Police concerns over planned cycle lane (From York Press)
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Police concerns over planned cycle lane at Tanner Row
9:46am Friday 7th December 2012 in News
By Mark Stead, mark.stead@thepress.co.uk
CYCLISTS could be allowed to ride towards oncoming traffic on a one-way street outside York’s new council headquarters – despite police saying it could put them in danger.
Transport bosses at City of York Council have agreed to stage a consultation over creating a contra-flow cycle lane on a section of Tanner Row, between Rougier Street and North Street, to improve cycling links near the authority’s £43.8 million base at West Offices.
Coun Dave Merrett, the authority’s cabinet member for transport, planning and sustainability, has approved the scheme in principle and local residents, businesses and organisations which represent cyclists and other road-users will now be asked what they think before it is implemented.
A report by transport projects engineer Mark Calvert said North Yorkshire Police believed the lane would pose a risk to cyclists because some drivers may not understand the new arrangements on the one-way route.
The force has also raised concerns that footpaths in Tanner Row are “very narrow” and pedestrians may step into the road without realising cyclists are heading towards them.
However, Mr Calvert’s report said signs at the entrance to the road would be “self-explanatory”, while new road markings would be put in place to increase pedestrian awareness. It also said visibility along Tanner Row was good and pedestrians could see along the whole length of the route.
“A number of improvements to cycle accessibility around the new offices are currently being undertaken, with the aim of encouraging employees and members of the public to cycle to and from the offices,” said the report.
“Under the current arrangement, a cyclist wishing to travel from West Offices to get to Cinder Lane must make the right turn from Rougier Street onto Tanner’s Moat, against oncoming traffic. If they had the option to travel on the section of Tanner Row which is currently one-way, they would have much easier journey options and travel on roads with less traffic.”
It also said the council believed the contra-flow lane would be well-used as cyclists had been seen ignoring the one-way order. A traffic regulation order will now be advertised alongside the consultation.
Comments(44)
Brabus
says...
10:05am Fri 7 Dec 12
Elle
says...
10:07am Fri 7 Dec 12
so the moral of the story is - ignore the rules and eventually the council will give in and waste more money on cycle lanes.
They should spend some money on educating cyclists about the rules of the road and the need to wear high visibilty / safety clothing instead!
roskoboskovic
says...
10:09am Fri 7 Dec 12
pedalling paul
says...
10:13am Fri 7 Dec 12
I fully support the modest initiative in York, which will greatly simplify access to/from the riverside cycle route.
As for Elle's remarks about high vis safety clothing.....is that so that you can aim at us more easily, or just that you'd like to overtake us closer and faster. Safety arises from considerate and sensible behaviour amongst all road users.
peter123456
says...
10:15am Fri 7 Dec 12
peter123456
says...
10:28am Fri 7 Dec 12
pedalling paul wrote:I think it is to do with seeing you Paul. I also think you should have a look more closely and see how traffic is illuminated in the dark and then have a look at how cyclists are illuminated in the dark. The minister the highway code. Drivers are fined and points handed out for poor or no illumination. I think it is time that cyclist were dealt with in the same way after all it is law that not only should you wear the correct gear but also make sure your bike can be seen in the dark. After all you don’t jump out of a plane without a parachute unless you want to get yourself killed do you.
In Holland, Germany & France, legal contraflow cycling is widely permitted. It's simply engineered by a cyclist exemption plate beneath the motor vehicle "No Entry" sign. Simple!!
I fully support the modest initiative in York, which will greatly simplify access to/from the riverside cycle route.
As for Elle's remarks about high vis safety clothing.....is that so that you can aim at us more easily, or just that you'd like to overtake us closer and faster. Safety arises from considerate and sensible behaviour amongst all road users.
willo the wisp
says...
10:35am Fri 7 Dec 12
peter123456 wrote:I really struggle to see what good Dave and his band of muppets have done for this city, apart from waste our money time and time again.
If York city council wants to save a load of money they should sack Coun Dave Merrett, the authority’s cabinet member for transport, planning and sustainability, and the rest of his team. Just for coming up with such an stupid idea. Instead of employing people that come up with money wasting ideas they should employ people with money saving ideas long term and at the same time improving the traffic systems around York. Example York inner ring road make it one way system and all roads leading to it use them as feeder roads. This would do away with BUS and TAXI lanes, cyclists could have there own lane and would improve and increase traffic flow. Also improved traffic light systems are needed attention in York.
I'd sack the lot of them and get a team in that will make real improvements and ultimately SAVE money.... Mind you a one way inner ring road is hardly the answer....
amike
says...
10:50am Fri 7 Dec 12
Oh and remember Councillor Merritt is a regular cyclist, thats why the bus service is so poor, so no conflict of interest there then.
Kevin Turvey
says...
