Most of our cycling infrastructure is awful here. It is either half hearted cycle lanes painted in a road that is wide enough for two vehicles but no cycles or the other tracks are full of holes and bumps that even NASA wouldn’t want to test their moon lander on The only decent lane is a recent addition that is useful to go from the train station to somewhere close to the town centre I forgot to mention that most is disjointed as well where you either have to dismount, share a narrow path or put trust in drivers knowing you are about to share the road with them
Big frustration in the south of England are the shared paths that are referred to as cycle paths, but are very difficult to ride on as you have to dodge all the dog walkers, prams and other pedestrians
I live in Warrington as well. One of my favourite bike rides involves cycling along the Trans Pennine Trail from Sankey Bridges to Widnes (towpath of the St Helen's Canal), using the recently introduced cycle path across the Runcorn Widnes Bridge which takes me onto one of Runcorn's cycle paths. The thing I like about these is that when using one of the ones in Runcorn is you don't have to keep stopping for traffic when crossing the road. It's segregated for other road traffic which suggests they were designed by cyclists perhaps in the 1960s or 70s when this town was promoted as a new town. This cycle path runs from just outside the town centre to the housing estates near Runcorn East railway station so it goes somewhere as well.
For Warrington, I've noticed a lot of the new cycle infrastructure is focused in the center of the town as we have a cycling trail (trans pennine trail) and a canal coming through which we're able to use to go to places. Only issue is the lack of where we can lock our bikes within the town center, and for anything to the east of warrington it does get a bit scuffed. But its good to treat the TPT as a "main road" for bikes.
It annoys me when the local council proclaims that they have put in X amount of cycle roads or lanes, but when you try to use it, you find it is short disjointed bits scattered haphazardly on either side of roads - and often too narrow anyway!
@@igotesAye, I must admit I have been tempted to make a video of the cycling lanes in my part of West Yorkshire, showing why cyclists rarely use them, from some that are mostly full of parked cars to debris littered routes. One cycle lane very close to me lasts approximately 20m, totally pointless.
WA3 and WA5 postcodes in Warrington have excellent shared paths, proper signage and appear to be very well maintained, used by residents and commuters it provides an excellent way to get to and from work, school or the shops. Venture toward the town centre and the infrastructure stops.
It's similar in Cardiff, although it is slowly getting better since they started taking cycling more seriously and started providing some proper cycling routes. There are similar places where I don't know if I'm supposed to be riding.
Growing up in a Scottish new town, Cumbernauld, in the 70s I was constantly being warned by the police about cycling on paths. But the ring roads were national speed limit right up to the late 80s when speed limits were finally introduced. It was just too dangerous to use many of the roads. By the early 2000s the police themselves were using the paths to patrol on bikes. Progress of a sort I guess. Cycling on paths is perfectly safe if you keep your speed down and are aware that pedestrians can appear from around the hedges of the gardens at any moment. One small detail. In my opinion you really should wear gloves when cycling. Benefits are more grip on wet handlebars, padded ones for comfort and if you ever come off or hit something you'll be glad you were wearing them. Stay safe.
9:12 you can see the tactile paving being perpendicular to the direction of travel. That indicates its not a shared cycle lane. If it was you'd have parallel lines to the direction of travel. like with driving it's all about observing the environment and you can't always rely on signage being available.
Cycling infrastructure where I live is very good, it's one of the reasons I decided to get back on the bike about ten years ago. Bridges and underpasses, can travel for miles without going on road. If you ever want some footage just let me know.
Always like/watch your videos. I live in Kirkby. When you went up from Bewley Drive to the roundabout, that section in particular is used a lot by different groups of people, especially kids on bikes commuting to/from school. At the roundabout the cycle lane continues around to the right and terminates at Kirkby town centre. I cycle a lot. My issue has always been the infrastructure is great from Kirkby to the edge of Fazakerley (near the petrol station) and then seems non existent beyond. It would be awesome if you could cycle from Kirkby to the city centre on an actual cycle route with no overlap with vehicles. Like you mentioned in the video, I personally would head out to the canal and use that to avoid traffic.
Nice to see you don't push the button on the pedestrian crossings; just have a look around and go. I might use it as a pedestrian if the traffic is constant, but most of the time you can just wait for the lights sequence or a gap in the traffic. I don't mind cycling on busier roads, but I'd avoid a dual carriageway like the one you're next to, thankfully there are shared use paths around here much like the ones you're using. And yeah, sometimes it's unclear whether the path you're on can be used by bikes.
