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RANT: Cape Town City cycle lanes


Hairy

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I think another big problem in SA is the lack of cyclists on our cycle lanes. If there was a constant stream of cyclists using the lanes things would sort themselves out naturally. Having a cycle lane like in Green Point with maybe one cyclist every couple of minutes means most people are not even aware that these are cycle lanes.

 

Yes and no.  I agree about the reason for people not using the bike lanes op the doors for others to use it for parking.  The problem in my opinion is that especially in SA we just so love to break the rules for our own convenience and make our own laws.  If you don't use someting then I am entitled to make use of it.  It should be simple.  Cars are not allowed on the cycling path. Fullstop, no ifs or but and irrelevant if someone is using it or not.

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What I find quite interesting is that some cyclists between Table View and Milnerton on Marine Drive find themselves too cool to use the cycle lane, so they use the road. Others find themselves too cool to use the road and  use the bus lane. But why? Strava? 

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What I find quite interesting is that some cyclists between Table View and Milnerton on Marine Drive find themselves too cool to use the cycle lane, so they use the road. Others find themselves too cool to use the road and  use the bus lane. But why? Strava? 

their numbers are few and I just do not understand the mentality either .... for the record, I ride this cycle lane day in - day out no matter the weather.

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What I find quite interesting is that some cyclists between Table View and Milnerton on Marine Drive find themselves too cool to use the cycle lane, so they use the road. Others find themselves too cool to use the road and  use the bus lane. But why? Strava? 

Exactly the same on Liesbeek Parkway. I almost always see cyclist in the road when there is a perfectly constructed cycle way parallel to it. Probably too much of an inconvenience to get onto the cycle way.

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Exactly the same on Liesbeek Parkway. I almost always see cyclist in the road when there is a perfectly constructed cycle way parallel to it. Probably too much of an inconvenience to get onto the cycle way.

 

Liesbeek Parkway one is mostly a thornpatch. All useful when you're on a mountainbike with tubeless, but not so lekka on a commuter or road bike with skinny wheels that keep puncturing! 

 

The second issue is that it tends to have a constant stream of runners on it, which doesn't work so cool with trying to add an element of training to your commute. For many this is the primary reason they commute in the first place!

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Pffft bru you should try out those cycle lanes through Woodstock. Cars not only parked in the cycle lane but doubled up into the road!

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  • 2 months later...

Lately lots of glass on the cycle lane :Woodstock myciti station,Hijack alley and Milnerton.Will have to strap a broom to the top tube soon.

Be careful out there.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Exactly the same on Liesbeek Parkway. I almost always see cyclist in the road when there is a perfectly constructed cycle way parallel to it. Probably too much of an inconvenience to get onto the cycle way.

 

The bike path is full of thorns and I have had someone pass me a brick before in the cycle path. Road is much safer and at the time I ride it, the cars are not moving anyway.

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From the city representative with regards o the New Kendal road bike lane Constantia.

 

"Wrt to the NMT along Kendal Road, as this is an off road facility it is accepted that the use will mainly be for commuter and recreational purposes with a yield to vehicles at all intersections signalised or not. We accept that professional cyclists will be more inclined to remain on the road in this instance." Lets regards professional cyclist to be sports cuyclist

 

Myself and a better connected person look at this new bike lane on Tuesday (Simultaneous I got the reply from the city), I am hoping the design changes I / we suggested will be implemented and make the new bike path suitable for all - the better connected person is meeting with the city today.

 

My belief is the general motorist except when there is a segregated bike path that all cyclist should be using it, if not designed correctly for sport cyclist, these cyclist even aggravating motorist more - lets hope that today the city see sports cyclist point of view on this new bike lane and changes the design to accommodate all.
 

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From the city representative with regards o the New Kendal road bike lane Constantia.

 

"Wrt to the NMT along Kendal Road, as this is an off road facility it is accepted that the use will mainly be for commuter and recreational purposes with a yield to vehicles at all intersections signalised or not. We accept that professional cyclists will be more inclined to remain on the road in this instance." Lets regards professional cyclist to be sports cuyclist

 

Myself and a better connected person look at this new bike lane on Tuesday (Simultaneous I got the reply from the city), I am hoping the design changes I / we suggested will be implemented and make the new bike path suitable for all - the better connected person is meeting with the city today.

 

My belief is the general motorist except when there is a segregated bike path that all cyclist should be using it, if not designed correctly for sport cyclist, these cyclist even aggravating motorist more - lets hope that today the city see sports cyclist point of view on this new bike lane and changes the design to accommodate all.

 

while your better  connected friend is chatting to them ... please ask how an interchange works where there is a green light for cyclists/pedestrians to cross the road and also a green light for cars to cross the same time (Intersection on the cycle lane from CT to TV at the Dolphin beach intersection being the most dangerous) ..... you have, as a cyclist, a short moment between light changes to get across that intersection. There used to be a board up noting motorists are to give way to cyclists, but this was eventually removed at some stage.

 

crossing there with a green light is VERY VERY dangerous as the cars just fly around that corner.

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while your better  connected friend is chatting to them ... please ask how an interchange works where there is a green light for cyclists/pedestrians to cross the road and also a green light for cars to cross the same time (Intersection on the cycle lane from CT to TV at the Dolphin beach intersection being the most dangerous) ..... you have, as a cyclist, a short moment between light changes to get across that intersection. There used to be a board up noting motorists are to give way to cyclists, but this was eventually removed at some stage.

 

crossing there with a green light is VERY VERY dangerous as the cars just fly around that corner.

I have sent him a msg on this this.

 

My view is in many instances segregated facilities are not the answer – rather it is one of keeping the flow as normal as possible so as to not interrupt the direction and speed of both cyclists and motorists. What is needed is signage, and a facility that can be seen and respected by the motorists – but that does not diminish from the levels of quality that cyclists now enjoy. My fear is that segregated facilities worsen the flow of cycling traffic.

 

The new Firgove Bike lane (Constantia) not quite finish  - bad surface - city been notified of this today, is a good example of what I believe the city should be building for cyclist and pedestrians.

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