narrowboatworld

I've just noticed a piece in the Rochdale Observer and other local papers about a plan to resurface the Rochdale Canal towpath near Littleborough. It is apparently resulting in some opposition and canal users are being invited to comment:  http://tinyurl.com/335jw2a.

Was passing Rutland Water this morning, the cycleway around its entire shore is an established favorite of the cycling brigade. I see they ( The council? ) are having to rebuild it to national cycleway standards - 2 metres wide with a kerbed edge and a level and legally constructed formation. Plus the associated signage and paint  lines. Must be costing whoever thousands if not millions.

BW  BEWARE !!!

I am assured by the Basingstoke Canal Authority that this is not the case. If such upgrading has taken place by Woking Council they are in fact breaking the law. The BCA are looking into this claim.

Tone

Stoneatcrowpark's idea of using a boatpole to 'slow' cyclists reminds me of when I was a youth helping to clear a disused railway yard in the early days of a famous heritage railway. We were plagued by the local youths intent on using said yard as a motorcross course. Having warned them off on several occasions and recieved the customary abuse, a couple of the railway gang took matters into their own hands and soon 'reduced' the bikers speed.

I have never before, or since, seen a full sized hexagonal railway crowbar used as a javelin. It certainly stopped em dead when hurled through the front wheel !

Word soon got round that the navvies stood no quarter, and the problem dissapeared! 

with regards cyclists moving for obstructions i have certainly expericed the oposite i think that a pedestrian like myself at 5'8" tall and 15 stone presents a pretty big obstruction i was narrowly missed as they were expecting me to either clear a fence or jump in the canal.

 I also a gree that is it angering that BW are spending money and such a scheme when they should be concentrating more on repairing the tow paths that are currently falling appart and are in imanent danger of causing significant breaches which will cost more in the long run.

an example of this is a section of tow path from moore lane bridge that has been reported that is being erroded if there is a breach on this section it could be quite expensive as there is a large mariner that is served by this stretch of canal.

If BW want to carry on with this scheme why not start with tow paths and repars where the damage is significant and upgrade them as part of the scheme if the wish do do this then move on to areas that require"upgrade".

I do think there should be some kind of test for cyclists and or a liscence as well as i said before mandatory insurance .

We all have to realise that such things as encouraging cyclists to the waterways (mind you with cyclists simply using the towpaths to get to and from work is getting them to the waterways, I don't know) is all important with BW and it seems to other owners of the waterways.

It gives them the kudos of encouraging cyclists, which is 'green', as does maintaining roosts for barn owls (today's news)  and providing home for water voles and the like, and bugger the state of the waterways.  Just close them, they're a nuisance anyway.

Charles (Sooty) Black

I am appalled that they should be considering upgrading the towpath through Deepcut for cyclists when so much money is needed to restore the locks to working condition. They have now been closed to navigation for the most part of three years.

Deepcut locks represent a fall of about 91ft over two miles. Will cyclists use this at walking pace on a firm surface, as the byelaws demand?

I doubt it. They don't now.

Tone

Only after reading this the other day i was confronted by not one but two cyclist of the suit and tie variety on a tow path in Loughborough obviously on their way to day in the office. One approaching from behind and the other head on at break neck speed no bell sounding or intention of apply their breaks.

At the point of seeing the head on cyclist and then almost imediatley becoming aware of the approaching tyres (only heard because of loose gravel) i was left with three options one to jump a 6ft fence, two jump into the canal and three close my eyes and hope for the best. My decision was the latter closing my eyes and hoping for the besy both cycles past soo close that i would feel the whoosh as the past me one on each side.