11:05am Fri 7 Dec 12
It’s bad enough as it is, never mind giving some tacit approval!
Yet more ill-conceived lunatic fringe drivel of an idea from the cycling fundamentalists that seem to have some sort of sway at the council in this city for now!.
I suggest this one is also for a major U turn in the near future!
This Merrett is not for turning….. we shall see.
meme
says...
11:06am Fri 7 Dec 12
I am a cyclist and driver yet I nearly hit someone on a bike in my car the other day who was cycling into the traffic at dusk with no lights whatsoever in Ducombe place.. No wonder people get hurt! All the time cyclists jump lights and we should be fined if we break the highway code and heavily
I like cycling but a small minority give us all a bad name
pedalling paul
says...
11:16am Fri 7 Dec 12
I sense that many commentators believe that the prime role of Councillors and transport planners is to cater for those who think that car ownership automatically entitles them to an open road at all times.
Get that magic wand out and change all York's cycle users and bus passengers into single occupancy car users. Then think again......while you are stuck in gridlock!
nowthen
says...
11:31am Fri 7 Dec 12
pedalling paul wrote:The prime role of councillors is to cater for all road users in York and not just the 6% who admit to regularly using cycles as their main mode of transport. Also , if Merrett approves this scheme against advice from the Police, would he be legally responsible for any accidents ?
As Buzz Lightyear said in the first comment....bring on the hate!!
I sense that many commentators believe that the prime role of Councillors and transport planners is to cater for those who think that car ownership automatically entitles them to an open road at all times.
Get that magic wand out and change all York's cycle users and bus passengers into single occupancy car users. Then think again......while you are stuck in gridlock!
Kevin Turvey
says...
12:09pm Fri 7 Dec 12
In Holland, Germany & France, legal contraflow cycling is widely permitted. ‘
All very well and good in those countries
In my experience this country has a much larger proportion of Muppets and their associated Muppetry within the general population as a whole so it like comparing apples with bananas!
The lowest common denominator in this country is much lower!
Stevie D
says...
12:15pm Fri 7 Dec 12
xtc
says...
12:22pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Stevie D wrote:And the hotel parking will bring it to gridlock nicely cyclists have always gone up and down it and will continue too,no change!
That bit of road is too narrow to safely allow a contraflow cycle lane, especially where are parked vehicles at the top. Why can't cyclists follow the road round George Hudson Street and the bottom of Micklegate? It's no further, and avoids confusing and potentially dangerous changes to the road.
Sillybillies
says...
12:41pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Get that magic wand out and change all York's cycle users and bus passengers into single occupancy car users. Then think again......while you are stuck in gridlock!
Not a bad idea, I see far too many empty buses and there are few cyclists anyway. Get rid of the bus and cycle lanes, synchronise traffic lights, and just watch how smoothly and congestion free the traffic flow is.
It would go without saying that the obstructing fume belching open topped tourist buses would go. Pedalling paul/Paul Hepworth will be having to get a proper job. There's just no down side.
DEKKA
says...
12:56pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Setting it straight
says...
1:03pm Fri 7 Dec 12
!!11 Anybody ever heard of the Highway Code????? Doesn't matter if you're driving, cycling or walking; th rules apply. It's a one way street, cyclists have to observe the same rules. Being considerate and all the rest of the rubbish PP spouts has nothing to do with it and the sooner everybody else realises this the better! Find an alternative route, simple!!!
Thisisnotasmile
says...
1:08pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Pete the Brickie
says...
1:19pm Fri 7 Dec 12
laiecmjdjkd
says...
1:30pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Those who think the very concept of a contraflow cycle lane is "ludicrous" or "stupid" should go to Salisbury Terrace and look at the one that has been there for decades without the slightest problem at all.
Stevie D
says...
1:54pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Setting it straight wrote:
Anybody ever heard of the Highway Code? Doesn't matter if you're driving, cycling or walking; th rules apply. It's a one way street, cyclists have to observe the same rules.
Contra-flow cycle lanes are legal and well established in other places. laiecmjdjkd gives the example of Salisbury Terrace, and there are many more up and down the country that work very well – particularly on roads that are not comfortably wide enough for regular two-way traffic but can cope with a car and a bike.
The issue here is not about cyclists breaking the law, because the law would be changed to allow them to cycle there ... the issue is that the road just isn't suitable for that change to be made.
Back and Beyond
says...
2:28pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Another ill thought out scheme, Pauls Magic wand may come in handy with this one...
Hepworth
says...
3:04pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Watch http://www.bbc.co.uk
/iplayer/episode/b01
p7q2l/War_on_Britain
s_Roads/
And take the blinkers off
Setting it straight
says...
3:11pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Hepworth
says...
3:14pm Fri 7 Dec 12
bob the builder
says...
