Tag: cycling

Top Tips for New Cyclists / Families During Covid-19

Posted on by Secretary

The recent good weather has encouraged many people to get out on their bikes as part of their daily exercise during the Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, there has been a noticeable rise in novice cyclists and family groups, which is great to see.

We have put together some top tips to help novices stay safe and get the most from your cycling:

1. Observe Social Distancing – Providing you are not required to self-isolate because you or a member of your household is displaying symptoms of Covid-19, and providing you are not in one of the vulnerable groups who are being encouraged to stay at home, then there is no reason to stop cycling, providing you follow government guidance on social distancing and keep at least 2m away from other people.

2. Stick to Roads and Designated Cycle Routes – Novice cyclists are often tempted to ride on the pavement, but this only permitted when it has been converted to a cycleway and is clearly signed for use by cyclists as well as pedestrians. Riding on narrow pavements is not only illegal, but it also makes it difficult to maintain social distancing from other users.

The good news is that there are lots of dedicated cycle routes across West Berkshire, and with so many people staying at home, there is much less traffic about and so conditions are much better for cycling on the road. With a bit of planning, cyclists are often able to avoid busy main roads.

West Berkshire Council’s website includes details of local cycle network maps, while online journey planners such as Cycle Streets allow you to select a quiet option for your cycling journey, avoiding busy main roads where possible.

3. Avoid Busy Areas and Narrow Routes – Although tempting because they are traffic-free, the canal towpaths and public rights of way may be busier than usual during lock-down, due to increased numbers of people walking, running or cycling for their daily exercise.

This is particularly true for routes in and around the main urban areas. These routes are often narrow, making it difficult to pass others while maintaining social distancing.  Where possible, try to avoid narrower paths that are likely to be busy, or time your ride when these routes are likely to be quieter.

4. Think About Your Positioning on the Road – When cycling on the road, try not to hug the kerb. There are often bits of debris towards the edge of the carriageway, while sunken drain covers represent a particular hazard for cyclists.

This also helps to make you visible to other road users and encourages safe overtaking. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s not as scary as it sounds!

5. Keep Your Kids in Front of You – When cycling with children, it is always best to ride with them in front of you. That way you can see what they are doing and issue instructions as necessary.  Position yourself so you are slightly further from the kerb than they are – this forces drivers out wider when overtaking your group.

6. Be Aware of What’s Around You – Be aware of the traffic around you. Don’t cycle with headphones – it is important to be able to hear approaching vehicles.

Look out for other road users who may not have noticed you – pedestrians about to cross the road, children playing, dogs not on leads / on long leads, drivers on the phone, etc. Also, check ahead for potholes, puddles, parked cars, junctions and other hazards.  

Being alert to potential problems helps you avoid having to swerve, brake sharply or make sudden manoeuvres.

7. Make Your Intentions Clear – Always give other road users a clear idea of what you plan to do. Check behind, then signal, giving plenty of notice before making your manoeuvre. Only make the manoeuvre when it is safe to do so.

If you’re nervous about checking behind and/or taking one hand off the handlebars to signal, it’s a good idea to practise this in a safe, traffic-free environment.

8. Make Eye Contact – Try to make eye contact with other road users, particularly at junctions, side roads and on roundabouts.

Making eye contact can help you work out if the driver has seen you or not. If you don’t see any reaction, then assume they haven’t seen you and be ready to brake or steer as necessary.

9. Don’t Undertake a Lorry or a Bus – Many larger vehicles have large blind-spots on their passenger side, which means if you are cycling on their left, the driver may not have seen you in their mirrors and may make a manoeuvre that puts you at serious risk.

If you have a large vehicle on your right, or if you are approaching one from the rear, always assess the situation carefully.  Never assume that the driver has seen you. If in doubt, then hang back and remain behind the vehicle.

10. Keep Out of the Door Zone – When approaching a parked vehicle, check behind to make sure it’s safe to move out before passing it, keeping at least a door’s width away in case someone opens a door unexpectedly.

Sharing Towpaths Consultation

Posted on by Secretary

Kennet and Avon TowpathCanal towpaths represent a historic and much valued resource. Although originally built for horses, they now have to meet the needs of a disparate group of users including walkers, cyclists, anglers, boat owners, and canoeists. This means that towpaths can become congested in popular locations, such as on the Kennet and Avon Canal in Newbury.

In March, the Canal and River Trust consulted on their ‘Sharing Towpaths’ project. This sets out the Trust’s proposed approach to towpath management and includes a set of principles and actions, together with a ‘Towpath Code’. The Code encourages considerate usage of towpaths by all users, giving pedestrians priority. Cyclists are encouraged to drop their pace, dismount where required and use common sense in busy or restricted areas.

A total of 2,148 people completed the online survey, supplemented by email responses and three workshops with stakeholders, local authorities, and other partners. The Trust has now published the consultation results on their website.

The survey results showed that leisure uses of towpaths predominate, including walking for leisure, cycling for leisure and boating. However, there is evidence that towpaths are also being used by people for everyday journeys (e.g. commuting).

A common theme throughout respondents’ feedback was the need for better control over ‘speeding’ cyclists. Whilst respondents saw the ‘Towpath Code’ as being a starting point to reduce this problem, further suggestions included:

  • Cycling permits (tried before and found to be unenforceable)
  • Apply a speed limit (again, unenforceable)
  • Erect barriers and chicanes to slow cyclists (this would impact upon other users)
  • The Trust should develop relationships with cycling clubs (great, but most cyclists are not members of clubs)
  • The Trust should appoint a cycling liaison officer
  • Widening the towpath to encourage greater use by cyclists (unfortunately this was the view of a small, but vociferous minority)

There were strong views in relation to towpaths forming part of sustainable transport routes. A majority believed that the principles should make it clear that whilst cycling is permitted, the towpath should not be classed as utilitarian cycling route. Conversely, a minority thought there should be a coordinated policy to establish towpaths as part of national traffic-free network for walkers and cyclists, especially around towns and cities, and that this should form part of the principles.

Less than 10% of respondents suggested that improved maintenance could encourage sharing. This figure is surprisingly low, since in many places grass has encroached to make the towpath a narrow strip (see photo above), while overhanging vegetation often makes it difficult for users to pass without one stopping and stepping aside.

Most of the comments on infrastructure related to stopping high-speed cyclists (e.g. speed bumps at bridges), but a minority were also to facilitate use by those who wanted to travel faster (e.g. widening to 4m).

We will wait to see how the results of the consultation influence the ‘Sharing Towpaths’ document. The current version is reasonably well balanced, recognising the needs of all users. It would be a shame if there was a hardening of attitudes towards cyclists, as towpaths are a valued cycling resource, catering predominantly for leisure trips, but also for utility trips within urban areas. We were pleased to see that the draft document includes commitments to improve towpaths where needed and to reclaim towpath width for safer shared use where practical and appropriate.

Recent developments in Newbury means that we have our doubts about the likely impact of a Towpath Code. As one respondent put it: “Whoever is going to read the code and suddenly awaken to the fact that they should be considerate and share the space because the code says so?”

Whatever the outcome, we will be happy to work with the Canal and River Trust and offer what help we can to ensure that the Kennet and Avon towpath meets the needs of local cyclists and other users.