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Birmingham blue routes get blue response from drivers A38 central reservation

Birmingham blue routes get blue response from drivers

Stretch of A38 route will run down the central reservation
by Alex Bowden
Fri, Feb 15, 2019 16:04
8

Birmingham’s new blue cycle routes along the A34 and A38 will be opening in the spring. The designs mean motorists will have to give way to cyclists at central reservations and after turning into side roads. Motorists’ responses on social media has been predictably robust, featuring liberal use of the phrases ‘waste of money’ and ‘accident waiting to happen’.

“Came here for the negativity and ill-judged armchair expert opinions – wasn't disappointed,” observed Neil Scott on Facebook.

In 2016, Birmingham scrapped plans for six cycle lanes in favour of two largely segregated cycle superhighways: from Selly Oak to the city centre via the A38, and from Perry Barr to the city centre via the A34.

The A38 route will feature a stretch within the central reservation, which has given rise to the design below.

 

 

A similar Facebook post on the Birmingham Updates page attracted several hundred comments within 24 hours.

Amid all the usual gripes and whataboutery (red light jumping, bike lights, “road tax” etc) motorists expressed concern at how the cycle lanes crossed side roads, the possibility that lanes for motor vehicles could end up blocked by turning motorists and also “the amount of hazards i would have to slam my breaks on for” [sic].

One person even expressed their fear that “a steady stream of cyclists” could mean motor vehicles stuck on the road indefinitely.

The most common fear expressed by cyclists is that motorists won’t give way as they are supposed to and may just plough into them.

Birmingham
A34
A38
Alex Bowden

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

Avatar
CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
3 likes

The lines should be solid stop junctions not give way junctions.  A vehicle must be forced to come to a halt before attempting to cross the cycle lane when its clear.   

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to CXR94Di2 | 5 years ago
1 like
CXR94Di2 wrote:

The lines should be solid stop junctions not give way junctions.  A vehicle must be forced to come to a halt before attempting to cross the cycle lane when its clear.   

I don't agree with that to be honest and it's totally impractical on a through route, compare to when we cycle past junctions all the time that have give ways, if a motorist has clear sight lines then there's no need to come to a complete stop, just as I should not be expected to do the same if I am on a bike or on foot, because I would still present danger to people on foot or bike by transgressing the give way if they are present.

We have to ensure that there's a campaign nationally, PIF on TV, on the radio, tinternet adverts and driver education along with the a bit of stick. the whole idea isn't a bad one and I think having it centrally makes sense in some regards.

As I've said before though, taking away one side of the road, making it bi directional for people on bikes - so it's wide enough for multi speed cyclists and cycling at mass levels so they can overtake without impinging on the other lane so much if at all is what I would prefer in many respects.

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds | 5 years ago
3 likes

The problem with this is that the juncture between motors and bikes is precisely where the Dutch have the most deaths of any single place on their segregated infra.

It's going to be interesting to see how this pans out, maybe some CCTV at the crossings and a threat of a fine/prison sentence might work ... but then again magistrates will probably find another way to blame the victim for being run over and send the killer on their way with a nod and a wink!

I hope I'm completely wrong but UK motorists are so piss poor and there's virtually no threat from fear of punishment to conform.

Avatar
Accessibility f... | 5 years ago
7 likes

GET IN THE FACKIN CYCLE LANE

 

GET OUT OF THE FACKIN CYCLE LANE

Avatar
BehindTheBikesheds replied to Accessibility for all | 5 years ago
4 likes
Peowpeowpeowlasers wrote:

GET IN THE FACKIN CYCLE LANE

 

GET OUT OF THE FACKIN CYCLE LANE

They hold us up

They ride too fast

Avatar
srchar | 5 years ago
4 likes

I block the comments on most websites. They are mostly full of uninformed opinions from people you wouldn't normally give the time of day. Highly recommended.

Avatar
shufflingb replied to srchar | 5 years ago
0 likes
srchar wrote:

I block the comments on most websites. They are mostly full of uninformed opinions from people you wouldn't normally give the time of day. Highly recommended.

 

Disagree with most of them, surely, but they and their readers have the vote. They are also unlikely, in the extreme, to be reading this website or for that matter to be regularly exposed to any pro-cycling views. So if we want to effect positive changes? Wouldn't it be better not to ignore them, but instead to try and engage and persuade them and their readers on their home patch?

Avatar
John Smith | 5 years ago
0 likes

“No cyclists will use it! Total waste of money.”

 

“It will be full of cyclists and cars will never be able to cross”

 

Pick on FFS!

 

Also, yes, full of the standard moaning about cyclists. And the standard:

”cyclists run red lights”

“well drivers speed” 

“That’s not important! were not talking about drivers!.” 

 

Type of rubbish.

 

All this partisan stupidity is very annoying on both sides. 

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