Unfortunately the confusing cycling areas are not just limited to Liverpool. Over the other side of the Pennines in South Yorkshire they have spent a load on new cycling infrastructure from Rotherham to Sheffield but I honestly don't think I could follow the route all the way. I have been meaning to try it at some point.
2:52 It's worth doing a shoulder check on approaching all junctions, particularly when you're going to hop on the shared pavement. You've got good '6 awareness' but one of those kids on e-motorbikes wanting the same space could surprise you one day.
Earlier this year Ashley was testing out some hi-tech rear view cameras and latterly even some decent mirrors but his handlebars are bare again. Probably waiting for a new sponsor to supply him with something new to test. Personally I think a good pair of mirrors are the best thing ever on a bike for keeping you aware of everything that's happening behind you.
I've visited Germany and Poland a few times and if a pedestrian walks in the cycleways the cyclists go mad. They are a lot more cycle friendly than us. Here in Peterborough the cycle paths aren't too bad.
Watch out for the lights on the crossings too! There are lights for cyclist integrated into cycle lanes but also many of the lights are now incorporated into the box with the button on the pole and nothing high up on the opposite side!
One of the problems I find with cycle paths this time of year is they tend to get covered in leaves which don't get cleared, couple of times earlier this week rear wheel slipped on them going round a corner and I only just remained upright.
It's the same everywhere we've ridden. Not many 'end of route' signs so generally vague. A lot of the time we ride on the road to be sure. Mr e-Bike bombing along at the end there. Starting to see them being pulled now on busy commuter routes around BCP.
We have a shared path that runs alongside a main road that connects two separate areas of town - in theory all very good, runs down one side of the road - in practice all very different. Multiple junctions to access the various entrances to the docks, three swing bridges, one of which has a path only just wide enough to allow a mobility scooter to travel down (very much a case of giving way when you approach it if somebody is already on it) and then there's the pedestrians, buggies, dogs and all. Never used it, much better on the road where I can better maintain my speed (there is a significant ramp up to the first bridge on the north end) which does take a bit of umph to get over, especially if you get caught by the lights at the bottom of the bypass.
It's exactly the same here in Belfast am luckybi have a shared pavement basically from my front door half way to work then 1/4th on the side streets then the other 1/4th on what used have signs to be a shared pavement they renewed the lampposts an never put the signs back 🤦
9:08 I think you were technically cycling on the pavement - you can see there was transverse tactile paving which normally indicates the edge of the cycle track. It's terrible there weren't any 'End of cycle route' signs or road markings though
Looks like the wrong sign has been put up at the path you joined at 3:13 since it indicates you should cycle on the right of the line on the path but the ridged slabs, path markings and signs further along show that left is the correct side.
7:12 "pedestrians can use cycle areas", well no, not really. I refer you to the highway code "Route to be used by pedal cycles only". That is quite clear, pedal cycles only, no pedestrians. The issue is there is no offence of jay walking in the UK, so, whilst it's against the Highway Code, no crime has been committed. Legally speaking, walking in the cycle area is just the same as walking in the middle of that dual-carriageway road.
Mixed bag round here. Some truly excellent separated shared paths on some faster roads - eg. 'The Drudge' as some call it, over the Ridgeway between Weymouth and Dorch - but the same route goes all wobbly-kneed at Dorchester end, with a 'take-your-chance' 5-lane crossing of the permanently busy A35, then does that thing where you cannot easily tell where you're supposed to go. I have had considerable aggression for cycling on the road at that point, but when the path reappears, it's short and suddenly drops you in the middle of a busy junction where you've got to ride on the road anyway. Can't fault The Drudge except a couple of pinch points, other bits not so good. Drivers are a cross-section too, from those who brush past you - literally - to the majority who will make a decent wide pass. Any proposals for new cycling/pedestrian infrastructure are objected to in the strongest possible terms.
That route with all the blister paving and weaving around junctions, and the general meanness of space, just looks like a pennance rather than anything remotely enjoyable. It's no wonder so few people use bike lanes.
