The decision has been taken - cycling has been substantially banned in Woking town centre: http://www.cyclewoking.org.uk/aboutus/news?item=00004D933425.C0A801BA.00003F76.0008
Basically the street is cluttered by a couple of fast food stands on Commercial Way so cycling has been banned there, while in the Town Square area there isn't any clutter except for infrequent farmers markets, but for some reason it's been banned there too.
This decision has been taken in spite of no injuries caused by cyclists to pedestrians in Woking. Apparently it's enough that people feel threatened by cyclists.
Personally speaking I feel threatened by cars: a car weighs several tonnes and they pass through Woking at speeds of 40mph and upwards. Unfortunately it seems restricting cars is not on the agenda, so instead they are restricting bicycles - thereby encouraging more people into their cars.
Take my wife for example (well please don't, she's mine), she takes our daughter swimming at 10:30am in the Woking Pool. She has the option of driving through Woking and causing congestion and pollution, or going on the bike.
Since we live north of the Basingstoke Canal, we have to cross Victoria Way, an urban motorway, and the railway line to get to the pool. She wouldn't even consider cycling along Victoria Way, so she goes through Woking Town Centre, cycling along slowly. Now of course she can't complete her journey without dismounting and pushing the bike, with 20kg child on, along the road (well she can, but only before 10am - perhaps she can cycle there and then push the bike home).Perhaps she will drive in future.
Anyway, the remaining shared use (see map here for shared use areas: http://www.cyclewoking.org.uk/getcycling/cycleroutes/shareduse.pdf) is now a bit of pavement adjoining the Chobham Road/Victoria Way crossing, the pavement outside the Big Apple, a stretch of Commercial Way that appears pedestrianised but is actually a road used by vans and cars as it is, a bit of pavement outside the old Post Office, and the alleyway between the two shopping centres - in other words there is no longer a continuous shared use path from one side of town to the other.
Of course while this has been going on, nothing at all has been done about providing a sensible cycle route for non-vehicular cyclists across the railway line under Victoria Arch - it's still just a narrow bit of green paint that is frequently obstructed with signs for car drivers that takes a circuitous route up a steep hill before disappearing at the top. So much for Cycling Town.....
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Tuesday, 8 March 2011
Car-sick Surrey - bike shop
Spotted this thread about a new branch of cycle store Evans opening in Guildford:
http://boards.fool.co.uk/new-evans-cycles-store-in-guildford-12143659.aspx?sort=collapsed
"This will save the trek to London or the parking issues in Woking for anyone in Guildford"
Woking from Guildford is less than half-an-hour's bike ride or 10 minutes on one of the very frequent trains.
Why would anyone drive to Woking to visit a cycle shop???
http://boards.fool.co.uk/new-evans-cycles-store-in-guildford-12143659.aspx?sort=collapsed
"This will save the trek to London or the parking issues in Woking for anyone in Guildford"
Woking from Guildford is less than half-an-hour's bike ride or 10 minutes on one of the very frequent trains.
Why would anyone drive to Woking to visit a cycle shop???
Friday, 18 February 2011
Car-sick Surrey - Wisley Gardens
No further evidence of Surrey's car sickness should be needed than RHS Wisley Gardens.
A leisure site, situated near some nice areas for cycling, their website http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley/Plan-your-visit/Getting-here says " Car parking is free."
Commendably, they offer a discount for those arriving by train and bus - except that the nearest train station is 3 miles away, and there is no public transport link to it, so it's unlikely that many people take this route. Cyclists are not mentioned, they get no discount, and no facilities. (The bus stop is signposted from the garden, although with services only hourly on weekdays, and with just four buses all day Sunday, arriving by bike is a far more practical option.)
A leisure site, situated near some nice areas for cycling, their website http://www.rhs.org.uk/Gardens/Wisley/Plan-your-visit/Getting-here says " Car parking is free."
Commendably, they offer a discount for those arriving by train and bus - except that the nearest train station is 3 miles away, and there is no public transport link to it, so it's unlikely that many people take this route. Cyclists are not mentioned, they get no discount, and no facilities. (The bus stop is signposted from the garden, although with services only hourly on weekdays, and with just four buses all day Sunday, arriving by bike is a far more practical option.)
Wednesday, 16 February 2011
Car-sick Surrey - Guildford Cathedral
Decided to pay a visit to Guildford Cathedral today. Wasn't quite sure how to get there, so I pulled up their website on my phone: http://www.guildford-cathedral.org/visiting/directions
It provides directions for 'Road', 'Rail' and 'Bus'. It also notes "There is ample free parking for coaches and cars at the Cathedral."
