Port Street - an exercise in blaming the victim!

I have had some time to think about the dreadful design of the contraflow cycle route down Port Street and realised that this is a physical manifestation of blame the victim for the traffic collision.



Whilst it starts off as a contraflow cycle lane, it is an advisory cycle lane so motorists are legally allowed to drive at oncoming cycles in the lane at 30mph...



The question is then why did somebody make the stupid decision to widen the pavement and force people to cycle on it?



The answer is quite clear, by forcing the cycles onto the pavement they are then obliged to give way to motor vehicles at every side entrance.



If a motor vehicle hits you whilst you are cycling across any of these entrances then you are to blame NOT THE MOTORIST!



Add to this the problem of avoiding people walking along the route and you have the worst of all worlds.






Only right at the end does the pavement get back onto the main carriageway



and again it is only an advisory cycle lane.



Perhaps the only thing they have got right are the bollards at either end...



All in all this simple task to put in a contraflow cycle route  has been turned into an exercise in blaming people cycling for being hit by motor vehicles.

Manchester City Council should be ashamed of this!

Station Cycle Parking - Crewe

On my way home from Chester recently I changed trains at Crewe.



Whilst waiting for my connection I discovered that this station has plenty of cycle parking - on the platforms.

There is the usual disclaimer notice,



but the facilities provided look pretty good.



This cycle parking is provided on a number of platforms.



It is secure and under cover,



and for bonus points...



there is a pump



and a maintenance stand



provided by the local council and Virgin trains.



Sadly, such facilities are not provided at Manchester Piccadilly station. Here the attitude is totally different.



All the cycle parking is outside with no cycle parking at all on the platforms, despite the large area which could be used for cycle parking between platform 10 and 11.

Deansgate junction with Liverpool Road and Great Bridgewater Street – Proposed junction alterations

Just received this email...

It is a response to this reply http://madcyclelanesofmanchester.blogspot.co.uk/2015/06/response-to-manchester-city-council.html


It is pure fail from Manchester City Council!



What is the point of consulting the public when you just respond with this???????

Dear Sir/Madam,



Deansgate junction with Liverpool Road and Great Bridgewater Street – Proposed junction alterations.

Following the consultation exercise relating to proposed alterations to the junction of Deansgate with, Liverpool Road and Great Bridgewater Street, your comments along with others provided on the proposals have been included within a report to the Citywide Highways Manager and Executive Member for the Environment for review.

After consideration of all comments received, it has been decided that the proposals are not implemented at this stage but that improved cycling provision along Deansgate is considered as part of the overall City Centre Cycling Strategy currently being developed, taking into account wider city centre issues raised during this consultation process.

Thank you for taking the time to respond with your views to this consultation information.

Yours faithfully,

Mr C. O. Ebizie IEng FIHE
Engineer

Tel: 0161 219 6289
Internal Tel: 800 36289
Email: c.ebizie1@manchester.gov.uk
Website address: www.manchester.gov.uk

Capital Programme and Property
Growth and Neighbourhoods Directorate
Manchester City Council
PO Box 532 Town Hall
Manchester
M60 2LA

Office Location
Level 6 Town Hall Extension
Lloyd Street
Manchester

What a mess!!

Port Street Contraflow Pavement

This route was, on the original plans quite a reasonable proposal. However, Manchester City Council are not acting reasonably on cycle provision at the moment, and this is a fine example of a reasonable idea being made into a real mess.

The idea is to take people cycling from the pedestrian crossing by the Rochdale Canal down Port Street into the city centre. A straightforward, mandatory contraflow cycle lane with protecting kerbs or islands would have done the trick... along with a sign saying except cycles below the No Entry sign.



The first problem is that this is not a mandatory cycle lane.



The second problem is that somebody made the stupid decision to widen the pavement.



Now cycles are forced to give way at each side turning,



there are a series of kerbs to negotiate



and pedestrians walking into the cycle route.






Only right at the end does the pavement get back onto the main carriageway



and again it is only an advisory cycle lane.



Perhaps the only thing they have got right are the bollards at either end...



All in all this is a simple task to put in a contraflow cycle route that has been turned into an exercise in forcing people to cycle on the pavement. Or has money that was set aside for improving cycle routes been used to resurface a road and widen the pavement?

Medlock Way Cycleway Consultation

Just received this email from Manchester Council's Cycle Forum. Nothing like giving plenty of notice...

From: cycle.forum@manchester.gov.uk

Dear All,

The consultation for the proposed cycle link from the Mancunian Way Toucan Crossing via Medlock Street to the City Centre is available on the Council website.

Closing date for comments is the 5th October.

See attached link http://www.manchester.gov.uk/info/200024/consultations_and_surveys/6665/better_by_cycle/8

Yet another sticking plaster measure from Manchester City Council. This time it's turning a short section of pavement into a shared use cycleway.

Sweet September Critical Mass

With the nights drawing in rapidly, this month's ride rolled out at sunset.



We turned south down Bridge Street heading into Salford.



For some reason there were a number of impatient motorbike riders this month, pushing round the ride



Then along Chapel Street



and back up Victoria Bridge Street returning to Manchester.



By this time some of the riders were warming to the music. I was riding the only sound system this time. Two other regular riders had left theirs at home. There was a really good mix of people this month and a very gentle atmosphere.



After sitting in the traffic jams on Deansgate it was back for a second pass through Albert Square



and into the roadworks on Portland Street where the potholes are dreadful.



After a quick run through the Northern Quarter and an about turn in Back Turner Street, it was across the tram tracks and down Shude Hill



and carefully along Corporation Street.



Then back past the Cathedral



before a second run down Deansgate



and on to Castlefield Arena to meet up with the Fire Jam.



Video by Hill Billy

Cycling in the Rain

The level of rainfall in Amsterdam isn't that much different from Manchester, but they cycle in style.

When was the last time you saw someone cycling in Manchester using an umbrella?