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[adamedwardsteather]

Yesterday's Welwyn Hatfield Cycling Forum heard from Herts CC about a number of new schemes being funded this year. All are subject to consultation with local residents.   The plans are:
 
1.      Broadwater Road: A new path will be built on the pavement on the west (railway side) of the road linking NCN12 and 61 at the north end of Chequers with the existing cycle path along Bessemer Road.  It is hoped to get this built by April 2010. 

2.      Hunter’s Bridge:  Plan is for a cycle path on the pavement on the south side of the bridge from the junction with Broadwater Road to the multi story car park. 

3.      StanbroughLakes:  A contra flow path along the slip road used by cars entering the south car park from WGC, top link the cycle path from Tesco to the park to the path up Old Stanborogh Lane.  Some sections of this road need widening.  A start should be made this autumn.

4.      Hatfield routes:Route is from the station via the current subway parallel with French Horn Lane to Beaconsfield Road and then on the north pavement to the roundabout junction with Queensway.  The roundabout will probably have to have an on the road cycle route as the subways cannot be adapted for cyclists as too small. This will fit in with the need to reduce traffic speeds on the roundabout generally, as these are too high.
The route will then continue along the south side of Wellfield Road to the Airfield Pub where the current paths are joined.  A complication is works to the Hatfield station interchange which have been delayed. However, the main part of the route should be done this financial year ending April 2010.

5.   Welwyn:  The extension of the Bessemer Road path through to Welwyn using the subway under the A1(M) is in the Welwyn local plans, but not yet funded. 
 
WHCF is very pleased to hear about these extra links which will fill gaps in the local network and thus encouraging more cycle use. 
 
If anyone would like the full minutes of the meeting or to join the group, please contact me off list or via the Personal Message feature on this Forum.
 
Adam Edwards
Chair
WHCF
 
 
 
 

[shapps]

Hi Adam,

Thanks very much for keeping the Welwyn Hatfield Forum posted on these important developments.

Another Forum member has mentioned that we should include cycling within this transport board and they're absolutely right. I've therefore amended the board's name to take this change into account.  Please encourage other cyclists to come and visit the board too.

Thanks again.
Grant.

[adamedwardsteather]

Thanks for this.  As soon as we have a web site up and running I'll make sure we have a link.
 
Adam
 

[Mutual Respect]

Sounds like the Council will be building more cycle tracks on the cheap, by splitting footpaths.
I've seen quite a few near misses, with cyclists overtaking walkers at twenty miles an hour, who have strayed over the line on these split footpaths/cycletracks.
Also seen residents emerge from their gardens who have not seen cyclists approaching, on what used to be a footpath only, such as Heronswood Road and Salisbury Road,to be nearlly mown down by a speeding cyclist.
I wonder how a walker would stand legally, if struck on one of these split tracks ?
Surely where there is room for a seperate cycle track there is no excuse for not building one, on safety grounds alone.

[jonmorris]

Cost is always the factor that makes most cycle lanes pointless. If there are inadequate crossing points, or long breaks in the route (such as going back on the road, or simply ending and restarting further up - at exactly the points where a separate lane is most important) then nobody will use them.

Plenty of cyclists opt to use the road instead, which is probably easier and quicker in the long run. Not necessarily safer though, but I bet people rate speed and convenience above safety (until something happens, of course).

The people who design the cycle routes to fit in on the cheap probably don't have any intention of using them either, but know it ticks a box on the 'have to do' list.

[adamedwardsteather]

Sounds like the Council will be building more cycle tracks on the cheap, by splitting footpaths.
I've seen quite a few near misses, with cyclists overtaking walkers at twenty miles an hour, who have strayed over the line on these split footpaths/cycletracks.
Also seen residents emerge from their gardens who have not seen cyclists approaching, on what used to be a footpath only, such as Heronswood Road and Salisbury Road,to be nearlly mown down by a speeding cyclist.
I wonder how a walker would stand legally, if struck on one of these split tracks ?
Surely where there is room for a seperate cycle track there is no excuse for not building one, on safety grounds alone.

When any cycling route is created the engineers look at traffic flows. If the flow is low, then you simply sign post a street as part of the route and don't create a separate path at all, for example some parts of National Cycle Route 12 in WGC and out in rural areas. 

If the flow is higher then you create lanes on the road or off road.

The same goes for shared use, so where few pedestrians you don't split the path up to where high pedestrian use would mean complete physical separation.  (e.g. in London on the seven stations link through Bloomsbury).

Legally cyclists are required to ride safely and to slow down when others are in the way, just like car drivers.  This is something I teach my children to do when out riding. Also you use your bell, which is why all bikes have to have one.

Unfortunately, just as there are some idiot car drivers who speed and drive insanely in local streets, there are some idiot cyclists.  So I sympathise with the concern about people riding too fast.  However, without cycle paths we won't get more people using their bikes, which is good for health, reduces pollution, gets a few cars off the roads, etc.

Thanks
Adam

[adamedwardsteather]

Cost is always the factor that makes most cycle lanes pointless. If there are inadequate crossing points, or long breaks in the route (such as going back on the road, or simply ending and restarting further up - at exactly the points where a separate lane is most important) then nobody will use them.

Plenty of cyclists opt to use the road instead, which is probably easier and quicker in the long run. Not necessarily safer though, but I bet people rate speed and convenience above safety (until something happens, of course).

The people who design the cycle routes to fit in on the cheap probably don't have any intention of using them either, but know it ticks a box on the 'have to do' list.

Problem here is that the law in the UK puts cars first, with pedestrians and cyclists being required to give way.  In the Netherlands, the rules are reversed, roads give way to cyclists and if as a car driver you hit a cyclist or pedestrian, you are guilty until proven innocent.

