Addiscombe Road - eastbound

Inspired by The Sharp Side's overgrown cycle track post, here's a less dramatic case of overgrowth on a cycle lane.



This cycle lane runs alongside tram tracks, so it's primary purpose is to signify to the bike rider where you can cycle outside of the sweep of the tram.



Strangely it is also probably Croydon's longest stretch of mandatory cycle lane - but that's another story.



As you can see from the images the foliage is growing out from the side to push the bike rider out into the path of trams in some places.



It is also worth noting that there is a solid stone wall, and not a pavement, so you have no escape.





The lane ends as the road widens, but then comes the biggest problem, a tram stop.



Here the bike rider has no choice but to cross into the tram track and into the path of the tram. This, thankfully, is not as dangerous as it might be because all trams stop at all of the stations, so are traveling slowly at this point.

Satellite Image & Map

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cycling, cycle lane, croydon

St James's Park Road - LCN Route 5

Our first video contribution to the site:



There was a long fight to get this contraflow cycle lane, but the way in which parking bays were left in the cycle route created a problem at the junction with Windmill Road where most drivers turn in and cut the corner.

Satellite Image

P.S. Filming whilst cycling is not recommended.

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cycling, croydon

Press Coverage

A letter from Shasha Khan to the local papers included a link to this blog. This resulted in a phone call from the Croydon Advertiser and a request for a photo.

The story covers the whole of page three. They've used a straightforward photo of me riding the bike, approached the council for a comment and finished it off with some great photos from the Warrington Cycle Campaign.



Online version - Crodyon cyclists face a 'tour de farce'

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cycling, cycle lane, cycle path, cycle track, croydon

High Street - Surrey Street & Mint Walk

This is the junction between High Street and Surrey street where a cycle lane suddenly pops into existence outside the front door of the Green Dragon pub and continues north along High Street where it is always used for parking.

Anyone trying to use this cycle lane is likely to get cut up by motor vehicles turning left. Most people cycle well out into the road to avoid the parked cars.



Opposite is the entrance to Mint Walk where the cycle cut through is often blocked.



Notice how, even on a closed road, the cycle lane is far too narrow.

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cycling, cycle lane, croydon

Andrew Pelling MP on cycle lanes

Is not another important consideration, particularly when we suffer very long dry spells, drains in cycle lanes? There is insufficient space and quite often drains have fallen because of the dry weather. That can pose a great danger to cyclists, particularly when some of the lanes are very tokenistic and are probably not much wider than the drains themselves.

from Cycling - Westminster Hall debates

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cycling, cycle lane croydon

Purley Way - Southbound

A short section of TfL cycle lane to guide you through the traffic lights...



...and run you into the pavement!!



Photos by Matt

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cycling, cycle lane, croydon

The "jug handle" - Wellesley Road

This is one of the worst pieces of design in Croydon. The reason it doesn't kill cyclists on a regular basis (as Wellesley road regularly kills pedestrians who try to cross it) is that very few cyclists venture onto this urban dual carriageway, and those that do ignore this utterly stupid cycle facility.

Wellesley Road (pre summer 2002)



This is apparently called a jug handle! It is at an infamous cycling black spot where several cyclists have come off on the tram tracks.

The cycle facility is quite ridiculous on a fast moving dual carriageway where all the traffic is breaking the speed limit, and I have never seen it used. However, we know of one cyclist who was hit by a bus when she tried to use it!

Wellesley Road (post summer 2002)



The new version is even worse, it now directs cyclists out into two lanes of speeding traffic. It is so utterly stupid that most cyclists end up riding up the tram tracks. Personally I take the vehicular route and ride through as if I was driving a car.

Wellesley Road (Spring 2007)









All that has changed in 5 years is the addition of some green paint.

Satellite Image

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cycling, cycle lane, cycle path, cycle track, croydon

Highway Code URGENT

Ask your MP to sign up and urge the government to fix the Highway Code.

An Early Day Motion has been tabled in parliament that reads:

EDM 1433
That the alterations in the provisions of the Highway Code proposed to be made by the Secretary of State for Transport, dated 28th March 2007, a copy of which was laid before this House on 28th March, be not made.

The EDM has been tabled by Menzies Campbell, leader of the Liberal Democrats.

This action has been taken specifically to encourage the Government to address the problems created by the new rules that will require cyclists to use cycle facilities 'wherever possible'. Although initiated by the LibDems, it is very important that this EDM gains cross-party support and signatures from as many MPs as possible. All cyclists are urged to persuade their MPs to sign EDM 1433 as a matter of urgency.

Find your MP’s contact details at: http://www.writetothem.com/

Particularly if you are writing to a Labour MP , it is worth mentioning that the cycling organisations are still in dialogue with officials and hope that the Government may yet agree to revise the Highway Code – hence they may be paving the way for a “good news” announcement from the Minister.

For MPs of all parties, please also ask them to speak to their party colleagues in the Lords to ask them also to “pray against” the Highway Code. For procedural reasons, the Code is far more likely to be challenged effectively in the Lords than in the Commons.

How will the draft Highway Code hurt cyclists? See:
http://www.cyclenetwork.org.uk/latest/doc/hcode_cyclists.pdf
send a copy to your MP.

This is a national campaign, full details are at:
http://www.cyclenetwork.org.uk/latest/latest.html#hcedm

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cycling, cycle lane, cycle path, cycle track, highway code

Godstone Road, Purley

Just on the southern edge of Croydon lies Purley, and yet another poorly thought through cycle lane. This one is on the southbound side of the Godstone Road (the A22) at the junction with Approach Road.

The somewhat narrow cycle lane disappears within a yard or two, a new, boldly marked cycle lane appears:

Take this enticing option and within a few yards you will be suddenly forced to choose between hitting the crash barrier or the side of the passing lorry. Alot of heavy goods traffic uses this road.

At first sight it looks like a good idea - a feeder lane to allow cyclists to get to the advance stop line when the cars are stopped. But if the traffic is moving you'll get a very nasty surprise.

Well intentioned, but probably much safer to not use it.

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purley, croydon, cycling, cycle lane, cycle path, cycle track

The Wellesley Road/George Street "Y"

Another idiotically useless piece of paintwork from Croydon Council.



It certainly doesn't make the buses seem any less dangerous.



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cycling, cycle lane, cycle path, cycle track, croydon council