"There are some fantastic routes for cyclists, such as along Marston Ferry Road towards North Oxford,.."

So why do cyclists insist on cycling on the highway causing delays to other road users?

Sid Hunt wrote:
"There are some fantastic routes for cyclists, such as along Marston Ferry Road towards North Oxford,.." So why do cyclists insist on cycling on the highway causing delays to other road users?

Thats bit of a joke, I did 6 years commuting via push bike, Botley to the John Radcliffe. On really bad weather days I'd take the car or use a bus, the journey would always be over 20 minutes longer, cars hold bikes up in the city not the other way around.

Stephen is right about it being cars that hold bicycles up in city centres, but it's bicycles that hold up cars on country roads in rush hour!

In fact, a cyclist on a country road in rush hour can cause the equivalent pollution of running a car for an hour!! (i.e. 120 cars get delayed behind a cyclist for 30 seconds...), so maybe not as carbon-footprint free as they thought!

Clearly Mr Hunt has never ridden a bicycle in Oxford, otherwise he wouldn't have made such an ill-informed comment. Mr Hunt, the reason cyclists "insist" on cycling on the highway is because it is more often than not the only way to get across the city. That, and the fact that cyclists have as much right to use the highway as other road users.
Worth remembering, if all the cyclists got off their bikes and got into cars, delays would last far longer than they do at present and even more of your precious time would be lost in traffic.

J wrote:
Stephen is right about it being cars that hold bicycles up in city centres, but it's bicycles that hold up cars on country roads in rush hour! In fact, a cyclist on a country road in rush hour can cause the equivalent pollution of running a car for an hour!! (i.e. 120 cars get delayed behind a cyclist for 30 seconds...), so maybe not as carbon-footprint free as they thought!

If every bike I went past held me up for 30 seconds I'd be going backwards.

This is so great - another Oxford Mail article backed by that idiot Styring that is actually an ememy of true cyclists. As a cyclist and car driver I tire of this endless war between motorists and cyclists all stirred up by the OM. I decide what journey merits a bike or a car and it will be time related not the soddin planet. And so long as I'm obeying the rules of the road I don't see why I and other cylists have to be blamed for various delays that drivers endure. I drive but not when its congested and I choose to live close to my work and not send my kids to a faraway school. Drivers - wise up and work closer to home and keep your kids local and try walking / cycling just once a week to work some of that lard off! The proof is that you don't see many fat lardy cylists! As for danger zones - get real Mr Styring, feeble, weak indecisive cyclists make danger zones!

Thanks James for keeping a dialogue going with the council about cycle facilities. Your report helps the council target their limited budgets to help make travel better for every road user. With some existing cycle facilities which are so badly planned using them makes your journey harder it’s clear the council need a little help.

Tips for cyclists - remember to look over your shoulder and signal before moving across lanes - drivers aren't mind readers. Also remember that the rules of the road apply as much to you as to cars - on Divinity Road cars going uphill have priority and if you don't stop and wait, the accident is your fault.

Oxford isn't particularly dangerous for cyclists - in fact it's the safest city I've lived (and cycled) in. Most accidents happen because of the very large number of inexperienced and incompetent cyclists who are incapable of reading the road and avoiding risks. All road users have to do this. Any cyclist who collides with another vehicle is going to come off worst - it doesn't matter whose 'fault' it is. Car and motorbike drivers have to avoid potential accidents all the time, and cyclists have to learn to do the same - and more.

Paul wrote:
Oxford isn't particularly dangerous for cyclists - in fact it's the safest city I've lived (and cycled) in. Most accidents happen because of the very large number of inexperienced and incompetent cyclists who are incapable of reading the road and avoiding risks. All road users have to do this. Any cyclist who collides with another vehicle is going to come off worst - it doesn't matter whose 'fault' it is. Car and motorbike drivers have to avoid potential accidents all the time, and cyclists have to learn to do the same - and more.

a very well thought and put out post.. I totally agree.

Rob wrote:
Clearly Mr Hunt has never ridden a bicycle in Oxford, otherwise he wouldn't have made such an ill-informed comment. Mr Hunt, the reason cyclists "insist" on cycling on the highway is because it is more often than not the only way to get across the city. That, and the fact that cyclists have as much right to use the highway as other road users. Worth remembering, if all the cyclists got off their bikes and got into cars, delays would last far longer than they do at present and even more of your precious time would be lost in traffic.

Clearly Rob you are a self-inflated nob. I have ridden bicycles in Oxford for many years. I agree with most of the comments on here that cyclists have to take more responsibilty for their own actions and their own safety - as well as the safety of others. We all have a responsibility to use the roads in a controlled and legal manner. If you have any experience of the Marston Ferry Road you will know that there is no advantage to cycling on the highway but everything to gain by using the cycle path. Your comments are ridiculously biased and show a complete lack of thought.

sam wrote:

Paul wrote: Oxford isn't particularly dangerous for cyclists - in fact it's the safest city I've lived (and cycled) in. Most accidents happen because of the very large number of inexperienced and incompetent cyclists who are incapable of reading the road and avoiding risks. All road users have to do this. Any cyclist who collides with another vehicle is going to come off worst - it doesn't matter whose 'fault' it is. Car and motorbike drivers have to avoid potential accidents all the time, and cyclists have to learn to do the same - and more.

a very well thought and put out post.. I totally agree.

