Roads that give cyclists priority.

Ken Cooper · 2026-06-02T09:04:52+0100

Cycle streets work on quiet roads. On main roads, they are just paint and a sign. Drivers ignore them.

The 2.4 million price tag is the real problem. That money should have gone into protected bike lanes, not a sign telling drivers to be nice.

securespark · 2026-06-02T09:58:26+0100

Removing all road markings and delineation between pavement and road is what works, apparently.

It slows drivers down and makes them more cautious.

fixitflav · 2026-06-02T11:05:56+0100

Brigadier said:
As you've brought up the topic of "what it was meant to be", much of our road network "was meant to be" for the use of pedestrians, horses and later, for bicycles.

No doubt, and without studying the history of it, I assume road tax for cars, HGVs etc has increased to reflect their road usage. Irrelevant anyway, as we've all agreed it goes into the general taxation pot.
I was just commenting on nosey's post about Amazon not paying enough (non-road) tax. That has nothing to do with the content of the thread.

fixitflav · 2026-06-02T11:10:38+0100

Odds said:
Truly - best reason to avoid Norfolk and Suffolk: too flat for comfort.
Endless roads with unchanging landscape. The real challenge is to stay awake.

I've talked to Dutch cyclists who say although the country is nice and flat the wind is a problem. I doubt it's much windier in the Netherlands than UK, but here I have more trouble with hills than wind.

wobs · 2026-06-02T13:45:42+0100

securespark said:
Removing all road markings and delineation between pavement and road is what works, apparently.

It slows drivers down and makes them more cautious.

Poynton is a famous example of this, although there was some controversy when a blind person was knocked down by a car in this area.

Here is the obituary of the designer:

Ben Hamilton-Baillie obituary

Influential architect and leading voice in the promotion of ‘shared space’ on the roads of cities, towns and villages

www.theguardian.com

"He said: “I have my severe doubts of the wisdom of giving drivers a green light in the city centre,” believing it gives an inappropriate sense of priority. To demonstrate his schemes were safe, he would often lie down in the middle of the road."

Roads that give cyclists priority.

Ken Cooper

securespark

fixitflav

fixitflav

wobs

Ben Hamilton-Baillie obituary

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