Not all bike lanes are equal, and why you might find me not using them
(Blog update in progress 06/05/25 with additional scoring categories and some more examples)
So we engage in a fair bit in conversations about enabling and encouraging more people to ride bikes, both in person and on social media. Oh, and our blog, and videos. And on the radio and in newspapers. Look, we love it OK, talking about getting around by bikes. Let's just say it butters our crumpets.
Anyway, in doing this we regularly encounter commonly used counter arguments, in an to attempt reason that encouraging more people to travel by bike is a bad thing. I never really understand why people put the effort into this pastime, as it really is a no brainer. It being more people cycling; the benefits to self and wider society are so obvious and well documented arguing against it really is a pointless exercise, particularly attempting to reason with individuals or organisations that are well versed in the benefits, and have the demonstratable evidence at easy reach, aka us.
Anyway, some of the anti active travel tropes are slightly more tenuous, so we've taken to writing a considered response in a blogtastic format, so the next time it comes up we can point the detractors at it. It being the bloggage. We've previously covered the road tax, insurance, number plates, license argument, but another that keeps cropping up is this:
‘What's the point in spending money on all these bloody bike lanes anyway, because none of them ever use them. In fact they should be forced to use bike lanes. It should be the law that if a bike lane is available they have to use it! Grrrrrrrrrrr, chunter, grumble.’
To be clear, that was me channelling my inner driver, getting into character and all that (I do regularly drive by the way, so not a huge stretch), but I wouldn't have to search far on social media to find various posts sharing the same sentiment.
Lets get started. Why don't I use bike lanes, or alternatively, why do I use some bike lanes but not others?
In short, a lot of it is non optimal. By which I mean substandard. By which I mean rubbish (I started by writing shit, but thought writing a swear was inappropriate). ‘How so you massive hipster wokeflake?’ I'll explain. I've got a scoring system and everything.
So my plan is to tell you about the system (I'll try and keep it succinct), and then we can have a little look at some of the infrastructure in Worcester, and I'll explain my reasoning for generally using or not using it. Cool? Sweet.
I came up with the system a while back, but haven't really written it down or shared it, so we're on a journey together here (let's just say this blog has been fermenting for a while). My idea is if you start with some amazing cycling infrastructure (picture it in your minds eye: wide, smooth, separated from people walking and driving, you never have to stop, and it goes on for ever). Right, got it? That gets a maximum of 8 gold stars, made of the purest green. OK, now compare that with the cycle infrastructure you're riding on. Or you're not riding on. And you take a gold star off for each failing. And then at the end, that gives you the infrastructure score. Got it?
To help with this I made up my own acronym: DICCCSSS, which stands for:
DIRECT: The infrastructure is pretty close to being the shortest distance between your current location and your intended destination. So marks off if the route meanders, is convoluted, or goes the long way round
INTUITIVE: I needed a vowel OK? So by this I mean it's obvious where it's going, and you don't get lost. OK, a bit tenuous, but this is a combination of continuity of the surface, signposting, and not meandering (so you have an idea which direction you're travelling). You also need to be able to get on and off the bike lane (often I I'm riding somewhere new I'll be cycling on the road, then spot a good quality bike lane, but can't get on it).
CONTINUOUS: Super important. Stopping and starting on a bike is hard on the legs, and slows you down. So ideally the cycle path, errr, continues. For instance, at side road junctions, the Highway Code gives people travelling straight on (no matter on foot, bike, car, roller skates or hoverboard) the priority; they shouldn't stop. An example in Worcester is shown below. Also no metal barriers. None. Nope, you're not going to convince me by mentioning mini motorbikes or antisocial behaviour; go and read LTN 1/20 or zip it.
COMFORTABLE: Surface needs to be smooth baby. No rocks, no roots, no cobbles, no steps, no gravel. Did I miss anything? A great example below is the top of the shared use path from Henwick Road to Hylton Road.
CONNECTED: Whatever the state of the infrastructure it also needs to be connected to other infrastructure at both ends. Signs saying ‘Route Ends’ or ‘Cyclists Dismount’ are a red flag. Also infrastructure finishing at a No Entry or No Cycling sign (eg. Worcester city centre) also gets no star in this category.
