Road Safety Fail?

You all know i'm a cyclist. Confident enough to take control of my lane where safe to do so, but with enough respect for other road users that I'm glad it's rubbing off on locals. I'm not perfect at it but Willing to learn from and fix mistakes I make.

But there are places where nobody bar the planners need to apologise for.

Houghton road's new modifications are horrically dangerous to cyclists.

Look at the image below (click it for larger) where the cycle lane moves to and from the pavement to where the flow of traffic goes over said lanes. 

These lanes in green are to protect less than confident cyclists. but in reality they are poorly designed. i've been hooked by cars where the chevrons kick out suddenly and most drivers move suddenly with them. Right over the cycle path and over the other cycle path as they've put it on a corner.

Imagine pulling out thinking it's safe to do so as your following the lane (many kids do this as there are many schools around this road) and being under a 38 bus or a Meeks of luton wagon for following the path set by the planners. Well it's a severe possibility I've witnessed at least 3 near misses this month alone

Secondly the angle of the pavement and cycle path merging is stupidly small on the approach to the junction. the path widens 20 ft after the cyclist has entered the joint use area. Also the drop in the pavement is too small. resulting in sharp turning or near missing the fence. And for cyclists using trailers it's miles too tight and could result in tipping it over.

I will be presenting this to houghton regis town council as well as I don't wish for anyone to be hurt. But this does need to be looked into.

Paul

OI. Why so quiet, fatty?

Oh deary!

I'm banned from riding at the moment, The other week was bad enough with a funeral to attend which left me in a huge lost state and proving I know nothing about my family the next day I fall off the bike.

Here's how a loon can crash easilly.
Adjusting brakes.

I'd adjusted the brakes while my daughter was at nursery as they had began to fade too much (not good at faster speeds)

Well on the way back to pick monster up I checked the road to pull out, car was moving at speed on road parallel to me, he turns in without indicating, as I was pulling onto the road.

Instinct kicked in to slam the brakes on.Thud I'm on the floor, not letting go of the handles meant the bike landed me, child seat and all.

Driver grabbed bike off me and offered to take me to A&E, I politely refused thinking more of Vee stuck at school. that I didn't want so after a few moments I'm off at 30mph to school.

Mums were not impressed with my face. I was *meh* Monster is more important. Got her home, then thought about it.
One thought went through my mind and keeps coming back now,.

If I'd not fixed the brakes I could have been killed!

It may sound like a over reaction. But the speed we were both doing was around 20mph at that point, enough to total a cyclist and seriously hurt my daughter, thank flip(yes i do want to swear but will not) she was not on the seat..

the cuts have cleared and the pain in the hands continued, eventually (this Monday) I went to A&E, and they determined the one side was severely sprained and the other hand has an apparent break in a bone around the thumb. and would explain why the pain has not let up in the hand still.

Well now you know what's keeping me quiet (typing hurts in my potted hand) but i will restart the vlogs for movember tonight. While i think of sneaking out on the bike. with the ill kids sleeping ;)

H and R to you all. Stay safe.

Paul