Cycle lane at the top of Rye Lane

[Lucymarianne]

Hello - I saw there were some points about this a few years ago, but didn't seem to end up with anything definitive.

I think that the cycle lane/path from the library down Rye Lane (ending at the crossroads where Primark is) is crazy. It just doesn't look like a cycle path at all - I can't blame pedestrians for walking all over it. I don't even cycle really fast down it, and I appreciate previous posts explaining that it's designed as a shared space and "just go slowly, ring your bell etc etc" but...

1) nearly everyone now is on a phone or has headphones on - I would say pretty much no-one hears me ringing my little bell! I wonder if mobile phone usage and streaming music via a phone has increased so much since when it was designed, that the council didn't predict that in 2018 cyclists simply wouldn't be able to communicate with the vast majority of pedestrians?

2) sometimes people just walk right into it and you don't have a chance to stop or even shout. This happened to me today and I got knocked off my bike. It hurt.

3) the bike signs are almost invisible,

4) and even some cyclists don't realise that it's one way!

I really get it that it's virtually impossible for pedestrians to manage this. Even when I walk up Rye Lane I sometimes find myself wandering into the cycle path...

Does anyone else feel that it could do with a bit more visibility?

Thank you!

[se22cat]

The whole thing was incredibly badly managed from start to finish. Whoever was responsible for it's planning, design and signing off on it has no place being employed in any form of public works. It's counter intuitive and very dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians. I certainly wouldn't even think about cycling on it. The stretch between the traffic lights and the main road is particularly dangerous, with the shops on the corner blaring out music, pedestrians can't hear bikes coming from behind, made worse by all the red light jumpers and it's just a bloody mess really.

[rendelharris]

Absolutely - never use it, too much pedestrian/cyclist conflict caused by bad design, I always go round via Bellenden.

[Nigello]

Bad design, indifferent cyclists (sometimes), unaware pedestrians makes for accidents. It ought to be redesigned and "policed" once redone.

[rendelharris]

Not sure it would require much policing if it was properly designed and clearly marked - lanes which are, in my experience, have very little problems. This one's just ridiculous in its markings and situation.

[peckwoman]

It?s pretty dangerous for pedestrians too - several times I have nearly been run over by a bus or delivery vehicle crossing the road from the bus stop - what to do when suddenly a bike appears on the cycle lane and a bus starts moving on the road?

[FJDGoose]

This concept of cyclists and pedestrians sharing a space is a crazy idea in my opinion, half the time it hasn't been properly thought through.There is something similar at South Bermondsey station.Just at a certain point where the footpath needs to be at widest it is at its narrowest. I saw the aftermath of a collision between a pedestrian and a cyclist the other day.I don't know who was at fault - maybe the cyclist was going so fast he couldn't stop, maybe the pedestrian wasn't expecting to there to be cyclists.

[Lucymarianne]

I really wasn't going fast today (I am too lazy) but a woman just literally walked into me and knocked me off. Feeling very sorry for myself (hence original post)- please can I have some sympathy?!

[Townleygreen]

Ooh that looks really unpleasant Lucy, poor you....

Is that the sort of thing (only joking)

[rendelharris]

FJDGoose Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> This concept of cyclists and pedestrians sharing a

> space is a crazy idea in my opinion, half the time

> it hasn't been properly thought through.There is

> something similar at South Bermondsey station.Just

> at a certain point where the footpath needs to be

> at widest it is at its narrowest. I saw the

> aftermath of a collision between a pedestrian and

> a cyclist the other day.I don't know who was at

> fault - maybe the cyclist was going so fast he

> couldn't stop, maybe the pedestrian wasn't

> expecting to there to be cyclists.

Some cyclists do go too fast through that section, but 50% of people leaving the station have eyes glued to their 'phones and earphones in as they walk straight into a clearly marked shared path without checking...

[Lucymarianne]

Thank you!!!!

[intexasatthe moment]

oh ow Lucy that looks really sore ,and a b*gger on the knee because it has to be flexed .

Lots of sympathy from me .

[intexasatthe moment]

I've been trying to resist saying I told you so but I'm caving in .

There was a "consultation" about this cycleway which didn't seem v well publicsed as it seemed to mainly involve asking local shop keepers .Who I don't think had a cyclists viewpoint ,or indeed that of a pedestrian shopper .

I did respond to it outlining my concerns ,one of which was that my elderly mother with restricted sight would injure herself and a cyclist .

I did post on here about it with little interest shown .I was told that Southwark Cyclists had been consulted and were fully supportive of the scheme .

[solar]

Sympathies from me too. I hope you've had it treated as it looks painful. As others have said, that cycleway is dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians. I hope something is done about it soon.

[maggie222]

Lucy that is dreadful... I too hope that something would be done with that cycle lane. I also try to ride as slow as possible but pedestrians walked into me many times. Fortunately no injuries.

[peckham_ryu]

Well done OP for riding sensibly, owning a bell (an essential but oddly minority accessory), and avoiding being knocked under a passing 171. Bad luck on the unscheduled run-in with the pavement. Don?t let it put you off two wheels, although stay wary of this daft section of cycle route x

[zerkalo]

Sorry to hear you have had an accident Lucymarianne. I hope you are recovering well and that this won?t put you off from cycling.

I have been avoiding cycling on Rye Lane on my way into work in the morning, going via Adys, Nutbrook, Maxted and Bellenden instead. However, on the way back I have found it more convenient taking Rye Lane coming from Surrey canal path. The situation is getting worse and worse though and surely the shared path as it currently stands is not safe for either pedestrians or cyclists. Combined with the temporary traffic lights further down Rye Lane and the amount of buses and cars using that road, Rye Lane should reaaly be avoided on a bike. I hope there is something that can be done about this. Perhaps Southward Cyclists could help?

[intexasatthe moment]

Who knows with Southwark Cyclists given that they were all in favour of that cycleway when it was proposed .

[Lucymarianne]

Thank you so much for everyone's kind words, and for NOT turning this into a row between cyclists and pedestrians. I'll get onto the Council and Southwark Cyclists and see what happens...

[missyelliott]

I emailed the council about it a few years ago when they first did it. I asked why it wasn't painted a different colour. I can't even remember their reason but I remember thinking it was a lame response. Let me try and dig it out

[peckwoman]

I have an idea that TfL may have had a hand in the design? Certainly I remember a year or two ago now hearing that TfL were going to redesign this junction with the High Street, the sum of ?5m was mentioned I think.

[DuncanW]

Sorry you got hurt LM. I have had a similar experience on that stretch!

It is a poor design, and would be improved greatly just by painting it bright blue.

It's refreshing that this thread has not (yet) turned into an argument between cyclists and pedestrians.

@Peckhamryu - I thought it was mandatory that bicycles were sold with bells now?

[rendelharris]

DuncanW Wrote:

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> @Peckhamryu - I thought it was mandatory that

> bicycles were sold with bells now?

It is, but there's nothing to stop one removing it at once, it's not a legal requirement for riding. Personally I think that in traffic-heavy environments the voice is more effective, it's actually possible to shout politely if you try!