Fears over Blackburn cycle lane facing one-way traffic (From Lancashire Telegraph)
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Fears over Blackburn cycle lane facing one-way traffic
9:00pm Tuesday 24th February 2009 in Blackburn
DAUNTING: The new cycle lane in Tontine Street, Blackburn, which sees the rider heading into the oncoming traffic and possible danger
A “DAUNTING” cycle lane has been added to a Blackburn Street - heading into one-way traffic.
The new facility in Tontine Street has been questioned by bike enthusiasts and a former traffic warden, but safety experts have given it the thumbs up.
Council engineers marked out the lane last week, as part of the town’s local transport plan.
Lancashire Telegraph reader Bill Booth, 72, of Higher Croft Road, Blackburn, was a traffic warden for 30 years.
He said: “It’s not very safe. They have got the cycle lane running the opposite way to the traffic. As far as I’m concerned cyclists should still come under the Highway Code.”
Mr Booth also claimed the road was rarely used by cyclists so there was no need for the cycle lane.
Ian Kay, who manages Ewood Bikes on Bolton Road, Blackburn, said: “I have not heard of anything like that before.
“You would have to be brave to use it”.
Last year Conservative leader David Cameron apologised after being spotted riding the wrong way down a one-way street.
But the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said it had no safety concerns about “contra-flow” cycle lanes, provided they are well marked, according to a spokeswoman.
Chris Ensslin, an engineer for the Sustrans cycle network, said the facilities were fairly new to the UK.
He added: “They can be quite daunting, and motorists are sometimes surprised to see cyclists coming the other way, but there’s not problem if they are marked out.
“They are a good way to get cyclists moving around towns quickly and efficiently”.
Lancashire Telegraph cycling columnist Dave Brown said: “It’s a good thing - but Blackburn is a very difficult town to get around for a cyclist.
"There’s no structure”.
Comments(14)
onlyonesimongarner
says...
9:47pm Tue 24 Feb 09
Jimmy Paterson wrote:No
The majority of cyclists are a law to themselves and think they own the road anyway so this sounds like an appropriate response - they don't pay tax or insurance so why is so much money spent on them? They are as bad as horse riders...
Horse Riders do not have to pick up the manure , unlike dog owners
frank
says...
9:54pm Tue 24 Feb 09
frank
says...
9:58pm Tue 24 Feb 09
Jimmy Paterson wrote:any club cyclist and many commuters have insurance, either through the ctc or bc. council tax pays for some of the road maintainance, so whats the problem?
The majority of cyclists are a law to themselves and think they own the road anyway so this sounds like an appropriate response - they don't pay tax or insurance so why is so much money spent on them?
They are as bad as horse riders...
contrary to popular belief motorists DO NOT pay road tax ,that was abolished years ago and replaced with ved, which go into the tax pot with everything else.so in theory everyone is equal.
cduncan
says...
11:24pm Tue 24 Feb 09
Jimmy Paterson wrote:All I can say to that comment is FOOL! There is no such thing as "Road Tax" is Vehicle Excise Duty. I cycle and abide by the laws of the road, safety is paramount and you find many drivers have the same attitude a you and that is why accidents happen and cyclists get killed. For the record I pay VED on two cars.
The majority of cyclists are a law to themselves and think they own the road anyway so this sounds like an appropriate response - they don't pay tax or insurance so why is so much money spent on them?
They are as bad as horse riders...
matthew987
says...
12:16am Wed 25 Feb 09
HarwoodBiker
says...
8:19am Wed 25 Feb 09
And why the hell SHOULD cyclists have to pay 'tax' and insurance? Can't help but think the borough would be a far better, cleaner place if everyone got around by bicycle.
Jimmy Paterson
says...
8:39am Wed 25 Feb 09
I pay road tax -- sorry VED -- on two cars and three motorcycles and I have a mountain bike AND I pick up my German Shepherd's poo, mmm don't have a horse yet though.
Jimmy Paterson
says...
8:41am Wed 25 Feb 09
onlyonesimongarner
says...
9:01am Wed 25 Feb 09
Oakdale blue
says...
9:12am Wed 25 Feb 09
A Darener
says...
11:05am Wed 25 Feb 09
soap opera
says...
1:13pm Wed 25 Feb 09
ewoodman
says...
6:45pm Wed 25 Feb 09
Jimmy Paterson wrote:Cyclists are not allowed to use the pavements unless they are marked so. Being a cyclist myself I follow the same Highway code that I would in my car. There is a small minority that seem to abuse the laws and ride wherever they want. Maybe I should get some roller blades;)
Also I think that motorcyclists should be entitled to use bus AND cycle lanes nationawide especially in view of the fact that cyclists are apparently entitled to use the pavements and treat red lights as Give Way junctions....
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Jimmy Paterson says...
9:23pm Tue 24 Feb 09
They are as bad as horse riders...