After the mumbling under my breath and a close shave i decided that cyclists should be made to take some kind of test like drivers as well as carrying insurance as i said earlier. I thnk i was lucky enough to escape my encounter however i am sure and have seen that others arent so lucky.

this again highlights the risks to padestrians and boat users

Unfortunately this was bound to happen - the towpaths on the Basingstoke from Pirbright to the junction with the Wey Navigations have been upgraded under the Woking Cycle Town initiative with Sustrans;  Deepcut is next I understand.  There are a plethora of signs (all to motorway standards which I have made a formal complaint to Surrey County Council about); the worrying issue is that the signs have times on them.  The speed of cyclists has increased (notably since the towpath was improved) as I suspect they are endeavouring to either match or better the times posted.  Where I live there is a bridge giving access to the towpath which is used by a lot of residents of Brookwood, some old and infirm, some young, some mothers with pushchairs and, of course, dog walkers.  Whilst the towpath (a permissive right-of-way) was originally for horses we all accept that everyone has a right to enjoy using it and I will stand up and be counted about the 'invasion' of the lycra clad (huge generalisation here I know), speeding cyclists who make the towpath a more challenging place for other users.  In contrast to this the Wey Navigations have not upgraded their towpaths (thank goodness in my view) and consequently they are a pleasure to walk (as are the Wey navigations to boat).

Kathryn

NB Leo No 2

i to was horrified to read about a child almost loosing his life owing to cyclists on a tow path, whilst the water ways should be enjoyed by everyone sometimes people need to be made to account for their actions.

 If you drive a car or motor vheicle you have to have isnurance the same should be for cyclist to have some kind of simple insurance policy.

there are ecrtain tow paths where they are wide enough to accomadate both foot and motor traffic however most tow paths are narrow and are made more dangerous by cyclists who arent averse to speeding.

Lets hope that this idea by BW is just a flash in the pan or there could be more headlines like these to follow and i fear some may not be so fortunate

Horrified to read about the speeding cyclist knocking a toddler into the River Soar at Leicester, nearly drowning him.

This just confirms the dangers of mixing cycleways and towpaths. I hope the powers that be take warning from this incident and abandon the 'towpaths to cycleways initiative'

By ignoring unauthorised cycling on towpaths, and even taking 
money from SUSTRANS to improve them for this purpose BW are breaking their own byelaws of 1965:

Towing Paths
Improper use of towing paths 
31. (1) No person, unless authorised by the Board or otherwise 
legally entitled so to do shall: 
(a) Ride or drive any animal or vehicle over any towing path 
(b) Obstruct any towing path or interfere with the authorised use 
thereof

“vehicle” means anything on wheels, runners or articulated 
tracks

If they do authorise cyclists then those cyclists are duty bound to 
have a free issue licence and to obey the Code of Conduct for Cyclists (being trialled in London at this time).

Ring with Two Tings

Use a bell, giving Two Tings when approaching pedestrians. Ringing 
with Two Tings is not an order to pedestrians to get out of your way.#

Be aware that some pedestrians may have visual or hearing impairments 
and might not hear your Two Tings.

Pass people slowly. Give people space

Slow down when approaching pedestrians and only pass when it is safe 
to do so. Extra care should be taken when passing children, less able 
people and animals.

Try to pass on the water side of the path. Pedestrians will tend to 
move to the back edge of the towpath to allow you to pass.

Be patient and courteous to pedestrians. Saying “thank you” to 
pedestrians who move to let you pass will make them more likely to 
move next time.

Ride at a sensible speed

The towpath is never suitable for cycling fast as there are many other 
users, low bridges and narrow sections. If you are in a hurry, use an 
alternative route.

Tone

So the latest 'clever' idea is to turn all towpaths to cycleways. I wonder how this is to be funded. On the face of it it seems a good idea, how many of us have at some time cycled along a towpath, I know I have. But once it becomes an official cycleway, there are more obligations and expenses making it 'safe' to cycle.

Like road cycleways there is the enormous cost of signage, not just the direction signs, but the safety signs 'dismount here' etc but the surface painted stuff.

Then theres the bridge arches, balance beams, steps etc etc to consider- what happens here? Raise the bridge, lower the towpath? Just not practical.

I dont object to cyclists using the towpath, but then they know and respect the dangers. Once the Health & Safety brigade kick in, there will be minimum standards for the surface, safety barriers etc.

Firstly its a canal. Ok people walk & cycle on the towpath too. Leave it like that.