SEGREGATED (MV): Simples. We all want people to make more journeys by bike and less by car, right (spoiler: the answer is yes)? Then provide the space for them to do this. This means segregated from other people travelling at different speeds, so segregated from people driving motor vehicles. Oh, and paint doesn't count.
SEGREGATED (P): Simples. We all want people to make more journeys by bike and less by car, right (spoiler: the answer is yes)? Then provide the space for them to do this. This means segregated from other people travelling at different speeds, so segregated from people walking. Oh, and paint doesn't count.
SAFE: It needs to feel safe. This goes beyond segregated and comfortable, and includes stuff like the width of the path (needs to be wide enough to cycle next to someone and have a chat [think cycling with a child], or passing someone coming the other way which could easily be at a combined speed of 40 km/h), the lighting, visibility (as in is there a miscreant hiding in a bush), proximity to hazards (water, walls, vegetation, crocodiles), and debris, for example broken glass, and whether it's a hang out for people (who might be having a great time, but can make others feel uncomfortable)
So that's my scorecard. And this predated what was written in LTN 1/20, but is along the same bike lanes, defining the core design principles as Coherent, Direct, Safe, Comfortable and Attractive.
I'll tell you what, lets apply the same scoring methodology but utilising LTN 1/20 core design principles as well. Generosity personified; I know, what a guy.
Right, here's a few examples in Worcester, and some explanatory notes, below. The stars referenced in the notes are the Danbo scoring system (the top half of the tables below), and SUP means a shared use path (cycleway / footway):
Kepax Bridge and connected infrastructure (5 stars)
This is a fantastic asset and is super direct shaving about 2.5 miles off the previous from Hallow Road to Barbourne Road. Downside is the much vaunted attractive riverside figure of eight route for walking and cycling was a false promise, and onward routes on the west side are non existent. More thoughts on Kepax here.
Do I use it? Yes!
(2 stars)
This always was a shared use path, but then we wasted £10,000 putting up mahoosive signs and painting a white line down the middle. Note: people riding bikes are expected to share space with trees, sign posts, lamp posts, bins and a speed camera (I particularly like the detail of painting a white line around the speed camera post to make it absolutely clear this is NOT part of
the bike lane). But the reason I don’t use it is the lack of continuity; it ends abruptly, leaving you to cycle on a footway and wait for a pedestrian crossing, or re-join 3 lanes of motor traffic.
Do I use it? No!
Canal tow path - part of National Cycle Network route 45 (3 stars)
I regularly cycle to the rugby club, and this should be my preferred route, but there’s lots not great about it. Mainly it’s too narrow, so I’ll avoid it at times when it’s likely to be used by others. Also surface not great; in fact I don’t think I can ride it from Diglis without getting off and pushing (correction, did it last night,
but it’s a challenge; not possible with a trike), and it’s not a direct route. Plus I know a few folks that have fallen in.
Do I use it? Sometimes!
Warndon Villages cycleways (2 stars)
These are shared use cycleway / footway, so not segregated but usage is low enough that there’s rarely a conflict for space. They form a considerable network across the villages, and some paths run for several hundred metres without a break. Some run adjacent to roads, others through green corridors. Sounds idyllic, right?
OK, not so good is they meander, so any sense of where you are is difficult without local knowledge, and the signposting is poo (I meant to right poor, but poo works). Also there’s barriers, and then side roads where the markings change the default priority under the Highway Code (those going straight on, aka me) to (checks notes) people driving cars into cul de sacs. It’s also a pain to get on them, for instance if I’m cycling on a road with a cycleway to my left, an occasional dropped kerb to join it would be useful.
Do I use them? Sometimes, but mostly to get to my mate’s house who lives there.
The Tything bus / cycle lane (6 stars)
This runs for the best part of a mile from the Ombersley Road / Droitwich Road fork, past Foregate St Station and into the city centre. Segregated from everything except buses (there aren’t many, and add in a stop or two and they don’t keep up, plus the drivers are great) it’s a joyous arrival into Worcester. During rush hour you will overtake many cars. Downside? No continuity when you hit the shops.
