Conversion of on road cycle lanes to shared footpaths

OldSkoolKona

Update on the above. I've spoken to the local LCC coordinator from Richmond who gave a really good reply to my query - was good to get the feedback. Apparently this change in the OP (on the A305) didn't go through the normal consultation process, whereas the one on the Hampton Court road did, which resulted in the on road cycle lane being kept in addition to the shared path, a decent compromise, and something I have seen work well elsewhere.

One thing the coordinator did point me towards was an explanation of the consultation process - see the following link:
http://tinyurl.com/3yokjm

I suppose the conclusion is get involved with your local cycling organisations, get writing to local politicians/papers where appropriate and not sit back. Easier said than done, but those who do volunteer, have, like all of us, limited free time. The more of us volunteer, the more gets done. I for one will be seeing what I can do to get involved locally now, rather than just rant to the converted online. 8)

NGale

I have decided that Devon County Council are homicidal maniacs when it comes to cyclists in the county. Ok we have the really nice coast to coast path but if you cycle around the cities they put in these nice cycle paths which then suddenly throw you back onto the main roads and then back onto a nice cycle path again. So why bother? have one or the other for heavens sake, don't confuse the situation!
Then there is cycle path design...like the bloody clever bit of design when sees two lamp posts and a bollard spaced less than a meter apart meaning you can't actually cycle past without taking yourself out in a hedious manner.

For a city with a cycling MP (and famously so) the cycle paths around here are seriously crap design wise.

OldSkoolKona

Well there is always the infamous 'Cycle Facility of the Month' web site - would be hilarious if it weren't such a serious issue:

Cycle Facility of the Month Site