The new route down Wellfield Road/French Horn Lane will be a continuous path apart from the road crossings.  I estimate there will be 9 road crossings in this new route, but with some good long sections without junctions e.g. Beaconsfield Rd to the station via the subway under the railway.
 
Having seen the detail of the plans, I know that the engineers actually do the very best they can with far less money than there is for roads and they are well aware that daft bits will see them embarassed and shamed by cycling groups. (See the Warrington Cycling Campaign facility of the month feature http://www.warringtoncyclecampaign.co.uk/ ) 

I know it's frustrating as a cyclist, but not spending the money on the routes and not having them will mean many people will never get on their bikes at all.  That's not good for the future of the planet, obesity rates, children's health, congestion on the roads, etc.

Cheers
Adam

[Ghost of Repton]

Legally cyclists are required to ride safely and to slow down when others are in the way, just like car drivers.  This is something I teach my children to do when out riding. Also you use your bell, which is why all bikes have to have one.

I actually have a bell fitted but what's the point?  Cars don't EVER hear it and when i use it whilst cycling from WGC to Wheathampstead, 95% of the walkers don't hear it either.  Groups of elderly ramblers are the worst - even if one hears it, they all stand in the middle of the cycleroute at the narrowest possible point.  The bell is an obsolete device caught in some outdated law. Shouting works much better than a bell.
 
As for split paths - is it really that hard?  People walk on the side marked with the white man and cyclists ride on the side marked with the white bike. There - it's easy when you know how.
Maybe it would be easier for some if the paths were the same side all the way along the route. You cycle up Chequers on the LEFT side but it turns to the RIGHT as soon as you cross the road heading to 20th mile bridge. Why? Wouldn't consistency be more sensible? 

[mythoughts]

GoR, do you walk as quickly as you ride by any chance....? You know, that really quick, manic sort of walk...? That walk that says I wish I was riding my bike really quickly...does it make you angry when people in front of you are walking just that little bit slower so you have to hop into the road to get past them? In a nustshell, have you ever thought about sharing your routes with other people that might enjoy them in a different way to you?
 
And there's me thinking that exercise was supposed to relieve stress...
 
"Shouting works much better than a bell." Really....chill out. You're clearly not one of the considerate cyclists I mostly come across when I'm out and about. In fact, by all accounts, you sound like you're a bit on your own. Do you often ride on your own...can noone keep up with you?
 
BTW, on shared paths pedestrians will always have the ROW over you so get used to it...

[Ghost of Repton]

GoR, do you walk as quickly as you ride by any chance....? You know, that really quick, manic sort of walk...? That walk that says I wish I was riding my bike really quickly...does it make you angry when people in front of you are walking just that little bit slower so you have to hop into the road to get past them? In a nustshell, have you ever thought about sharing your routes with other people that might enjoy them in a different way to you?
 
And there's me thinking that exercise was supposed to relieve stress...
 
"Shouting works much better than a bell." Really....chill out. You're clearly not one of the considerate cyclists I mostly come across when I'm out and about. In fact, by all accounts, you sound like you're a bit on your own. Do you often ride on your own...can noone keep up with you?
 
BTW, on shared paths pedestrians will always have the ROW over you so get used to it...

No,no,no,no,yes.
Asa matter of fact a loud 'excuse me please may I pass (on your left)' for example never fails. I have rung my bell until I'm 5 feet away from some people to no avail. Loud but polite words DO work. It doesn't have to be rude like you sadly and foolishly assume.
I also STOP for horses or warn I'm coming from behind and ask before attempting to pass. I shut the gates behind me when i go through them.
Sharing?, would be nice if people kept dogs on leads (and cleaned up the dog mess) if the path is shared by cyclists.  horses have churned up some bridlepaths so badly it's impossible to use them on a bike. I try and be polite but there always seems to be people like you about to spoil it.
Funny I never meet any walkers at night - scared of the dark are they? 
Jeez there's no pleasing some folk. 

[kaz]

re G of R's bicycle bell we recently packed our daughter off to uni with a bike inc. bell.  The bell on it is pathetic.  We were in the Hatfield Cycle shop last week where they have the lovely Pashley bikes.  The bell on these bikes is so superior, it has a high pitched tone which is far more audible.  The shopkeeper said they are £7 from him or much much more from Pashley.  £7 may seem a lot for a bell but the cheap ones are rubbish and just don't do the job.  So maybe G of R a new bell is what you need,  I would certainly get out of the way if you were ringing the Pashley type bell. 

[debshertsuk]

As a fairly novice cyclist I find cycle paths to be the best thing since sliced bread! I am scared of the road as I am considered to be a nuisance and "in the way". I have ridden on the road where necessary (never on a pavement) and have nearly always felt intimidated by vehicles... especially buses. It annoys me when pedestrians walk in the cycle lane on a split path as there are clear markings - even on long stretches.

Can anybody tell me who I complain to about the state of the cycle lane on Chequers /Gt North Way near the Broadwater Rd roundabout? The tree roots have buckled it to a dangerous level and I had to swerve into the pedestrian lane to stop myself tipping off my bike!

[I am Legion]

I guess the highways department.

[jonmorris]

I guess the highways department.

Who are shockingly close to this, so must SURELY have noticed themselves? I'd say they choose to keep their heads down, but that would actually mean they'd notice the potholes too!

[adamedwardsteather]

1 Report this on Herts Direct and say in the comments box it's a trip hazard, as that makes it high risk
2 Email pedalpoint@welhat.gov.uk so that Cathy, the PedalPoint officer can chase the Herts CC people up to get it done.
 
Things do get fixed, e.g. the excellent clearing of the overgrown Alban Way over the past month or so.
 
Thanks
 
Adam