Changes to cycle policy - 3/4 Aug 13

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

They did actually. There was a protest, when cyclists took lots of bulky items onto local services to "prove" that if they could take these items without restriction then why not bikes. Nobody seemed to point out to them that actually there are restrictions on the size of items, but instead the TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) (Wessex or FGW^▸ (First Great Western)) just caved in and acceded to their demand.  I can't find a link to it, although it was on the local news at the time, sometime around 05/06 I believe. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/somerset/4202559.stm. Now found a link!

Yes I remember that, someone travelled with an ironing board 

[TonyK]

Blimey! An ironing board! Mrs FT, N! rang me a couple years back, asked me to pick one up from Sainsbury on my way home. Half-price, and we needed a new one. The lady on the check-out was impressed, thinking I was some sort of new man, until I asked if she knew what it was for. I don't think I'd risk taking one on public transport.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Why are there no bike racks - or indeed any other provision at all - for the carriage of even one bicycle on buses? 

[Red Squirrel]

They do it on the Continent... there's an argument that long-distance buses could accommodate cycles (maybe on external racks), but presumably you wouldn't bother to get on a bus if you weren't going far?

[JayMac]

Why are there no bike racks - or indeed any other provision at all - for the carriage of even one bicycle on buses? 

A quick Google to answer that question and disprove the assertion. 

http://blog.golakes.co.uk/special-bike-ride-bus-service-set-to-launch-in-the-lake-district/

Having checked, the service is running again this year also:

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/PdfUploads/Timetable_35679_800%20(Kendal%20Bike%20Bus).pdf

There's also another service which started this year:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-23110211

From tiny acorns....

[Chris from Nailsea]

Why are there no bike racks - or indeed any other provision at all - for the carriage of even one bicycle on buses? 

A quick Google to answer that question and disprove the assertion. 

Fair enough: I'll rephrase that.

Why are there no bike racks - or indeed any other provision at all - for the carriage of even one bicycle on First buses? 

After all, this particular topic started off with a query over First Great Western and their change in policy in the London area for one weekend - and then developed into a discussion over the lack of adequate provision on the Severn Beach Line.

Why do the railways get all the flak for not providing enough for their cycling passengers, when the buses (with your one honourable exception!) don't provide anything?? 

[JayMac]

First ran a trial in 2011 in Scotland. No idea whether it became a permanent thing:

http://www.goinggoingbike.com/blog/scottish-bus-firm-to-allow-bikes-on-buses/

Knowing FirstGroup, probably not. Innovative isn't in their dictionary.

Delving deeper into this it appears that there are a few schemes in parts of the UK^▸ (United Kingdom). I've come across mentions of ones in The Yorkshire Dales, The Peak District and one in North Devon. That last one however is definitely no longer running:

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/North-Devon-surf-bus-reaches-end-road/story-18587209-detail/story.html#axzz2a0OpfBpH

[grahame]

Why are there no bike racks - or indeed any other provision at all - for the carriage of even one bicycle on buses? 

A quick Google to answer that question and disprove the assertion. 

There used to be one or two in our area

Devon Bike Bus
In the summer season the B1 Bike Bus services leaves Okehampton each morning from Tuesday to Sunday. So a one way cycle is possible to suit your time available and cycling prowess.

http://www.northlakedevon.co.uk/tourist-information/cycling/
and
http://buses.awardspace.com/Devon.htm  (picture too, scroll down)

and

North Devon's Surf and Cycle Bus has reached the end of the road because of funding shortfall.
The Surf Bus, as it is known by regular passengers, was launched in 2011 as part of a two year pilot scheme. The aim was to determine the need for bespoke transport for cyclists and surfers and to test the commercial viability of such an operation

http://www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/North-Devon-surf-bus-reaches-end-road/story-18587209-detail/story.html#axzz2a0pfai1U

[TonyK]

I recall weekend trains to Buxton in the Peak District from Manchester being run by old slam-door DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit), even though weekday services were by more modern stock, simply because they held more bikes more easily. No doubt a thing of the past now.

