Letter: We Need A First Class Cycling Infrastructure

Published on: 6 Aug, 2017
Updated on: 6 Aug, 2017

From Michael Aaronson

As a lifelong cyclist I can only deplore the behaviour of the uncouth individual described by Mr Holt in his letter Cycling on the High Street Should be Properly Regulated.

It dismays me to see cyclists ignoring the rule of the road, behaving inconsiderately – especially towards pedestrians – and putting their own and others’ safety at risk. The same could be said of the way that a minority of motorists behave towards cyclists, fortunately it is a minority among both, but it is the minority that gets the majority a bad name.

However, the only solution is to educate all road users so that they learn to share space with others with due consideration. Although separate cycle lanes where they can be provided are a good thing, the geography of our historic towns, such as Guildford, is such that complete segregation is impossible; there just is not enough space.

That means that we all – car drivers, cyclists, pedestrians – have to learn to share the same space sensibly, including in the High Street. That, more than anything, is a matter of education, backed up by tough sanctions for those who abuse the rights of others.

It has to be said that from a cyclist’s perspective the centre of Guildford is a complete disaster. There is no safe way of crossing the town in either direction, which sometimes leaves people with no alternative but to take illegal short cuts. The road surfaces, particularly in North Street, present a constant safety hazard.

With regard to Guildford Borough as a whole, the borough council’s own evidence base for the recent Local Plan consultation refers to: “a fragmented and disjointed network of cycle routes, consisting of routes both on and adjacent to local roads, with the latter often comprising shared lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. Many cycle lanes and tracks are narrow and some are unattractive to the average cyclist.”

This is very true, and I hope that as the plan is implemented the council is as good as its word and delivers a first class cycling infrastructure that will lead to a reduction in car journeys and improved quality of life for all, including pedestrians. Nothing can excuse bad behaviour on the road and perhaps the best way to discourage it is to show really serious intent to improve the inadequate infrastructure from which we currently suffer.

Responses to Letter: We Need A First Class Cycling Infrastructure

Ben Paton Reply

August 6, 2017 at 12:57 pm

The only prize Guildford’s transport strategy wins is the prize for plausible propaganda. Circumlocutions and euphemisms like “modal shift” try to disguise the fact that they have no solutions for the underlying problem – inexorable growth in traffic flows and road capacity that hardly changes.

If they were serious they would invest in genuine cycle only tracks – genuine in the sense of being physically separate not just marked with a slap of paint on the road. That takes deeds not words.
Jim Allen Reply

August 6, 2017 at 1:47 pm

While one cannot argue with the sentiment one must remember although unattractive existing cycle lanes could be far safer than using a road running a vehicle every three seconds as with Clay Lane. Sadly many cyclists refuse to use the cycle lane provide.

Also, with an average journey of 14 miles to work it cycling will never become the main choice for those travelling to work. Six miles was about enough for me in the rain, on a cold winter’s day. And until road tax is charged by the day, having a car standing in the drive costing money it’s difficult to justify to oneself getting to work cold and wet when the comfortable option is sitting in the drive.

“Modal shift” in summer is excellent – in winter it’s a whole new basket of eggs.
Bibhas Neogi Reply

August 7, 2017 at 1:01 am

Guildford’s road network is ancient and cannot be changed easily to create dedicated cycle lanes on most of the routes. However, the problem of safe cycle access through the centre of the town could be achieved if vehicular traffic is by and large removed from it. It could be done but it requires investment into creating alternative routes that frees up the town centre. I estimate the cost to be around £100m.

The question is who pays for the betterment of the town centre environment and making it attractive?

It could be partly funded by CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) but the major funding has to come from the Department for transport via Surrey County Council. It is the job of the M3 Local Enterprise Group to bid for this funding. I have not seen any initiative on the part of M3 LEP to upgrade the gyratory to this extent.

M3 LEP has secured funding for only a few improvement work including replacement of Walnut Footbridge. Although it is debatable if this is necessary if funding for a bigger scheme making the town centre pedestrian friendly could be successfully obtained.

Whether it is the scheme suggested by me or the one by GVG, both create a pedestrian friendly town centre but I believe extensive cycle lanes could be better provided if my scheme is adopted. M3 LEP and the councils should examine the possibilities if Guildford is to remain a thriving town both for businesses and visitors alike.

The ideas are on my website that can be accessed by searching for ‘revamp Guildford gyratory’ and the sketches are on an associated website.

For a quick reference, a sketch showing extensive cycle lanes that are possible in the altered traffic replacing the gyratory is as below,-

http://s1130.photobucket.com/user/Gyratory1/media/Portsmouth%20Road%20rev1_zpsknryqawj.png.html?sort=3&o=0

If the readers like what they see, please do write to the councils and ask that these ideas be explored.
Brian Holt Reply

August 7, 2017 at 10:23 pm

In reply to Bibhas Neogi comments on safe cycling through the town, this will only happen with all cyclist are sensible and obey all road signs.

How are you going to get the majority of cyclists, who never obey any road signs and cycle the wrong way down one-way streets which are closed for a street market, through pedestrian only areas, to change their cycling behaviour? They are even making it dangerous for themselves.

The rude foul-mouthed cyclist will not change his ways and it’s disgusting that shoppers and visitors to Guildford town centre cannot enjoy their day in a traffic free High Street because of people like him.

It appears that no one in Guildford is concerned about public safety. I notice from the above comments, no one has commented about cyclists not obeying any road signs or on cycling the wrong way down one-way roads.
Michael Aaronson Reply

August 8, 2017 at 12:15 pm

I think Mr Holt needs to read my letter again; it started with the statement that I deplored the behaviour of the individual to whom he referred, and ended with the comment that nothing can excuse bad behaviour on the road.

As others’ comments show, there is evidently an important debate to be had about how Guildford’s infrastructure can be improved to the benefit of all road users, including pedestrians. But the main point I was trying to make in my letter was that no-one should be allowed to use the absence of infrastructure as an excuse for behaving intolerantly towards others; we all need to learn to use the same space considerately.

That is the message that must be promulgated in schools and elsewhere; otherwise we just descend into unproductive and potentially dangerous name-calling.