dmr Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 An interesting article here, I got the link from NABO https://road.cc/content/news/72569-londons-cycle-commuter-boom-causes-problems-regents-canal-towpath Some towpaths are now used by 500 high speed commuting cyclists every hour, thats a bike every 7 seconds. Looks like CaRT have finally realised that this is not good, and even understand that towpaths do not make good cycleways: "Narrow, busy urban canal towpaths do not lend themselves easily to catering for pedestrians and cyclists." BUT they also say: "In tackling this issue we hope pedestrian priority will be upheld". Well I would like to see some positive action rather than just hoping!!!!! This certainly suggests that cycle priority or removing pedestrians is an option under consideration. And the CaRT solution is...to create new cycle routes not on the Towpath.....So, CaRT, who are charged with looking after our waterways are now creating new cycle routes that are not part of the canal system....but at the same time are still turning other parts of the canal system into cycleways which will sooner or later have the same problem. ....................Dave ", 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 5 minutes ago, dmr said: An interesting article here, I got the link from NABO December 30 2012. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmr Posted August 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 Well spotted, I got the link via facebook so I really should have checked, as facebook does this often. So I wonder if any off canal cycle routes were ever actually created?, and also if the 500 bikes/hour figure has reached 1000 yet. ..............Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevMc Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 18 minutes ago, dmr said: Well spotted, I got the link via facebook so I really should have checked, as facebook does this often. So I wonder if any off canal cycle routes were ever actually created?, and also if the 500 bikes/hour figure has reached 1000 yet. ..............Dave Clearly that's where the CRT "mega-visits" number come from Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Lewis Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 46 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: December 30 2012. The NABO article clearly states that the article is from 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 1 hour ago, dmr said: And the CaRT solution is...to create new cycle routes not on the Towpath 1 hour ago, dmr said: So I wonder if any off canal cycle routes were ever actually created? Well CRT have created at least one partly off-towpath and on canal cycle route - through Edgbaston Tunnel! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerra Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 2 hours ago, KevMc said: Clearly that's where the CRT "mega-visits" number come from Well those numbers for say 2 morning rush hours and 2 evening rush hours 5 days a week 52 weeks a year means 500,000 (approx) cyclists per annum add in pedestrians and I at least can see how CRT reaches the large numbers it quotes. After all that is only none relatively short stretch of canal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace42 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 3 hours ago, dmr said: An interesting article here, I got the link from NABO https://road.cc/content/news/72569-londons-cycle-commuter-boom-causes-problems-regents-canal-towpath Some towpaths are now used by 500 high speed commuting cyclists every hour, thats a bike every 7 seconds. Looks like CaRT have finally realised that this is not good, and even understand that towpaths do not make good cycleways: "Narrow, busy urban canal towpaths do not lend themselves easily to catering for pedestrians and cyclists." BUT they also say: "In tackling this issue we hope pedestrian priority will be upheld". Well I would like to see some positive action rather than just hoping!!!!! This certainly suggests that cycle priority or removing pedestrians is an option under consideration. And the CaRT solution is...to create new cycle routes not on the Towpath.....So, CaRT, who are charged with looking after our waterways are now creating new cycle routes that are not part of the canal system....but at the same time are still turning other parts of the canal system into cycleways which will sooner or later have the same problem. ....................Dave ", Never mind. There's a captive audience of boaters being isolated and groomed for an increase in license fees to pay for all this - but first it will start by CRT banning use of the towpath for mooring pins, ropes, chairs, picnic table, BBQ's etc - in order to give bikers unobstructed access. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b0atman Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Horace42 said: Never mind. There's a captive audience of boaters being isolated and groomed for an increase in license fees to pay for all this - but first it will start by CRT banning use of the towpath for mooring pins, ropes, chairs, picnic table, BBQ's etc - in order to give bikers unobstructed access. not seeing any rings being put in where these cycleways are springing up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Nibble Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) 13 minutes ago, b0atman said: not seeing any rings being put in where these cycleways are springing up You will. For chaining bikes to. Eventually you will have to ask a cyclist for loan of his cyclemate key to access a water point. Edited August 16, 2018 by Sir Nibble 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyG Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) 9 hours ago, dmr said: An interesting article here, I got the link from NABO https://road.cc/content/news/72569-londons-cycle-commuter-boom-causes-problems-regents-canal-towpath Some towpaths are now used by 500 high speed commuting cyclists every hour, thats a bike every 7 seconds. Looks like CaRT have finally realised that this is not good, and even understand that towpaths do not make good cycleways: "Narrow, busy urban canal towpaths do not lend themselves easily to catering for pedestrians and cyclists." BUT they also say: "In tackling this issue we hope pedestrian priority will be upheld". Well I would like to see some positive action rather than just hoping!!!!! This certainly suggests that cycle priority or removing pedestrians is an option under consideration. And the CaRT solution is...to create new cycle routes not on the Towpath.....So, CaRT, who are charged with looking after our waterways are now creating new cycle routes that are not part of the canal system....but at the same time are still turning other parts of the canal system into cycleways which will sooner or later have the same problem. ....................Dave ", I think they are charged with creating wellness too? Maybe Sustrans will pay for the new paths? Can't they widen the towpaths and separate users, use sleeping policemen to slow cyclists, If all else fails, push them towards the edge of the canal ... Edited August 16, 2018 by LadyG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerra Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 13 minutes ago, LadyG said: Can't they widen the towpaths and separate users, To do this in many places they would have to acquire land. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyG Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 Just now, Jerra said: To do this in many places they would have to acquire land. yes, land is good, they are not making any more of it., maybe lease it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerra Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 Just now, LadyG said: yes, land is good, they are not making any more of it., maybe lease it. That assumes the landowners are prepared to sell/very long term lease a couple of metres of their land. I doubt many would and in a numbers of places it would be peoples gardens. It also assumes CRT can afford to do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanderer Vagabond Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, LadyG said: I think they are charged with creating wellness too? Maybe Sustrans will pay for the new paths? Can't they widen the towpaths and separate users, use sleeping policemen to slow cyclists, If all else fails, push them towards the edge of the canal ... They already do in a variety of locations but it doesn't really help since if they pay for the towpath upgrade you then cannot complain about cyclists using it, can you? If they build the new paths alongside the current towpath, pedestrians will still, quite reasonably, walk along it with the same issues that we currently seem to have. Is a mother going to push her child's pushchair along a bumpy towpath? or along a newly created smooth tarmacked cycle lane? Edited August 16, 2018 by Wanderer Vagabond 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 7 hours ago, Jerra said: Well those numbers for say 2 morning rush hours and 2 evening rush hours 5 days a week 52 weeks a year means 500,000 (approx) cyclists per annum add in pedestrians and I at least can see how CRT reaches the large numbers it quotes. After all that is only none relatively short stretch of canal. most of the illegal immigrants have at least 6 people to a bike - according to the latest research - outsourced to a Bangalore Data filing agency 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace42 Posted August 16, 2018 Report Share Posted August 16, 2018 34 minutes ago, matty40s said: most of the illegal immigrants have at least 6 people to a bike - according to the latest research - outsourced to a Bangalore Data filing agency Would they be riding hexicles..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian F B Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 Regarding Sustrans providing cycle ways,If they are anything like the block paved areas beside my home mooring the number of cyclists will soon decrease due to the loose and sunken blocks buckling wheels and pitching cyclists into the canal!?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 5 hours ago, Ian F B said: Regarding Sustrans providing cycle ways,If they are anything like the block paved areas beside my home mooring the number of cyclists will soon decrease due to the loose and sunken blocks buckling wheels and pitching cyclists into the canal!?? Every cloud and all,that ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbacka Posted August 17, 2018 Report Share Posted August 17, 2018 (edited) 20 hours ago, LadyG said: I think they are charged with creating wellness too? Maybe Sustrans will pay for the new paths? Can't they widen the towpaths and separate users, use sleeping policemen to slow cyclists, If all else fails, push them towards the edge of the canal ... Be careful what you wish for, as one way of widening the towpath without buying/leasing expensive land would be to encroach into the canal, ie narrow the canal to widen the tow path. Cyclists happy, fishermen/women happy, walkers happy, Sustrans happy and if now to narrow to moor without blocking the canal, then local houses happy as still pretty boats passing and no smelly/smokey boats moored in front of their house. If no mooring, CRT happy as no mooring rings, power bollards to install. Edited August 17, 2018 by Chewbacka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jds_1981 Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 On 16/08/2018 at 14:55, Horace42 said: Never mind. There's a captive audience of boaters being isolated and groomed for an increase in license fees to pay for all this - but first it will start by CRT banning use of the towpath for mooring pins, ropes, chairs, picnic table, BBQ's etc - in order to give bikers unobstructed access. You already shouldn't be obstructing the towpath so no real change there.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Horace42 Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 9 minutes ago, jds_1981 said: You already shouldn't be obstructing the towpath so no real change there.. .....except that it will change from advice of 'not to obstruct the towpath' - to one of 'not to use the towpath' - that will be conveniently interpreted by cyclists who 'know their rights'.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewbacka Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 1 hour ago, jds_1981 said: You already shouldn't be obstructing the towpath so no real change there.. There’s a big difference between ‘don’t obstruct the towpath’ and ‘don’t use the tow path’ for bbq, chairs etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenA Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 On 17/08/2018 at 17:06, Chewbacka said: Be careful what you wish for, as one way of widening the towpath without buying/leasing expensive land would be to encroach into the canal, ie narrow the canal to widen the tow path. already done at Edgebaston Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jds_1981 Posted August 18, 2018 Report Share Posted August 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Chewbacka said: There’s a big difference between ‘don’t obstruct the towpath’ and ‘don’t use the tow path’ for bbq, chairs etc. I don't think there is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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