Chertsey Bridge cycle path: an accident waiting to happen?

cntl

I normally do not cycle on this path, but did it today just to post it on the forum:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eVMm5YR2pQ

redddraggon

Hazardous! Makes the cycle lanes I avoid look harmless.

prj45

I'd just stay on the road there, no way I'd travel on that.

Just shows the change in the highway code so it wasn't compulsary to use a cycle path was patently and absolutely the right thing to do.

Stig-OT-Dump

I'm not trying to wind you up, but it looks to me like the path is meant to veer off to the left, past the bollard and along by the river. There doesn't seem to be any markings to show a bike path or shared facility over the bridge footpath. I'd say path you rode on stopped almost immediately after the "upside down" cyclist symbol.

In fact, although it isn't exactly clear, it even looks like there's a cyclist symbol off to the lleft just before the white sign board making your section a sort of elongated T-Junction

Stig

cntl

>>looks to me like the path is meant to veer off to the left, past the bollard and along by
>>the river.

Hmmm.... I will check it up tomorrow.

Bassjunkieuk

Stig-OT-Dump wrote:

I'm not trying to wind you up, but it looks to me like the path is meant to veer off to the left, past the bollard and along by the river. There doesn't seem to be any markings to show a bike path or shared facility over the bridge footpath. I'd say path you rode on stopped almost immediately after the "upside down" cyclist symbol.

In fact, although it isn't exactly clear, it even looks like there's a cyclist symbol off to the lleft just before the white sign board making your section a sort of elongated T-Junction

Stig

I'm getting that impression to, the narrow "path" across the bridge doesn't have any cycle markngs on it. As I know someone on here already had a rather close pass with a huge lorry (might even have been CNTL!) trying to cross there I'd approach in the road and adopt a primary position to try and stop cars overtaking. It's only a short bridge so at worst you might add a about 5-10 seconds to their precious journey, personally I'd rather hold them up then end up run over :-D

Gussio

It is a horrible bridge to cross, regardless of the cycle lane. Part of the problem is the speed of traffic approaching the bridge from the London side leading into the pinch point. I particularly hate having to turn right onto the lane to Laleham just as the bridge starts. Nice lane once you get onto it though, smooth tarmac and the soothing sight of flowing water to take your mind off the danger behind

RufusA

My local stamping ground!

I can confirm that the stretch of "pavement" over the bridge is NOT a cycle path, and it would be bl**dy stupid to attempt to use it as one IMHO. I get scared walking across it single file! The only safe way to cross the bridge with a bike is at speed in primary IMHO.

The cycle path sign is meant to take you down the slope on the left, UNDER the bridge, and then off to join up with National Cycle Route 4, across Chertsey Meads to Weybridge.

As you may be able to see on the following map:

http://www.sustrans.org.uk/default.asp? ... e=&nZoom=1

the bridge is the gap between the green and red cycle paths, near the bottom of the map.

However unless the Thames has subsided, the path under the bidge is around a foot deep in water, so wouldn't recommend following it!

HTH - Rufus

phil_ss1

I though there was a minimum width for shared cycle/foot paths? Or is that another "guideline" that p.correct councils can choose to ignore to increase their kM tally of "cyclepaths"?

Phil
(enjoying the sun in Nottingham)

cntl

>>I can confirm that the stretch of "pavement" over the bridge is NOT a cycle path

I think you are correct :oops: , although I can see how it can be mistaken for one(?)