10:20 - I think the crossing is a good indicator if you have gone off a cycle route. Up until that point, all crossings with a button to be pressed, had a red bicycle wait indicator, but the one I highlighted only has a red man indicating a pedestrian only crossing.
its a shame you don't go that way more often , if you go a bite further passed kirby you get to some great quiet country roads perfect for cycling. you can also go down the east lancs to Carr mill dam. the get on the park paths etc and other than crossing road ride all the way around through St helens and Warrington without touching a road again. Indeed you can continue on back to Liverpool via Widnes and otterspoil (sorry for the spelling) )with very little road use. lot of miles but once you get past kirby and the east lancs it all becomes much more sheltered and relaxed. I used to ride some of the section you rode on but from the other way coming from Prescot area (can now due to leg injury) part of my loop into Liverpool centre. i always used the road as I pretty confidant on the road and tend to leave the cycle path for people who aren't that confidant. only tend to use cycle paths if in very busy , fast roads ie east lancs. Always find cycling is a game off give and take, obey the rules of the road and give priority to anyone if they need it. this keeps us all safe. Thing is you always remember the car who comes to close and not the hundreds who give you room. Shared paths are good but so random in places and are often overgrown , messy or just as dangerous as the road.
Love your videos with cycling Ashley. I do have some places near where I live in Mid Suffolk that look confusing of the same question 'is this a cycle area, am I cycling illegally?" Speaking of which, I don't know if you remember the story on the news about the cyclist who died in Cambridgeshire and the pedestrian jailed. I know it's quite a long time since that story was revealed, but could you do a video about what could've been done better with both and your thoughts?
I use cycle lanes if they are quiet and not covered in crap. Often too many dog walkers, pedestrians, rubbish etc on them to make it dangerous to use. As others have said, there'll be odd sections of a cycle lane then disjointed and hard to follow so end up in traffic anyway. Also some motorists think cyclists HAVE to use them which isn't the case.
There are a few organisations out there that promote cycling. Perhaps you could consider seeing what they are about and joining one. Cycling on a shared path is ok. I would discourage cycling on paths designed for pedestrians only, though. As for designing cycle routes, there is a lot of work required to make such routes safer for everyone. There is a strong argument to have a physical barrier between cyclists and motor vehicles. Painting white lines on the road to separate cyclists looks nice, but too many motorists drive over the lines. Often, there are no lines, so cyclists are at the mercy of lorries, buses, and everything else.
Hi Ashley. On a bycicle, at a red signal on bike crossing, you are legally meant to wait for it to turn green before going. This is different for pedestrians, they are allowed to cross. You would have been able to get off you bike and cross on a red but what you have done would not be allowed. Is this something that you agree with?
Do you have the rule that says that. There is a rule covers traffic lights and cycle only paths with traffic lights, where you MUST stop at the red light, but the rules at pedestrian crossings only state you SHOULD wait until the signal opposite is green. That would also apply at Toucan crossings.
2:54 that doesn't look like a Toucan crossing, just a regular Pelican/Puffin crossing, so technically illegal to cycle across. I do it all the time, same with Zebra crossings.
Well, for sure it's better than the previous infrastructure you tested, but I am not sure that I would go so far to say that it's good. I would use it though. Good infrastructure should be pleasant to use, so away from the noise and pollution of busy main roads where possible and take you efficiently to where you want to go safely. This clearly is not always possible in the short term as it requires attention to city/town design and road design. It's very "chicken & egg" good infrastructure would eventually encourage family groups to cycle, children would grow up with a different attitude to those we saw towards the end of the video. I may be wrong but I have cycled in several western European countries and this is my experience. Perhaps a more interesting test would be to choose a local destination (shop, restaurant, pub etc) that you visit fairly regularly by car and try the journey by bike, see if you would feel safe making the journey with children, see how easy it would be to park etc.
Tactile pavements, also known as detectable warning surfaces, are primarily designed for people who are blind or partially sighted, they can also benefit people who are distracted or have other impairments, tactile pavements are used in many places, including: Crossings: Tactile paving at crossings helps people know where to cross the road, it can include raised ball-like blisters in lines to indicate the direction to cross, the colour of the paving can also indicate the type of crossing. Rail stations: Tactile paving is used to identify platform edges and stairs. Footpaths: Tactile paving can help people navigate their environment and detect hazards. Shared cycle and footpaths: Tactile paving can indicate the entry point for each user type. Tactile paving can help people travel safely and independently.
