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Video: Gritter bike for cycle lanes

A new remedy for the age-old ailment of the oversized council gritter

British cycle insurer, the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has developed what it claims is the world's first pedal-powered gritter. The gritter bicycle can carry 50kg of salt with which to treat cycle lanes and it has been out on a test run in London.

There is no statutory requirement for councils to grit the cycle network. Transport for London (TfL), together with the emergency services and London councils, treats “key arterial roads, cycle routes and footways around bus and railway stations, hospitals and police, fire and ambulance stations.”

As well as 39 gritters, TfL uses quad bikes, flatbed lorries and a mini road sweeper which can fit on the cycle superhighways.

However, away from the five per cent of London’s road network considered “red routes,” the responsibility lies with individual boroughs and, as just one example, most of Cycle Superhighway 1 in Hackney won’t be treated, according to the borough’s gritting map.

A spokesperson for the ETA said: “Bicycles remain the best way to beat congestion whatever the weather so it’s vital that their lanes and paths are gritted when temperatures plummet.”

Alex has written for more cricket publications than the rest of the road.cc team combined. Despite the apparent evidence of this picture, he doesn't especially like cake.

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8 comments

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ktache | 7 years ago
1 like

I'm thinking fat bike, internal hub, maybe belt drive, towing a fat tyred gritting trailer.  All in council yellow.  And lots of lights.

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Simon E | 7 years ago
0 likes

The grit/salt in that tiny front bucket is going to last all of 10 minutes.

And he needs to get the seat height sorted.

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nowasps replied to Simon E | 7 years ago
0 likes
Simon E wrote:

The grit/salt in that tiny front bucket is going to last all of 10 minutes.

 

Think you're being generous. Should be using one of those bakfiet things with the huge barrow on the front. I shouldn't think the bike will last very long either. Corrosive stuff, that salt.

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Zebulebu | 7 years ago
1 like

Good stuff. Now if only they could stop painting them with the slickest paint they could possibly find...

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Canyon48 | 7 years ago
0 likes

Did he Strava it?

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barbarus | 7 years ago
0 likes

Don't fancy lugging 50kg in that position wearing that kit; needs a motor assist!

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ktache | 7 years ago
0 likes

This is a good idea.

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Grahamd | 7 years ago
1 like

What no helmet, what ever will the health and safety say!

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