The road directions don't sound terribly appealing on a bicycle, mentioning taking the A3 (70mph dual carriageway), so I call them to ask about how to get there by bike. They didn't know. Do you have any bike parking? 'No.'
The cathedral is on top of a steep hill with indeed acres of free parking, and no cycle facilities whatsoever. The Church of England likes to proclaim its green and Fairtrade credentials yet they are promoting dependency on oil-powered motor vehicles. Bikes don't even exist as far as Guildford Cathedral is concerned.
It provides directions for 'Road', 'Rail' and 'Bus'. It also notes "There is ample free parking for coaches and cars at the Cathedral."
The road directions don't sound terribly appealing on a bicycle, mentioning taking the A3 (70mph dual carriageway), so I call them to ask about how to get there by bike. They didn't know. Do you have any bike parking? 'No.'
The cathedral is on top of a steep hill with indeed acres of free parking, and no cycle facilities whatsoever. The Church of England likes to proclaim its green and Fairtrade credentials yet they are promoting dependency on oil-powered motor vehicles. Bikes don't even exist as far as Guildford Cathedral is concerned.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
Collected nimbyism
Here's a collection of some of Woking's most idiotic bicycle-hating nimbies, for your collective enjoyment:
http://dianasmith.mycouncillor.org.uk/2010/10/24/local-committee-20-october-fishwick-island-doomed/
"The decision on the signs at Brookwood was to replace three of the more obtrusive, which a local resident objected to being able to see from her garden on the far side of the canal bank, with markings on the ground."
(presumably all the passing motor vehicles are deemed aesthetically pleasaing)
--
This dog walker complained about the towpath being widened and improved to facilitate safe offroad cycling, but for some reason seemed to think whether or not the cyclists were wearing helmets had any impact on HIS safety:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2020120_walkers_oppose_towpath_plans
"There is a road that runs parallel to the canal that they could use. Even in its current condition we pedestrians experience cycles racing along it with no warning bells, no lights and normally not wearing any head protection. "
Thankfully he wasn't listened to, and neither dog walkers nor cyclists are forced onto the 40mph main road instead of the pleasant off-road towpath.
---
"I would like to know why the cyclists of Woking, adults and teenagers, refuse to adhere to the “cyclists dismount” signs all around the pedestrianised areas of Woking town centre. I am utterly fed up of dodging speeding cyclists through the area.
It is only a matter of time before a child or elderly person is injured by these inconsiderate people."
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/letters/s/77886_get_off_your_bikes_please
The reality of course is that I can find no evidence of any one being injured by a cyclists in Woking, whereas deaths and serious injuries caused by motor vehicles are in every weekly newspaper. It is sad that there is so much misdirected anger.
---
Here are some others who should think carefully about who is really putting them at risk:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2081753_safety_fears_over_next_shared_cycle_route
Pictured are some members of 'Surrey Disabled People's Partnership', who are campaigning against off-road shared cycle/pedestrian routes, which could provide vulnerable users such as school children a safe route to school, without requiring the use of a 3-tonne 10mpg 4x4 tank as is very common in Surrey. One is wearing a Guide Dogs 'Say No To Shared Streets' t-shirt, in spite of the fact that that campaign refers to the removal of kerbs from pavements mixing pedestrians with motor vehicles.
The reality is of course that pedestrians are many times more at risk for motor vehicles mowing them down on the pavement than they are from cyclists.
And the same story here: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2077929_woking_town_centre_gets_permanent_cycle_routes
---
Councillor Liam Lyons (Liberal Democrat, Mount Hermon West) ludicrously suggests that cyclists, which as a whole weigh less than the average pedestrian (although they are usually moving faster), are comparable with 44-tonne lorries
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2079490_woking_town_centre_revamp_plan_approved
suggesting that having the library open onto a pedestrianised area used by cyclists is equally hazardous as having it open onto a road:
"“You could potentially step into the path of a moving cyclist and you don’t get the chance to see who’s coming."
“It sounds the same to me as the opening of a door onto a public highway."
---
Another nimby who was thankfully ignored:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2043861_cyclists_to_get_the_run_of_footpaths
“However, running a route through the town centre defies both logic and belief.
“The proposal is akin to setting up a smoking area on the forecourt of a petrol filling station. As long as lunatics are running the asylum, sensible and really safe cycling in Woking will still be a pipe dream.”
“And what will happen when there are events and markets in the town? There are a number of issues that need to be raised.”
Mr Thorn, 73, said cycling on pavements was already a problem in the town centre, especially in areas such as the Victoria Arch.
The reality of course is that when there are events and markets in the town cyclists go round them. Running bike routes through the town centre is of course essential, because the town centre is where most people need to go, whether to work, to get on a train, to go shopping or for leisure activities.