I started to commute from Alloa to Edinburgh 30 miles. Returning to the bike from a long gap of kids and running and arthritis I thought to try to find as many cycle lanes as possible. I gave up on that bright idea when transitioning for the umpteenth time and couldn't get my foot out of my cleats quick enough. Occasionally I've had cars push me off, shouting about get on the cydpclelane,, horns and general slander. In Scotland it is harder to report as we don't have a police portal yet. I just wander what kind of world do these folks want to live where you have to suffer them unless you drive? Can anyone tell me Id like to carry a bicycle on my motorbike in line so it doesn't make me wider. I've done this in a big paragliding rucksack to the sound of know all driver's telling me what for but I can't see anything in the highway code apart from my own mental decline. I would like to find some nice gravel routes and don't use a car all the time trailers are a bit expensive as well. Thanks and great vid ash always respect other peeps. 😊
Ashley, cycling through ted lights on pelican crossings ain’t a good look you know. They mean “stop” after all 🤔 I’ve recently cycled circa 1200 miles in Germany on dedicated paths mostly where the surfaces put our cycling infrastructure to shame. Where road use was required the behaviour of drivers was exemplary giving a wide berth to cyclists and even giving way where I thought they didn’t need to. The dedicated infrastructure in Germany is well planned and no afterthought, unlike the UK infrastructure.
10:30 cycling on the footway is effectively decriminalised and so it should be. There's scant difference between the footway here and a shared use cycle track. Cycling should be permitted on all footways by default and only restricted in certain areas, such as busy pedestrianised shopping streets etc.
Wish all cyclists were like Ash. Anyway, you’re lucky to have all that. We don’t. We are 1 of many small market towns here. There’s also a number of villages beyond. The area is hilly-enough to deter all but the most determined & fit cyclists….not too bad in the towns, but in the countryside in between the hills are big. Therefore majority of cyclists stick to riding in the towns. Our main cycling capability… A bunch of these towns inc ours once had a local rail link….took apart in the 1960s into the 70s. Many of these have been repurposed as cycle ways….in theory I could goto work using this…but reality is very different. Some of the railway bridges were removed with the track…rail over road. It is therefore not a continuous route. Also after the railway was dug up…one of the farmers wanted his/her land put back to original-so a section of flat route was filled in and is now part of a field again. The condition of this route isn’t great. 2y ago it was close to being closed because it was in such poor condition. However minimal money was found to patch it up. There was a cost, benefit argument and basically they didn’t want to spend any extra money for the tiny handful of people who use it each day. The controversial bit….from that last part, on the route in the video…how much did that all cost v how many people use it? And….our roads much like yours are in a terrible state of disrepair & getting worse….the “cycling” money could be used to fill in the potholes. It’s also apparent some areas can afford to keep their roads in decent condition mostly…eg South Wiltshire, while others eg North Wiltshire can’t. Also we only have decent bus connections on 1 route. East to west & back…no probs unless at night-no buses at night. North to South is useless. This is why so many people rely on a car here. It’s almost a requirement just to get to work. In actual fact after many failed experiences with new employees who tried to make it work w/out a car-we now put in the job description: must have car unless living nearby. If they want to make cycling really work over intermediate distances…they are going to need to have a paved, lit, network…like a road network-with multiple branches going to different parts of the towns-yea that is another thing our one doesn’t have. The route starts on the wrong side of our town and finishes on the wrong side of the next town. Completely pointless.
If your hands are getting sore you might do better trying out drop handlebars but they can take a bit of getting used to. But this is cycle infrastructure in the UK. Big new roads with shared spaces for pedestrians and cyclists which aren’t that enjoyable to go along but often good if that is your route. Once off the main route you’ll be back in roads but they do work when all the housing etc is new. That said there is a very strong example of this infrastructure connected to a well designed modern estate and it’s not very well used. I’ve gone that route a few times (not the right direction for me) and you are as fast as driving due to traffic but I don’t think anyone has really understood who will use these routes and why people don’t like it even when it’s good infrastructure. That is becoming an issue as in this example traffic is getting really bad.
11:31 you didn't need to dismount to take care of those pedestrians. It's ludicrous to think that was necessary when you can safely shared space with pedestrians on a shared use path. The danger here was not the cyclist, but the motorised traffic and especially as these pedestrians were crossing on a 'red man'.
