I thought revisiting the Oxford Road cycleway just outside Aylesbury would be good to see if I was overly critical about its condition. I still maintain that it’s inferior and should have been done better. On the way back I turn off all stabilisation and show exactly what it’s like to cycle on.
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16 Comments
The cycleway/path looks dangerous as it passes over the bridge. There is not even a curb.
Karl, I am unlikely ever to cycle along that cycleway/footpath so will take your word for its condition, however, I agree with you that there should be some sort of physical barrier between the road and the cycle path, especially at the bridge and its approaches as the road surface and path are the same colour and motorists could easily mistake the path as part of the roadway particularly at night or in bad weather. Some 'armco' metal barrier here would make path users feel safer from the traffic.
I agree it's scary regarding the foot path, before there was a dip so was after.
I wouldn't walk along there now as I wouldn't feel safe. However let's see how many accidents and deaths before they do something
Fully agree with the comments about the bridge! Seems incomplete!🫤
As you say, it was probably a rush job and I'm sure it will deteriorate far quicker than if it had been done properly. I guess it will then be the council's responsibility to fix any problems and HS2 will have relinquished all responsibility.
Cycling in Holland in the early eighties I felt extremely safe. Their cycle routes were well separated from the roads and cyclists had their own little traffic lights at junctions where they crossed paths with motorists. The cyclist would press the button and then be given priority over other traffic. I appreciate that our road layout and volume of vehicles is very different from theirs but, holy moly, just watching this video makes me anxious. I'm fairly sure, 40 years later, I could cycle anywhere in Holland and still have the same relaxing experience.
Mind you, on that 1982 trip I did have my wallet stolen from the youth hostel and then, nine years later in 1991, had my Honda CBR600F purloined.
Probably looked at it and not anyone of them cycled it that would be my response to that rubbish reply
Designed by highway engineers rather than active travel trained engineers. It is not rocket science but the result is never active active travel friendly.
When I was Oxfordshire Cycling Officer many year ago I always made a cycling audit at design stage and a another after construction on all cycling schemes. Remember on a shared use cycleway as this one LTN1/20 calls for a division between cycling space and walking space. Otherwise anarchy results. Remember this route should be mobility vehicle friendly as well. Also a few seats help.
Can I ask what bike camera you use Karl? Yours seems to produce good quality videos and I am thinking of treating myself to one for Xmas.
Karl,
There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a legitimate moan, sir.
Your ‘moan’ is just well-meant feedback
I can see visually based on the images, the rough texture of the cycle path compared to the road surface in most sections. Even the old or temporary concrete section seems better. I share your frustration. After the total spend on this section, a few thousand to dress and smooth the top seems reasonable. I also agree the unprotected section over the bridge looks dangerous. It needs an armco barrier to deflect vehicles away from the very vulnerable cyclists and pedestrians. I would think the bridge engineers would also appreciate some protection of their parapet. Repairs after one good artic hit would swamp all this sensible preventative work. The sequence of drone videos you shot clearly show what a last minute rush job this was.
At the very least it should have been finished with a roller. Looks like a cheap rush job to me.
For me, the most visible demonstration of the poor surface was in the last few moments when you transitioned back to the original footpath. It got smoother immediately.
What's the betting that they don't redo it in a year's time at an extra cost? I wouldn't like to use it because it's too close to the road, but I guess some people cycle everywhere so have no choice.
in the future there will some gardenway sections coming ahead in the next 10 years as the south west aylesbury link road
Yep typical someone replied without reading or understanding your complaint. Your complaint wasn't about the layout, your complaint is about the quality of the work done on laying the pathway, if it was bumby is been substandardly done. No council will complain about the workmanship because they know the contractors will just go to court and drag it out for years before fixing an only if ordered to do so by the court. An that why the council never complain about quality of work even done.