The cyclists on the pavement under Victoria Arch are of course only there because the cycle lane is illegally narrow, steep, unreasonably circuitous on its route south, and encroached on by juggernauts and other through traffic.
---
Another nimby, who amused me greatly but for whom I unfortunately don't have a link, complained that the cycle signs, which instead of saying 'St. Johns 2 miles', say 'St. Johns 12 minutes'. Said nimby complained that this would encourage 'racing' by cyclists, and would be treated as a target rather than a guideline.
http://dianasmith.mycouncillor.org.uk/2010/10/24/local-committee-20-october-fishwick-island-doomed/
"The decision on the signs at Brookwood was to replace three of the more obtrusive, which a local resident objected to being able to see from her garden on the far side of the canal bank, with markings on the ground."
(presumably all the passing motor vehicles are deemed aesthetically pleasaing)
--
This dog walker complained about the towpath being widened and improved to facilitate safe offroad cycling, but for some reason seemed to think whether or not the cyclists were wearing helmets had any impact on HIS safety:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2020120_walkers_oppose_towpath_plans
"There is a road that runs parallel to the canal that they could use. Even in its current condition we pedestrians experience cycles racing along it with no warning bells, no lights and normally not wearing any head protection. "
Thankfully he wasn't listened to, and neither dog walkers nor cyclists are forced onto the 40mph main road instead of the pleasant off-road towpath.
---
"I would like to know why the cyclists of Woking, adults and teenagers, refuse to adhere to the “cyclists dismount” signs all around the pedestrianised areas of Woking town centre. I am utterly fed up of dodging speeding cyclists through the area.
It is only a matter of time before a child or elderly person is injured by these inconsiderate people."
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/letters/s/77886_get_off_your_bikes_please
The reality of course is that I can find no evidence of any one being injured by a cyclists in Woking, whereas deaths and serious injuries caused by motor vehicles are in every weekly newspaper. It is sad that there is so much misdirected anger.
---
Here are some others who should think carefully about who is really putting them at risk:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2081753_safety_fears_over_next_shared_cycle_route
Pictured are some members of 'Surrey Disabled People's Partnership', who are campaigning against off-road shared cycle/pedestrian routes, which could provide vulnerable users such as school children a safe route to school, without requiring the use of a 3-tonne 10mpg 4x4 tank as is very common in Surrey. One is wearing a Guide Dogs 'Say No To Shared Streets' t-shirt, in spite of the fact that that campaign refers to the removal of kerbs from pavements mixing pedestrians with motor vehicles.
The reality is of course that pedestrians are many times more at risk for motor vehicles mowing them down on the pavement than they are from cyclists.
And the same story here: http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2077929_woking_town_centre_gets_permanent_cycle_routes
---
Councillor Liam Lyons (Liberal Democrat, Mount Hermon West) ludicrously suggests that cyclists, which as a whole weigh less than the average pedestrian (although they are usually moving faster), are comparable with 44-tonne lorries
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2079490_woking_town_centre_revamp_plan_approved
suggesting that having the library open onto a pedestrianised area used by cyclists is equally hazardous as having it open onto a road:
"“You could potentially step into the path of a moving cyclist and you don’t get the chance to see who’s coming."
“It sounds the same to me as the opening of a door onto a public highway."
---
Another nimby who was thankfully ignored:
http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/2043861_cyclists_to_get_the_run_of_footpaths
“However, running a route through the town centre defies both logic and belief.
“The proposal is akin to setting up a smoking area on the forecourt of a petrol filling station. As long as lunatics are running the asylum, sensible and really safe cycling in Woking will still be a pipe dream.”
“And what will happen when there are events and markets in the town? There are a number of issues that need to be raised.”
Mr Thorn, 73, said cycling on pavements was already a problem in the town centre, especially in areas such as the Victoria Arch.
The reality of course is that when there are events and markets in the town cyclists go round them. Running bike routes through the town centre is of course essential, because the town centre is where most people need to go, whether to work, to get on a train, to go shopping or for leisure activities.
The cyclists on the pavement under Victoria Arch are of course only there because the cycle lane is illegally narrow, steep, unreasonably circuitous on its route south, and encroached on by juggernauts and other through traffic.
---
Another nimby, who amused me greatly but for whom I unfortunately don't have a link, complained that the cycle signs, which instead of saying 'St. Johns 2 miles', say 'St. Johns 12 minutes'. Said nimby complained that this would encourage 'racing' by cyclists, and would be treated as a target rather than a guideline.
First Post!
This is my blog on which I'll most likely moan about various aspects of Woking, 'Cycle Town'.
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