Do I use it? Yes!
Henwick Road to Hylton Road (4 stars)
A brilliant short cut and fully segregated, and entering it from Henwick Road (west) end you might think it’s as close to Dutch infrastructure for miles around. As you head down the slope and sweep left, it then becomes confusing; the surface changes, priority given to cars entering a car park, and Cyclist Dismount and End of Route signs appear.
Do I use it? Most frequently walking my dog.
Riverside SUP (5 stars)
Not really direct, and there’s the occasional root that needs to be sorted but on the whole an excellent route and surface. Very attractive, but that also goes for people walking, and at times it’s so popular you make limited progress, so expect to be on the brakes and on the bell. Oh, and of course it’s underwater when the river floods.
Do I use it? Sometimes, but not if it’s busy.
Racecourse SUP (4 stars)
Surface is pretty good, OK if you’re heading in that direction, shared use with pedestrians and be on the lookout for dogs having fun in the river, and very attractive. Downside is it will be subsurface when the river is flooded. And to take the photo this evening I had go a ‘special’ route as it was officially closed due to the horse racing.
Do I use it? Occasionally.
Sabrina to Croft Road SUP (7 stars)
The best sort of direct; a short cut that’s quicker than taking the road. This is a link between the riverside and the city centre and routes heading north, so definitely connected. Could be improved at little cost.
Do I use it? Absolutely, for every journey into town.
Arches SUP west (5 stars)
Direct? Yes, another short cut, and ticks lots of other boxes to boot. Apparently though it’s also a car park, often for Worcestershire County Council vehicles.
Do I use it? Regularly.
Arches SUP east (4 stars)
Another direct route, recently opened up from Foregate St Station to Arches SUP (west) above and the riverside. It’s attractive, but stopping through traffic at the end and giving priority to pedestrians / bikes all the way with a super rainbow crossing would be a low cost improvement.
Do I use it? I go out of my way to use it, because it’s cool.
City Walls Road - Elgar’s Enigma (7 stars)
The city centre’s only bit of genuinely segregated infrastructure for bikes, and it runs for all of 40 metres. It does however allow you to safely bypass the entrance to a roundabout, so continuous, but it looks like they ran out of kerbs part way through.
Do I use it? Yes (but you have to cycle on a dual carriageway to get there).
Croft Road SUP (6 stars)
This runs north from the Sabrina to Croft Road SUP. Shared use but nice and wide and low pedestrian footfall on the whole. It takes you round a busy section of road (you’ll overtake loads of cars during rush hour, but then priority is given back to cars at the end for the crossing, and it all gets a bit annoying. Pretty sure the tactile paving is incorrectly installed.
Do I use it? Every time I’m heading in that direction.
Wainwright Road to canal SUP (6 stars)
This links up Warndon Villages to Sixways Stadium, David Lloyd Club and Worcester RFC, plus onward routes via the canal. The alternative would be to navigate the M5 junction 6 roundabout (recently ‘improved’ for £22.5 million but not so much as a nod to navigating by bike). It’s shared use but foot fall is low (except match days). Surface could be improved, and attractive during the day, scary by night.
Do I use it? Several times a week.
So that’s it really. If the infrastructure is good I will use it, and presumably so will others. But equally if it’s not good I probably won’t. Different people will have different priorities as to whether they use it or not; a great example would be if I was cycling with young children it would be off road at every opportunity, regardless of barriers or shared use with people walking. But regardless of whether I’m using it or not, it’s quite frankly got nowt to do with anyone I’m sharing the road with; if you want people riding bikes to always use bike lanes then join us in calling for a comprehensive network of bike lanes to be installed in accordance with current best practice design standards, and for existing bike lanes to be improved.
Please suggest some other infrastructure in the comments below, and I’ll for for a spin on it and give it a score and a little review.
As a parting gesture take a look at the series of videos I took while riding somewhere in the Netherlands a couple of years back. You’ll notice the paths are segregated from both motor vehicles and pedestrians, it has clear priority over side roads, has no barriers, runs continuously for miles, and the surface is as smooth as you like. Consequently everyone uses them. Who knew?
