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The Binley Cycleway is Coventry’s second separated cycle route, providing a safer option for cycling away from motor traffic and pedestrians. It runs between the University Hospital to just outside of the city centre, although there is currently a 0.7 mile gap along Clifford Bridge Road which needs to be filled in.
This ride was recorded on a late Sunday afternoon, 08 October 2023. The video is shown at 2x acceleated view (except the on-road section and a long traffic lights wait which are at 4x).
Pre-empting a couple of typical comments:
“There’s nobody using it. What a waste of money” – this is mid/late Sunday afternoon, on a single protected cycle route which currently has a significant gap on Clifford Bridge Road. As the network expands, so to will usage, but official figures do show the cycleway to be used and other users can be seen on this ride.
“We spend all that money and still there’s a cyclist not using it” – We don’t know where the rider is going. Maybe the cycleway doesn’t suit his journey. Regardless, there’s no obligation for any cyclist to use the cycleway if they don’t want to for whatever reaason. On this journey, there was one rider not using it. However, I was using it, another sportier rider was using it, as were children on bikes and a scooter, and a hire bike user.
4 Comments
It's such a good piece of infrastructure, I really enjoyed what I rode a few months ago. I can't wait to see how Coventry changes over the next 5 years.
Great infrastructure – long too! Such a shame about the on-road section, you can clearly see how that would put people off Vs the smooth, separate cycle lane. Great residential access too.
Great video đź‘Ť
Really frustrating that the completion of this fantastic route has been delayed. The residents on Clifford Bridge Road have long opposed the plans on the basis that the road is an important artery route for the hospital and that “ambulances will be delayed getting through”. I don’t buy this excuse for a second – look how wide Clifford Bridge Road is and the parking spaces these residents will lose as a result of the cycle lane. People who have fought this development should really be more honest about the reasons they don’t want a cycle path there (many of these residents also have garages and parking access at the back of their properties). But trying to discuss this with the residents is like hitting your head against the wall. Car ownership is still seen as a badge of honour in this country and this mindset has to change.
Love the cycleway, I used it to get to a hospital appointment from where I live, near Allesley. I'd not have done that route if it wasn't for being able to be safe on the cycleway. I am used to road cycling recreationally, but not commuting in rush hour. So I think I would have given in and driven what with already being a bit worried about my appointment. In the end though it was great, took me about 40 minutes and proper chilled me out to be honest. I saw loads of kids on bikes near Binley Road using it to get to school. Hopefully it gets completed fully.