[mjray]

Presumably the size restrictions not mentioned in the protest dates from when the railway had a parcel service which could carry larger items?

Meanwhile, in another place, Abellio's GA^▸ (Greater Anglia) have just announced extra services for the London-Cambridge Bike Ride http://www.greateranglia.co.uk/travel-information/journey-planning/service-alterations/details?ew_id=654

[TonyK]

Away from the railway, but not completely, BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) Radio Bristol is leading its local news today with a report on the Bristol to Bath cycle path. Apparently, the safety and enjoyment of the path by the many is being ruined by what sounds like a few lycra-clad fascists.Dogs, cats, small children, and other more timorous cyclists have been run down here by wannabe Bradley Wiggins. About 3000 people use the path daily. Many say they would, but for the attitude of this selfish minority who see it as a speed trial track.

I offer two possible solutions. One involves piano wire, the other is to relay tracks and operate a light railway. That would carry much more than 3000 people daily, and the cyclists would have Fishponds Road, with its multi-million pound bus lane, to themselves.

Not just me, then.

[trainer]

I offer two possible solutions.

I know the first suggestion was made tongue-in-cheek, but I'm afraid some criminal elements have already tried it and caused serious injury to ordinary cyclists. This link takes you to one version of the story.

http://www.bristol-rail.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?p=1613

I'm sure however much we abhor selfishness, we do not suggest GBH as an answer.

Your second suggestion suits me just fine.

[Red Squirrel]

...the cyclists would have Fishponds Road, with its multi-million pound bus lane, to themselves.

Fishponds Road (eastbound) is, IMO^▸ (in my opinion), one of the most dangerous stetches of road in Bristol for cyclists. I have on more than one occasion been quite deliberately run off the road, apparently for sport, by motorists there - and I wasn't (as I recall) wearing any Nazi regalia.

In truth what is required on NCN 4 is some local speed restrictions in those few areas where children and wobbly novices proliferate; for much of it there is no reason why more proficient cyclists should not safely ride at speed.

Of course were there to be a serious scheme to relay rails along this route, no-one would be happier than I.

[grahame]

Away from the railway ...

We have more cycles and walkers past our home than cars ... as there are three combined cycle routes / foot paths onto the road, in addition to the single motor vehicle entrance to the cul-de-sac.

The majority of walkers / cyclists are fine, though for the most part they don't treat the road as a road. When bringing a car in / out we have to be very careful indeed.  It's especially busy at school start and school end time; we were "warned" when the local secondary school moved up the road from us and we became the main route to school for most pupils who don't use Dad's Taxi about all sorts of problems but - full credit to Melksham's current youngsters - the only issue is that we need to be careful in the flood of them that simply wouldn't fit on the pavement.

There are a few cyclists ... not the schoolbound ones ... who travel greatly in excess of the speed I would consider sensible on a shared path.   And they act as if they own the footpath, ringing there bells as if ordering you to get out of their way, and passing very close at speed.  I have a degree of sympathy - but then when we drive cars (and those of us who drive trains) have to stick to speed limits and consider safety, even if our vehicles can go faster, and I think cyclists should follow a similar guide. And they should slow down where conditions dictate it fore safety.

Interestingly, there's another group who also cause safety issues thought their speed - the drivers of mobility scooters.   It's not such an issue at home, as there aren't many driver of such vehicles out from us.  However, nearer the town centre they're on the pavement and going at quite some speed. I understand there's a 4 m.p.h. limit on them, yet some travel at  over 10 m.p.h. (yes, I have checked with a stopwatch), including past a blind corner where a public footpath comes out. One day ...

I'm not commenting on the politics / views of these people   ... but they are often through less, or else disregard the enjoyment and safety of those with whom they share facilities.

[ChrisB]

Speed humps....try cycling over a sharp one at over 4mph.