To be useful cycling routes need to go somewhere you want to go, they shouldnt be too circuitous (some of us are busy commuters not chilled out leisure riders as they seem to presume!) and they need to be part of a network. No kind of transport infrastructure just ends without any indication, its ludicrous: but also very disrespectful. Accomidating a person on a 10-20kg bike is not hard compared to HGVs and cars going at high speed. How can it so frequently be done poorly?
Today I learnt that Ashley and I have very different opinions on what constitutes adequate cycle infrastructure. I absolutely would not use any of that cycle 'infrastructure'. Also, look at how much room has been taken away from pedestrians. How is that fair? As far as I'm concerned they do as little as they can get away with when it comes to cycle infrastructure. Society had become so poisoned by a car-centric culture that people just can't comprehend an alternative. Just a little pointer on the tactile paving, if the grooves run in the direction of the path then it's the side for cyclists, if it's across then it's for pedestrians.
That's an interesting piece of info re the tactile paving! Also, to respond to points made in your comment, it would be lovely if the local authorities could build proper cycling infrastructure, but they've got a very difficult job. It costs a lot of money, which they don't have, and there's a very vocal population who think they should be spending that money on making more parking spaces. The council did a "LTN" experiment where I live, which was scrapped after a year after lots of complaints. Even as someone who doesn't own a car I thought it was a poorly thought out initiative, it just forced more vehicles onto roads that were already too busy. It was nice to see kids walking to school, but most of the time the roads that they closed to motor vehicles didn't really have a traffic problem anyway, except for a couple of hours a day. Christ, sorry about the long post, I could say more but I doubt anyone's read this far.
Yes! Cycled as my main mode of transport in Liverpool 30 years ago as a full car and motorcycle licence holder. Not sure if I'd do it now if I was younger. People seem more aggressive as drivers now. No cognitive bias applied. Err, hopefully. 😉
Do you live in a rural area? I've done quite a bit of rural cycling on regional and local roads, and rarely had problems. No cycling infrastructure, but roads were pretty quiet.
yep, because there aren't many cyclists so it goes well. But it doesn't encourage anyone to cycle (and in the video it doesn't either - you're basically treated like a pedestrian)
Main problem here are "pro motoring" lobby groups actively campaigning to stop new routes or remove existing ones. They keep slipping leaflets through my door - if you read small print they are printed by local Conservative party.
We don’t have any parallel crossings-not enough cyclists to justify the cost. You’re the only cyclist on that cycle route as well….apart from a few kids on bikes near the end.
8:48 You were on a cycle area but you crossed the road to a pavement without signage, without shared access, and you assumed - having seen another cyclist leaving the area - that it was also a designated cycle area. It turned out not to be. Should you have continued cycling there?
There's a cycle route sign on the lamppost at 9:39. That's looks like NCN cycle route 862. There's a left pointing arrow on the lamppost too, maybe meaning to continue on the other side of the road although no obvious crossing infrastructure is evident. There is a dropped pavement section on both sides of the road just ahead though. At 14:24 you appear to be back on NCN route 862. I guess if you'd crossed the road at 9:39 you would have still been on NCN862. It's amazing at how badly even the national cycle network is signposted but that might be because it's a very underfunded charity, Sustrans, and staffed mainly by volunteers. Cyclists are truly second class citizens in this country smh.
So in the first 2 mins you’ve crossed over because of poor signage and had to stop several times. For the average person just plodding along this is fine, but for anyone wanting to go a bit quicker these cycle paths are pointless
How many sets of traffic lights did you cross in this video when they were RED for you? And that's not including the pedestrian only ones you also used illegally. A big discussion point, which you do seem oblivious to in the video.
Traffic lights are lights meant to control the flow of traffic on the roads and MUST be obeyed. The rules for lights at Pelican and Toucan crossings state that they SHOULD be obeyed. There is a distinction between the two terms as one id backed by law and the other is recommended for safety and best practice. If it's safe to cross, i.e. no traffic then I see no reason not to. The pedestrian only lights however indicate that Ashley had probably gone off the cycle route at that point, and I would certainly have been thinking of either pushing the bike across a few more of those.
@@shadowstar68 Yes, I'm aware of the different rules and do ride across myself at times. I'm just surprised Ashley hasn't mentioned this as it is quite blatant in the video and several people, including me have commented on it before.