3:32pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Buzz Light-year wrote:My exact thought on seeing the article, Tadcaster Road from the York college towards the old site and Blossom Street outside the Windmill are places for regular sightings or near death experiences depending on which mode of transport you have!
Hahahaha!
Bring on the hate!
"Why bother, they do it anyway etc etc"
Paul Hepworth
says...
4:07pm Fri 7 Dec 12
An interesting debate, and like some I've cycled through other European cities where contraflow cycling is the permitted norm in many streets.
No reason why the UK can't do likewise.
redbluelion
says...
7:11pm Fri 7 Dec 12
redbluelion
says...
7:14pm Fri 7 Dec 12
sheps lad
says...
8:26pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Hepworth wrote:I did watch it and found the pretentious prat riding his bike and creating arguments with practically every other road reminded me of someone with similar initials!
To many people have their own axe to grind on here.
Watch http://www.bbc.co.uk
/iplayer/episode/b01
p7q2l/War_on_Britain
s_Roads/
And take the blinkers off
Sawday2
says...
8:35pm Fri 7 Dec 12
Magicman!
says...
3:58am Sat 8 Dec 12
The main problem in York is simply people's attutudes to cyclists... which includes posts by quite a few people above. absolutely appauling, simple as that. Cyclists have just as much right to use the roads in York as any other form of transport as we pay the council to maintain the roads - if you don't like cycles getting ahead of queues and getting somewhere quicker then you have one of two options (1) grow a pair and get used to it, or (2) become a cyclist yourself - the fact you'll not be in a car will reduce the queue just that little bit, and so if a number of people did this it'd reduce queue times for those who genuinely absolutely need to use the roads and have no alternative. Driving to the shop for a bottle of milk is not a genuine dire absolute need to drive, buy a bungee cord and strap it to a rack on the bike.
The number of blockheads today that tried to move into my lane because a traffic island was approaching or to turn left in front of me whilst I'm still moving at about 20mph was just beyond belief.
Dennis.Dart
says...
9:29am Sat 8 Dec 12
tobefair
says...
2:36pm Sat 8 Dec 12
If you allow cyclists to ride the wrong way up one one way street how long before they think it is OK to ignore all one way street signs?
realist
says...
9:18pm Sun 9 Dec 12
Maybe the Police Commissioner could target law breaking cyclists the charge them £92 for an awareness course, simples.
yorkshirelad
says...
10:17pm Sun 9 Dec 12
The screaming cry 'what about the highway code etc etc...does this also apply to speeding, stopping in cyclist advance stop lanes, parking on pavements, mobile phone while driving etc etc... Reasonable people just ignore that argument because we know there are law breakers in all road users.
A relatively minor road change, but I suppose like all change gets a few people excited!
soprano 2
says...
10:54pm Sun 9 Dec 12
mrcharly
says...
10:21am Mon 10 Dec 12
Sillybillies
says...
2:23pm Mon 10 Dec 12
If you allow cyclists to ride the wrong way up one one way street how long before they think it is OK to ignore all one way street signs?
Which they do ignore as a matter course, plus traffic lights which they don't think apply to them and most other traffic signs.
Madasanibbotson
says...
2:21pm Tue 11 Dec 12
Ban all cyclists-they are a nuisance. Whilst at it get rid of Merrett and his bunch of labour lunatics, who wouldn't last a week in the real world.
samthedog
says...
3:42pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Thunderblade
says...
10:44pm Wed 12 Dec 12
Kevin Turvey wrote:I wasnt going to comment on this, but well done Kevin Turvey you almost took the words out of my mouth, sick to death of PP and the likes of Merrett spouting off about how its done on the continent, cyclists are more respectful to other road users and pedesrtians in these countries.
‘pedalling paul says... 10:13am Fri 7 Dec 12
In Holland, Germany & France, legal contraflow cycling is widely permitted. ‘
All very well and good in those countries
In my experience this country has a much larger proportion of Muppets and their associated Muppetry within the general population as a whole so it like comparing apples with bananas!
The lowest common denominator in this country is much lower!
I recently spent a few days in Barcelona, what a mad place that is, cars, scooters, motorcycles and cycles all intermingled and getting on with it. I even came across scooters in cycle lanes and using pedestrian crossings. The amazing thing here was there appeared to be no anamosity between the different users. There wa a lot of use of horns and bells to let you as a pedestrian know they were there. This wouldn't work in the UK as most bikes dont seem to have bells. A lot off our cyclists prefer to use the "Get out of my effing way " method of anouncing their approach. Which is what happened to me recently, on my bike on the Hob Moor Cycle track, obviously my old legs were not peddalling fast enough for the yob coming up behind on his mountain bike.
Buzz Light-year says...
9:56am Fri 7 Dec 12
Bring on the hate!
"Why bother, they do it anyway etc etc"