Cycle Motorways

PeakRider91

Cycling is obviously getting more and more popular every month. I propose its about time we had a dedicated cycle motorway in the UK.

Let's face it the cycle networks we do have are just a maze thru suburban estates.

Does anyone think this is a feasible idea? I'm thinking suspended cycle path 1 lane wide running alongside the M1.

Obviously funding is a big problem, but if people convinced our government to spend billions on high speed rail just to save 15 mins I'm sure we can get behind this idea.

On the face of it this may seem stupid but I'm not thinking roadies trying to do 70 mph on a 3 lane track, I'm thinking practical city to city straight line cycle paths if anyone agrees throw some concepts out.

bottom_bracket

are you nuts? How many people live within a few miles of the M1? I say build more motorways for cars so the smaller roads are quieter for cyclists...

thistle_

There's one along the M48.

I thought it was cycles only (no pedestrians) but Google tells me otherwise.

daveyroids

I think its a fantastic Idea. A19 round my way would be really appropriate for this. Its close to where people live and links up loads of business. I could really cut my commute time if I had that facility.

One thing that is going to happen is that the Sunderland end of the coast to coast is going to change. Tarmac surfaces, street lights and chopping down of trees. This is to make a high speed link to work. There is a further idea to link the local Nissan car factory with a further high speed link. Could be the right time to propose such a scheme.

Gizmodo

I work from home and cycling for me is all about getting out to see the countryside, not a straight TT from point a to point b - so I'm out.

neeb

Not sure about motorways M1 style, there aren't all that many people regularly cycling between major cities. I think where this sort of concept would be more useful would be along major commuting arteries inside/surrounding big cities. Imagine a tube 5m or so wide with transparent walls running above the middle of the road, high enough to clear the tallest buses and lorries. Maybe it could be suspended by cables from support pillars that also doubled as lampposts. Cycle commuters would have a non-stop run for 15 miles or whatever from various suburban areas with complete protection from the elements. Sure, many dedicated cyclists would prefer to be out in the open, but for many people that currently don't consider cycling an option it could be the deciding factor for year-round commuting (i.e. not having to contend with either traffic or the weather).

There would need to be at least 2 lanes in either direction to cope with different speeds. Maybe it could be pressurized to provide a slight tailwind, the direction of which would be switched between morning and evening.

The biggest problem to solve might be how to have frequent entry and exit points.

Cleat Eastwood

i've often thought this would be great idea.

plowmar

Wasn't this muted by Red Ken for London?, and got quietly or quickly ditched.

Airlocks neeb simples. But must be entered at 32 kph to keep the riff raff out. :twisted:

Scrumple

pointless...

I'f I wanted a 100 mile ride I'd not pick a tarmac motorway.

Also, if I wanted to ride between cities, I'd pick the country roads for the view.

If I commuted that far, I'd be in the wrong job.

More sensible would be a strategic look at where cycling blackspots are and where paths could be made to by pass main roads (like car by pass roads). Cycle paths are hideous things at the best of times, and would only be welcome for me to help cross under or over the motorways and A roads that interrupt lovely back roads.

mcp73

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29

PeakRider91

No troll

Headhuunter

Are there enough cyclists travelling the sort of distances between towns that motorways like the M1 cover to make dedicated cycle motorways feasible? I think the average Joe uses his or her bike to travel in the local area, to the shops, to and from work etc and wouldn't consider riding a bike 20 or 30 miles along a cycle motorway between major towns. I doubt club riders would use them. I think they would end up unused or simply used/blocked by pedestrians. Also they would probably end up unmaintained and covered in potholes etc.

If the govt has money to spend on cycling infrastructure it's more likely to be spent in major cities...

BridlingtonBiker

The cycle lanes need to be covered in a glass canopy and a vacuum created. You have to wear o2 cyclinders to breathe but with no air resistance to overcome you could probably cycle close to 70 along side the traffic on the motorway

deveng

bottom_bracket wrote:

are you nuts? How many people live within a few miles of the M1? I say build more motorways for cars so the smaller roads are quieter for cyclists...

Hi would take about 5 minutes for me to cycle to the M1.

PaulRoubaix

Why not fill in all the canals, put a loverly tarmac surface on them, then there will be a cheap cycle network that links cities together, and with some exceptions, mostly gradient free,

Sure, some boat dwellers might moan.

SR7492

PaulRoubaix wrote:

Why not fill in all the canals, put a loverly tarmac surface on them, then there will be a cheap cycle network that links cities together, and with some exceptions, mostly gradient free,

Sure, some boat dwellers might moan.

haha - made me chuckle

seanorawe

Even if M1 had this lane with fence or gate to stay safe from car crahes etc. A woman driver will still manage to run you over. They have a special ability to not see, hear or even think about you, even after she hits you at speed.

PeakRider91

Borris aka future PM has cropped on to this idea we need to push it.

Winston Smith

Would be better to do it alongside railways I feel. Railways generally run through quieter, more picturesque land and have shallow gradients.

Also/Alternatively upgrade towpaths from rutted dirt to smooth tarmac, they are very quite and pass through beautiful land and have no gradient, but I doubt British Waterways would agree and the fishermen would be up in arms.

p9uma

PaulRoubaix wrote:

Why not fill in all the canals, put a loverly tarmac surface on them, then there will be a cheap cycle network that links cities together, and with some exceptions, mostly gradient free,

Sure, some boat dwellers might moan.

Don't need to concrete over the canals, just take a pedalo?