Sheff Council - Shalesmoor Road Layout

[BoroB]

5 hours ago, Planner1 said:

That scheme started in planning several years ago.

 

The Covid pandemic has presented what many people regard as a once in a lifetime opportunity to do things differently in terms of how we travel. The government has also provided funds for immediate, "emergency" measures. What are the Council supposed to do? Stick with what's been done before, or try something different?

So a scheme that was several years in the planning has been sacrificed barely 6 months after completion, removing road capacity that was (and still is) clearly needed.

4 hours ago, Planner1 said:

Going to the local shops, leisure facilities and for exercise, basically most trips of up to 5km. Sheffield is not too hilly. Bern in Switzerland has good levels of cycling for just one example of somewhere that isn’t exactly flat. 
 

Bikes have gears and they are low enough to get up any hill. For those who really aren’t fit enough or who don’t want to put in that level of effort, there are lots of electric bikes nowadays, which make hills an absolute breeze. 

There was an interesting section on the BBC's click show at the weekend regarding electric bikes, apparently in many EU countries cyclists using these need to be registered and insured.  Bring it on.

[BoroB]

2 hours ago, Baron99 said:

From my observations over the years, those that aren't jumping red lights, (and it doesn't matter if they slow down to see if it's safe to proceed against a red light, they are a road user & are required to obey the Highway Code.  You don't see drivers, driving through a pelican crossing that's been pressed, although there's no pedestrians on the crossing), are generally breaking the other law of riding on the pavement, endangering pedestrians. 

And we wonder why a lot of cyclists seem to be against a number plate type  system and insurance.

 

Seems like cyclists don't want to be identifiable or accountable.

[Crissie]

3 hours ago, carosio said:

What's its range (when peddling where possible) and how long to charge?

Range on fairly level ground is 50 or 60 miles, if I put a little pedalling effort in.  That's improved by about 10 miles from when I first got it as I've got a bit fitter, without really noticing  - it'll probably get better yet.

The range comes down as you do more uphill riding, but will still let me have a good 30 mile run around the Peak District without getting short of breath, and still probably got 10 miles left in the battery.

Range is affected by many factors - battery size, rider's weight, hilly or level terrain, how much effort the rider puts in.

[Crissie]

1 hour ago, covfeffe said:

A modest increase in young and relatively fit people may take cycling up but most other people won't so take your head out of the clouds  and get real.

 

I've just returned to cycling after 20-odd years.  I'm in my 60s, overweight and unfit.  I've now lost weight, feel fitter and better, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it.  You're right, cycling won't suit everyone, nor all lifestyles, but negativity won't encourage anyone.

[Parkside]

1 hour ago, covfeffe said:

If it's such viable and easy option, then why aren't much more people just naturally doing it off their own backs? why the need to force people into it?

 

A modest increase in young and relatively fit people may take cycling up but most other people won't so take your head out of the clouds  and get real.

 

By asking people to take up cycling, or even use buses instead of the car, you are asking people to completely restructure their lives, which is a big ask; many people have multiple short journeys to make throughout the day. There was a period when  my day, Monday to Friday, was,  get back from work, then take my partner to her work, then go and get kids from school, one at primary school and the other at secondary school, so three separate locations in a short space of time. Cycling and the buses wouldn't have made this possible. 

 

I suppose you think that it was foolish of us to build such a life but what is the alternative? either me or my partner shouldn't work? or we shouldn't have had kids? what?? 

multiple short journeys , you have hit the nail on the head , these are the journeys that can be done by  bike or walk . People near us jump in the car to go to the corner shop just half a mile away , these people always seem to be talking about slimming down when in the shop queue loaded down with chocs ,crisps , beer and take away .By riding the bike they can earn their treats .

 

Edited July 14, 2020 by Parkside

[Crissie]

10 minutes ago, BoroB said:

Seems like cyclists don't want to be identifiable or accountable.

That's an unfair and unfounded generalisation.

 

[Planner1]

2 hours ago, covfeffe said:

If it's such viable and easy option, then why aren't much more people just naturally doing it off their own backs? why the need to force people into it?

 

Because it’s perceived as being too difficult or not safe, neither of which is true. Or maybe because we bought into car culture and the supposed “freedoms” it gave us, without perhaps understanding the downsides.

 

Whatever it is, we are very firmly embedded in car culture and it will have to be made more difficult or more expensive to use the car or maybe both, before we consider the alternatives.

[alchemist]

2 hours ago, Tony said:

@covfeffe you and your partner aren't being asked to take up cycling. You are being given the opportunity to do it safely. 

 

I'm not trying to be clever with words, I am just trying to explain that it's a mindset, not a problem. One day you might fancy giving it a go for your own reasons that you can't see today. You might not. Other people will though and with those small changes a shift begins to happen until it seems really normal, like cycling in Amsterdam is now but wasn't in the 1960s. It takes time, please just give it a chance.

So you reckon that by 2080 cycling in Sheffield will be normal and we should just accept chaos for 60 years because cyclists "might" start using the oversized cycle lanes??  Seems reasonable!!

[RJRB]

2 hours ago, Tony said:

This is not true and we can put the idea to bed now because the majority of cycling at the moment is on the west side of the city where the big hills happen to be. @Planner1

will be able to confirm this.

 

 

 

So where does the Shalesmoor debacle fit in with this

[BoroB]

11 minutes ago, Crissie said:

That's an unfair and unfounded generalisation.

 

You may think its unfair and unfounded, I think cyclists should be subject to the same rules as other road users who have to pass a test, be insured and have a number plate to identify them.