm fortunate that our local council has built a route that is quicker for me than using the roads to get to work, has less hills and is well maintained. If more routes were like that, they'd be used more.

Unfortunately, at the weekend they're taken over by the "weekend warriors" on their road bikes who think it's OK for them to use them as their private race tracks and get upset and shouty when they meet a slower rider / child / pedestrian / dog walker (who all have a perfect right to be there) which creates a bad atmosphere for everyone. Don't get me wrong, few cyclists are like this - these are just tw@ts on a bike, not proper cyclists. These heroes should be using the roads, instead of the normal cyclists who get intimidated by the idiots and hence ride on the road instead.

Answer 2

A good example would be the Redway system in Milton Keynes. This town boasts enough cycle track to go around the earth twice over. Unfortunately, much of this is not very well lit, secluded and surrounded by bushes. In other words, muggers paradice. Many cyclists may actually feel safer slugging it out with 18 wheelers and irrate motorists, than using the cycle route.

Also, many cycle lanes are immpractical (One example shows the road markings and has a big sign, goes for 20 ft before terminating with another big sign. Let me put it another way. Cycle paths have, on many occasions been given the same thought and consideration as many of our A and M roads (Think M25 and A14/M1/M6 interchange).

Final point. Unless specified that the use of the cycle path is compulsurary, then they are still allowed on the roads (I know, silly how the law works isn't it).

Luck

Answer 3

Many reasons,

a, youths smash glass bottles onto cycles ways, glass causes punctures.
a2,Broken windows from cars is also put onto the cycle lanes to keep clear of the car tyres.

b, cars park on cycle ways, it is illegal to cycle over cars.

c, In many areas there is no cycle way, so cycles either go illegally on the path, or legally on the road.

d, the cycle route might not go in the direction the cyclist need to go.

e, Some on path cycle tracks give the right of way to motor vehicles at every junction, a cycle on the main road has the right of way at these same junctions, if you are in a hurry, it is often quicker in these places by road.

f, Cars illegally drive on the bus lanes which cyclists are also allowed to use, this makes such lanes more dangerous than some roads.

g,When there are lots of pedestrians on the shared path/cycle way (such as children walking home from school), it is quicker, and safer for all to use the road.

h, A cyclist would be very limited where they could go, if they were not able to cycle safely on the roads, as on road cycling has different rules than off road cycling.

Answer 4

Because many cycle lanes go nowhere useful. I regularly cycle to college (four and one tenth miles away) and there is about half a mile of cycle path along the way. Idiots stand RIGHT IN IT constantly and I have just given up and now use the road for the entire way. And when I get close to Harrow Weald, there is an insulting little cycle path that is literally about twenty yards long! I mean why? It serves no purpose!

Answer 5

Since you used the term "pounds" I will presume you are referencing the U.K. not the USA.

Only guessing about your laws, but presume also its ok for anyone to use the paths, pedestrians, skaters, people with baby carriages.

Take one example -a big problem, happens to cyclists in the afternoon rush hour. Cyclists, like motorists are trying get home from work as quickly as conditions permit.

That "cycle path" now has the after school crowd walking home slowly with headphones blaring in their ears, blocking the "cycle path",
and cyclists are supposed to yield to ped's.

Then the skaters take the entire path width, some young ones are trying to learn how to ride without training wheels, And some troll pushing a baby carriage feigns a fake into my oncoming path for fun.

Me trying to go 20mph, just doesnt fit in this environment.

Morning rush hour not so bad, its too early for most folks to go out and recreate. but still the path doesnt go where i need to go and wastes my time. and some bums broke a bunch of wine bottles on the path last night just to make my life fun with another flat.

We have some specific problems in the U.S. not sure they apply to you; when the path has to cross an intersection, cars always block the crossway, even though its illegal. (rush hour mainly)

USA- paths are built where the land and access was available and cheap, not where commuters need to go.

Please help us by understanding and helping resolve this; bicyclist are not happy either.

We use the path when it makes sense, but too often it doesn't.

thanks

Answer 6

There are loads of cycle lanes where I live. Most cyclists don't seem to bother using them; they cycle on the pavement (at full pelt, behind you, on stretches that you can only walk single file along). A new cycle lane has been put in one area which is on the inside of the footpath. So when the cycle lane ends, the cyclists have to cut across the pedestrians to get onto the road. Crazy!

Answer 7

For the same reason 90 percent of the motorists use the M3 and M4 to get between London and Southampton - it's more direct, the traffic flow is better, there's fewer pedestrians and other slow-moving vehicles causing problems.

Only about 10 percent of motorists use the country back roads to get between major cities ... because of debris, narrow lanes, slow-moving traffic (including the beloved horse-drawn conveyance!), pedestrians, blind corners, etc.

If the cycle paths were restricted to cyclists' use ... AND the routes made sense (a little longer, but fairly continuous without steep climbs would be fine with me!) ... AND were kept in good repair ... THEN you'd tend to see far more cyclists using them.

Answer 8

1. A lot of the paths lead nowhere or are not close by.
2. Many are not good to ride fast on - too many slow riders and kids (many stop and stand all over the path) for a good hard ride.
3. Roads take you where you need to go.
4. Many paths are quite short.
5. There aren't that many paths around me and the same goes for most areas.
6. Many paths are in poor shape and have trash, glass, gravel and rocks all over them.

If 1% of the BILLIONS spent on roads was used for well thought out and maintained paths and bike lanes I'd be happy to use them. I live in Michigan and have never seen a bike lane in my life.

Answer 9

Have you ever tried using a cycle lane?! They are usually full of gravel and start and end erratically. Some are that short, they're only about 3 metres long.

I used to cycle to and from work regularly and used to find the cycle lanes (when they appeared) were where all the rubbish from cars / pedestrians used to end up.

That's not to mention the careless drivers who just veer over into the cycle lane as and when they feel like it. They're a death trap. Try it some time, you'll see what I mean.

Answer 10

cycle path are not for people who are really in to cycling there only good for using to go to work on

also there not normally look after very well