DBC1
Moderator
Registered: 02/07/08
Posts: 18
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| #61 |
To clarify: Cyclists heading to a town centre location or passing through the town centre may wish to refer to the Darlington cycle map, available as a free leaflet from the Tourist Information Centre. This includes a more detailed plan of the town centre area showing where cycling is permitted. Within the core town centre area on Blackwellgate, West Row, High Row, Bondgate (up to the King Street junction) and Northgate (as far as the junction with Crown Street) it is legal to cycle in both directions. Though when cycling in these areas cyclists should always give priority to pedestrians and at very busy times, such as on market days, should consider dismounting when passing through the busiest sections. |
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Sharon
Registered: 13/12/08
Posts: 1
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| #62 |
My nana got knocked down by a bycycle years ago and she was in right state. They are as bad as cars if not worse. Pedestrionisation means people only walking. They come round on the bikes and don't look and you are frightend that they young ones are going to snatch you bag or knock you over. I have had a narrow escape myself. The council just don't think. |
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concerned
Registered: 06/03/09
Posts: 4
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| #63 |
I know this isn't strictly to do with the town centre, but why oh why do adults feel the need to cycle on footpaths anywhere? They are a nuisance especially when they think they have right of way over pedestrians.
The argument that they think the roads are dangerous just doesn't hold water. I cycled daily for five years between Haughton and the town centre and I rarely felt threatened or in danger, you just have to be aware and treat the motorist (and some predestrians) with the contempt they deserve.
Cycling standards in general are shocking and lights on bikes, I think some people don't even know cycle lights exist!
Parents take note: if your child has a bike BUY THEM SOME LIGHTS.
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miketually
Registered: 02/11/08
Posts: 18
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| #64 |
Agree on the lights argument, but the idea that people feel the roads are dangerous certainly does hold water and is backed up by accident statistics.
Some people are happy to ride on the road just about anywhere, including me. But, others are not and it is understandable when they take to the pavements rather than riding on the road.
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concerned
Registered: 06/03/09
Posts: 4
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| #65 |
But whose statistics, Council or Police? I was a Police Officer in Darlington for many years and I certainly don't remember RTC's (used to be called 'accidents') scoring very high in annual returns.
If you were to look closely at individual incidents, just like incidents involving pedestrians, you would find that often it wasn't the motorist at fault. For example: pedestrian crossed the road without looking, child ran after a ball, person crossed behind a bus, cyclist emerged from a junction without checking the road was clear/jumped or failed to stop at traffic lights/turned right without checking behind first. I know, I've been to them all.
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miketually
Registered: 02/11/08
Posts: 18
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| #66 |
Does it matter? People hear about accidents, see cars whizzing past or are passed very closely when they do ride on the road and keep being told that they must wear a helmet and be lit up like a day-glo Christmas tree, so they assume it's dangerous.
Subjective safety: http://hembrow.blogspot.com/2008/09/three-types-of-safety.html
I ride on the road in Darlington all the time, but I feel a lot safer when I'm on a segregated route. I can fully understand why people take to the pavement when they feel in danger - I ride on the pavement by the A167 from J59 to Harrowgate Hill. If I'm riding with my young kids, I will ride on the pavement when I feel it's safer.
If you like statistics, you'll know that it's actually not that dangerous for pedestrians to share the pavement with cyclists...
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