I also agree with this post. As a pedestrian, user of public transport and sometime cyclist as well as a very occasional driver, I am concerned by the incredibly dangerous behaviour of many cyclists I see on a daily basis in Oxford. Every morning I walk my daughter to her nursery and nearly every day either going or coming back a cyclist nearly runs us over going through a red light at the top of Park End Street. It seriously does happen that often. I also see people cycling along on their mobiles, with headphones and paying no attention at all to anything else on the roads. I only wish that people wouldn't feel so safe on their bikes sometimes! There is risk involved in getting on a bike and responsibilities that go with it.

Paul wrote:
Oxford isn\'t particularly dangerous for cyclists - in fact it\'s the safest city I\'ve lived (and cycled) in. Most accidents happen because of the very large number of inexperienced and incompetent cyclists who are incapable of reading the road and avoiding risks. All road users have to do this. Any cyclist who collides with another vehicle is going to come off worst - it doesn\'t matter whose \'fault\' it is. Car and motorbike drivers have to avoid potential accidents all the time, and cyclists have to learn to do the same - and more.

You're absolutely right. That doesn't mean we shouldn't try to improve some of the dreadful and misguided cycle "facilities" that exist in Oxford and put all cyclists (and in many cases pedestrians too) at greater risk.

I cycle some of the ones mentioned in the report daily, and in many cases they put at greater risk than if they were not there at all.

Paul

If you have any experience of the Marston Ferry Road you will know that there is no advantage to cycling on the highway but everything to gain by using the cycle path.

Clearly Mr Hunt either is just stirring trouble or is cripplingly narrow minded. Just in case it's the latter...
There are several reasons a cyclist may choose to use the road (legally) and not the cycle path. It is often covered in wet leaves which are slippery and hide pot holes.
Horse sh1t is a hazard in itself
Bollards are dangerous when riding in groups
It's dark and secluded at night.
It is often blocked by cars visiting the school.

Of course much of the time it's a delight to use, but please open your mind to other opinions before you set off on a tirade of righteousness.

Neil Hacks wrote:

If you have any experience of the Marston Ferry Road you will know that there is no advantage to cycling on the highway but everything to gain by using the cycle path.

Clearly Mr Hunt either is just stirring trouble or is cripplingly narrow minded. Just in case it's the latter... There are several reasons a cyclist may choose to use the road (legally) and not the cycle path. It is often covered in wet leaves which are slippery and hide pot holes. Horse sh1t is a hazard in itself Bollards are dangerous when riding in groups It's dark and secluded at night. It is often blocked by cars visiting the school. Of course much of the time it's a delight to use, but please open your mind to other opinions before you set off on a tirade of righteousness.

"a tirade of righteousness." Good grief, what a load of nonsense. If hundreds of children can use the cycle path without incident why can't you? There are no pot holes on this cycle path - I should know I use it every day.

"Bollards are dangerous when riding in groups" - what sort of comment is that? Do they leap out and attack or is it that you are not operating your vehicle appropriately to the conditions i.e. paying attention?

I imagine you are one of the lycra-clad mob with the compulsory half a melon on your head pedalling furiously to attain your 13mph whilst riding six abreast with your chums, then all deciding to have a chin-wag and block whichever footpath you see fit.

Sure it is legal to use the highway but to do so only out of bloody-mindedness instead of practicality shows the level of your intellect and lack of competency. If you really can't cycle along a properly provisioned cycle path I would suggest that you should not cycle on another medium which is shared by other forms of transport.

The cycle path is an excellent facility and serves the needs of many commuters and school children very well. However, there are those with different requirements, which Mr Hunt fails to understand.

If hundreds of children can use the cycle path without incident why can't you?

My van doesn't fit past the bollards.

Oh, are you talking about the 'hundreds of school children' who use the cycle path causing delay to other cycle path users? You have already acknowledged people want to make expeditious progress. Who exactly has the right?

There are no pot holes on this cycle path

Yes there are, near the Marston end, on the ground.

Do they leap out and attack?

Of course not. The same way uneven paving doesn't jump out and trip old people over. Fact is, it's more hazardous there than not.

I imagine you are one of the lycra-clad ...

Well I imagine you are like a fatter, sweatier Captain Mainwaring, without the military authority. Let's not make assumptions.

why do cyclists insist on cycling on the highway

You asked why, I gave you several valid reasons. If you can't empathise with another's situation, please bite your virtual tongue.